Week 5 pits Seattle against Tampa Bay in a high-stakes NFC showdown, but both sides ride notable inactive lists. Seattle lists seven absences—DeMarcus Lawrence, Julian Love, Devon Witherspoon, Jared Ivey, Josh Jones, Cody White, Nick Kallerup—while Tampa Bay sits Mike Evans, Jamel Dean, Bucky Irving, Christian Izien, and Benjamin Morrison. With these starters out, fantasy managers should recalibrate expectations and consider how backups could lift or limit the box score in today’s tilt.

Backups stepping in across both teams will shape assignments, targets, and defensive matchups, altering DFS values and ceiling floors. The absence of top playmakers forces coaches to lean on depth and scheme, which can create upside for opportunistic players and more volatility for starters who rely on these absences to drive production.

Nick Emmanwori is back to full participation for Seattle ahead of the Week 5 clash with Tampa Bay, signaling a likely return from the ankle sprain that kept him out since opening day. Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, and Demarcus Lawrence are day-to-day or limited, while Josh Jones remains sidelined with an ankle issue. Cody White returned to full practice, giving the offense some WR depth. On the Buccaneers’ side, Bucky Irving is listed as week-to-week with a foot sprain.

Thursday updates will sharpen fantasy projections. Emmanwori’s return could lift Seattle’s defense and linebacking rotation, while White’s health maintains a clearer WR depth chart. TB’s Irving status may push the backfield toward a committee, altering expected rushing volume for Seattle’s Week 5 opponent.

Pittsburgh's No. 15 countdown centers on Ben Skowronek, the 2024 signee who could push into the 2025 offense as part of the Aaron Rodgers era after anchoring special teams. The Jets game at MetLife looms as a proving ground for his ceiling in gadget and short-area roles, plus any immediate return value. The No. 15 lineage in Steelers history is modest but notable, with Cody White, Demarcus Ayers, Justin Brown and Willie Reid preceding Skowronek. Mike Kruczek stands as the benchmark, a late-70s backup who started six games and earned two Super Bowl rings, the best wearer of the number.

No. 15's fantasy narrative for 2025 hinges on Skowronek translating special-teams ability into real offensive snaps. Watch how quickly the coaching staff leans on him in quick games, screens and red-zone packages. The Jets prep era sets the stage for a breakout angle, even as the Pittsburgh depth chart remains crowded. Kruczek's legacy casts a reminder: sometimes the journeyman No. 15 becomes a sleeper when opportunity knocks.