​NFL Fantasy Football Week 5 2026 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Running Back appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Week 5 fantasy football lineups are becoming increasingly difficult to set as injuries, workload splits, and matchup changes create uncertainty across the running back position. Some of the league’s most dependable backs remain obvious starts. However, several players carry enough risk to make fantasy managers think twice before locking them into their lineups. With every touch becoming increasingly valuable as the season progresses, making the right start-or-sit decisions could be the difference between another fantasy win and a frustrating Week 5 loss.Start ‘EmJonathan Taylor, IND (@ PIT)Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesJonathan Taylor has been one of the most reliable touchdown producers in fantasy football through the first four weeks. That makes him an easy player to keep in starting lineups. Taylor has already recorded three two-touchdown performances this season. Even more impressive, he accomplished the feat last week against a difficult Washington front. He rushed for 95 yards and two scores. The only concern has been his reduced involvement as a receiver. Taylor has totaled just six receiving yards over the past two games.Still, Taylor remains locked into 20-plus carries and is an ever-present threat near the goal line. That volume gives him an extremely reliable fantasy floor while his touchdown upside provides a significant ceiling. He may not possess quite the same explosive fantasy ceiling as Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson, but Taylor is arguably the next running back in line among the elite options.Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)The matchup also works in his favor. Pittsburgh has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.Chase Brown, CIN (@ MIA)Chase Brown’s rushing numbers from Week 4 were ugly. That said, fantasy football managers should pay close attention to what he did as a receiver. Brown managed only 10 rushing yards in Cincinnati’s loss to Jacksonville. However, he exploded in the passing game, catching 11 passes for 71 yards.That receiving workload could become even more important in Week 5. Ja’Marr Chase is dealing with a concussion. Tee Higgins is managing an adductor injury. If either or both are unavailable against Miami, Cincinnati could once again lean heavily on Brown as a safety valve and playmaker in the passing game.Christian McCaffrey, SF (@ SEA)Christian McCaffrey doesn’t need a massive yardage total to remain an automatic fantasy football starter. McCaffrey rushed 15 times for 52 yards and a touchdown while catching three of five targets for 18 yards in San Francisco’s 24-14 victory over Denver. Overall, McCaffrey finished with 18 touches and remains the clear lead back in San Francisco. That workload is the most important takeaway. Even when the efficiency isn’t spectacular, McCaffrey’s combination of rus