Players that will count for a fantasy team in the upcoming game. Most leagues only allow a set number of starters, generally in fixed positions. Some allow formation choices that vary the number of players at each position permitted as starters.

The players a fantasy owner chooses to play in a particular week. These are the only players who can score points for the team.

the five players who begin a game for one team

The players a fantasy owner/GM chooses from his roster whose statistics will be counted in the scoring of a particular game.

the 5 starters who begin a game; usually a team's best players.

The set of players on an owner's team that include any player not on the bench or on injured reserve. Players in the starting lineup earn owners points for their performances in that week's games.

A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.