Injuries hit hard last week in just the fifth week of the regular season. Stars such as Russell Wilson, Saquon Barkley, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and George Kittle suffered injuries that will force them to miss a certain period of time.

For fantasy owners, deciding what players to start or sit is more important now than ever with fewer options to choose from.

Here’s this week best starts, sits and waiver wire pickups:

Start:

Joe Mixon, RB, CIN

For the most part, Mixon has been underwhelming during these first five weeks as he’s only put up more than 13 fantasy points just twice so far.

One of those games came during the first week of the season where Mixon rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings.

While Mixon has been decent since then, his breakout week could come on Sunday against the Detroit Lions who have allowed 100-yard rushers each of the last two games with Alexander Mattison and David Montgomery torching the Lions’ defense.

Chase Claypool, WR, PIT

The second-year receiver has found himself on a hot streak during his last two games.

Claypool caught his first touchdown of the season in last week's game against the Broncos where he recorded 24 fantasy points. That followed up his performance against the Bengals two weeks prior where he had 18.6 fantasy points after a nine reception day.

With Juju Smith-Schuster out for the season, Claypool will likely have a few more targets heading his way, especially against a Seahawks defense this week which has allowed the third-most passing yards this season.

Sit:

Kirk Cousins, QB, MIN

Moving from one of the worst pass defenses in the league, let’s talk about the best.

The Carolina Panthers have only allowed 162 pass yards per game which ranks as the best in the NFL and they have 12 yards on the second-place Buffalo Bills.

That defense will likely have the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore active for this game as well.

What does all of this mean?

It may be a bad day for Kirk Cousins who is coming off two below-average weeks from a fantasy perspective.

Anyone on the Las Vegas Raiders

There’s a lot of uncertainty with this Raiders team headed into their matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Head coach Jon Gruden is gone and it will now be former special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia running the show.

With this being Bisaccia’s first game as a head coach, it’s tough to predict how the Raiders’ offense will change for Sunday’s game.

Especially against a Broncos team that ranks in the top ten for both rush and pass defense, it’s going to be difficult to trust any Raiders for this week.

Waiver Wire:

Tim Patrick, WR, DEN

With Kadarius Toney most likely getting picked up this week, Tim Patrick remains a serviceable option every week.

Patrick is only rostered in 35.2% of ESPN leagues and has recorded 10 or more fantasy points in four out of his five games this season.

The Broncos need receivers with the season-ending injury of KJ Hamler so Patrick could be a lock to get a good amount of targets each week and can serve as a flex option in your leagues.

Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.