Damien Williams is out for Week 6 after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, which opens the door for Khalil Herbert to be the lead running back for the Bears. He should be considered a potential starter in all leagues as Chicago hosts Green Bay, and Herbert is a solid sleeper to use this week.
In Week 5 at Las Vegas, in the first game for Chicago without David Montgomery (knee), Herbert and Williams shared touches, with Herbert getting 18 carries for 75 yards. He didn't get a target, but he should have some opportunities in the passing game against the Packers this week.
Ryan Nall will likely help Herbert against the Bears, but Nall is more of a desperation play. We should see Herbert getting at least 15 carries -- Bears running backs average 24.4 carries per game -- and hopefully a couple of receptions.
The Packers have been tough on opposing running backs, but four guys have scored at least 11 PPR points against Green Bay, with six total touchdowns allowed. Five of those touchdowns have come in the past three games against San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
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I like Herbert as a low-end No. 2 running back in all leagues, with his value slightly higher in non-PPR. The volume he should get is a plus for his outlook this week, and hopefully he'll find the end zone. It stinks that Williams is out, but Herbert can hopefully be a good replacement option for the Bears -- and your Fantasy roster.
Editor's Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg. Projected points are for PPR leagues.
- We take one final look at the backup RBs -- Chuba Hubbard, Darrel Williams, Devontae Booker, Khalil Herbert and Alex Collins -- and where they stand this week on the Fantasy Football Today podcast. Listen below and follow at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts:
Week 6 Sleepers
Sleepers
Lawrence took advantage of a great matchup in Week 5 against Tennessee with 22 Fantasy points, and he has another quality matchup in Week 6 against Miami in London, especially with cornerback Xavien Howard (shoulder) out. The Dolphins are No. 3 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and the last three quarterbacks against them (Derek Carr, Carson Wentz and Tom Brady) have combined for 1,025 passing yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. Lawrence is a borderline starter in all leagues this week.
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Bridgewater more than held up against the Steelers in Week 5 when he scored 22 Fantasy points, and he now has at least 22 points in three of four complete games this year. His best games have come when he's attempted at least 34 pass attempts, and he should be able to throw on the Raiders in Week 6. He's not a must-start Fantasy quarterback this week, but he's a decent replacement option for Russell Wilson (finger) if you need some help.
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Wentz played great in Week 5 at Baltimore with 402 passing yards and two touchdowns, although he lost a fumble. He's now scored at least 21 Fantasy points in back-to-back games, and he should have the chance for another positive outing in Week 6 against the Texans. Houston has allowed three of five quarterbacks this year to score at least 25 Fantasy points, including Lawrence, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. Wentz is a good streaming option in all leagues.
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Roethlisberger just had his best game of the season in Week 5 against Denver with 20 Fantasy points, and he has a good matchup in Week 6 against Seattle. Hopefully he can take advantage of this defense, even without JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder), who is out for the rest of the season. It's tough to trust Roethlisberger in anything but deeper leagues, but hopefully last week's outing against the Broncos is the start of some positive performances for him this year. And Seattle has allowed four quarterbacks in a row to pass for at least 322 yards, while three quarterbacks have scored at least 22 Fantasy points against the Seahawks this year.
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It feels like we're on the cusp of a big game for Williams, who has scored at least 11 PPR points in two of his past three games. He has three catches in three games in a row, and you're starting to see some explosive plays, including a 31-yard run in Week 4 against Baltimore and a 49-yard run in Week 5 at Pittsburgh. Melvin Gordon remains a problem for Williams, and Gordon is worth using as a flex this week. But hopefully Williams breaks out against the Raiders, who have allowed four total touchdowns to running backs in the past three games. And the Chargers and Bears backfields had over 130 rushing yards and 150 total yards against Las Vegas in the past two games.
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Dillon has consecutive games with at least 12 total touches, and he was heavily involved in the passing game in Week 5 at Cincinnati with four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown on four targets. Coach Matt LaFleur praised Dillon's hands after the game and said "we've got to continue to find ways to get him the ball." That hopefully doesn't come at the expense of Aaron Jones, but Dillon has flex appeal this week against the Bears. Chicago has allowed three running backs to catch at least four passes in the past three weeks.
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McKissic is worth using as a flex this week with the chance Washington is chasing points against the Chiefs. And he could benefit with Curtis Samuel (groin) and Logan Thomas (hamstring) out. McKissic has at least 16 PPR points in two of his past four games, and the Chiefs have allowed two running backs to catch six passes in their past three games. Antonio Gibson is a No. 2 running back in all leagues, but McKissic can be useful in PPR given the matchup.
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The Cowboys are third in receptions allowed to running backs, and the Patriots could be chasing points this week. And if Damien Harris (ribs) isn't 100 percent then maybe Bolden takes on more work aside from just the passing game. He has taken over for James White (hip), and Bolden has 10 catches in the past two games on 10 targets. Three running backs (Austin Ekeler, Rodney Smith and Devontae Booker) have already scored at least nine PPR points with just their receiving totals alone against Dallas this year. Bolden is a quality flex play in PPR.
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Higgins was a letdown in Week 5 against Green Bay with just 10 PPR points, but I'm hopeful that was him just shaking the rust off from a two-game absence from a shoulder injury. He still had seven targets from Joe Burrow, and hopefully Higgins gets that kind of volume again. Going back to last year, that's now nine times Burrow has targeted Higgins at least seven times in a game, and it's only the second time over that span that he's failed to score at least 12 PPR points. Ja'Marr Chase remains the go-to receiver for Burrow, but Higgins should also be considered a borderline starter in all leagues.
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Waddle disappointed last week at Tampa Bay with only two catches for 31 yards on six targets, and he's combined for just 11 PPR points in the past two games against the Colts and Buccaneers. But I'll give him one more shot as a No. 3 PPR receiver this week with Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) back, as well as DeVante Parker (shoulder) still out. The Jaguars have allowed eight receivers to score at least 12 PPR points this year.
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Patrick's time as a top-two receiver for the Broncos could be running out with Jerry Jeudy (ankle) close to a return, but he should continue to have a prominent role this week against the Raiders. Patrick has scored at least 12 PPR points in every game Teddy Bridgewater has completed, and Patrick just had season highs in targets (nine) and receptions (seven) in Week 5 at Pittsburgh. He also added 89 receiving yards, and he should be considered a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week in all leagues. Courtland Sutton is a borderline starter in all formats, but Patrick should also play well against the Raiders at home.
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Moore is going to have inconsistent performances because the Cardinals have a crowded receiving corps, but you have to hope Arizona continues to find ways to get him the ball. That happened in Week 5 against San Francisco when he had five catches for 59 yards on six targets, along with three carries for 38 yards, and he played a season-high 48 percent of the snaps. Moore has two games this season with at least six targets, and he's scored at least 13 PPR points in both outings. Let's get him at least six targets against the Browns this week.
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St. Brown was my favorite Lions receiver coming into the season, and he's finally starting to show why with his performance the past two weeks. He's scored 13 PPR points in each game against the Bears and Vikings, and he has eight targets in each outing. The Lions just lost Quintez Cephus (collarbone) for an extended period of time, and teams are trying to take away T.J. Hockenson. St. Brown should continue to get targets from Jared Goff, and he should be considered a No. 3 PPR receiver this week against the Bengals.
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Higbee only has one game since Week 1 with more than nine PPR points, and hopefully he can start being more consistent with his production. He did score in Week 5 at Seattle, but he only had two catches for 14 yards on two targets. Matthew Stafford will hopefully give him more chances this week against the Giants, who have allowed a tight end to score in all but one game this year. Keep Higbee active as a low-end starter in all leagues this week.
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In Jacksonville's first game without D.J. Chark (ankle), Arnold had a big role with six catches for 64 yards on eight targets against the Titans in Week 5. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come for Arnold, and he has a favorable matchup in Week 6 against Miami in London. The Dolphins have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in their past four games coming into Week 6.
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Seals-Jones should continue to benefit with Logan Thomas (hamstring) out, and Seals-Jones played well in Week 5 against New Orleans with five catches for 41 yards on eight targets. Curtis Samuel (groin) is out in Week 6 against Kansas City, and the Chiefs have allowed a tight end to score in each of the past two games against the Eagles and Bills. Seals-Jones is worth using as a streaming option in all leagues in Week 6.
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DFS LINEUPS
DraftKings
QB: Patrick Mahomes at WAS $8,300
RB: Kareem Hunt vs. ARI $6,200
RB: Darrel Williams at WAS $4,900
WR: Ja'Marr Chase at DET $6,700
WR: Brandin Cooks at IND $5,800
WR: Jakobi Meyers vs. DAL $5,500
TE: Ricky Seals-Jones vs. KC $3,000
FLEX: Joe Mixon at DET $6,400
DST: Cowboys at NE $3,200
There was a flurry of running back news Friday, and you should be able to benefit with good pricing on several guys. The best option is Hunt with Nick Chubb (knee) out, and he's worth using even though he'll be in most lineups.
I also like Mixon after Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he'll get a full workload against the Lions in a favorable matchup. And you should use Williams, who will start for the Chiefs with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee) out, and he's my Start of the Week.
I didn't stack Mahomes with any pass catchers for the Chiefs, but I love this receiving corps with Chase, Cooks and Meyers. The latter two will bounce back after poor performances in Week 5. And Seals-Jones is one of my favorite cheap options this week at any position, especially with his matchup against Kansas City.
FanDuel
QB: Matthew Stafford at NYG $7,900
RB: Kareem Hunt vs. ARI $7,400
RB: Javonte Williams vs. LV $5,600
WR: Davante Adams at CHI $8,500
WR: Cooper Kupp at NYG $8,200
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. CIN $5,200
TE: Hunter Henry vs. DAL $5,600
FLEX: Chuba Hubbard vs. MIN $6,900
DEF: Packers at CHI $4,200
I'll play Hunt again in this lineup, but I'll also go with Hubbard now that Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) is out again. And Williams in the flex spot is one of my favorite plays this week against the Raiders.
Stafford should do well against the Giants, and I'll stack him with Kupp here. Kupp is due for a touchdown after two weeks of not finding the end zone. Adams is an easy choice at one of the other receiver spots, and I like St. Brown as a sleeper this week against the Bengals.
Henry is another one of my favorite plays this week, and I hope he'll find the end zone for the third week in a row. I'm excited about this lineup for Week 6.
