Injury Questions: Week 6
Welcome to Week 6 of the National Football League, fantasy division. There's a big pile up of injuries this week, so let's get to it.
For lineup decisions let Pat Daugherty help you out with his Week 6 Rankings. For sleepers let Nick Mensio give you the scoop in his latest. And always be sure to read Evan Silva’s detailed look at every game in his Matchups column.
1PM GAMES
Patriots at Bills
* Tom Brady (ankle) was listed as questionable after a limited practice on Friday. There is really no way to know how accurate his designation is, but knowing the Patriot way, he should be fine to play.
* Fred Jackson (ankle) missed practice on Friday due to a fever, but had also been limited on Thursday due to his ankle. Most reports say he will play as usual and that sounds like Jackson.
Panthers at Bengals
* DeAngelo Williams (quad) is out for the second straight week.
* Jonathan Stewart (knee) is questionable. He will be a game-time decision, but even if he goes it will be hard to trust him.
* Darrin Reaves (hip) is probable and will play. He would get the start if Stewart can’t go.
* Greg Olsen (ankle) is questionable after missing Wednesday and Thursday’s practice, but did return on Friday. It looks like he will play.
* A.J. Green (toe) is listed as questionable, but will not play. It does appear as if the injury is not long term though and he has a shot to play in Week 7.
* Marvin Jones (ankle) is also listed as questionable after missing practice all week. He also will not play. Mohamed Sanu gets the biggest bump of the receivers, but Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill will be the focal points.
Steelers at Browns
* Ben Tate (knee) practiced in full all week and has had no ill effects from his heavy workload just back from injury and makes for a quality play this week.
* Jordan Cameron (shoulder) also has practiced all week and is listed as probable.
* Joe Haden (hip) returned to practice Friday, but practiced on a very limited basis. He is not at 100% and Antonio Brown has already had his number in the past.
Packers at Dolphins
* Jarrett Boykin (groin) will miss another game for Green Bay and Davante Adams will be the #3 wide receiver once again. Adams has most likely taken over that role anyway and Aaron Rodgers was praising his separation from defenders earlier this week.
* Knowshon Moreno (elbow) is listed as probable, but was limited on Friday and will probably play with a brace. The coaching staff seems to want him to be the lead back, but it’s hard to know if that will happen this week or not. You have to downgrade Lamar Miller a bit, but he is probably the safer play in this uncertain situation.
* Brandon Gibson (hamstring) is doubtful. Jarvis Landry will see the biggest bump in snaps.
* Charles Clay (knee) is listed as probable and has been playing with this knee injury most of the season. Hopefully the bye week helped get it closer to 100% and he can get back on the fantasy radar.
Lions at Vikings
* Calvin Johnson (ankle) is listed as doubtful after missing practice all week. Golden Tate becomes a strong play while Corey Fuller has some sleeper appeal.
* Reggie Bush (ankle) is listed as questionable after not practicing all week. The questionable tag makes it seem like there is a chance, but the Lions’ website believes he will likely sit. Joique Bell (concussion) practiced in full this week and would get the bulk of the work if Bush were to sit this one out.
* Theo Riddick (hamstring) also practiced in full and would see increased snaps if Bush were to miss.
* Teddy Bridgewater (ankle) is listed as probable after practicing in full this week. He has a tough matchup against the Lions and is off most fantasy radars, but how he does against this defense should be a good measuring stick.
Broncos at Jets
* Montee Ball (groin) is out for 2-3 weeks and Ronnie Hillman will take over the lead back role with C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson getting change of pace looks.
* Eric Decker (hamstring) is listed as questionable after being limited in practice. He probably wants to face his old team, but he’s not 100% and if he can go, makes for a risky play due to the chance he aggravates the injury.
* David Nelson (ankle) is listed questionable and looks to be a game-time decision.
Ravens at Buccaneers
* Marlon Brown (pelvis) is listed as doubtful. Jacoby Jones or Kamar Aiken will fill in as Baltimore's No. 3 receiver.
* Mike Evans (groin) is listed as questionable, but did practice on a limited basis all week and looks ready to roll. This knocks Louis Murphy back down the depth chart.
* Vincent Jackson (ribs) is listed as questionable after returning to limited practice on Friday. It looks like he is safe to put in your lineups.
Jaguars at Titans
* Toby Gerhart (foot) won’t play against the Titans after suffering a setback in practice this week. Storm Johnson should get the early down work with Denard Robinson and Jordan Todman seeing passing down snaps.
* Marqise Lee (hamstring) is listed as probable after getting full practices in Thursday and Friday.
* Cecil Shorts (hamstring) also practiced in full Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable, but ESPN's Adam Caplan reports that it "remains in question" whether Cecil Shorts plays. With Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Lee all healthy now, this situation might be one to avoid if possible. Blake Bortles looks to be the main beneficiary.
* Jake Locker (thumb) is listed as questionable after doing very little in practice. Beat writers foresee Charlie Whitehurst getting the start, with rookie Zach Mettenberger waiting in the wings.
* Shonn Greene (hamstring) is doubtful to play and rookie Bishop Sankey will be in line to start. He isn’t guaranteed a heavy load, but it would behoove the Titans to give him the work.
Chargers at Raiders
* Donald Brown (concussion) has been ruled out while Ryan Mathews (knee) has yet to resume running. That sets up rookie Branden Oliver as the lead back in a good matchup.
* Malcom Floyd (calf) is listed as questionable. If he goes he makes for a risky play.
* Derek Carr (knee/ankle) is questionable, but looks like he will be able to go.
* Marcel Reece (quadricep) is listed as questionable.
4 PM GAMES
Washington at Cardinals
* Jordan Reed (hamstring) is listed as questionable and looks likely to play. It is a late game and his first game back from a hamstring injury, so there is plenty of risk here, but it also is a good matchup.
* Carson Palmer (shoulder) was throwing at around 80% on Friday and it looks like they’ll see where he is before the late game Sunday before deciding. If he can’t go it appears Drew Stanton (concussion) has been cleared and would get the start over Logan Thomas.
Bears at Falcons
* Harry Douglas (foot) has been ruled out again this week.
* Devin Hester (hamstring) was able to practice on Friday and will be able to play against his former team as the #3 receiver with Douglas out.
Cowboys at Seahawks
There are no fantasy relevant injuries for this game.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Giants at Eagles
* Rashad Jennings (knee) is out against the Eagles. Rookie Andre Williams will get the start and with Peyton Hillis as his main competition for snaps, will see plenty of work in a nice matchup.
* Chris Polk (hamstring) has been ruled out.
* Brad Smith (sports hernia) will be out a couple weeks and Josh Huff will take over kick return duties.
MONDAY NIGHT
49ers at Rams
* Vernon Davis (back) has gotten in limited practices Thursday and Friday and looks to be on track to play on Monday night.
* Michael Crabtree is not on the Week 6 injury report for the foot injury he tweaked in Week 4, but it is difficult to trust him after his snaps were reduced last week and he caught just one pass.
* Kenny Britt (knee) did not practice on Friday. This is a new injury, so is worrisome for his status on Monday night.
* Zac Stacy (calf) returned to practice on Friday and looks in line to play Monday night. Benny Cunningham and Trey Watts have been cutting into his work, so this latest injury could help those two gain even more ground.
