A few big name players may be on the shelf this weekend.

Fantasy owners need to watch for updates for Carson Palmer, Brian Westbrook, Ben Roethlisberger and Willis McGahee this weekend.

Neither Palmer nor Westbrook played in week 4, and their status for week 5 is in jeopardy. Both players are expected to play as of right now, but the same was said about Palmer heading into last week’s game.

Big Ben, listed as questionable, is nursing a lingering shoulder injury among other things. The Steelers’ signal-caller has been getting banged up all season because of a porous offensive line. Pittsburgh also is without its top two runningbacks, Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, this weekend.

McGahee has been on and off injury reports since the preseason and also is listed as questionable for week 5. The emergence of Le’Ron McClain as a complementary back has hurt McGahee’s value this season, but now the injuries are starting to add up. It could be the beginning of the end for Willis in Baltimore.

Keep an eye on these stories and more heading into week 5, and hit the jump for this week’s start/sit.

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Philip Rivers @ Dolphins: A good matchup in sunny Miami is in store for Rivers and the Chargers, who seem to be hitting their stride. The Chargers struggled early last week, so I expect Rivers and Co. to jump out early on Miami.
• Brian Griese @ Broncos: There is no getting around it, Griese and the Buccaneers will have to throw early and often to keep up with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. There could be a couple turnovers, but he should have a multi-touchdown performance.

Runningbacks

• Matt Forte @ Lions: This one might deserve to be on the “duh!” list, but it is worth the friendly reminder. The Lions D has been gashed all season long by opposing rushers, and now it is Forte’s turn.
• Steve Slaton v. Colts: The Colts’ run D minus Bob Sanders is not very good. The Texans will use that to their advantage in the first game back home in Houston since Hurricane Ike. The emotion will help the Texans and Slaton should leave his mark on this game.

Wide receivers

• Lee Evans @ Cardinals: Evans got paid and has been solidly consistent so far this season. He draws another favorable matchup this weekend against an Arizona defense that surrendered six passing touchdowns last weekend.
• Steve Smith (NYG) v. Seahawks: No Plaxico Burress means someone has to step up and catch passes for the Giants. Eli Manning likes to throw to Smith, who should get more targets this weekend due to Burress’ absence.

Tight end

• Tony Scheffler v. Buccaneers: Scheff has not been too consistent as a fantasy starter, but he should get his this weekend in the home game against Tampa Bay.

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

• David Garrard v. Steelers: Do not get all trigger happy on Garrard now after his first good fantasy week of the season. Yes, he makes a good bye-week filler, but not much more this weekend against the Steelers.
• Jason Campbell @ Eagles: Campbell has played exceptionally well since week one. The buck stops in Philly, as I expect the Eagles defense to harass Campbell like they did Ben Roethlisberger a few weeks back.

Runningbacks

• LenDale White @ Ravens: My favorite nickname of his: LenWhale White. Dude is chubby, there is no doubt about it. And he is starting to lose carries to rookie Chris Johnson, even down by the goal line. Baltimore’s defense is tough, it will be hard for White to continue his consecutive games with a touchdown streak against this unit.
• Rudi Johnson v. Bears: Yes, Rudi is the starter. If you need to use him because of a bye week situation, do it. Otherwise, wait and see how the Detroit running game actually shakes out.

Wide receivers

• Derrick Mason v. Titans: Mason re-emerged as fantasy relevant last weekend, especially in PPR leagues. Wait on him to put together a few solid performances, though, before sticking him in the starting lineup.
• Chad Johnson @ Cowboys: All that talk leading up to the game is not enough for Ocho Cinco. If Carson Palmer misses this weekend, which is a real possibility again, Johnson and the Bengals’ passing game will have a hard time getting going in Big D.

Tight end

• Kevin Boss v. Seahawks: Yes, he finally is starting to see some action in the passing game. But I would not trust one week of productivity yet. If he is a bye week fill-in, he makes a smart play this weekend with Burress out. But do not expect more than five fantasy points.

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