As we enter Week 6 of the 2025 season, I want to share some tips, advice, and thoughts on various players, teams, and situations. With resources available at every turn, including information and opinions shared on social media, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate oneself from the rest of the pack in terms of knowledge and strategy. To gain that extra edge, you must make proactive moves that cash in. Plan ahead, know your players' schedules, read helpful columns, and execute the game plan for success. In no particular order, here are a few items that can help you gain that edge.
Be Aware of Players Returning from Injury or Suspension
WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City
The NFL suspended Rice for six games due to violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy. He is eligible to be activated following Week 6, which means he will play and start Week 7 vs Las Vegas. Since there is no injury to evaluate, he will be thrust into action quickly. He won't be able to physically practice until after Week 6 concludes, but he does have access to the team's facilities and trainers. He can also attend meetings and meet with his coaches and players. The Chiefs are sitting at 2-3 and could desperately use his help and presence on the field.
Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and Tyquan Thornton will still have a role on the team, especially as field-stretchers on downfield routes; however, adding Rice gives the Chiefs an Alpha receiver they have sorely missed. Rice is a possession receiver who will benefit from Patrick Mahomes II's ability to get him the ball in space so he can use his yards-after-the-catch skills. If the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 are indicative of what we can expect, then fantasy managers who held onto him, waiting for his return, should be ecstatic.
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay
This is more of an awareness message and perhaps a trigger to see if he might be available on the wire in your deep league. The Packers officially opened his 21-day practice window on Monday after he returned to the practice field, practicing on the Reserve/PUP list for the first time since tearing his ACL in the 2024 season finale back in January. There is no exact date set for his return to a game yet. The team now has 21 days from Monday to activate him to the 53-man roster, or he will be placed back on Injured Reserve for the remainder of the season. Why is this something to monitor? Jayden Reed (shoulder) is on IR, and the Packers could use Watson's deep-threat abilities and speed. A realistic return for Watson is Week 8, but the time to grab him off waivers is now.
WR Jalen Coker, Carolina
The Panthers lost Jalen Coker to a quad injury one day after they traded Adam Thielen back to Minnesota. He was expected to be a key piece of the offense this season, but the injury postponed those plans. The Panthers are opening his 21-day practice window on Wednesday, October 8th. They waited an extra week to allow him to heal a bit more. Head Coach Dave Canales indicated it's too soon to know if he'll be activated that quickly. While he could return for Week 6 against the Cowboys, Week 7 against the Jets is more in line with his initial 4-6 game timetable. The Panthers plan on utilizing him in the slot, where he showed flashes of being super-efficient at the end of last season. Coker's emergence was the main reason why Carolina traded Thielen. Given his expected role and Bryce Young's need for a reliable target, Coker is absolutely a player you should be looking to stash on your bench right now. He has a legitimate shot to immediately be one of the top targets in a passing offense that is currently desperate for consistent playmakers outside of Tetairoa McMillan.
Be Aware of Players Benefiting From an Injury
WR Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco
The 49ers have been ravaged by injuries in their receiving corps, especially if we also include George Kittle in that list. Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are fighting injuries and setbacks and may not be able to return in Week 6 at Tampa Bay. If so, Bourne becomes a player of interest for at least another week, if not longer. In a short week, Bourne was thrust into action with Pearsall and Jennings out, and he answered the bell with 10 receptions for 142 yards on 11 targets. Mac Jones' familiarity with him from his days in New England likely was a key factor in his big game. Demarcus Robinson wasn't too far behind with 7 targets, but Bourne was the primary beneficiary of Jones' passes with Pearsall and Jennings out. Bourne may have carved out a role for himself even after Pearsall and Jennings return.
RB Rico Dowdle, Carolina
Chuba Hubbard's calf injury turned out to be more than the Panthers could risk in Week 5, leaving him inactive. However, the offense didn't miss a beat. Backup Rico Dowdle saw his workload spike and immediately delivered a career day, going off for 206 rushing yards against Miami and sparking Carolina's comeback win. With calf strains often leading to multiple absences, Hubbard could very well be out again for the Week 6 clash with the Dallas Cowboys. Dowdle, a former Cowboy who wasn't re-signed in the offseason, will be highly motivated for a revenge game against his old club.
RBs Hassan Haskins & Kimani Vidal, LA Chargers
The Chargers' backfield has been hit hard by injuries and is now forced to adjust after losing Najee Harris (Achilles) and Omarion Hampton (Ankle IR). Filling the void is expected to be a combination approach of Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal. Think of Haskins as the power back who is most likely going to see carries on first and second down, while Vidal secures the third-down back role and pass-catching versatile specialist role. Of course, in this day and age of the NFL, any type of back is capable of taking over a game if the game script and approach dictate it. Either one could emerge as the better back, and only time will tell which is the better fantasy option. All told, we may not be enamored with either back, and there is a real possibility that the Chargers will resort to increased pass plays as a result.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay
Bucky Irving is out with a foot and shoulder injury. Reports indicate that the shoulder injury may be the worst of the two. He missed Week 5 and will likely miss Week 6 as well, which then raises the question: when will he return? Week 7 is at Detroit, which would be a welcome return date, but rest may be the best medicine for Irving, especially if White shows he can handle the load, along with Sean Tucker. Week 8 is at New Orleans, an important divisional game, but then Week 9 is their bye. Would Tampa keep Irving out until the bye week? It's possible. For now, White is the main beneficiary, and he is coming off a two-touchdown game at Seattle. Consider him a capable replacement and fill-in starter as long as Irving is out.
TE Jake Tonges, San Francisco
While George Kittle (hamstring) is out, Jake Tonges has emerged as a reliable option for the receiver-starved 49ers. He has 10 receptions on 16 targets in his last two games, along with two scores. He is an adequate Kittle replacement or bye-week filler in the short term.
WR Wan'Dale Robinson, NY Giants
The injuries to Malik Nabers (season-ending) and Darius Slayton (hamstring) have blown the doors wide open for Wan'Dale Robinson in the Giants' offense. New York's schedule is brutal, featuring two matchups with the Eagles and a trip to Denver over the next three weeks. However, even with the tough sledding, the sheer volume of passes coming from Jaxson Dart has to go somewhere, and Robinson is the prime candidate to absorb most of that work. The target share alone vaults him into the conversation as a decent bye-week fill-in, even against elite defenses.
RB Michael Carter, Arizona
Michael Carter, not Emari Demercado, appears to be the frontrunner for the Cardinals' starting running back role now that both James Conner (foot/season-ending) and Trey Benson (knee/IR) are unavailable. Carter had 18 carries for 51 yards and a score last week, plus 5 receptions for 22 yards, while Demarcado self-fumbled away his chances at increased action. He will be in the proverbial doghouse after that lack-of-focus moment that ultimately cost the Cardinals the victory. Carter will be the one who benefits most moving forward, but he will still need to earn his keep. He is a decent fill-in player while the situation dictates it.
RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England
We have yet to see the TreVeyon Henderson from the preseason, who lit up the field with long runs and promise. There is an entire circle of fantasy managers who are chomping at the bit to see Henderson rise up the depth chart to deliver league-winning production. It may not be much, but the loss of Antonio Gibson (ACL injury) elevates Henderson up the ladder closer to paydirt. He still has Rhamondre Stevenson ahead of him, which is keeping him grounded for now, but there are many weeks in the season remaining. To those who have Henderson stashed, keep him there until he gets his chance to fly. That day is coming soon.