
It's a brutal Friday for star quarterbacks, with Jalen Hurts already ruled out and Lamar Jackson trending the wrong way, so let's get your Week 6 lineups locked in.
📝 News & Notes
Jalen Hurts (PHI) was ruled out for Sunday's home game against the Panthers after doctors found a superficial blood clot in his leg, so Tanner McKee draws the start. It doesn't get easier behind him, with Saquon Barkley (hamstring) sitting out Thursday and DeVonta Smith (hamstring, toe) only managing a limited session.
My take: I want no part of this offense with Hurts out.
Lamar Jackson (BAL) missed practice again Thursday with his ankle, and the vibes are not great for Sunday at Cleveland. Rashod Bateman (shoulder) was downgraded to a non-participant and Zay Flowers (toe) was added as limited, so the passing game is thin even if Lamar somehow plays.
My take: If Lamar sits, this becomes the Derrick Henry show as we’ve seen multiple times last year when Lamar was hurt. Tyler Huntley can play well enough to support Zay Flowers if healthy but beyond those two, I’m mostly avoiding the Ravens.
David Montgomery (HOU) was ruled out and won't travel to London for the Jaguars game. That clears the Texans backfield for Woody Marks, who steps into the lead role.
My take: Marks is one of my favorite streamers of the week. London games can get weird, and Marks wasn’t valuable last year with a workhorse role, but we’ve seen improvement in his game that makes me like him as a play this week.
DJ Moore (BUF) sat out a second straight practice with his shoulder, putting his status for Sunday at Las Vegas in real doubt. Keon Coleman, meanwhile, was a full participant after his ankle scare.
My take: If Moore can't go, Coleman is a sneaky flex with a target bump in a game Buffalo should be throwing in. Josh Allen spreads it around, but Coleman has the big play ability and this game could turn into a shootout.
Rashee Rice (KC) did not practice Thursday with a hamstring, a worrying sign ahead of the Chiefs' home date with the Chargers. These mild hamstrings tend to linger, and the injury data leans toward him sitting Week 6.
My take: I'm bracing to be without Rice and lining up a pivot. Xavier Worthy is the obvious target beneficiary if Rice is down but it’s been hard to count on him thus far.
Elsewhere: CeeDee Lamb (thigh) practiced in full and gets a green light for Sunday night at Green Bay, Ashton Jeanty (foot) and Brock Bowers (knee) both returned to full for the Raiders, Breece Hall (quad) sat again so keep an eye on Braelon Allen, Quinshon Judkins (ankle) stayed out with Dylan Sampson as the insurance, and Chris Olave (illness) missed Thursday ahead of the Giants game.
⚕️ Injury Corner w/ Deepak Chona
Injury updates to help set your Sunday lineups.
Lamar Jackson (BAL): DNP. Data favors a Week 6-7 return, with only a mild rushing dip if he can log limited practices first.
Jalen Hurts (PHI): Superficial blood clot. Often benign and resolves on its own, but his has moved, so health is the priority. If it stays stable and superficial, the body typically dissolves it over several weeks.
Saquon Barkley (PHI): DNP. Week 6 is possible, but the data points to Week 7-8 as more likely, with Week 7 the best bet. Around 15% re-injury risk.
A.J. Brown (NE): LP. Leaning toward a Week 7-8 return, with Week 8 more likely, and a roughly 20% production dip is typical early.
CeeDee Lamb (DAL): FP. Consistent with a quad contusion, no Week 6 dip projected.
Ashton Jeanty (LV): FP. Plantar fasciitis carries aggravation risk all season, but three straight full practices point to a full Week 6 workload.
Rashee Rice (KC): DNP. Mild hamstrings average one to two weeks. Data slightly favors sitting Week 6 and returning Week 7, with no production hit expected after.
Breece Hall (NYJ): DNP. Favors a Week 6-7 return, with Week 7 more likely, and the workload usually dips initially.
Baker Mayfield (TB): DNP. Very likely out Week 6, with a Week 7 target and real re-injury risk on the throwing thumb.
DeVonta Smith (PHI): Dealing with a new toe issue on top of the hamstring. The added injury is a real concern and suggests sitting Week 6.
Quinshon Judkins (CLE): DNP, but being out of the boot is promising. Lean toward a reduced workload if he's active.
Ladd McConkey (LAC): LP. Leaning toward playing Week 6, but typically with a moderate dip in routes and efficiency.
TreVeyon Henderson (NE): LP. Confirms a mild high-ankle sprain, and most backs would miss at least Week 6.
Caleb Williams (CHI): FP. Very likely playing, with strong passing production and a mild rushing dip, though there's a 15-20% re-injury risk.
Deepak Chona is an Orthopedic Sports Surgeon by day, data-driven injury analyst by night. You can follow more of his insights at @SportMDAnalysis.
🎥 Want a great breakdown of the weekend?
Our Thursday Night Forecast has you covered. Brian Hartman and Kevin Roth went game by game on the Week 6 slate, weather angles and all, to get you ready before you lock in those lineups. Watch it on YouTube.
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