There’s no doubt that fantasy football managers need to keep a close eye on key injury situations. And sometimes hard choices have to be made. Here is the NFL Week 5 fantasy football drop list.

At the top of this list is a receiver who many fantasy managers were probably happy to get in the draft. However, that would have been putting way too much stock in the play of an aging quarterback who probably should have retired two or three years ago.

WR Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers

The stats tell a story, especially the targets. Pittman is fourth in targets with 12. He’s even behind No. 2 tight end Darnell Washington. Over the last two weeks, Pittman has totaled just 31 yards. And now, he’s injured, according to a post on X by Mark Kaboly.

“Steelers WR Michael Pittman came through the open media portion of the locker room (twice) on a single-legged scooter with his left foot/ankle with no sock or shoe on. The Steelers host Pittman's former team on Sunday. He later had a boot on his left ankle/foot.”

Maybe Pittman hasn’t meshed into the Steelers scheme. Or perhaps Aaron Rodgers can’t connect with him. But this Steelers’ offense is unlikely to put up enough points and yardage to keep Pittman fantasy relevant.

Adding to the hurt, Roman Wilson may be a better fantasy option in the long term.

WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers

Every wide receiver hits the NFL cliff at some point. Godwin seems to be there. He’s 30 years old and has been forced to navigate a myriad of injuries.

This is just about Baker Mayfield’s injury. Yes, Godwin has zero value with Jason Daniels at quarterback. But even when Mayfield returns, it’s hard to see Godwin delivering more than maybe a decent game or two for the rest of the season.

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said he knows Godwin and Emeka Egbuka need more opportunities, according to tampabay.com.

“One hundred percent,” Robinson said. “You have your call sheet set up with plays in mind for how many plays a guy could possibly get an opportunity. The coverage on the back end, those guys have a say in some things as well. Like in the Cincinnati (opening) week, we were dishing it to ‘Mek’ pretty early. All right, boom! They go to double him, so now it kind of opens up some other guys.

“That’s always pretty fluid. But we definitely have an amount of plays that we like for each guy to hopefully get a touch. Football is such an imperfect game, and everything has to be so connected for that to happen each time out.”

QB Kyler Murray, Vikings

This may be a more difficult cut depending on your roster makeup. But it’s getting harder to trust Murray as even an emergency backup.

Heading into the draft, Murray looked like a sleeper. Instead, he’s putting fantasy managers to sleep. The results just aren’t there. Not being able to score a touchdown at home against the Dolphins is inexcusable. Even without Justin Jefferson.

But the cutting point for Murray is that he is apparently satisfied with being a pocket passer. His scramble rate is down, and his designed rush rate of 1% pales in comparison to 11% in his last season with the Cardinals.

Adding fuel to the cut fire, the brilliant Kevin O’Connell seems stumped by how to use Murray, according to NBC Sports.

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“To defend Murray for a brief moment, Kevin O’Connell doesn’t seem to know what to do with a mobile quarterback,” Kyle Dvorchak wrote. “Murray has one designed rush attempt and one RPO throw. He is 20th in play action rate. O’Connell’s offensive and Murray’s play style are a match made in Hell.”

RB Jadarian Price, Seahawks

This is another cut recommendation with a caveat. If you’re in a deep league, maybe you can hold Price. If your league allows you to stash Price (chest injury) on IR and it doesn’t impact your main roster, he can be held for a week or so. But his value is off the roster charts in shallow leagues.

In his first two games, Price did next to nothing. Making matters worse, Emanuel Wilson and George Holani combined for seven carries inside the 10-yard line. Price had two. And here’s the worst part: Zach Charbonnet will be back soon. And we know from previous usage, Charbonnet will get the goal-line touches. He did with Kenneth Walker III in the backfield, and he will when he gets back from IR.

Another problem for Price is Emanuel Wilson. He’s playing well and further reducing Price’s 2026 value. Wilson said he’s just trying to take advantage of an opportunity, according to mysportsnorthwest.com.

“Just stand myself, stand the course, and whatever God got for me,” Wilson said. “That’s what I’m going to go with. And also just take advantage of my opportunities whenever they come.”