Below is a recap of injuries around the NFL to fantasy-relevant players that will help you set your lineups and dominate your leagues. I also included my very non-scientific “worry-o-meter,” which indicates on a scale of zero to five just how concerned I am about that player’s injury status when it comes to their Week 6 outlook.
Damien Williams, RB, Bears (COVID-19)
Williams was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list on Thursday, which seriously jeopardizes his Week 6 availability against the Packers. It's unclear if this is because he tested positive or was a close contact to someone that was. Vaccinated players need to show two negative tests 24 hours apart, making it highly unlikely he plays on Sunday.
Next up on the depth chart is Khalil Herbert, who actually saw more rushing attempts than Williams last week. With both Williams and Montgomery likely sidelined, Herbert should be a high-end RB2 based on workload alone. He will be backed up by Ryan Nall.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers (hamstring)
McCaffrey hasn't played since suffering a hamstring strain early in the game in Week 3. He was characterized as "50-50" to start this week against the Vikings, per head coach Matt Rhule, but is now trending towards not playing.
CMC practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday and did not practice at all on Thursday, suggesting some kind of potential setback. If he misses the game, fire up Chuba Hubbard once again. Hubbard finished as RB18 in half PPR last week against the Eagles with McCaffrey out and should be considered a RB2 this week.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks (neck)
Carson was a scratch in last Thursday's game against the Rams while dealing with a neck issue and did not practice on Wednesday. The team may be taking a more cautious approach, though it's not a good sign for his potential Week 6 availability.
If he misses the game, I would once again consider Alex Collins as a low-end RB2 against the Steelers.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington (groin)
Samuel appeared to aggravate a groin injury he has been dealing with since the preseason during last Sunday's game against the Saints. He was quickly ruled out for return and listed as week-to-week. He was spotted at practice on Wednesday working out on the side, but was a non-participant on both Wednesday and Thursday.
There's a very strong chance Samuel misses this week against the Chiefs, in which case, Terry McLaurin and Adam Humphries would benefit the most. Dyami Brown, who is also dealing with a knee issue, could see more snaps if healthy, too.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Kenny Golladay, WR, Giants (knee)
Golladay is doubtful to play this week dealing with a new knee injury he suffered in Week 5. He's suffered a menagerie of injuries so far this year — hip, leg, and now knee. I do not expect him to play this week, though the Giants may get Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton back for this game.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins (shoulder, hamstring)
Parker missed the Dolphins' juicy Week 5 matchup in Tampa Bay with a hamstring injury. He is trending to miss another positive face-off against the Jaguars after missing both practices this week, which will leave the team shorthanded at receiver.
Will Fuller is on injured reserve, meaning Jaylen Waddle, Preston Williams and Mike Gesicki will have to step up if Parker misses the game.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Allen Robinson, WR, Bears (ankle)
Robinson was added to the Bears' injury report on Wednesday and has not practiced all week. He will likely carry the questionable tag heading into Sunday's matchup against the Packers, though he hasn't done much all season and is averaging just 36.2 receiving yards all year.
Year 2 receiver Darnell Mooney is also banged up, though he has been at least practicing on a limited basis. Assuming Mooney is healthy, he would be the biggest beneficiary of Robinson's absence.
Worry-o-meter: 4.5 out of 5.
Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals (ankle)
Mixon was active last week amid uncertainty in connection to his ankle injury. He split work with Samaje Perine and saw just 18 snaps for 11 touches, 35 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Mixon recorded a limited practice on Wednesday, but was downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday which isn't a good sign for his status this week.
It's a juicy matchup this week against the Lions, so if he starts, he's a top play. If he sits, I would fire up Samaje Perine as a RB2. (Note that Perine was placed on the COVID list earlier this week, so his status should also be monitored. Chris Evans would be the next back up.)
Worry-o-meter: 4 out of 5.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs (quad)
Hill is dealing with a quad contusion which has kept him from practicing in back-to-back days. This puts his Week 6 availability against Washington in jeopardy and will likely carry the questionable tag into the weekend.
Hill is WR3 in half PPR through five weeks, so it goes without saying that his absence would be huge for fantasy. I suspect Travis Kelce will see even more targets from Patrick Mahomes, but Mecole Hardman would be the biggest beneficiary and would have WR2 appeal if Hill does not dress.
Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle and Josh Gordon could all be deep league or DFS dart throws against the Football Team's leaky secondary.
Worry-o-meter: 4 out of 5.
Nick Chubb, RB, Browns (calf)
Chubb missed back-to-back practices this week dealing with a calf injury and was officially ruled out on Friday. Kareem Hunt should be locked and loaded as an RB1, though Hunt is also on the injury report with issues of his own.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns (wrist, knee)
Hunt has not practiced this week dealing with wrist and knee injuries, according to the Browns' injury report. It's certainly troubling news for any managers who are rostering the fifth-best running back in half PPR this season. His counterpart, Chubb, is out.
The run-heavy Browns will have to look to Demetric Felton and D'Ernest Johnson for help out of the backfield, neither of whom would I treat as viable fantasy plays outside of deep leagues.
Worry-o-meter: 3 out of 5.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys (ribs)
Elliott was injured after landing on the pylon camera in Week 5 against the Giants. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, though head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday that Elliott should be fine to play this week.
Monitor his health heading into Sunday, as it's likely he will carry the questionable designation. If he were to miss the game for some reason, Tony Pollard would step up as a high-end RB2/low-end RB1 against the Patriots this week.
Worry-o-meter: 3 out of 5.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals (illness)
Hopkins has a permanent fixture on the injury report for multiple weeks with a rib injury which hasn't kept him out of a game this year. However, he is now listed with an illness and has not practiced in back-to-back days, which is mildly concerning, though we've seen him go with zero practices logged in the week prior without issue.
Considering it's Hopkins, the Cardinals could be giving their veteran wideout some rest, but it's definitely worth monitoring heading into the weekend. If he were to miss the game, Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Rondale Moore would all get a boost against the Browns.
Worry-o-meter: 3 out of 5.
Jamaal Williams, RB, Lions (illness, hip)
Williams was limited in practice on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday due to an apparent illness. He had been dealing with a hip injury prior to this week, but was still able to play in Week 5 against the Vikings.
D'Andre Swift's status would be significantly elevated — especially in the passing game — if Willams were to miss the game. Keep an eye on rookie Jermar Jefferson, who has yet to play but could make his debut this week if the Lions are shorthanded in the backfield.
Worry-o-meter: 3 out of 5.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings (ankle)
Cook was a game-time decision last week after not practicing due to an ankle injury. He was ultimately a late scratch, teeing up Alexander Mattison to post his second 100-yard game this year.
Cook returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion and practiced in full on Thursday. It appears things are trending upwards for his status against the Panthers. If he starts, he's an elite RB1, though we could still see some Mattison sprinkled in if the Vikings are worried about load management. If Cook sits, Mattison would flirt with low-end RB1 numbers.
Worry-o-meter: 2.5 out of 5.
Damien Harris, RB, Patriots (ribs)
Harris is dealing with a rib injury he suffered in Week 5. He did not practice on Wednesday, but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday which bodes well for his Week 6 availability against the Cowboys.
That said, his role and lack of involvement in the passing game make him a fairly game script dependent play for fantasy, and I do anticipate the Patriots to be trailing a bunch this game. Harris has also fumbled twice in two weeks, which could put him in the doghouse with Bill Belichick.
I would keep an eye on Rhamondre Stevenson, especially if Harris does not dress for this game.
Worry-o-meter: 2.5 out of 5.
Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals (right shoulder)
Murray has been limited in back-to-back practices with an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder. It's certainly concerning any time a quarterback shows up on the injury report mid-week, especially one who ranks sixth this year in fantasy points. That said, there's a good chance this is just veteran rest for the Cardinals' star QB, who should be good to go against the Browns this week.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Julio Jones, WR, Titans (hamstring)
Jones was a full participant in Thursday's practice. The former Falcon has missed two straight games after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3.
There's still a chance he suffers a setback and cannot start on Sunday, but it's certainly encouraging news. If he were to miss the game, A.J. Brown and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would stand to see more targets.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants (concussion)
Jones was one of many Giants' casualties in Week 5 after suffering a concussion against the Cowboys. Before that, he had completed just 5-of-13 attempts for 98 yards, and was replaced by Mike Glennon.
Jones is trending toward a Week 6 return, however, and logged a non-contact practice on Thursday (he is likely eligible to return to practice on Friday at the earliest). He isn't an attractive starter against the Rams' pass rush this week, and if he does miss the game, Glennon would be a downgrade for whatever healthy pass-catchers the Giants do have.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins (ribs)
Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday and may start as early as this week against the Jaguars. He has been sidelined for three games after suffering an injury early in Week 2 and was replaced by Jacoby Brissett.
Tagovailoa should be a small upgrade from Brissett for the Dolphins' pass-catchers and could be start-able this week in two-quarterback/superflex formats against the Jaguars.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals (shoulder)
Edmonds was limited for the second day in a row in practice while dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 5. He played through the injury during the game and there has not any indication he won't be ready to play against the Browns this week.
Monitor his status heading into the weekend. If he does miss the game, James Conner would get a huge bump and would vault into high-end RB2 territory with RB1 upside.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Broncos (hip)
Gordon sat out practice on Wednesday, but returned on Thursday in a limited fashion. He has been dealing with various rib and leg injuries throughout the season and isn't expected to miss the game, though his health could push the Broncos to lean on rookie Javonte Williams more. Consider both RB3/flex plays this week if both play. If one misses the game, the other should be a RB2.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants (hamstring)
Shepard returned to practice in a limited capacity and participated in a walk-through on Wednesday. It's a positive sign since he has missed the past two games dealing with a hamstring injury. He could be a flex play if he starts this week, which could limit popular Week 6 waiver add Kadarius Toney's value this week against the Rams.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Darius Slayton, WR, Giants (hamstring)
Slayton also logged a practice on Thursday and appears to be moving in the right direction towards returning from his hamstring injury, which has held him out of two straight games. This could turn into a murky situation for fantasy if Slayton, Shepard and Toney are all healthy.
Worry-o-meter: 2 out of 5.
Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants (ankle)
Toney saw a huge uptick in targets and reeled in 10 catches for 189 yards. It looked like he was going to be the last man standing with Shepard and Slayton missing the game and Golladay leaving with a knee issue until he threw a punch and was ejected. On Monday, it was revealed that Toney is also dealing with an ankle issue, which has limited him in back-to-back practices.
It looks like he'll still play, but it's worth monitoring heading into the weekend. However, his value may take a hit this week with Slayton and Shepard likely to return.
Worry-o-meter: 1.5 out of 5.
Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington (shin)
Gibson played through the pain last week dealing with a stress-fractured shin and recorded 20 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns and caught both targets for 12 yards. He was clearly not limited in terms of workload and is practicing on a limited basis this week.
As weird as it sounds to say about a guy with a fractured leg, I'm not overly concerned about his status heading into Sunday since it seems like Washington is taking a more conservative approach with him in practice. If he were to suffer a setback, J.D. McKissic would be upgraded to a RB2.
Worry-o-meter: 1 out of 5.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions (knee)
Hockenson has been dealing with a knee issue that has impacted his performance, but hasn't forced him to miss a game yet. He was held out of practice on Wednesday and practiced on a limited basis on Thursday, suggesting he should be ready to go come Sunday against the Bengals.
Worry-o-meter: 1 out of 5.
A.J. Brown, WR, Titans (hamstring)
Brown returned after missing Week 4 with a hamstring injury suffered in the week prior and caught three passes for 38 yards. This has been a lingering hamstring issue, and hopefully this recent trend indicates positive progress on that front. He was also a full participant in Thursday's practice and should be good to go against the Bills this week.
Worry-o-meter: 1 out of 5.
Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers (hamstring)
Claypool has been limited in back-to-back practices with a hamstring issue. He suffered the original injury a few weeks ago and still played in Week 5, recording five catches for 130 yards and his first touchdown of the year. I don't anticipate this will hold him out of the Steelers' lineup come Sunday against the Seahawks and would consider him a high-end WR2 with upside now that JuJu Smith-Schuster is out for the year.
Worry-o-meter: 1 out of 5.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears (groin)
Mooney was limited in back-to-back practices this week dealing with a groin injury, which has hampered him for multiple weeks. This could definitely be the Bears taking a more conservative approach with their Year 2 wideout, though it's definitely worth monitoring given Allen Robinson has logged back-to-back DNPs.
Worry-o-meter: 1 out of 5 .
