The San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers had to play their first four weeks of the season without two of their big fantasy options due to suspensions, but they get those players back for Monday Night Football. San Diego gets tight end Antonio Gates back and the Steelers get Martavis Bryant back for the game.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Steelers vs. Chargers on Monday night
Both teams get theoretically key offensive players back from suspension for Monday’s game.
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the second straight week Monday, but they will have wide receiver Markus Wheaton despite his ankle injury. The Chargers, meanwhile, will be without wide receiver Stevie Johnson, and it looks like Malcom Floyd could also miss the game with a concussion.
The Chargers will host Monday’s game, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
STEELERS
Start ‘em: It doesn’t matter who Pittsburgh plays at quarterback; Le’Veon Bell is probably the league’s single best option at running back. ... Antonio Brown struggled in Week 4 without Ben Roethlisberger, but overall, it’s still Antonio Brown, and you’re still using him.
Start ‘em?: If you’re digging deep, Heath Miller is an acceptable TE2, but in general you should be able to do better.
Sit ‘em: Without Roethlisberger, the Steelers have turned to Michael Vick. He wasn’t bad in Week 4, but he’s hardly a good fantasy option. ... The extended absence for Martavis Bryant has turned him from “passable low-end receiver option” to “player people think will be a difference-maker,” and that’s crazy. He’s barely fantasy-relevant right now. ... What Bryant’s return does is make Markus Wheaton a guaranteed bench candidate. ... The Steelers just signed Chris Boswell as their new kicker, but you shouldn’t go near him. ... The Steelers’ defense isn’t anything special.
CHARGERS
Start ‘em: Week 4 was a huge game for Philip Rivers; he’s now averaging 19.5 fantasy points a game. ... The carries have been largely split in San Diego, but Danny Woodhead’s pass-catching makes him a RB2. ... Keenan Allen has had three great games in four tries this year; he’s a WR2 bordering on WR1 territory. ... If you’ve been waiting all season on Antonio Gates, go ahead and put him in your lineup now.
Start ‘em?: Until Melvin Gordon starts finding the end zone, he’s not much beyond a flex option in fantasy. ... Josh Lambo followed up a two-point Week 3 with 14 in Week 4; he’s inconsistent, but that offense gives him a decent ceiling.
Sit ‘em: Even if he plays, you probably aren’t using Malcom Floyd, and either way, Dontrelle Inman needs to be benched as well. ... The return of Gates renders Ladarius Green an afterthought. ... The Chargers’ defense is mediocre at best, and against Pittsburgh you need better than that.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Philip Rivers, Danny Woodhead, Keenan Allen
Start if you’re desperate: Heath Miller, Melvin Gordon, Josh Lambo
Bench: Michael Vick, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh defense, Malcom Floyd, Dontrelle Inman, Ladarius Green, San Diego defense
