Macdonald: Seahawks to feature 2-3 RBs

Johnson did add, “He had 30 carries, and he feels like he had 30 carries.” Monangai will play in Week 5 versus the Packers, but it doesn’t sound like he will double up D’Andre Swift in carries for the second week in a row. Expect a more even split of the work this week, with Swift potentially returning to his normal lead-back role. Even with fewer carries, Monangai is locked in as a fantasy RB3.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo already reported that Daniels is expected to play in Week 5 and a full practice to open the week all but confirms his update. With Marcus Mariota also banged up, seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis would have been the next man up. He will back Daniels up as long as the latter doesn’t suffer any setbacks. The Commanders will likely dial back the designed runs for their franchise quarterback, but fantasy managers have to start him as a low-end QB1 as long as he’s on the field.

Higgins went down with the injury in the fourth quarter of Week 4. He tried to play through it but ultimately ended the game on the sidelines. A limited practice today is a good sign for his Week 5 availability. That will be doubly important with Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) also questionable for Sunday’s game. If Chase can’t clear protocol in time, Higgins will operate as the Bengals’ No. 1 receiver. Even at less than full strength, he would be a fringe WR1 play.

Chase suffered the brain injury in Week 4 and did not return. He entered the league’s concussion protocol after the game. Taylor didn’t give much of an update on where he stands for Week 5, but Chase has several hurdles to clear before he is given the green light. He is likely on the wrong side of questionable to start the week, but it’s too early to say anything definitively. If he can’t go, Tee Higgins, who is dealing with an injury of his own, would take on the lion’s share of the targets in the Cincy offense.

The Ravens have sustained several interior offensive line injuries in recent weeks. Things got so bad that they did not have a healthy center on the active roster or practice squad after Week 3. Jurgens is currently in concussion protocol and may not suit up this week, but he will take over as the team’s starter once healthy. The Eagles, in turn, will move forward Drew Kendall at center.

Pierce will probably operate as the team’s No. 2 back behind Will Shipley this week against the Jaguars, one of the league’s best rush defenses. Tank Bigsby and Saquon Barkley are sidelined, leaving the Eagles scraping bottom for backfield depth. Look for Pierce to get some early-down work against the Jaguars. Shipley, who had six carries for 23 yards last week, is the only viable fantasy option of the two, though head coach Nick Sirianni heaped praise on Pierce Wednesday. “He’s an NFL starting running back,” Sirriani said of Pierce. “Maybe wouldn’t have said that when he was on our practice squad publicly, because of the fear of losing him. But he’s an NFL starting running back.”

Mitchell will likely miss his third straight game with the finger issue. He suffered the injury just as he was coming on as the team’s clear No. 2 wideout behind Garrett Wilson. With Mitchell sidelined last week against the Bears, Isaiah Williams was second on the team in pass routes, saw three targets, and caught a 58-yard touchdown from Geno Smith. Williams will have some deep-league viability in Week 5 against a Browns defense allowing the most air yards in the NFL.

It doesn’t look like Hall will practice this week as he recovers from the injury he sustained in Week 3. That would mean Braelon Allen, who saw all 14 running back rushes for New York in Week 4, will again function as the team’s workhorse in Week 5 against the Browns. Allen should still be considered a top-24 option despite the Jets’ immense offensive struggles last week against Chicago. The Browns defense is allowing the sixth highest EPA per rush this season.

Beckham, 33, was released by the Giants last week after getting almost no playing time in the season’s first few games. In Minnesota he will reunite with Kevin O’Connell, who worked with OBJ during his stint with the Rams. With Justin Jefferson (ankle) sidelined last week, Jordan Addison led Minnesota wideouts with 39 percent of the team’s air yards and 16 percent of the targets. Jauan Jennings, meanwhile, had one target while running 95 percent of the team’s routes. Beckham could operate as the team’s WR2 while Jefferson is sidelined. In the Vikings’ ultra run-heavy offense, that probably won’t matter for fantasy purposes.

The sprain Jackson sustained in Week 4 against the Titans, according to Rapoport, is neither low nor high. Rapoport said Monday that Jackson has an “outside” shot at suiting up in Week 5 against the Falcons and could miss multiple games with the unique ankle situation. Tyler Huntley will once again sub in for Jackson until he’s ready to return. Baltimore will likely be far more run heavy with Huntley under center, limiting targets for Zay Flowers and the rest of the Ravens pass catchers.