Alt missed Week 5 after not practicing last week and opens up Week 6 as a non-participant. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that Alt would visit a specialist for his neck injury. G Kayode Awosika (fibula) is also still sidelined. Justin Herbert’s offensive line looks like it will still be missing both players this week; the Chiefs’ defensive line will have a good day against the inexperienced depth that will start for the Chargers.
The Patriots snuck Hollins onto the injured reserve list over the weekend. He will be eligible to return after sitting out for four games. The Patriots also placed FB Reggie Gilliam on injured reserve.
Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), Brenen Thompson (quad), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (rib) were all limited Wednesday. Lambert-Smith currently has his practice window for return from IR open while the others are dealing with a varying level of ailments. Johnston is the best fantasy option out of this group, but he is only worth FLEX consideration in the deepest of leagues. With Ladd McConkey (foot) also limited, the Chargers have several “maybes” ahead of a Week 6 matchup against the Chiefs.
CB Donte Jackson (hamstring) also did not practice. Neither player played in Week 5 and both will need at least a limited practice before they can be considered questionable for Week 6 against the Chiefs.
Smith-Njigba played through an ankle injury in Week 5 and was limited in practice this week before getting a full designation on Wednesday. Despite the short week ahead of a Thursday matchup against the Broncos, he is off the injury report and good to go. Smith-Njigba is once again a top-three wide receiver option for Week 6.
Smith was already reported to be working off to the side on Wednesday, but he now adds a toe injury to his existing hamstring injury on the official practice report. Given he is not practicing yet and a new injury is added to his designation, Smith is currently trending in the wrong direction for Week 6 against the Panthers.
Typically, rest days are entirely inconsequential. Recently, the Colts listed Keenan Allen with a rest designation on Wednesday. He picked up a groin injury during the practice week, and although they added the groin injury to the injury report, they kept the rest designation on there as well. He didn’t play. Downs could end up being perfectly fine, but given the Colts’ recent handling of a similar situation, his participation levels on Thursday and Friday are worth monitoring.
Lamb played through a quad bruise last week but exacerbated the issue and left the game late in the fourth quarter. The injury is not believed to be serious and a full practice today means Lamb isn’t at risk of missing Week 6. Despite burning fantasy managers with two catches for nine yards last time around, Lamb remains one of the best fantasy football wideouts in play this week.
He still has multiple practices left to improve his status. If Mooney were to miss time, Malachi Fields, who is tied with him for third on the team in targets, could see his role expand, though target volume could be limited behind Isaiah Likely and Malik Nabers.
Earlier today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Lane has “a shot” to face the Browns in Week 6. His full participation furthers that notion. The talented rookie drew rave reports all summer before suffering an unfortunate wrist fracture in Week 1. While he makes for a dicey FLEX if Tyler Huntley is under center, Lane should at least be safely stashed on fantasy football benches in 12-team formats.
The Browns opened Sampson’s practice window today, so it’s a bit odd to see him sit out of the session entirely. They were likely giving Sampson the option to suit up even though he may not be fully ready to return. With Quinshon Judkins injured and Raheim Sanders on IR, the Browns are clearly desperate at running back. If Sampson doesn’t play on Sunday, the backfield will be split between Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. This is likely a fantasy situation to avoid at all costs.
The Ravens’ new starting center is still recovering from his recent concussion, but he seemingly has a chance to face the Browns this week. Ravens EDGE Trey Hendrickson (finger) and S Kyle Hamilton (stinger) are practicing fully, while RT Roger Rosengarten (knee), OG John Simpson (groin), OG Andrew Vorhees (foot), LT Ronnie Stanley (rest/toe/ankle) and CB Marlon Humphrey (hamstring/calf) were limited.
The Browns acquired Howard from Houston in the offseason. Howard left Week 5 with the knee issue and a DNP today suggests he will miss at least one week. Dawand Jones took his spot in the lineup on Sunday and would presumably draw the start at right tackle if Howard is out.
A limited practice to start the week is usually nothing more than maintenance. Boston should still be a safe bet to suit up on Sunday. The second-round rookie has already cemented himself as an impressive downfield threat with three touchdowns and three catches of 40+ yards. He’s managed several spike weeks despite the Browns’ up-and-down performances on offense. Health permitting, Boston will be a low-end WR3 for Week 6 versus Baltimore.
Mason Graham is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury of his own and Maliek Collins missed today’s practice with a foot injury. That’s three front-seven starters potentially out for Week 6. With Lamar Jackson still banged up, expect the Ravens to give Derrick Henry all the touches he can handle this week.
The Cardinals are listing Love with just one ankle injury, but recent reports, including quotes from LaFleur, have said that Love is still managing the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason and may have injured the other ankle in Week 4. LaFleur said the current plan is to “give it a little bit of rest and see as the week goes on.” Tyler Allgeier offers little standalone value, but he should be rostered in 12-team leagues.
The Texans are facing the Jaguars in London this week. If Dell travels, that would indicate that Dell has a chance to play for the first time since suffering a multi-ligament tear in 2024. He would be a low-floor FLEX if he is active.
Nixon is the Packers’ top outside corner. He has three pass breakups and one interception this year. His absence would be a big loss for a defense that is only slightly above average in EPA per play and points allowed this year. It would be a particularly big development for George Pickens, who leads the Cowboys in outside receiver routes this year.
The Titans’ receiving specialist has been an injury report staple thus far, though he has previously been listed with an ankle issue. An early-week limited session puts him on track to play, though he is only relevant in PPR leagues.
This is great news for the Falcons’ offense, which can barely function with Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. Penix is firmly on track to play in Week 6 against the Bears, as long as he gets through the week setback-free. Penix can be viewed as a high-end QB2 with four teams on bye.
Hall will not practice today, and it sounds like he will not practice on Thursday or Friday either. Braelon Allen has played productively in his stead, most recently rushing 24 times for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. Allen is a locked-in RB2 until Hall returns from his upper-leg injury.
Dowdle is expected to return to action this week after missing the past three games with a toe injury. Jaylen Warren has dominated the Steelers’ backfield in his absence and the results have been marvelous. He currently leads the team in rushing (410) and receiving yards (230). Even once healthy, Dowdle will likely struggle to force a 1B role in the backfield right away. He will be an RB4 for Week 6 if he’s given the green light.
Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters earlier this week that Coker was returning from both quad and ankle injuries, though the team is only listing the quad issue. We take this as a good sign for his overall health. Coker can be treated as a WR2 in his first game back, facing an Eagles defense that struggles to cover opposing slot receivers.
The Panthers should have their veteran receiving tight end on the field when they take on the Eagles this week. Waller remains a viable TE1, albeit as a somewhat volatile producer. We expect him to be practicing in full by the end of the week, coming off a restful bye.
The Panthers’ backup running back is on track to return this week against the Eagles, while fellow backup A.J. Dillon (ankle) may need more time off. Dillon was unable to practice at all today. Etienne can be stashed in 12-team formats, though he may only qualify as FLEX-viable if he were to get a fill-in start at some point.