Heading into Week 6, the fantasy football injury report is extremely busy after what appeared to be an attritional Sunday around the NFL. Let’s take a look at the latest injury updates that fantasy football managers need to be aware of heading into the Week 6 waiver wire.
Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 6
Damien Harris, RB, NE | Hamstring
Harris left the Patriots’ Week 5 game with a hamstring injury and did not return. The way the game was going by halftime meant New England did not need to push Harris back into action. Hamstring injuries have generally impacted skill-position players for a couple of weeks.
If Harris misses time, Rhamondre Stevenson becomes a must-start. The Patriots will likely have either Pierre Strong Jr. or J.J. Taylor active next week. Meanwhile, Ty Montgomery is also able to return from the IR this week, so he’s another name to watch. If Montgomery is activated, he would be the most likely back to feature alongside Stevenson, so he would be the one of the three to look to add. Strong is an intriguing deeper-league stash in case Stevenson gets hurt.
James Conner, RB, ARI | Rib
For the second time this season, James Conner has left a Cardinals game early due to injury. This time it’s a rib injury, but we’ll need to wait to hear the severity. A minor injury could mean we see him back for Week 6, but if it’s fractured cartilage — as we’ve seen with Alvin Kamara — that is trickier.
The Cardinals also lost Darrel Williams with a knee injury and Jonathan Ward with a hamstring issue. Eno Benjamin is the only healthy back from Sunday, with Keaontay Ingram having been inactive this week. We may see Arizona look to add someone this week, depending on the severity of the injuries to the other backs. Nevertheless, Benjamin is the Cardinals’ back to add off the waiver wire this week.
Rashaad Penny, RB, SEA | Ankle
Rashaad Penny cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries. The expectation is that he will require surgery for his fractured fibula and will be out for the rest of the season. Penny is droppable in all redraft leagues if the surgery is confirmed.
MORE: Buy Low, Sell High Week 6
In his absence, Kenneth Walker III has the chance to be the early-down back. DeeJay Dallas looks set to be the third-down and passing-down back. Therefore, Walker is a fringe Flex starter on a weekly basis, but he could be a frustrating player to roster if the Seahawks turn to Dallas when trailing in games. Dallas is kind of interesting in 14-team leagues, especially PPR formats.
Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA | Foot
Tyreek Hill left the Dolphins’ Week 5 game with a foot injury and was seen wearing a boot after the game. The indication would be a mid-foot sprain, which can have a timeframe of up to three weeks. After the game, he said he was feeling fine, but we’ll need to wait to see practice reports.
In deeper leagues, Trent Sherfield would be the player to add, but a lot also depends on the QB situation. If it looks like Skylar Thompson will be under center in Week 6, the Dolphins’ passing game could end up being one to avoid outside of Jaylen Waddle and Hill if he is active.
Tee Higgins, WR, CIN | Ankle
While Tee Higgins was active for the Bengals’ Week 5 game on Sunday Night Football, he was not targeted and appeared to re-injure his ankle. Reportedly, it was the coach’s decision to hold him out as Higgins wanted to return. That’s not a great sign, given this was a rivalry game that could have huge implications for the division.
If Higgins misses time, Tyler Boyd would be the second target after Ja’Marr Chase. Yet, we are seeing Hayden Hurst’s role grow, and Mike Thomas saw a couple of targets playing in Higgins’ place. Therefore, we could see the ball spread around if Higgins misses time, reducing Boyd’s value as a waiver wire target this week.
Chris Olave, WR, NO | Concussion
Chris Olave was having another good day in his rookie season before leaving with a concussion. He has a chance to play next week but will have to work through the protocol. The average absence is 6-10 days for a first concussion.
The Saints now have their top three receivers questionable for next week. Michael Thomas is dealing with a toe injury, and Jarvis Landry has an ankle injury. If Olave or Thomas is out next week, Marquez Callaway would continue to see the majority of their snaps, while Tre’Quan Smith looks set to play in case Landry is absent. Callaway is the top option of the group to roster, but his value is limited to 14-team and deeper leagues unless both Olave and Thomas are absent.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET | Ankle
We saw Amon-Ra St. Brown significantly limited by his ankle injury this week. The Lions have a bye in Week 6, so that should give him time to fully recover. By Week 7, things should be back to normal.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT | Concussion
Freiermuth left the Steelers’ Week 5 game with a concussion. He will now enter the protocol and work his way through the steps this week. This is his third concussion in two seasons, so it might be more of a concern than just simply returning next week. We will have a good indication of Freiermuth’s progress from practice reports on Wednesday and Thursday, but you should start making early plans for a streaming option in Week 6 if he misses time.
If Freiermuth is active, you treat him normally, as concussions rarely have a performance impact. If he’s absent, neither Zach Gentry nor Connor Heyward has enough standalone value to be fantasy options outside of the deepest of leagues.
Dalton Schultz, TE, DAL | Knee
The knee injury continues to bother Dalton Schultz and cost him playing time. The issue doesn’t seem to be getting worse, or Schultz would be inactive. However, until we see the playing time return to normal, he’s not a player you can trust in lineups, unfortunately.
Baker Mayfield, QB, CAR | Foot/Ankle
We saw Baker Mayfield in a walking boot after the Panthers’ Week 5 game, and P.J. Walker played on the final drive. With Sam Darnold reportedly not close to returning, Walker would be the presumed starter if Mayfield misses time.
We may see Carolina push harder to bring Darnold back in the coming weeks if the injury to Mayfield is significant. Walker would be a 14-team Superflex consideration whenever he starts, essentially carrying a similar value to Mayfield.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, MIA | Concussion
While Bridgewater was held out of the game due to the new concussion protocols, he passed the administered tests. Therefore, he has a chance to clear out of the concussion protocol this week and play in Week 6. The situation in Miami is a weird one, so we will need to monitor the injury report for Tua Tagovailoa and Bridgewater this week.
