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.

Dallas faces a defensive crisis in 2025 as the unit drags a 1-2 start into Week 4. The stats sting: 30th in total defense, 27th in scoring, and dead last in passing yards allowed. Schottenheimer plans both schematic and personnel shakeups, with JaDaveon Clowney set to return as a spark. Parson’s move to Green Bay reshapes the Cowboys’ edge dynamics, leaving Dak Prescott and a shaken secondary to weather a Sunday night showdown with Green Bay.