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Reminder: The Bengals, Lions, Vikings, and Dolphins are off in Week 6, taking fantasy stars like Ja'Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Justin Jefferson, Joe Burrow, and more off the table. Be ready to dig a little deeper into your bench and free-agent pool this week.
Here are the five most impactful situations for fantasy managers heading into Week 6:
Eagles' Problems Go From Bad to Worse
Philadelphia lost to Jacksonville in London, 19-17, its third consecutive defeat. RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith, and RB Will Shipley were among the most notable players still dealing with injuries as the week opened. That changed on Thursday, when the Eagles ruled Jalen Hurts out for Sunday's game against the Panthers due to a superficial blood clot in his calf.
The clot was initially discovered after Hurts suffered a calf injury against the Rams. Although he was cleared to play last week, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the clot, prompting the team to hold him out.
Tanner McKee is expected to start in Hurts' absence, but this situation bears watching heading into the weekend. Remember, the issues extend beyond injuries at the skill positions to an offensive line that lost Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens last week.
While RB Dameon Pierce will be a viable (and perhaps desirable) target of opportunity against a Carolina defense that gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, players like Dallas Goedert, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Darius Cooper become less interesting.
Quarterback Carousel Still Spinning
Quarterbacks aren't necessarily the most important players in our fantasy lineups, but they're the most important players on the field. Their availability affects the fantasy fortunes of everybody around them.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. Coach Jesse Minter says he's day-to-day, but Jackson will likely miss a second straight game against the Browns. Last week, Tyler Huntley delivered 201 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing score in an overtime win in Atlanta. Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers are lineup locks regardless of QB; Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman are less appealing but have fill-in value.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (thumb) did not practice Thursday, and Tampa Bay Times staffer Rick Stroud reports rookie Jalon Daniels "will start against the Steelers barring something unforeseen." Daniels also started in Week 5 against the Cowboys. He wasn't great (QB19), but Bucky Irving came up big, and Emeka Egbuka fared well enough. Both are likely lineup locks against the Steelers; Chris Godwin Jr. has fill-in value.
Bears QB Caleb Williams was listed as a full participant in the team's Wednesday and Thursday practices. He missed Sunday's loss to the Packers with a hamstring injury after being listed questionable following a limited practice last Friday. Expect him to start Sunday. His QB6 Footballguys projection against the Falcons bodes well for Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze.
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is expected to play through a rib injury. Bijan Robinson and Drake London are lineup locks regardless of QB, but Penix unlocks London's upside.
Running Back Carnage Continues
Several marquee running backs are forcing fantasy managers to scramble for contingency plans. As noted above, Philadelphia's Pierce is locked in as one of this week's top targets of opportunity for fantasy managers.
Jets RB Breece Hall (quad) remains week-to-week, locking Braelon Allen into heavy volume as the lead option. With David Montgomery (groin) sidelined, Woody Marks steps into the primary role for the Texans, albeit in a tough matchup against the Jaguars.
Cleveland is likely without Quinshon Judkins (ankle), and Raheim Sanders (hip) is on IR, opening the door for Dylan Sampson, back at practice this week, and Jaleel McLaughlin. The team also signed Audric Estime. Questions remain before we can commit to any fill-in.
Chicago's Kyle Monangai (toe) has yet to practice and is likely to miss a second game, raising the ceiling for D'Andre Swift in Atlanta.
In New England, TreVeyon Henderson's high-ankle sprain clears the way for Rhamondre Stevenson to handle a full workload. He's already owned the team's goal-line work, but Henderson's absence raises Stevenson's ceiling; his Footballguys projection calls for an RB7 finish against the Jets on Sunday.
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty has been fighting through lingering foot and ankle injuries, though the coaching staff insists he'll keep powering through his workload. In Arizona, Jeremiyah Love's ongoing ankle issues have him projected outside RB2 territory this week.
Help Is on the Way: Practice Windows Opening
In New England, A.J. Brown returned to practice on Wednesday, opening his 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve. Brown has been on IR with an ankle sprain. The Patriots host the Jets on Sunday. If he plays in Week 6, Brown is likely to be limited as the team works him back into the game plan. Footballguy Cecil Lammey views Brown as a WR3/flex candidate for fantasy GMs excited to get him back.
With more time (and as he gets back into football shape), Brown will work his way back up to his normal weekly fantasy WR1 status.
Other players eligible to come off IR include Houston's Tank Dell, Jets rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr., Baltimore's rookie WR Ja'Kobi Lane, San Francisco's Christian Kirk, and Sampson.
A Fresh Start In Houston
After the Texans acquired WR Marvin Harrison Jr. in a trade with the Cardinals, coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Wednesday that the former first-round draft pick will play in Sunday's Week 6 game against the Jaguars in London. Harrison took part in his first practice with the Texans on Wednesday after passing his physical on Monday.
While fantasy managers are intrigued by the reunion with his college QB, C.J. Stroud, and the fresh start Harrison gets with the Texans, it could be a while before he hits his stride with his new team. General manager Nick Caserio said earlier Wednesday that a clear picture of Harrison's role may be "3-4 weeks" away.
This has implications beyond Harrison, creating a shifting dynamic for Stroud and Nico Collins in Houston. In Arizona, Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne stand to benefit.
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