Fantasy Football Week 5 Running Back Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season is underway which means we are in the thick of fantasy football season! The fantasy landscape has already changed since the preseason due to breakout players and major injuries across the league. Bye weeks are starting to take place. This means that running backs like Bijan Robinson and Josh Jacobs will be out this week. It would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similarly. Here are fantasy football Week 5 running back rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]

[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started because of their consistency and moderately high floor. 

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Running Back Rankings

Players that could miss this week’s game

RB16 Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Chuba Hubbard missed practice on Wednesday with a calf injury. He was limited in practice last week because of the injury and played through it. If Hubbard misses Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins Rico Dowdle moves up to RB19 between Rachaad White and Jordan Mason.

RB47 Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

Tyjae Spears was limited in practice with an ankle injury he suffered in the preseason. This is the first week that Spears can return and have his season debut. If Spears misses Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals Tony Pollard moves up to RB20 between Rachaad White and Jordan Mason.

RB48 Miles Sanders, Dallas Cowboys  

Miles Sanders missed practice on Wednesday with knee and ankle injuries. He suffered the injury last week against the Green Bay Packers. If Sanders misses Week 5 against the New York Jets Jaydon Blue is expected to backup Javonte Williams in Dallas’ backfield.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucky Irving’s status is up in the air after missing practice this week with foot and shoulder injuries. Reports stated that Irving was in a walking boot this week. He could miss a couple games due to this injury. While Irving is out Rachaad White is expected to start at running back for the Buccaneers. Sean Tucker will also see work in this backfield while Irving is out. White should be inserted into fantasy lineups right away. Tucker is an intriguing stash to put on benches because there is chance he has a large role in this offense or could overtake White as the starter. 

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals placed Trey Benson on injured reserve on week after placing James Conner on season ending inured reserve. Benson’s meniscus injury will cause him to miss between 4-6 weeks. Arizona will likely have a backfield by committee in Benson’s absence. Emari Demercado is expected to lead the committee. Michael Carter is expected to have a role in this committee and could split snaps with Demercado. Arizona also has Bam Knight on their roster as well who could be their power back.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets

Braelon Allen suffered an MCL sprain last week against the Miami Dolphins. He is expected to miss multiple weeks because of the injury. Isaiah Davis will back up Breece Hall in Allen’s absence. Hall could receive a workload similarly to what many thought he would have coming into last season when many thought Hall would be a breakout star. 

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