Through four weeks, fantasy owners have been hammered with injuries at key positions and high draft picks. In Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season, fantasy owners are finally getting positive news about star players for their teams.

Which stand-out athletes are looking to make noise in Week 5? Find out those answers and more in this week’s edition of NFL Fantasy Football News.

New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson Questionable

The Patriots shocked some observers by adding two RBs – Rhamondre Stevenson and Ty Montgomery – to the injury list Wednesday.

Stevenson was a limited participant in practice due to a thigh issue and would be the biggest blow to New England’s anemic offense.

The third-year RB has amassed 60 carries and 164 yards through four weeks for the Patriots.

Fantasy Impact

If Stevenson cannot go, New England will turn to Ezekiel Elliott and Montgomery (who was limited due to illness).

Elliott has a better yards per-rush average (4.1 to 2.7 yards per rush) and could be a bigger threat as a receiver after catching eight of 11 targets for 27 yards this season.

Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams Not Practicing Thursday

After suffering a shoulder injury in Week 4’s loss to the Chargers, Las Vegas WR Davante Adams sat out practice Thursday to heal his wounds.

In spite of the injury, Adams led all receivers with 13 targets and eight receptions for a total of 75 yards.

Fantasy Impact

At this point, the Las Vegas WR is on track to play in the Monday night game, but fantasy owners should continue to monitor his status ahead of the game.

Adams is the Raiders’ top-targeted receiver, garnering nearly as many looks (50) as the next two highest-targeted receivers combined (51).

If Adams isn’t available, look for Josh Jacobs to receive a larger chunk of the workload both on the ground and through the air.

New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley Eyes Sunday Return

After missing two games with a high ankle sprain, New York RB Saquon Barkley appears ready to return to the field Sunday in the Week 5 tussle with the Miami Dolphins.

Barkley was still listed as a limited participant in both practices this week, but multiple reports suggested he was back at full strength in those appearances.

Fantasy Impact

Fantasy owners will rejoice with Barkley spearheading the Giants’ offense. Without him, New York has been abysmal, scoring a combined 15 points against the 49ers and Seahawks.

If he plays, Barkley is a must-start at RB in Week 5 against the Dolphins as Miami has yielded a league-high 707 yards through four weeks.

Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor Full Practice Participant

After losing the first month of the season to an ankle injury, Colts RB Jonathan Taylor returned to practice Wednesday as a full participant.

Taylor has led Indianapolis in rushing each of his first three seasons in the league, amassing 3,841 yards and 33 TDs since the start of the 2020 season.

Fantasy Impact

In his absence, third-year RB Zack Moss filled in with 280 yards rushing and a lone TD as the featured back. When asked if he was committed to playing for the Colts, Taylor said he would be for the remainder of the year despite slow-playing his return due to an ongoing contract dispute.

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford Cleared For Sunday

In the second half of last Sunday’s win, Matthew Stafford was clearly in pain from a hip contusion he suffered from a clean hit against the Indianapolis Colts.

On Monday, Rams HC Sean McVay said Stafford would be ready to go for Week 5’s contest against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.

Fantasy Impact

Fantasy owners who claimed Los Angeles WR Puka Nacau off waivers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Matthew Stafford – and not rookie Stetson Bennett – should be under center in a tough home matchup Sunday.

Stafford’s fantasy owners will also be happy as the wiley vet has tossed for 1,229 yards this year and three TDs.