The NFL joined other sports with a COVID-19 scare in Tennessee this past week. However, that won’t stop football from cruising into the week ahead and fantasy along with it. As always, we here at Belly Up Sports are here to help. We will especially help settle any nagging fantasy roster questions with this football waivers week five edition. There is precious little time to waste, so let’s get right to it, shall we?

Running Backs

The running back position took another beating in week four. Seems to be a familiar theme by now, doesn’t it? Runners such as Drake, Chubb and Ekeler went down this past Sunday and replacements are certainly needed for them. The below players can do just that.

Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals, 25.4% owned

Those waiting for a Kenyan Drake breakout are beyond frustrated at this point. He has been ineffective and suffered an injury in week four. Look for Chase Edmonds to get an opportunity for Arizona whatever the health of Drake is.

Edmonds had four rushes for 16 yards and caught five of six targets against the Panthers. One of the catches went for a touchdown. With the Jets and Cowboys upcoming, Edmonds should get a fantasy owner a lot of bang for the buck. Pick him up if there is a need at running back.

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team, 5.7% owned

J.D. McKissic finds his way onto the football waivers week five edition not because of his rushing ability, but because of his catching. Against one of the toughest defenses in Baltimore, McKissic caught seven of his eight targets for 40 yards. The targets almost equal his output (nine) in the first three games.

Washington has another tough D upcoming in the Rams but McKissic should see more playing time going forward. Especially in PPR, he is a quality add this week.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, 25.7% owned

Apparently, two running back can coexist in Dallas. Even though the Cowboys aren’t winning games, they sure can produce on offense. Add Tony Pollard to the list of offensive play makers. Against Cleveland, Pollard rushed three times for 16 yards and a score while catching a pass for an additional 16 yards.

Ezekiel Elliott has yet to truly break out this season. With such a porous defense, the Cowboys need all of their skill players to step up. As such, Pollard should be expected to see the field more than most probably expected. With bye weeks ahead and all of the injuries to the position this year. Pollard should be a good pickup going forward.

Other recommendations- D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns (for those that own Nick Chubb). Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers, probably isn’t available in a lot of leagues. If he is, get him!

Wide Receivers

Without question, injuries play a role around the league in the wide receiver position. Quite a few players are stepping up and there should be plenty of options come Wednesday morning.

Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos, 0.6% owned

There probably weren’t a lot of people watching the Denver Broncos entertaining 37-28 victory over the Jets. That’s too bad because there was a real coming out party on display Thursday night. The player that delivered was Tim Patrick. Not many owners were familiar with Patrick before this week. However, that needs to change in a big way.

Patrick was targeted a team high seven times against the Jets, resulting in six catches for 113 yards and a score. Despite Denver’s unsettled quarterback position, fantasy owners will get production out of Patrick. He has stepped up big with Courtland Sutton missing the rest of the season. Patrick has been targeted 21 times through four games. That clearly shows he will get his regardless of the QB.

His ownership is near zero, but that won’t last long. Because of his performance Thursday, Patrick is highly recommended on this football waivers week five edition. That can’t be questioned, even with the Patriots up next for Denver.

Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers, 2% owned

Without question, one thing readers can be sure of, there will be plenty of skill players featured when the opponent is the Falcons. In week five, the Panthers and Atlanta will meet, which shifts attention to Curtis Samuel. Everyone knows how flightless the Falcon D is this season. Even better for the Panthers, Atlanta will have one less day to prepare after playing Monday night.

Samuel was targeted eight times in the season opener against the Raiders. Undoubtedly, a repeat or ever better can be expected Sunday. He should be more involved than he was against the Cardinals, catching three of four targets for 51 yards, Samuel may not be worth owning more than one or two weeks this season, but week five is definitely one of them.

Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals, 40% owned

The recommendation for Christian Kirk isn’t for anything he did in week four. Three catches for 19 yards and a score is nothing to celebrate. Even so, he is recommended because of the next two opponents the Cardinals will face. The Jets and Cowboys (especially Dallas) are a horror show on defense. That alone should get Kirk and Arizona as a team back on track. Despite his poor showing thus far, all systems are go for Kirk the next two weeks.

Other recommendations- Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints, most likely isn’t available. If so, don’t hesitate and claim him! Chris Godwin is out, so check on Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tight Ends

Last edition, there were some solid selections in the tight end position. That is not the case in week five. If help is needed, get to the store early, because the pickings are slim.

Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns, 40.9% owned

Before the season began, Austin Hooper was a hot commodity, especially as a tight end that was going later in drafts. Until Sunday, Hooper was a huge disappointment. Against the sad sack Cowboy defense, Hooper caught five of seven targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. His catch total equaled his two previous games combined.

It must be conceded that 34 yards is nothing to get excited about, but the seven targets is. Cleveland has two pretty tough defenses coming up in the Colts and Steelers. At this point in the season, there aren’t a lot of tight ends worth picking up off waivers, however, so beggars can’t be choosers. If tight end help is needed, Hooper is about the only player worth looking into on this football waivers week five list.

Other recommendations: If Hooper is off the board, Greg Olsen of Seattle, recommended in week two, is still available. If that doesn’t work, try Ian Thomas, if for no other reason than he is facing the same Atlanta team as Bridgewater and Samuel.

Quarterbacks

Unlike the other positions, there are quite a few quarterbacks on the waiver that can help fantasy owners. Check the wire and don’t hesitate to make a move for an upgrade if necessary.

Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers, 9.8% owned

If it is recommended that skill players get a recommendation when facing the Falcons, that has to include the quarterback, no? In this case, that quarterback is Teddy Bridgewater. He has earned this recommendation not just because of Atlanta, however, as Bridgewater played huge on Sunday. He completed 26 of 37 passes for 276 yards and two TDs against the Cardinals, In addition, Bridgewater rushed six times for 32 yards and a score.

Bridgewater has completed over 70% of his passes in his last three games. Best of all, Carolina has won two straight against the Chargers and Cardinals. Those two teams were expected to be good defensively, which really opens the door for the Panthers and Bridgewater against Atlanta. If a rostered quarterback is struggling or on a bye, Bridgewater should be the number one priority pickup for this football waivers week five list.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers, 11.7% owned

The question of who is the starting quarterback for the Chargers has been settled. It is Justin Herbert. Look at the stat line he put up against a good Tampa defense. Herbert completed 20 of 25 passes for 290 yards and three TDs. He also rushed five times for 14 yards.

Herbert has a rushing touchdown this season, showing that he is a capable runner. He has thrown an interception of each game, though, and needs to work on that. Of course, the 290 yards were the first time in his starts he didn’t throw for 300 yards. He is indeed a bright spot for an otherwise sad Charger franchise. The team looks to be behind a lot and will throw the ball often. Obviously, that works in the favor of fantasy owners that scoop him up.

Other recommendations- Nick Foles, Chicago Bears, Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders and Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans, same as last week.

Thanks for joining me for this fantasy football waivers week five edition. Please feel free to make a comment or suggestion on players that should be added to or removed from the list. I welcome all input. Have a great fantasy football week five! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!