The fantasy football Week 5 injury report has Brandon Marshall and Calvin Johnson ailing and some replacement pickup options for the weekend include Eddie Royal, Golden Tate, Sammy Watkins, Brian Quick, Rueben Randle, Odell Beckham, Jeremy Kerley and Keenan Allen, as those names could step up and help if the big name WRs are held out or limited on Sunday.
Marshall has been hobbled for a few weeks now with an ankle injury, while Johnson was used as a decoy last week and while he should play again this week, he is also not 100 percent. Eddie Royal comes in after having a great game last week and he could be a solid spot starter for teams. Royal has an offense that likes to throw the ball and he consistently has been getting into the endzone. Tate was banged up this week in practice, but with Johnson ailing, it could be a good move to take another Lions receiver to play in place of Megatron.
Calvin Johnson and Marshall are both in danger of getting held out and while they could be active, it's getting very close to Sunday and the results are not looking great. According to Pro Football Talk, Johnson was limited in practice and said that there always is a chance that he gets held out and it comes after was used in about half the snaps last week against the Jets. Johnson was targeted just twice and he did not look like his usual self. The same went for Marshall, who was noticeably slower in the game against the Packers.
Golden Tate obviously would benefit from Johnson being out and after how he played last week he could be a sleeper option to start. Tate is also a bit banged up with a hamstring injury, but head coach Jim Caldwell said he would play so that is a solid option for fantasy owners. Obviously it hurts to lose Johnson, as he has been one of the best players in the NFL over the past few years and he already has 21 catches for 341 yards and two scores this season.
The Lions play the Bills on Sunday and Tate comes in after making eight catches for 116 yards and while he doesn't have a TD, he is leading the Lions with over 300 receiving yards. Tate has 24 catches this season and he has been targeted quite a bit for Matthew Stafford and that could happen again on Sunday. Maclin is coming into the season after an injury and he has performed well for the Eagles. This season Maclin is on pace for 1,000 yards already and with the team 3-1 he should continue to get his chances.
This year Maclin has 20 catches for 353 yards and three touchdowns in four games played and he has been the favorite target for Nick Foles. Maclin has been finding his way into the endzone and that is always huge for fantasy receivers. Maclin and the Eagles love to throw the ball and he should continue getting targets over Riley Cooper.
Watkins comes in healthy after being banged up the past couple weeks, as he was able to practice in full. Kyle Orton is coming in at QB and while he is not as dynamic as EJ Manuel, he is a veteran and a pocket passer and that could bode well for Watkins in a tough matchup with the Lions.