Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Week 5 Start/Sit + TNF Preview, Breaking Benson News!

Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

This episode centers around pivotal fantasy football start/sit decisions for Week 5, fresh injury news (notably the Trey Benson situation), backup option strategy after waivers, and an in-depth preview of Thursday Night Football between the 49ers and Rams. The hosts lean heavily into actionable insights, live reactions to breaking news (including an unexpected Trey Benson IR bombshell), and address listener questions via their weekly mailbag segment. The tone is lively, opinionated, and occasionally hilarious, keeping football analysis fun and relatable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Waiver Wire Reactions & Injury Fallout

• The crew reacts to Wednesday morning’s waiver wire movement, particularly the uncertainty and scramble involving Sean Tucker and Trey Benson due to injuries.

• Trey Benson's Injury:

  • Breaking news hits mid-episode: Trey Benson is placed on IR, sending shockwaves through waiver strategy.
  • Andy Holloway (35:55): “Breaking news. Trey Benson is being placed on injured reserve due to his knee injury...back to back weeks we have Connor and then Benson down for.”
  • Implications: Michael Carter and Amari Demercado are names to target for Cardinals RB touches.

• Sean Tucker vs Rashad White:

  • Ongoing debate about opportunity and usage, with uncertainty due to Tampa’s injuries.
  • Jason: “I would much, much, much rather have Rashad White...going this week than Sean Tucker.” [05:58]

2. Backup Options After Waivers (10:01-19:50)

• The hosts run through a rapid-fire “care/don’t care” for most-dropped players and highlight backup stashes for Week 5.

  • Players like Michael Carter and Jaden Blue get the nod as speculative pickups.
  • Jason on Jaden Blue (16:41): “He might be on the roster this week, and ... there’s a chance that Jaden Blue is just straight up the backup to Javonte Williams.”

• DST Stash Play:

  • New England Patriots defense is highlighted as a stash due to an upcoming “dream schedule,” despite playing Buffalo this week.

3. Thursday Night Football Preview: 49ers vs Rams (30:01–35:47)

• Rash of injuries for the 49ers: Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings all DNP at practice.
• Quarterback uncertainty: Brock Purdy's status unknown, Mac Jones mentioned as a possible starter.
  • Jason: “If Brock Purdy starts the game, we still don’t know who the quarterback that finishes the game is.” [31:05]
• Rams Offensive Standouts:
  • Puka Nacua is called “unbelievable.”
  • Andy (33:14): “Most receptions through the first four games...tied with what Cooper Kupp did in 2022.”
  • Both Kyren Williams and Nacua are considered locks to start.
• Matthew Stafford as a Streaming QB:
  • Despite big WR numbers, Stafford is not a recommended start due to negative rushing yardage and volatility.

4. Live Reaction: Trey Benson Placed on IR (35:55–38:15)

• The news prompts urgent waiver considerations:
  • Michael Carter: Predicted to lead in carries.
  • Demercado: Will get passing-down work.
  • Andy: “I would bet my life that Michael Carter gets more carries than Demercado.”
• The group reflects on the unlucky fantasy manager losing both Benson and Conner in back to back weeks.

5. NFL News and Injury Updates (20:01–29:59, 38:15–40:06)

• Lamar Jackson likely out; Cooper Rush could start for Baltimore:
  • Impact discussed for Zay Flowers and Derrick Henry. Jason expresses slight concern for Flowers due to the Texans’ strong pass D.
• Browns QB Switch:
  • Dylan Gabriel to start over Joe Flacco; hosts expect improved offensive stability.
• Braylon Allen IR Impact:
  • Huge boost for Breece Hall; Isaiah Davis named as a deep-league handcuff.
  • Mike: “You saw it in the game...Breece Hall got taken off the field for a touchdown opportunity. He has so much work in the passing game.”
• Jaden Daniels returns for Commanders after medical clearance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sean Tucker’s Opportunity:
  • Andy: “There are really talented running backs that spend some time in the background...maybe Tucker breaks out this week.” [05:43]
• On DST Stashing:
  • Mike: “The schedule is so good that...you might want to go stash this DST [New England], not to play them against Buffalo.” [19:42]
• On Trey Benson’s Breakout Prognostication:
  • Andy: “What an incredible amount of time we spent talking about Trey Benson before we got this news.” [36:55]
• On Nicknaming Cardinals OC Drew Petzing ‘Blobfish’:
  • Mike (38:03): “Pretty disrespectful...as are his offensive play calls.”
• On Michael Carter vs. Demercado:
  • Andy (37:30): “I would bet my life that Michael Carter gets more carries than Demercado.”

Listener Mailbag Highlights (40:07–54:19)

• Start/Sit & Trade Debates:
  • Judkins vs. Kenneth Walker (40:29–41:12): Panel unanimously prefers Judkins rest of season.
  • Crisis Flex (43:36–44:46): Malik Washington picked as the preferred “Nasty Boy” start in a rough bye week.
  • Dynasty SuperFlex Emergency QBs (44:51–45:56): Cooper Rush is the play over Jake Browning (“Could be your grandma” defense quip).
  • Bo Nix vs. Daniel Jones (46:25–47:09): Slight lean to Daniel Jones for Week 5.
  • Breece Hall vs. Travis Etienne ROS (47:09–48:58): Breece Hall is the slight ROS preference post-Braylon Allen injury.
  • CeeDee Lamb or Amari + Hampton (49:05–49:47): Trade is considered fair—Andy leans RB side, Jason prefers Lamb.
• Dynasty Value on Bill Krauski (51:07–52:08):
  • Jason: “I like Bill more in Redraft than Dynasty... usually a guy like this is replaced in their career.”
• High-volume WRs (52:15–53:26):
  • Chris Olave’s volume is lauded, but the crew notes the targets are “not super valuable.”

Important Timestamps

• Waiver Reaction/Backup Options: 01:46–19:50
• Trey Benson Injury Analysis & Fallout: 02:38, 35:55–38:15
• DST Deep Dive: 18:41–19:50
• Thursday Night Football Preview: 30:01–35:47
• Breaking Benson News Live: 35:55–38:15
• NFL News & Player Updates: 20:01–29:59, 38:15–40:06
• Listener Mailbag (Start/Sit, Trades, Dynasty, QB streamers): 40:07–54:19

Summary Table: Key Start/Sit Takeaways This Week

| Player | Start/Sit/Status | Host Tone/Notes | |----------------------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Trey Benson | Out (IR) | “Breaking news!” — shift to Carter & Demercado | | Rashad White vs. Sean Tucker | Prefer White | Higher floor, more likely bellcow | | Michael Carter (AZ RB) | Pickup/Start FLEX | Speculative RB add with upside | | Patriots DST | Stash for upcoming weeks | Dream schedule after Week 5 | | Brock Purdy/Mac Jones (49ers QBs) | Caution/Monitor | Uncertainty due to injury, “limp through” warning | | Puka Nakua/Kyren Williams (Rams) | Start with confidence | Lock them in regardless | | Breece Hall vs. Etienne (ROS) | Slight edge to Hall | Allen’s injury boosts Hall strap | | Judkins vs. Walker (ROS) | Favor Judkins | Panel unanimous | | Chris Olave | Start | Huge volume despite “snake” QB |

Final Thoughts

• Week 5 planning is dominated by injury uncertainty—especially at RB—so remain nimble with late-week pickups and backup plans.
• Monitor breaking news vigilantly: As seen with Trey Benson, a late Wednesday or Thursday update can render many waiver bids and depth charts instantly obsolete.
• Don’t overlook stashing DSTs with ultra-soft late schedules.
• For streamers and desperation plays, volume and opportunity trump uncertain talent, particularly as bye weeks intensify.

Andy’s sign-off:
“Make sure that backup options—that Michael Carter, like—that this news for everybody came out after their waiver wires went through so he’s going to be competed for tomorrow if nobody picked him up. So make sure you do that and we will catch you tomorrow with starts of the week.”

For More

• Rest of Season Rankings: Available for Foot Clan members (web now, app soon).
• Podcast Community: jointhefoot.com for exclusive insights, trades, and tools.
• Thursday Night Football: Watch for late-breaking inactives and lineup shuffles—especially with the 49ers’ uncertainty at QB/WR.