Before we get to the key situations you need to keep track of for your Fantasy rosters, here's a quick reminder of some other headlines around the NFL:
- Initially listed on the Panthers' practice report, Christian McCaffrey (back) was not on their injury report Friday. He will play against the Bucs in London.
- Ditto the above for Julio Jones (hip). It's a bad week to be a Cardinals defensive back.
- George Kittle (groin), Adam Thielen (illness), Chris Carson (shoulder), Gardner Minshew (groin), Courtland Sutton (leg), Emmanuel Sanders (knee), Chris Godwin (hip), Jamaal Williams (concussion) and Delanie Walker (knee) all got in some full practice reps this week and are being counted on to play in Week 6.
- Over a foot issue that cost him a couple of games, Case Keenum has been named the Redskins Week 6 starter. He plays at Miami and is a pretty interesting streaming quarterback.
- Davante Adams (toe), Jordan Reed (concussion), Vernon Davis (concussion), Mason Rudolph (concussion), DeSean Jackson (abdomen) and A.J. Green (ankle) have been ruled out and won't play this week. Green may have a chance to play in Week 7, so the timing is right to trade for him.
Offensive line injuries that matter: The Cowboys anticipate having one of Tyron Smith or La'el Collins to play at tackle, but neither one practiced at all this week and there's a chance both miss the matchup at the Jets. Cameron Fleming would protect Dak Prescott's blindside. ... Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher is still out, and now he'll be joined by left guard Andrew Wylie. Patrick Mahomes has been hit 17 times over his past two games. ... Seahawks left tackle Duane Brown and right guard D.J. Fluker are both not going to play. You probably won't sit Russell Wilson or Chris Carson because of this, but they could see some tough moments.
Panthers rookie tackle Greg Little (concussion) and star right guard Trai Turner (ankle) have been ruled out, but they were out last week and Christian McCaffrey had himself a game. ... The right side of the Buccaneers' offensive line will be second-stringers with Alex Cappa (arm) and Demar Dotson (hamstring) out. ... Bengals' second-string left tackle Andre Smith was ruled out for their matchup at Baltimore. One of their guards, potentially John Jerry or Alex Redmond, could replace him. Start the Ravens DST.
Defensive injuries that matter: Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (back) is questionable, but NFL Network says he's not expected to play. ... Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (groin) should return to the lineup and help bolster the Panthers pass defense. ... The Texans' secondary could go from bad to worse if cornerback Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) doesn't play. He popped up on the injury report on Friday and is questionable.
It's never good when a player suddenly pops up on an injury report. That's what happened to Kamara, who was listed as limited with an ankle injury on Thursday and then a non-participant on Friday. NFL Network reports the injury isn't "major" and that he sat out as a precaution, but it still bears watching. Teammate Latavius Murray (51% owned) would be the Saints' every-down back against the Jaguars if Kamara can't play. Murray didn't practice on Friday but that was because of personal reasons, per Sean Payton. Murray would be an easy (but saddening) switch for Fantasy managers to make for Kamara if he is ruled out by Sunday morning.
The Rams all but ruled Gurley out for their game versus the 49ers after he missed an entire week's worth of practice. Conventional wisdom suggests Malcolm Brown will replace Gurley as the lead runner for the Rams with rookie Darrell Henderson getting some playing time, potentially in passing situations. The 49ers run defense is among the best in football but is coming off of a Monday night game and on the road. Brown should serve as a No. 2 Fantasy rusher. Henderson is a low-end PPR flex since he could catch three or four passes and make a play or two.
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Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said Johnson will be a game-time decision after he got back to practice on Friday, but NFL Media says he is likely to play. The Cards have a late afternoon game on Sunday, so without some insight before the early games kick off, Fantasy managers could have some tough choices to make. Ideally, Chase Edmonds would be on the bench of everyone who has Johnson since he'd replace him in a great matchup. But if you're thin on desperation replacements who play late on Sunday/Monday, check out Darrell Henderson (22% owned), Ito Smith (39% owned), Jamaal Williams (30% owned), Raheem Mostert (37% owned), or Benny Snell (6% owned).
Chiefs coach Andy Reid told the media Friday that Hill is a game-time decision after he got in limited practice time all week with both the scout team and the offense. Speculation is already out there that he could be active but used on just a handful of snaps. Something to remember: Hill's been sidelined with a shoulder injury, not a leg or knee injury, so don't expect his speed to be compromised. With the Chiefs' receiving corps being stifled by man coverage and a lack of consistent talent combined with a desperation to score some points, one might assume Hill plays a good amount. If you have him, you should be inclined to start him unless you're incredibly rich at the receiver position.
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The Chiefs listed Watkins as doubtful for Sunday, which isn't a surprise since he got hurt very early last week. Byron Pringle played a bunch in the slot as Watkins' replacement, but with Hill's return a possibility, nothing is truly promised in terms of workload for him. We could see Hill, Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman soak up most of the Chiefs' receiving snaps with Pringle a primary backup. Outside of Hill, no Chiefs receiver is considered a safe starting option.
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A week's worth of practice combined with a full workout on Friday has made Hunter Henry a potential play in Week 6. There's more reason for optimism: coach Anthony Lynn admitted that if Henry did play that he'd be limited, and Henry himself said he felt good and hinted he would be active. You are probably taking a small risk carrying Henry as your only tight end heading into Week 6, but if you have him then you probably have a second tight end who you've been starting these past few weeks. Keep both tight ends on your roster for now but if Henry plays, he's a top-10 option.
Kirk practiced all week on a limited basis and being referred to as a game-time decision. Chances are you already have a replacement for him on your roster already (if not, some suggestions are listed below with Marquise Brown). But if you're choosing between Kirk and someone else, consider the scoring format (Kirk is much more effective in PPR), and consider the upside since Kirk will probably not play at 100% and has three 20-plus-yard catches on the year over 24 receptions. He's best suited as a flex.
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Brown left the Ravens' Week 5 game with an ankle injury and returned to play 17 snaps in the fourth quarter and overtime. However, he didn't practice all week and is considered a game-time decision, per coach John Harbaugh. His absence would probably lead to more playing time for fellow rookie Miles Boykin and more targets for Willie Snead and the Ravens' tight ends. Even if he does play, Brown probably won't be close to 100 percent and would be at risk to re-injure his ankle after not even practicing this week. Plan on having him sit out of your Week 6 lineups -- emergency wide receiver waiver adds include Auden Tate (56% owned), DeVante Parker (16% owned) and Preston Williams (12% owned).
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