Last week we saw the first fallout from the league’s new concussion protocol. Of course, protecting these players is paramount, but it’s going to cause some issues in fantasy football. The Fantasy Football Injury Rundown will catch you up on the important injury news and notes that will impact lineups in Week 6.
Here are the key fantasy-relevant injury situations we’ll be monitoring. Both for this week’s action and moving forward. Also, be sure to check out our Week 6 waiver wire and FAAB recommendations.
Rashaad Penny (RB) Seattle Seahawks – The biggest injury blow to come out of Week 5 was to Seattle’s starting running back. Penny, who is no stranger to injuries, broke his right tibia and will require season-ending surgery. It was another brutal injury for Penny, who head to free agency after the season. With Penny gone, Kenneth Walker III will now act as the Seahawks’ feature back.
Dak Prescott (QB) Dallas Cowboys – Although Prescott is getting closer, reports indicate he still can’t grip the ball well with his right thumb. The Cowboys have a critical NFC East showdown with Philadelphia this week. But that game is Sunday night, which doesn’t help with lineup decision time. Since Cooper Rush is 4-0 as the starter, expect Jerry Jones to err on the side of caution and keep Prescott out for at least one more week.
Darren Waller (TE) Las Vegas Raiders – Waller exited Monday night after six snaps. When the Raiders emerged from halftime, Waller was in street clothes. Certainly, that is a worrisome development for a player that battled hamstring issues throughout the preseason. For now, be prepared to be without Waller for at least one week. Foster Moreau (knee) missed Week 5. Both will have an additional week to heal due to Las Vegas’s Week 6 bye.
Damien Harris (RB) New England Patriots – Another hamstring injury will keep Harris out for multiple weeks. With Harris out, Rhamondre Steven#SZN is certainly here. Stevenson racked up 175 yards on 27 touches against Detroit. New England has a bye in Week 10 so Week 11 may be a realistic return date for Harris. Pierre Strong is a waiver wire target in deeper leagues.
Tee Higgins (WR) Cincinnati Bengals – It seems that the ankle injury that kept Higgins limited in practice was much worse than indicated. Higgins only participated in 10 snaps Monday and did not record a reception. If he is able to practice later this week that would be a good sign for Week 6. But for now, consider Higgins very questionable.
Keenan Allen (WR) Los Angeles Chargers – Just look to Allen for the potential impact of hamstring injuries. LA’s No. 1 receiver has now missed four games with a seemingly moderate hamstring ailment. Allen may actually return to practice this week, which would be very welcomed. We’ll update his status in the FullTime Discord channel.
James Conner (RB) Arizona Cardinals – For the second game in a row, Conner was unable to play in the second half. This time, a rib injury kept Conner sidelined. Darrel Williams (knee) was also ruled out. The team doesn’t seem overly concerned about Conner, but fantasy managers may want to proactively add Eno Benjamin as a hedge.
Rashod Bateman (WR) Baltimore Ravens – A foot injury kept Bateman out last week but all indications are that he should be good to go versus the Giants. We will have an update on Bateman’s status later this week.
Isaiah McKenzie (WR) Buffalo Bills – McKenzie missed last week due to a concussion and is still in the protocol. He has all week to clear the tests. If he does, he should slide right back in as the club’s WR3. If McKenzie misses Week 6, Khalil Shakir would be an appealing waiver add.
Julio Jones (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Bucs are taking a proactive approach with Jones’s knee. The aging veteran was close to playing last week but the club is cautiously hoping another week off will put Jones close to 100%. Chances are he will be activated this week.
Dalton Schultz (TE) Dallas Cowboys – Apparently, Schultz re-injured his knee in Week 5, which explains his goose-egg performance. Schultz has really been struggling with Cooper Rush under center. It might be better for all if Schultz is held out this week until Dak Prescott returns. That’s about the only way he can salvage what looks like a lost 2022 season.
Jahan Dotson (WR) Washington Commanders – A hamstring injury kept Dotson out last week. With the Commanders slated to play in short rest, there is next to zero shot Dotson plays. Expect Dyami Brown to fill in again.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB) Miami Dolphins – Tagovailoa is still in the league’s concussion protocol. We fully expect him to miss at least one more start. Backup Teddy Bridgewater is also in the protocol but has already passed initial tests. Bridgewater is likely to start against the Vikings.
Baker Mayfield (QB) Carolina Panthers – A high-ankle sprain will keep Mayfield sidelined for some time. P.J. Walker is slated to start this week. The Panthers also dismissed Matt Rhule. Don’t be surprised if Sam Darnold also earns some starts at some point. This is a situation to avoid, altogether.
Logan Thomas (TE) Washington Commanders – Thomas sat out Week 5 with a calf injury. He also sat out practice Monday, which is a troubling sign for his Week 6 availability. Washington plays Chicago on Thursday, so Thomas is looking very questionable for Week 6.
Robbie Gould (PK) San Francisco 49ers – 39-year-old kicker Robbie Gould hurt his knee making a tackle in San Francisco’s victory in Carolina. He was unable to kick the remainder of the game and the club will be bringing in the rotating group of veteran replacements this week. We’d start looking for other options.
Ashton Dulin (WR) Indianapolis Colts – Dulin will miss a minimum of four weeks. He was placed on IR with a foot injury.
Deonte Harty (WR) New Orleans Saints – Harty suffered a severe turf toe injury and is likely to miss the rest of the season.
Antoine Wesley (WR) Arizona Cardinals – Wesley hurt his quad last week and has been placed on season-ending IR.
