Every week, fantasy football managers utilize in-season management to best position their teams for Sunday. With NFL Week 6 on tap, there are tons of injury updates that will have a major impact.
Several fantasy studs have already been ruled out or appear highly unlikely to play. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is nearing a return, but it will not be this week. The same can be said for Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard.
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is also highly unlikely to return this week.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver room continues taking hits. On Friday, the Bucs ruled out slot monster Chris Godwin with a fibula injury. With Mike Evans still dealing with a hamstring injury, it opens the door for Sterling Shepard and tight end Cade Otton to find themselves in fantasy lineups in Week 6.
But there are even more injuries that should draw fantasy football managers' attention entering the weekend.
Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase
The Cincinnati Bengals are reeling on offense. Since Joe Burrow went down, stud receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have taken a massive hit in fantasy production.
Granted, Chase posted a monster game in Week 5, but overall, he has been a disappointment. Higgins remains on a milk carton, thanks to the quarterback play.
Chase is dealing with an illness and was sent home from practice early on Friday. He is currently listed as questionable. Historically, a couple of days' rest should allow sick players to suit up. Nevertheless, this is a situation worth monitoring. Keep in mind, Cincinnati will be starting newly acquired Joe Flacco against an angry Green Bay Packers defense in Week 6.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sustained a foot injury in the Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Murray did not practice at all on Wednesday or Thursday. However, he returned in a limited capacity on Friday. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon announced that Murray's status will be determined in the next couple of days.
It's Friday.
That is not the vote of confidence fantasy football managers would like to hear. Keep your eyes and ears open as Sunday approaches.
Raiders TE Brock Bowers
The Las Vegas Raiders' offense has looked putrid this season. Geno Smith appears to have devolved into the quarterback fantasy fans witnessed the first few years of his career. He has turned into a turnover machine, despite running back Ashton Jeanty finally producing.
But it has not helped that Brock Bowers has not been the same player.
Bowers, who set NFL rookie records last season, missed Week 5 with a PCL injury. As of Friday afternoon, Bowers is yet to practice this week. He has yet to have been ruled out, but it looks like fantasy managers will need to look elsewhere at the tight end position.
This is the prime example as to why there is so much risk taking a tight end high in fantasy drafts.
49ers' Offensive Skill Players
The San Francisco 49ers have been crushed by injuries yet again this year. Somehow, they have overcome that to begin the season 4-1, sitting atop the NFC West. Much of that has to do with the play of backup quarterback Mac Jones.
Brock Purdy, the team's starting QB, has still not practiced this week. He was seen on a side field on Thursday, alongside wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. With how well Jones has played, it would be a surprise to see Purdy play vs. the Buccaneers this week.
Pearsall, similarly, appears on the wrong side of questionable. He has not practiced, as Pearsall deals with a knee injury sustained in Week 4.
Conversely, Jauan Jennings returned to practice on Thursday, logging a limited session. Jennings is listed with both ankle and rib injuries, having missed two of the last three games.
If he is unable to suit up, look for Kendrick Bourne to continue working as the No. 1 option in the 49ers' passing game.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston
The Los Angeles Chargers have surprised many across the league this season. Coach Harbaugh has let Justin Herbert loose, which has put Quentin Johnson, Ladd McConkey, and Keenan Allen into fantasy lineups on a weekly basis.
But the former, who surprisingly leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, is a true question mark for Week 6. Johnston did get in a limited practice each day this week. But on Friday, he was seen working on a side field. Harbaugh is yet to conclude that he will play against the Miami Dolphins.
This is a situation fantasy football managers need to monitor. If Johnston does not play, both McConkey and Allen get a big boost, with WR1 upside in Week 6.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara
The New Orleans Saints have been surprisingly competitive just about every week this season. Running back Alvin Kamara has also remained relevant for fantasy managers, despite his advanced age at that position.
But now, his status for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots is in question. Kamara is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in the Week 5 win vs. the New York Giants.
The veteran tailback appears on the right side of questionable, but that does not mean he is a must-start.
Kendre Miller has done a good job backing up Kamara this season. There is a world where Kamara is active and plays, yet splits snaps 50/50 with Miller, which against a strong Patriots' defense, could make the former Vol a bench play.
Other Players Worth Monitoring
There are many other players dealing with injury that are worth keeping an eye on. They seem more likely than not to play and would certainly remain in your lineup, but it is still worth noting them.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, Ravens receiver Zay Flowers, Atlanta Falcons wideout Darnell Mooney, and Dolphins tight end Darren Waller are all questionable. But there is not much reason to believe they will not suit up on Sunday.
