Looking for Week 5 RB start/sit picks? Here are the running backs to start and sit in your fantasy football lineup. There have already been multiple key injuries at this position along with a mix of surprises from veterans and young players. This sets the stage for tough lineup decisions for every fantasy manager. Let’s break down my Week 5 fantasy football RB start/sit picks below.
Fantasy Football Week 5 RB Start/Sit: Running Back Picks
- Running backs to start: Ollie Gordon II, Kyle Monangai
- Running backs to sit: Will Shipley, TreVeyon Henderson
Week 5 RB Start: Ollie Gordon II vs. Bengals
Following De’Von Achane’s season-ending ACL injury, many fantasy analysts had reservations about another back stepping in and finding success within such a volatile Dolphins offense. Ollie Gordon II has quieted the doubters quite effectively over his last two contests.
The second-year back amassed 14.5 and 18 fantasy points respectively over those two outings, producing remarkable efficiency on the ground against a stout Vikings run defense with nine carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. There will certainly be down games in Gordon II’s future, but his recent output and established status as the new lead back in Miami makes him a strong RB2 this week against Cincinnati. The Bengals have been solid against the run this year, but if Gordon II can find success against the Vikings, Cincy shouldn’t be a problem.
Week 5 RB Sit: Will Shipley at Jaguars
Saquon Barkley is dealing with a hamstring injury that will likely require missed time, and promising backup Tank Bigsby suffered a core muscle injury that has placed him on IR. That leaves the Eagles with Will Shipley, who will almost certainly carry a heavy workload this week. I’m just not sure it will translate to production.
Philly’s offense has been absolutely decimated by injuries with Barkley, Bigsby, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert banged up. As a result, Jalen Hurts and company haven’t been able to move the ball. I don’t love Shipley’s odds of producing against a stacked Jaguars box. Jacksonville has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to RBs this season, only further compounding the negative momentum for Shipley’s fantasy prospects.
Find all of my Week 5 start/sit picks for each position here!
Week 5 RB Start: Kyle Monangai at Packers
Fantasy managers around the globe are feverishly reacting to the Bears’ backfield split in their win over the Jets last Sunday. D’Andre Swift led the way to open the contest, but fumbled in the third quarter and was subsequently benched for the remainder of the game. That opened the door for second-year back Kyle Monangai, and he took advantage of the opportunity.
Monangai saw a whopping 30 carries, taking them for 146 yards and two touchdowns. It was quite the statement for a young back who will battle Swift for chances on a weekly basis. I wouldn’t expect a similar split this week against Green Bay with Swift returning to the fold, but one would imagine Monangai has earned at least 12-15 touches. Against a Packers team that is surrendering the most fantasy points in the league to running backs, that puts Monangai in RB2/FLEX territory.
Week 5 RB Sit: TreVeyon Henderson vs. Raiders
I’ve officially reached “I need to see it again before I believe it” territory with TreVeyon Henderson. The dynamic change-of-pace back broke a big gain for a touchdown in his 2026 season debut, but it’s been all downhill since. Usage hasn’t been an issue for Henderson, as he’s been relatively involved, but translating that into production has certainly been a problem. The speedy, big-play threat amassed just 65 yards on 22 carries over his last two outings.
Rhamondre Stevenson has out-snapped, out-touched and out-produced Henderson in back-to-back weeks, so the notion that the second-year RB could flip this backfield seems to have been overblown. Rhamondre is the running back you want to start in New England, and until Henderson starts producing or gets involved in the passing attack, it’ll stay that way.
Those are my Week 5 RB start/sit fantasy picks. Stay tuned for more start ’em, sit ’em content over the rest of the week!
