Injuries don’t end. They just don’t.
Week 6 is pretty brutal, as not only are there a ton of injuries, but also a ton of big name fantasy injuries, too. Will star wideouts Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green suit up on Sunday? Will Carson Palmer finally return to the Cardinals lineup? Will Bishop Sankey be freed?
Let’s break it all down.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (toe)-Â Green was carted off the practice field on Thursday, suffering an aggravation to his banged up toe. It didn’t sound good, but luckily, it appears that he as escaped without suffering a long-term injury. Still, he has already been ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Panthers. The Bengals aren’t calling it week-to-week, but more day-to-day, a very good sign for Cincinnati and Green fantasy owners. Marvin Jones also isn’t expected to play in this game, so Mohamed Sanu will see all of the targets as the Bengals’ number one wideout, while Giovani Bernard could catch a ton of passes, too.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (ankle)-Â After suffering a setback during Sunday’s game against the Bills, Calvin missed practice all week, including Friday, the all important day. He’s officially listed as doubtful for his Week 6 contest against the Vikings. This is good news for Johnson, as it will allow him to rest up and get to 100 percent so fantasy owners don’t have to uncharacteristically worry about starting him each week. It’ll be Golden Tate and Corey Fuller starting at wide receiver come Sunday.
Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Detroit Lions (ankle, concussion)-Â Man, is Detroit banged up or what? Bush also left Sunday’s game early after tweaking his ankle, and he, too, missed practice all week, including Friday, which is never a good sign. The Lions website believes he will miss this game, but Bush said his status will come down to a true game-time decision. Meanwhile, Joique Bell has been recovering nicely from his Week 4 concussion, and has practiced each of the last three days, including a full practice on Friday. He’s listed as probable, and if Bush can’t suit up, he’ll be a top-12 running back option against a Vikings defense that coughed up over 100 yards and two scores to Eddie Lacy last week.
Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins (elbow)-Â Well, I was wrong. I didn’t expect Moreno to play in this contest, but he is now listed as probable to play against the Packers horrid run defense. Moreno practiced a bit this week and all signs are pointing to him playing in this contest. Whether he’ll see his normal workload is still unclear, but don’t be surprised if you see a 60-40 split, in favor of Moreno. Lamar Miller has been running well, and will still be involved, but Moreno is the better short-yardage back, which bodes well in this matchup. Green Bay has allowed the 8th-most fantasy points to opposing rushers thus far, while opponents are averaging over three red zone scoring attempts per game. Both running backs should be considered flex options this week.
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (hamstring)-Â Reed hasn’t played since Week 1, but although he is listed as questionable at the moment, John Keim of ESPN expects Reed to be out there for the Redskins this week. The thing is, Niles Paul hasn’t played bad at all in his absence, and with Reed’s injury history, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Redskins limit Reed during his first game back. The matchup is so favorable, though, facing a Cardinals defense coughing up the 6th-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, allowing nearly a touchdown per game to tight ends.
Toby Gerhart, Jacksonville Jaguars (foot)-Â Not that you would notice, but Gerhart and his 2.6 yards per carry will be inactive for Week 6. He’s been dealing with a nagging foot sprain and suffered a setback during Wednesday’s practice. The Jaguars were already talking up Storm Johnson, so he’ll likely see 12-15 carries in this game, with both Denard Robinson and Jordan Todman seeing work, too.
Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans (hamstring)-Â Yes. Yes. Yes. Greene hasn’t practiced all week with a hamstring issue and is listed as doubtful for Week 6. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Bishop Sankey, who should see the majority of the carries in an elite matchup against the Jaguars. Dexter McCluster will see work on passing downs, but Sankey should be the between the tackles and goal line back. Jacksonville is surrendering 4.4 red zone scoring attempts per game (3rd-most), 23.98 fantasy points per game (2nd-most) and teams are averaging a healthy 30.2 rushing attempts per game against the Jags this season (8th-most). And with Charlie Whitehurst potentially starting, especially after last week’s collapse, I’d be shocked if Sankey didn’t get a ton of work in this one.
Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills (ankle)-Â Jackson came out of Sunday’s game after a minor ankle sprain, but went back into the game and said that it won’t keep him out of this week’s massive game against the Patriots. He didn’t practice today, but that’s only because he was dealing with an illness, and all signs are pointing towards him being out there on Sunday. FJax has a good history against the Patriots in his career. In two games against them last year, he averaged 4.7 yards per carry, found the end zone and caught seven balls for nearly 100 yards. Thus far, New England is surrendering 5.6 running back receptions per contest.
