| | | | Sunday, October 17, 2021 | | Good morning and welcome to Sunday of Week 6. We're getting the newsletter out to you earlier than normal today ahead of the 9:30 a.m. game between the Dolphins and Jaguars, with Tua Tagovailoa the big name making his comeback from a rib injury in that one. Not that you're necessarily starting him -- or many players from that game, for that matter. | | Today's newsletter has updates on all of the injuries you need to know about Sunday, with my analysis of how you should approach each player as of early Sunday morning. And, frankly, there are so many injuries this week that there's no sense in taking too much of your time up on an intro. | | However, because we've had to send this newsletter out a few hours earlier than usual because of the 9:30 kickoff, you'll want to make sure you're up to date on the latest injury news that may break Sunday before the games. Adam Aizer and Heath Cummings updated you on the latest news and answered some start/sit questions on this morning's FFT podcast, and Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath are on CBS Sports HQ from 9 a.m. ET to kickoff of the 1 p.m. games to answer your questions and keep you updated on all of the news you need to know on the FFT live show. | | Make sure you check both out, but if you want more direct answers to your questions and other news updates, I've got two more ways for you to win: Go to Twitter and use the hashtag "#AskFFT", where our whole team will be answering questions all morning; and go to the FFT YouTube channel to chat with Adam and I from 11:30 until kickoff . We'll be there right up until kickoff answering as many questions as we can, so make sure you're in the chat early to get your questions in. | | Here's the rest of our preview content to get you ready, and check out my updated position rankings at the bottom of the newsletter to help with any early lineup dilemmas you may have: | | | | Week 6 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WRStarts, sits and sleepers for every gameCheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPRWeek 6 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TEMy Week 6 Rankings: Flex Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE | | Week 6 Injury Report | | | | | | Quarterbacks | | Kyler Murray (shoulder) -- Murray was limited during practice earlier in the week, but he's been cleared to play against the Browns and is not on the injury report. Russell Wilson (finger) -- Wilson was placed on IR this week and will be out until at least Week 10 at least. Geno Smith is set to start against the Steelers Sunday. Daniel Jones (concussion) -- Jones was cleared to play and will make the start against the Rams. That's good news for the Giants offense, but it doesn't necessarily make Jones a worthwhile starter against the Rams in a tough matchup. Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) -- Tagovailoa was activated from IR and will start against the Jaguars after missing the minimum three games with the injury. He's a viable No. 2 quarterback in a good matchup, but the Dolphins have injuries in their receiving corps that he'll have to overcome. He's by no means a must-start player. | | Running backs | | Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) -- Placed on IR, out until Week 9 vs. NE. Chuba Hubbard will be the lead back for the Panthers and is a top-20 RB for at least the next three weeks. Nick Chubb (calf) -- Chubb is out for Week 6. The question is whether he'll be good to go in time for Thursday's game against the Broncos in Week 7. Kareem Hunt will be the lead back, assuming he isn't a surprise inactive with his wrist and knee injuries that limited him in practice. Hunt is a must-start if he plays, and Demetric Felton is an intriguing PPR option if you're truly desperate. Damien Williams (COVID) -- Khalil Herbert will start in his place and is a top-15 RB vs. the Packers. Herbert played more than half the snaps and led the Bears in carries in Week 5, helping ice the game late. It'll be interesting to see what the split looks like when Williams is cleared to play in Week 7, presumably, but Herbert has a big opportunity to lock in a solid role if he plays well. Ezekiel Elliott (ribs) -- Elliott if officially questionable, but all indications are he is going to play against the Patriots, and remains a must-start option. That being said, it wouldn't be a big surprise to see Tony Pollard play a bigger-than-usual role if the Cowboys get up big to try to keep Elliott healthy. With all the injuries around the RB position, Pollard isn't a bad starting option.Dalvin Cook (ankle)/Alexander Mattison (shoulder) -- Cook was removed from the injury report after getting a full practice session in Thursday and Friday, so hopefully he's fully past this issue. He has missed two of the last three games and was limited when he did play in Week 4 after aggravating the injury. I'm a little wary long term because of that, but for Week I 6, you're starting him no matter what. Mattison is also a potential starter in an emergency for you, though he was limited this week with a shoulder injury, too. He's expected to play.Joe Mixon (ankle) -- Mixon didn't practice Thursday but sandwiched a limited session on Wednesday and Friday around that, and coach Zac Taylor told reporters Mixon is ready for a full workload. That workload could be more full than usual, even, with Samaje Perine on the COVID list. Mixon is a top-10 RB, and maybe he'll be more involved in the passing game than usual against the Lions. Saquon Barkley (ankle) -- Devontae Booker is starting for the Giants. He's more like a top-24 back for Week 6, but certainly someone you can start if you need the replacement option. One thing that will be key is how much the Giants use him in the passing game, because picking up yards on the ground usually isn't easy behind this line. Chris Carson (neck) -- Carson will miss his second game in a row as a result of this issue and was placed on IR this week, so he's out until at least Week 10. Alex Collins will start again against the Steelers and had 15 carries and three targets in Week 5. He's a low-end starting option against a tough matchup. Antonio Gibson (shin) -- Gibson has been playing through a stress fracture in his shin, and all indications are he is going to continue to do so in Week 6 against the Chiefs. Washington hasn't really limited his workload despite the injury, as he has 34 carries and four catches over the past two weeks, and the matchup against the Chiefs could lead to plenty of production if the Football Team can avoid falling behind big early. This could also be a very good game for J.D. McKissic.Chase Edmonds (shoulder) -- Edmonds was limited throughout the week with the injury, but I expect him to play through it for the second week in a row. He had a season-low six carries and three catches in Week 5, but I'm not sure that was because of the injury -- he still played 61% of the snaps against the 49ers, right around his season average. He's a viable PPR RB2 at least against the Browns. D'Andre Swift (groin)/Jamaal Williams (hip) -- Both have been playing through these injuries for weeks, and despite being listed as questionable, I'm expecting both to continue to play through them.Josh Jacobs (illness) -- Jacobs was limited in practice Friday after missing Thursday's, but he's not on the injury report and should be good to play his usual role against the Broncos. That has surprisingly led to five targets in each of the last two weeks, and if he continues to see that kind of work in the passing game moving forward, Jacobs is going to be a must-start back. I don't quite trust it yet, but he's worth starting. Damien Harris (ribs) -- Harris logged limited practices Thursday and Friday, and though he is listed as questionable, I'm expecting him to play. The question will be whether he will still be used as the Patriots lead back after his second fumble in the red zone of the season. That's mostly just bad luck, but you know how the Patriots are about fumbles. I would try to avoid using him against the Cowboys if I can. If you can add Rhamondre Stevenson this morning, do it -- you might just beat a big waiver-wire rush.Melvin Gordon (hip) -- Gordon got in a pair of limited practices after sitting out Wednesday, so it seems like he's probably going to play. However, this is a new injury for Gordon, and we don't quite know how the Broncos are going to approach it. He's just a low-end starting option, as is Javonte Williams against the Raiders. | | Wide receivers | | Terry McLaurin (hamstring) -- McLaurin is legitimately questionable it seems, after failing to practice Friday with hamstring tightness. As of Saturday night/early Sunday morning, McLaurin is expected to play.Tyreek Hill (quad) -- Andy Reid expressed optimism about Hill's chances of playing despite only practicing on a limited basis Friday, and as of Saturday night/early Sunday morning, Hill is expected to play. In both instances, we'll know by 11:30 a.m. ET since the Chiefs and Washington play early, so keep an eye on that. Mike Williams (knee) -- Despite not practicing all week, Williams is expected to play against the Ravens barring a pre-game setback. It's tough to trust someone who didn't practice all week, but it's also tough to sit Williams given how good he's been this season. I'm rolling with him. Justin Jefferson (ankle)/Adam Thielen (foot) -- Thielen and Jefferson both missed most of the week of practice, but both were also removed from the injury report and are expected to play as a result. Jefferson is obviously a must-start, while Thielen is more of a fringe WR3 in my eyes -- he hasn't had more than 51 yards in his past four games.Sterling Shepard (hamstring)/Kadarius Toney (ankle) -- Shepard is set to make his return from a two-week absence due to his injury, while Toney is listed as questionable but seems like he'll play. Assuming he does, I'm assuming Shepard will be the higher priority in the offense, given how he's been used since working in the slot full time, but Toney should also see plenty of work in a game the Giants may have to throw a ton in. It's not a great matchup, but both are interesting WR3/4-with-upside plays. A.J. Brown (hamstring)/Julio Jones (hamstring) -- Brown and Jones are both off the injury report and are expected to play against the Bills. It's a tough matchup against the league's top scoring defense, but I'm starting Brown as a top-15 WR. Jones is harder to trust and my preference would be to sit him, but I'll tell you this: I am starting him in one league where I'm 0-5 and desperate for upside. Allen Robinson (ankle) -- Robinson worked his way up to a limited practice Friday after missing the first two days, and I'm assuming that will be enough for him to play Sunday. Not that you'll want to use him, necessarily, even if he was healthy. T.Y. Hilton (neck) -- Hilton was activated from IR Saturday and seems like he's going to make his season debut against the Texans. It's a great matchup against a team Hilton has historically torched, but I need to see Hilton produce before I'm really willing to trust him. He's a worthwhile stash, however.Sammy Watkins (thigh) -- Watkins has been ruled out for what could be a shootout against the Chargers, which means we may see a lot of rookie first-rounder Rashod Bateman in his first NFL game. He probably won't play a full share of snaps, but it wouldn't be surprising if he was third on the team in targets. A.J. Green (shoulder/knee) -- Green was a limited participant in practice all week and is questionable, but I still expected him to play against the Browns. He's a low-end flier with upside for the matchup, assuming he does play.DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring) -- Parker has been ruled out for the Dolphins, the second week in a row he's sat out. The hamstring appears to be more of an issue than the shoulder at this point. Curtis Samuel (groin) -- At this point, the good news is Samuel hasn't been placed on IR, but I would be pretty surprised if this ended up being a one-week this as he aggravated the injury yet again. This has been an ongoing issue since OTAs back in early summer. | | | | Tight ends | | T.J. Hockenson (knee) -- Hockenson has been playing through this injury for the past few weeks, and it's fair to wonder if that's why his play has been on the decline. He's playing through the injury again against the Bengals, most likely, and I do still view him as a must-start TE.David Njoku (knee) -- It was a little worrisome when Njoku missed practice Wednesday, but they may still be limiting his reps at this point. He had a breakout Week 5 and has been a big-play contributor for the Browns, and I think he's a very intriguing streamer in a matchup where the Browns may have to play at a faster pace and pass more against the Cardinals. | Updated rankings
| | Here are my latest rankings as of Sunday morning: | | Quarterback | | Lamar Jackson vs. LACPatrick Mahomes @ WASJosh Allen @ TENJalen Hurts vs. TBKyler Murray @ CLETom Brady @ PHIJustin Herbert @ BALMatthew Stafford @ NYGDak Prescott @ NE Aaron Rodgers @ CHITaylor Heinicke vs. KCJoe Burrow @ DETSam Darnold vs. MINRyan Tannehill vs. BUFKirk Cousins @ CARDaniel Jones vs. LARGeno Smith @ PITTeddy Bridgewater vs. LVBaker Mayfield vs. ARI Derek Carr @ DENJared Goff vs. CINBen Roethlisberger vs. SEATrevor Lawrence vs. MIACarson Wentz vs. HOUJacoby Brissett @ JAXJustin Fields vs. GBMac Jones vs. DALDavis Mills @ IND | | Running back | | Derrick Henry vs. BUFAustin Ekeler @ BALNajee Harris vs. SEAKareem Hunt vs. ARIAaron Jones @ CHID'Andre Swift vs. CINJoe Mixon @ DETEzekiel Elliott @ NEDalvin Cook @ CAR James Robinson vs. MIADarrell Henderson @ NYGJonathan Taylor vs. HOUChuba Hubbard vs. MINChase Edmonds @ CLEAntonio Gibson vs. KCJosh Jacobs @ DENKhalil Herbert vs. GBAlex Collins @ PITDevontae Booker vs. LAR Leonard Fournette @ PHIMyles Gaskin @ JAXDarrel Williams @ WASJ.D. McKissic vs. KCMelvin Gordon vs. LVJamaal Williams vs. CINMiles Sanders vs. TBTony Pollard @ NEZack Moss @ TENNyheim Hines vs. HOU Javonte Williams vs. LVDevin Singletary @ TENDamien Harris vs. DALAJ Dillon @ CHIBrandon Bolden vs. DALGiovani Bernard @ PHIJames Conner @ CLEKenneth Gainwell vs. TBJerick McKinnon @ WASDavid Johnson @ IND Mark Ingram @ INDAlexander Mattison @ CARKenyan Drake @ DENJeremy McNichols vs. BUFSony Michel @ NYGLatavius Murray vs. LACTy'Son Williams vs. LACRoyce Freeman vs. MIND'Ernest Johnson vs. ARIRonald Jones @ PHI Phillip Lindsay @ INDMalcolm Brown @ JAXCarlos Hyde vs. MIADeejay Dallas @ PITSalvon Ahmed @ JAXLarry Rountree @ BALPeyton Barber @ DENMarlon Mack vs. HOUJustin Jackson @ BALRhamondre Stevenson vs. DAL J.J. Taylor vs. DAL | | Wide receivers | | Davante Adams @ CHITyreek Hill @ WASCooper Kupp @ NYGTerry McLaurin vs. KCStefon Diggs @ TEND.J. Moore vs. MINJustin Jefferson @ CARMike Williams @ BALKeenan Allen @ BAL Marquise Brown vs. LACChris Godwin @ PHIDiontae Johnson vs. SEAD.K. Metcalf @ PITRobert Woods @ NYGA.J. Brown vs. BUFJa'Marr Chase @ DETCeeDee Lamb @ NEMike Evans @ PHIDeAndre Hopkins @ CLE Brandin Cooks @ INDDeVonta Smith vs. TBCourtland Sutton vs. LVAmari Cooper @ NEAntonio Brown @ PHITyler Lockett @ PITChase Claypool vs. SEATee Higgins @ DETMichael Pittman vs. HOUSterling Shepard vs. LAR Emmanuel Sanders @ TENJakobi Meyers vs. DALJulio Jones vs. BUFAdam Thielen @ CARKadarius Toney vs. LARTyler Boyd @ DETMarvin Jones vs. MIAOdell Beckham Jr. vs. ARIJaylen Waddle @ JAXAllen Robinson vs. GB Darnell Mooney vs. GBHunter Renfrow @ DENCole Beasley @ TENTim Patrick vs. LVRondale Moore @ CLELaviska Shenault vs. MIAA.J. Green @ CLERobby Anderson vs. MINJalen Reagor vs. TBMecole Hardman @ WAS Rashod Bateman vs. LACHenry Ruggs @ DENChristian Kirk @ CLENelson Agholor vs. DALK.J. Osborn @ CARAdam Humphries vs. KCT.Y. Hilton vs. HOUKendall Hinton vs. LVRandall Cobb @ CHIKendrick Bourne vs. DAL Van Jefferson @ NYG | | Tight end | | Travis Kelce @ WASMark Andrews vs. LACDarren Waller @ DENT.J. Hockenson vs. CINZach Ertz vs. TBMike Gesicki @ JAXDalton Schultz @ NENoah Fant vs. LVDawson Knox @ TEN Hunter Henry vs. DALDan Arnold vs. MIATyler Higbee @ NYGDavid Njoku vs. ARIJared Cook @ BALAustin Hooper vs. ARITyler Conklin @ CARCole Kmet vs. GBRobert Tonyan @ CHIJonnu Smith vs. DAL Evan Engram vs. LARC.J. Uzomah @ DETTommy Tremble vs. MINCameron Brate @ PHIBlake Jarwin @ NEGerald Everett @ PITMo Alie-Cox vs. HOUAnthony Firkser vs. BUFRicky Seals-Jones vs. KCEric Ebron vs. SEA Jack Doyle vs. HOU | | | | | | | | College Operation Hat Trick | | $100,000 Pick'em Contest | Introducing the New 2021 OHT Military Appreciation Gear for multiple NCAA Teams. Rep your favorite teams with hoodies, jackets, shirts, and more!
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