It has been a crazy season so far with injuries, and Week 6 was no different, with several star players going down to injury at some point in their matchups. Here is the latest on the fantasy-football-relevant players currently on IR heading into Week 7.
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What Players Are on IR in Week 7?
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Fantasy darling, rookie RB De’Von Achane, was riding high in Weeks 3-5. He scored a total of seven TDs in Miami’s prolific offense. Unfortunately, the only thing that could slow Achane down was a knee injury, and he went on IR before Week 6.
Good news came this week, though, when it was reported that Achane will likely be back for the Dolphins’ Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, so he’ll likely only miss the minimum of four weeks (plus a bye week) due to injury. Backup RB Raheem Mostert is currently holding down the backfield while Achane is sidelined, and we might see the return of RB Jeff Wilson Jr. soon.
Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints
After suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, the Saints placed Jamaal Williams on the IR. With four games being the minimum time spent there, Williams is eligible to return in Week 7. We haven’t heard for certain if he will be back this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was estimated as a limited participant in Monday’s practice report.
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This bodes well for Williams’ chance to return this week and join Alvin Kamara and rookie Kendre Miller in the Saints’ backfield.
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals placed RB James Conner on the IR after he went down with a knee injury in their Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Before the injury, Conner was RB21 on the year and the true workhorse back for Arizona. Conner will be sidelined until at least the Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
In his stead, the Arizona backfield was handled in Week 6 mainly by undrafted rookie Emari Demercado and Keaontay Ingram, with Damien Williams sprinkled in. None were overwhelmingly successful.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The fantasy community collectively hung their heads as star WR Justin Jefferson was placed on IR before Week 6 of the fantasy season. Jefferson went down with a hamstring injury in their Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and got multiple opinions on the severity of his injury.
It is uncertain whether he will be good to go immediately after the four-week mark, but the Vikings plan to re-evaluate him and his hamstring at that point. Hopefully, Jefferson will be able to return to play soon after. It has been reported that no matter the team’s record, if Jefferson can return this season, he plans to.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnson has been on IR since injuring his hamstring in the first game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. With Pittsburgh on a bye last week, Johnson is eligible to come off IR this week.
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On Monday, the Steelers announced that Johnson has been designated to return from the IR, which opens up his 21-day practice window. He could return to the field as early as Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
The receiver seems motivated to get back to playing.
“The trainers, I appreciate them for pushing me through that whole process, keeping my head level. Not coming in here down,” Johnson said. “I always had a positive attitude when I came in here, and I was ready to work. Whatever they threw at me, I was going to do what I had to do to get it done.”
Just because Johnson may return to the field, it does not mean that he will have fantasy success. Kenny Pickett is currently the QB30 and has only passed for 1,027 yards and five total TDs.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
Rodgers remains on the IR as he rehabs his Achilles surgery. It seems like recovery is going well, as Rogers was seen on the field on Sunday in street clothes, with no crutches, tossing a football around.
As the Jets head into their bye at 3-3 with the toughest part of the season behind them, it seems even more believable that Rodgers will make a strong push to return ASAP with the hopes of leading the Jets in the playoffs.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Rookie sensation Anthony Richardson was placed on the IR after suffering a Grade 3 AC sprain in Week 5. He has to miss a minimum of four games, but it is rumored that Richardson is “strongly” considering surgery on his shoulder, which would ultimately end his rookie season.
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Richardson sought multiple opinions on his shoulder, and a decision by the team has yet to be made. Backup QB Gardner Minshew may be steering the ship for the rest of 2023.
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Murray was eligible to be activated off the PUP two weeks ago, but he still has not been activated by Arizona. Once a player is eligible to come off the PUP, a 21-day window begins when he can practice before being added again to the active roster. Keep an eye out to see if this happens soon for Murray.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon spoke to the media recently. “(I) like the week that he had, and we’ve got to kind of see here, next couple days, see how tonight goes, how tomorrow goes, again, not rushing that, making sure that he feels good about going out there. Make sure he’s trending in the right direction.”
