Week 6: Start 'Em & Sit 'Em | Lineup Cheat Sheet
Need help dealing with an injury situation for Week 6? We're going to list the most impactful scenarios here as the injury reports pile up. In each one, we'll give you some options to consider if you'd rather play it safe and go a different direction. Keep checking back.
Status: Questionable
Bryant was limited in practice this week as he heals up from a hairline fracture in his knee. Coach Jason Garrett said he was happy with his progress but wouldn't commit to Bryant playing, and an analyst from the official team website expressed doubt about his availability. It would make sense for the Cowboys to rest Dez in Week 6 and through the Week 7 bye so that he's ready to go at home against the Eagles in Week 8. Cole Beasley, Brice Butler and Terrance Williams will continue to catch passes in his place.
Status: Questionable
Lacy left last week's game with an ankle injury and downplayed the injury. It looks like he was right to do so since he practiced all week on a limited basis. He's listed as questionable for Week 6 versus the Cowboys while teammate James Starks was ruled out on Saturday. It suggests a big workload for Lacy with Randall Cobb taking some carries too. Coach Mike McCarthy said Lacy made progress this week but didn't tip his hand as to whether or not Lacy would play, but with Starks out the Packers would be very vulnerable if Lacy couldn't suit up. The hunch is he will play, but he might not be as nimble. Think of him as a No. 2 rusher.
Status: Questionable
Reed entered the league's concussion protocol on Tuesday after showing symptoms after the Redskins' Week 5 game. He didn't practice all week. Coach Jay Gruden said Reed will see doctors to get a better indication of where he's at in his recovery. If cleared, Gruden did leave the door open for Reed to play. That seems like a long shot. Both Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay talked up Vernon Davis and Niles Paul as replacements for Reed -- we suppose Davis is strictly an emergency replacement option, but low-owned tight ends like Richard Rodgers and Garrett Celek are safer.
Status: Out
Riddick won't have the chance to follow up on his two-touchdown performance last week -- an ankle injury sidelined him all week and he's been ruled out for Sunday. The Lions figure to juggle the rushing responsibilities between multiple backs. Rookie Dwayne Washington, who looked good when he was pressed into action two weeks ago, is questionable to play after practicing on Friday with an ankle injury of his own. If he's active, expect him to share reps with Zach Zenner and Justin Forsett. If he's out then Zenner and Forsett should pick up the work against the Rams, who might get back three-fourths of their defensive line after Robert Quinn, William Hayes and Michael Brockers all practiced on Friday and are listed as questionable.
Status: Questionable
Newton practiced in full all week and is on track to start at the Saints on Sunday -- listing him as questionable seems like a formality. Expect Newton to be competent as a passer against a Saints defense that has allowed 300 yards in three out of four games and multiple touchdown passes in each of their last two. Newton might not take off on the ground as much -- he's at risk for more hard hits to the head if he does.
Status: Questionable
Stewart practiced all week including full practices on Thursday and Friday, so bank on him playing. The matchup is particularly good not only because the Saints are miserable against the run, but with Newton coming back from a concussion, the Panthers will probably choose to lean on Stewart at the goal line rather than risk Newton taking another hit to the head. Stewart is a great No. 2 Fantasy running back this week.
Status: Questionable
On Thursday, Benjamin popped up on the Panthers injury report with a knee injury. Ron Rivera downplayed it, saying the team was being "smart" with Benjamin (remember, he's coming off of a torn ACL). Despite the questionable listing he should be rarin' to go in the Bayou against the Saints. He's a top 15 Fantasy receiver against that defense.
Status: Questionable
Fuller practiced all week on a limited basis. Even though he's dealing with a hamstring injury, all signs point to him playing against the Colts. There's a pretty good track record of Fuller at home, but particularly whenever his quarterback isn't pressured, Fuller gets some quality targets. He's worth trying this week as a high-upside No. 2 Fantasy receiver.
Status: Questionable
After being one of the hot waiver pickups of the week, Coates missed two days of practice and had a soft cast on his left hand. Word got out he had a serious laceration that required stitches and not a break. On Friday he was spotted catching passes and was limited in practice. His hand is swollen but he spoke on Friday as if he was going to play, though he admitted the coaches would make the final call. If he's active, Fantasy owners should trust him as a high-upside receiver with lots of big-play potential against a bad Dolphins secondary.
In that same game, Markus Wheaton (shoulder) is listed as out while Eli Rogers will be back in the slot for the Steelers. Rogers is another sneaky Fantasy sleeper given his speed and matchup.
Status: Smith is doubtful, Wallace is questionable
Smitty's ankle injury kept him out of practice this week, so odds are Joe Flacco won't have his services on Sunday against the Giants. Mike Wallace figures to see more attention in the pass game with Smith sidelined, but it's not like Wallace wasn't involved when Smith was healthy, posting season-highs last week with seven receptions and 11 targets. Known as a deep threat, Wallace doesn't have a reception for more than 17 yards and has fallen under 70 yards receiving in his last four ball games.
Status: Both are questionable
Both Jeffery and Royal practiced all week, so bank on them both playing against the Jaguars. Jacksonville's defense is healthy and as talented as it's going to get, especially in the secondary, which might mean it doesn't take many opportunities to double-team Jeffery. We're expecting a pretty good game from him, with Royal contributing his usual modest yardage.
Status: Questionable
Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Foster would be a game-time decision even though he's practiced on a limited basis for the last two weeks. If he were to miss the game then Jay Ajayi would lead a rag-tag run game against a Steelers defense missing top defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. If Foster were to play then he'd probably see a dozen carries and around five receptions. It's tough to expect much from Foster knowing the Dolphins will likely play from behind.
Status: Out
It's another week of no practice for Murray, meaning another matchup where DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard will split reps. Last week Washington played 37 snaps to Richard's 23, but Richard had more total yards (97) on 14 touches than Washington (who had 52 total yards on 14 touches). And Jamize Olawale scored a short-yardage touchdown. The lean this week is to Richard since he was the better back a week ago, but in reality both running backs will see equal amounts of touches, which is part of the Raiders' rushing philosophy. The worse this duo does, the more likely Murray will have a chance to stand out as the Raiders' lead rusher once he's healthy.
Status: Questionable
Jennings said he's ready to play after practicing all week on a limited basis after hurting his thumb. The Giants need him to help salvage a run game that needs to start pitching in to help take pressure off Eli Manning. The Giants offensive line is an issue, and the Ravens run defense has been really strong lately, so Fantasy owners shouldn't expect a big game from Jennings. But a chance at 15 touches? That's definitely possible, even if Bobby Rainey has earned reps in passing situations.
