Fantasy football injuries, inactives, cheat sheet Week 6: Ravens hamstrung until Lamar Jackson returns
Welcome to the Week 6 fantasy cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back for updates.
Player rankings referenced in the body of this article are as of the time noted below. For updated rankings, see the “Fantasy football player rankings” section at the bottom.
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Last updated: 5:45 p.m. ET, Oct. 9
Injury news | Weather report
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Usage Insights | Fantasy football player rankings
Injury report
These are the major, fantasy-relevant injury situations to monitor this week. For a more comprehensive list, refer to the chart below. For game status, check the chart approximately 90 minutes before kickoff. Projected positional fantasy rankings in this piece are from The Athletic’s Jake Ciely.
Teams on bye: Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans
Thursday night
Darius Slayton, WR, NYG: Slayton has been ruled out for Thursday night, leaving WR Wan’Dale Robinson as the receiver to start and Jalin Hyatt as a deep-league flier. Tight end Theo Johnson could also be in for a big week and has had a +20% team target share the past two weeks.
Tyrone Tracy, RB, NYG: Tracy is off the injury report, though Cam Skattebo remains the lead back in New York. While Skattebo is still an RB2 this week, how Tracy is used should be monitored.
Sunday morning
There are no fantasy football-relevant injuries to report.
Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Lamar Jackson, QB; Zay Flowers, WR, BAL: Fantasy managers everywhere are yearning for Jackson’s return. But that seems unlikely. If Cooper Rush is under center again, Zay Flowers (if available) and Derrick Henry are the only players to consider starting. But even Henry is (gasp) a risk, given his 7.52 PPR points per game and 3.2 yards per rush since Week 2. I’ve not counted him out yet, but time is ticking.
Kyler Murray, QB, ARI: Murray is dealing with a foot injury. If he sits, beloved backup Jacoby Brissett would start in his place. If Murray plays, he’s a QB2 against the Colts, which aligns with his fantasy points per game (FPPG) rank of 23rd (15.56). Brissett is a Superflex dart throw with a career completion percentage of 61.1 and an 84.3 passer rating.
CeeDee Lamb, KaVontae Turpin, WR, DAL: Lamb will need to start practicing before having a chance to return to the field. Until then, George Pickens is a WR1. Despite Ryan Flournoy’s 18.4-PPR-point Week 5 that saw him finish with 114 yards and two rushes for 5 yards, the Southeast Missouri State product is still a risky bet in Week 6. But Turpin’s likely absence in Week 6 makes Flournoy more enticing.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR: Rico Dowdle exploded for over 200 yards in Hubbard’s absence in Week 5. If Hubbard sits, Dowdle is a low-end RB1 against Dallas with upside. If Hubbard returns, the two will likely share carries, but if Dowdle outperforms Hubbard, he could end up on the right side of the split.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE; Jalen Coker, WR, CAR: If Coker returns this week, he could secure the No. 2 role, as neither Xavier Legette nor Hunter Renfrow has done enough to hold him off. If Sanders returns, he becomes a deep-league streaming option in two tight-end leagues, given how shallow the position is. But it seems more likely that backup Tommy Tremble (a dart throw with upside) takes the field in Week 6.
Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC: Hampton joined Najee Harris on the IR this week after the rookie sustained an ankle injury against the Commanders in Week 5. Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal will comprise the backfield for L.A. After Hampton left in Week 5, Haskins had five rushes for 13 yards (2.6 yards per carry), while Vidal had four for 18 yards (4.5 YPC). They each ran five routes and had one reception. It’s anyone’s guess how backfield touches will be handled in Week 6. While Vidal had more efficiency last week, Haskins may be the preferred early-down back.
Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC: If Johnston sits (which doesn’t seem likely yet), Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen could be productive in fantasy. If he plays, Johnston is a high-end WR2, while Allen and McConkey are fringe-WR2s.
Antonio Gibson, RB, NE: Gibson tore his ACL Sunday night against the Bills and is out for the season. How the Patriots’ backfield is divvied up will be of note Sunday. Ciely has Rhamondre Stevenson as RB27 and TreVeyon Henderson as RB35, but read more about this situation in the “What to Watch for in Week 6” section below.
Alec Pierce, WR, IND: All Indy receivers have had a boost this year, now that a competent QB is under center. WR Michael Pittman Jr. and TE Tyler Warren are the obvious starters, but Pierce is a Flex option in deeper leagues, having gone for over 10 PPR points in two out of the three games he played.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO: Head coach Kellen Moore said Kamara hurt his ankle in practice, according to Matthew Paras of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. If he sits, Kendre Miller is an RB2 against a tough New England defense.
Juwan Johnson, TE, NO: Johnson’s routes, targets and team target share have decreased dramatically over the past two weeks, partially due to his dealing with injuries. However, Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill are also back in the mix. Johnson has slid into TE2 territory.
Brenton Strange, TE, JAX: Strange was placed on IR due to a quadriceps injury. If Theo Johnson, Mason Taylor, Jake Tonges, AJ Barner or Michael Mayer are still on waivers, grab them before looking to Strange’s backups, Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt.
Calvin Austin, WR, PIT: Austin has scored 10+ PPR points in two of four games. When he plays, he’s still only for the deep-leaguers. WR DK Metcalf is the only every-week starter in Pittsburgh’s receiving corps, averaging 14.78 PPR points per game with 23.6 in Week 4, prior to the Steelers’ bye.
Sunday 4 p.m. ET
Brock Purdy, QB, SF: Purdy may sit again in Week 6. But don’t worry, Mac Jones (and his 20+ fantasy points in two out of three starts) is the backup. The 49ers are 4-1, and Jones was under center for three of those wins and wasn’t there for the loss. Against Tampa Bay, Jones could be a top-12 QB this week. On the year, he’s thrown six TDs, only one interception and averaged 301.67 passing yards per game.
Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, WR, SF: Calling Kendrick Bourne. If Jennings and/or Pearsall sit, deep-leaguers should grab Bourne if he’s not already off the waivers. If both sit, and you have Bourne, he’s a Flex with upside. In Week 5 without Pearsall and Jennings, Bourne had 142 yards receiving on 10 receptions (11 targets) and scored 24.2 PPR points. At age 30, Bourne still has something left in the tank.
Christian Watson, WR, GB: Watson has begun to practice, but even if he returns, Green Bay spreads the ball around too much for him to be anything other than a Flex. Even Romeo Doubs is Ciely’s WR27 this week.
Brock Bowers, TE, LV: If Bowers doesn’t play, Mayer becomes a strong deep-league option among those TEs still on the waiver wire, especially if Taylor, Johnson and Tonges are no longer available.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin WR, TB: The Bucs can allow Evans the time to heal with the breakout of Emeka Egbuka, who has become a no-brainer WR1, while Godwin has slid to low-end Flex territory. If Godwin is out, Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson will get some looks, but not enough for fantasy relevance.
Bucky Irving, RB, TB: Without Irving in Week 5, it was all Rachaad White, who had 14 carries for 41 rushing yards, two TDs and four catches for 30 yards receiving. Sean Tucker had three carries for 3 yards and three catches for -4 yards. Tucker could get more work in Week 6, but White is a high-end RB2 this week.
Sunday night
Xavier Worthy, WR, KC: If Worthy misses again, Tyquan Thornton may warrant Flex consideration, and TE Travis Kelce (Ciely’s TE8) will surely be one of Patrick Mahomes’ top targets.
Monday night
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS: Without McLaurin in Week 5, the Commanders topped the Chargers 27-10, and Deebo Samuel secured eight receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Otherwise, Jacory Croskey-Merritt had two receptions, while no other pass catcher saw more than one reception or target.
Chris Rodriguez, RB, WAS: Washington’s backfield belongs to Croskey-Merritt, but JCM will have even less competition for touches if Rodriguez sits. “Bill,” as he’s known, is an RB2 this week.
Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL: Mooney is day-to-day, according to head coach Raheem Morris. But even if he returns, he’s only averaged 4.97 PPR points on the year. You have to imagine his fantasy value will improve. He’s the No. 2 receiver for the Falcons, but if you start him (now or in future weeks), you’re playing with fire.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF: Kincaid ranks third among tight ends in fantasy points per game this season. In addition to the tight end streamers mentioned above, backup Dawson Knox is another option for deep-leaguers if Kincaid misses this week (which is not at all set in stone). Kincaid has secured +20% of team targets three times this season. If Knox sees the same or similar usage, he’s not a bad dart throw.
Weather report
For more information on the impacts of weather, read Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather.
What to watch for in Week 6
Darren Waller’s usage
Since his debut, Waller is second among TEs in fantasy points per game despite seeing only 15.3% of team targets. He’s been incredible on a per-target basis with 1.83 expected points added per target and 11.44 air yards per target, behind only Dalton Kincaid and Hunter Henry. However, Waller’s limited team target share (only 14.7% in Week 5, even without Tyreek Hill) may catch up to him, or maybe the Dolphins will look to him more, so he won’t be so touchdown dependent. The latter is the most likely scenario, and he’s a TE1 until he’s not.
Ciely’s take on Darren Waller
New England’s backfield sans Antonio Gibson
Without Gibson, his average of 6.5 touches should go to TreVeyon Henderson, not Rhamondre Stevenson. Should, not will.
It’s not that Henderson has been as successful as touted, but he has been more productive. While the YPC numbers of 3.8 (Henderson) and 3.7 are similar, Henderson has a better expected points added per rush (-0.05 vs. -0.38), yards before contact per rush (1.38 vs. 0.63) and a lower percentage of the rookie’s runs go for zero or negative yards (3.1% vs. 12.5%). Stevenson bests Henderson in yards after contact per rush (2.41 vs. 3.03), but the veteran has three fumbles (two rushing, one receiving) to Henderson’s none. Henderson has also seen more targets and has a higher receptions per target rate. Gibson’s absence may be what the former Buckeye needs to have more fantasy relevance. For now, he’s still an RB3 against the Saints. But maybe this is his chance for a breakout.
WR1s of yesteryear
Last year, Jerry Jeudy got off to a slow start before averaging 18.53 PPR points per game in Weeks 8-18. It’s hard to hold a roster spot for a player averaging 6.94 PPR points in 2025, but could he ascend as the season wears on? Rookie QB Dillon Gabriel might become more comfortable in the system and with Jeudy (the supposed No. 1 in Cleveland); Gabriel might overcome his height. He also might not.
Getting targets from another rookie QB (an inefficient Cam Ward), Calvin Ridley finally topped 10 points with 18.1 in Week 5. He’s still technically the No. 1 in Tennessee, but Elic Ayomanor has been eating into his target share.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, DJ Moore has truly lost his spot atop the depth chart to Rome Odunze. But the sample size is still smaller than we’d like before drawing a conclusion. After averaging 14.01 PPR points during QB Caleb Williams’ rookie season (one in which the young quarterback struggled mightily), Moore has fallen to an average of 9.7 points and has only once topped 10. Will these trends continue?
Jake Ciely’s Power Up Players
Excerpt from Jake Ciely’s Week 6 waiver wire, with advice for even the deepest of leagues.
(Scale 1-5: more Mario mushrooms = more excitement)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS: 🍄🍄🍄🍄 — Finally! Not only did Croskey-Merritt get the start and not Chris Rodriguez, but he out-touched the combination of Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols 16-to-7. Even more encouraging: JCM had two targets (catching 2-for-39), equaling McNichols’ two targets. Lastly, players with more Yards per Touch than JCM in Week 5? Saquon Barkley with 9.8 to his 9.4. Oh, by the way … what the hell, Eagles?
- Theo Johnson, TE, NYG: 🍄🍄 — Even before Darius Slayton left late with an injury, Johnson was a top-three option for Jaxson Dart and the only one with end zone targets (two). With Slayton likely sidelined this week, Johnson can easily be Dart’s No. 2 weapon, putting him in the TE1 conversation. Even with Slayton back, Johnson — who was putting up numbers at Penn State before many knew of Tyler Warren — can keep a fringe TE1 value, as the Giants trudge on without Malik Nabers.
- Darren Waller, TE, MIA: 🍄🍄🍄🍄 — Speaking of being a team’s No. 2 … Waller might be the Dolphins’ No. 1 option some weeks. Waller and Julian Hill were the only Dolphins players with an end zone target in Week 5. Waller now has a receiving line of 9-8-105-3 through two games, with targets on 24.3% of his routes and three end zone targets (Hill still being second … with one). Waller is inside the Top 10 tight ends until further notice. Heck, only the snap share is keeping him from being guaranteed the top tier.
Usage insights for TNF
If you want to maximize your roster, you need to constantly monitor opportunities to add breakout players. Brandon Funston and I scour usage metrics to mine meaningful, actionable insights.
Jaxson Dart, NYG | 11.8% Designed Rush Rate (DesignedRush%): Hear me out. I could’ve included Justin Fields here, too. But this isn’t a joke. Dart has the highest Designed Rush Rate (11.8%) after starting two games. Right behind him is Fields, fantasy’s QB4 in fantasy points per game. While the Jet hasn’t won a game yet, his metrics are still superior to Dart’s. However, like Fields, Dart doesn’t need a good real-life game or a win to secure fantasy points. (Good thing, because wins will be hard for the Giants to come by.)
Dart’s rushing yards (54.5 per game in his two starts) give him the floor necessary to be a solid fantasy streamer. In a disheartening 26-14 loss to the Saints, where Dart made three turnovers, he still scored 15.58 points. Philly’s defense is overall solid and could give Dart trouble this week; however, they like to bring pressure in the pass rush, and Dart could escape the rush with his legs if the Eagles go too hard.
Theo Johnson, NYG (11%): Johnson has a secure role in the Giants’ game plan as long as Dart is under center. Dart uses his legs most and needs dump-off, short pass options, for which Johnson is perfect. Along with his +20% target share the past two weeks, Johnson also had a respectable 0.35 EPA/Target during that time frame and scored 10.7 PPR points in Week 4 and 21.3 in Week 5.
Jake Ciely’s Week 6 fantasy football player rankings
Get Ciely’s full Week 6 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections.
- Sadly, there is no perfect widget out there. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc., if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated consistently by everyone, so take it with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
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