Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our Fantasy Football Buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
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Injuries to monitor coming out of Week 6
By Stephania Bell
Puka Nacua, WR, Rams (ankle): Nacua appeared to injure his left lower leg on an attempted leaping catch in the end zone early in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly on his left forefoot with the majority of his weight coming down on the left side along with the weight of a defender. In obvious discomfort afterward, Nacua reached for his lower shin just above the ankle. He was eventually assisted off the field and into the tunnel by the medical staff, with his arms around them for support. After the half, Nacua returned to the sideline and eventually re-entered the game but didn’t touch the ball again.
After the game, coach Sean McVay told reporters Nacua would undergo further testing when the team returned to the facility adding that Nacua’s status for Week 7 (in London) was uncertain. With Nacua re-entering the game, it might seem unusual that he would then be held out a week later. It’s not unusual however for injuries to declare themselves to a greater degree within 24-48 hours post-competition, whether it be symptomatic (pain/stiffness), swelling/bruising or additional information that emerges via imaging or other testing.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals (concussion): In the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Colts, Harrison’s head took a hard hit to the ground as he was tackled following a 21-yard reception. He was taken inside the blue tent for evaluation as is common for an initial concussion screen; the results indicated further testing was warranted and Harrison was taken to the locker room. The Cardinals eventually announced he would not return due to a concussion.
Harrison is now in the concussion protocol and must not only pass the progressive phases to return to action, but also must be cleared by the team physician and an independent neurological consultant. While it is often the case that athletes miss at least one game following a concussion, it is not a time-based return to play but rather a criterion-based return to play protocol.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers (hamstring): Egbuka, in his first game serving as the No. 1 wide receiver due to injury absences from Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula), exited the game against San Francisco in the second quarter due to a hamstring strain. It didn’t take long for the team to rule out his return to action.
After the game, coach Todd Bowles told reporters Egbuka was still being evaluated. An MRI is often used to better evaluate the specific size, location and depth of the injury which helps shape rehab time frames and any associated treatment. There is no prognosis yet on the recovery timeline for Egbuka but if the injury is truly not serious, it could range from no missed time to 1-3 weeks.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans (hamstring): Just when Ridley seemed to have found his groove with a strong Week 5 performance, he suffered a hamstring injury Sunday after just one catch for 18 yards. According to head coach Brian Callahan, Ridley had “a hamstring that popped up early and (he) couldn’t get through, couldn’t open up and run.”
It is unclear what the severity of Ridley’s injury is as of now, but more details will hopefully be forthcoming after he undergoes any additional evaluation at the start of the week.
Early Week 6 takeaways: Is red-hot Dowdle in line to leapfrog Hubbard in Panthers’ backfield?
By Liz Loza
Bullet points
Rico Dowdle stays hot in Week 6
Dowdle found the end zone and rumbled his way to triple-digit yardage serving as the replacement for Chuba Hubbard for the second consecutive week. The former Dallas Cowboy touched the ball 34 times, logging 239 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown while facing his old team. Dowdle has now cleared 22 rushing attempts and collected at least three balls in back-to-back outings.
Carolina will travel to the Meadowlands in Week 7, taking on a Jets defense that gave up 78 rushing yards on 26 attempts versus the Broncos in London. Assuming Hubbard remains sidelined, Dowdle projects as a top-15 fantasy play at the position. He might have very well gained control of the backfield’s top spot even if Hubbard is healthy enough to suit up.
Kimani Vidal leads the Chargers backfield
Omarion Hampton’s absence created a flurry of speculation as to which backup would take charge of the Bolts’ rushing opportunities. Vidal came away the clear winner, registering 18 carries for 124 rushing yards while converting three of four targets for 14 receiving yards. With volume on his side, the second-year RB took advantage of a plus matchup against Miami’s bottom-ranked run defense, posting 22.8 fantasy points in Week 6. He’ll take on an above-average Indianapolis Colts squad in Week 7.
Derrick Henry regains his crown
Despite being stuffed at the goal line in the game’s first half, Henry rebounded Sunday. The Ravens fed the vet early and often, helping him reach 90 rushing yards before halftime. Despite the Ravens falling to the Rams 17-3, Henry averaged 5.1 YPC, clearing 100 rushing yards for the first time since Week 1. Baltimore goes on bye in Week 7, but Henry’s production should continue to pick up from there, especially if Lamar Jackson returns in Week 8.
Marvin Harrison Jr. exits early
Harrison suffered what was being reported as concussion-like symptoms in the first half of Arizona’s game at Indianapolis. Jacoby Brissett (who was starting in the stead of Kyler Murray) focused the bulk of his efforts on Trey McBride (8-72-1), Zay Jones (5-79) and Michael Wilson (4-44). Fantasy managers should brace for both Harrison and Murray sitting out next Sunday’s tilt versus Green Bay.
Spring forward
Drake Maye continues to produce
Maye posted more than 20 fantasy points for the third time in five weeks this past Sunday. The second-year signal-caller led his team to a third straight victory, throwing for 261 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs while the Patriots beat the Saints 25-19. Maye also buoyed his fantasy stock on the ground, taking off nine times for 28 rushing yards. He has now managed at least 25 rushing yards and/or found the end zone in four of his past five outings. He’ll offer virtual investors top-10 positional appeal in another solid matchup at Tennessee (70.2 COMP% allowed) in Week 7.
Oct. 11: Cardinals’ Kyler Murray’s foot injury to keep him out Week 6
By Stephania Bell
While he has yet to be officially ruled out, Adam Schefter is reporting that Kyler Murray will not play Sunday, with Jacoby Brissett getting the start under center.
The Arizona QB suffered a foot injury late in the third quarter of the Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, but he was able to return to the game after a visit to the locker room. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was listed as a limited participant Friday.
A foot injury to a mobile quarterback is problematic. Even without details on the specifics of the injury, the known is that even a mild injury can turn into something more severe, particularly if it changes the athlete’s mechanics. And if a quarterback’s mobility is compromised, he is at greater risk for injury if he can’t protect himself. Perhaps the toughest part of an injury like this for Murray is if he feels like he could play, but the potential for a bigger problem exists if he does.
Given his limitation to only one partial practice and the fact that he remains questionable, it certainly appears he will be at less than full health even if he does go.
Ja’Marr Chase added to injury report due to illness
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase landed on the injury report after missing Friday’s practice due to an illness, though reporter Ben Baby relayed via social media that Chase was seen participating in the team walk-through. The Bengals play the Packers at 4:25 p.m. ET with inactives due 90 minutes before kickoff. If Chase can’t go, Tee Higgins will assume WR1 duties with Andrei Iosivas as the No. 2 receiver for “new” quarterback Joe Flacco. Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant could also get more involved, though none of them inspire confidence.
Oct. 10: Cam Skattebo-Jaxson Dart party continues on TNF
By Eric Moody
Cam Skattebo is still the de facto Giants RB1 after converting 21 touches into 31 fantasy points, powered by three rushing touchdowns. Even with Tyrone Tracy Jr. active, Skattebo led the Giants backfield in snaps, routes, touches and fantasy points. Given that usage, it’s hard to imagine the trend reversing. Skattebo remains firmly on the RB2 radar with upside whenever the Giants play in neutral or positive game scripts.
Jaxson Dart delivered another strong fantasy performance against the Eagles. He has scored at least 19 fantasy points in two of his last three games, fueled by his rushing ability, a huge asset in fantasy. Dart joined Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson as the only QBs in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to rush for at least 50 yards in each of their first three NFL starts. He’s quickly pushing into QB1 territory.
Wan’Dale Robinson finished with seven targets and 20.4 fantasy points against the Eagles. He led all New York pass catchers in snaps, routes run and receiving yards. With Malik Nabers out for the season, Robinson has seen seven targets in back-to-back games and is clearly Dart’s top option in the passing game. He profiles as a solid flex option with upside heading into Week 7 against the Broncos.
One thing fantasy managers with Giants players should keep in mind is that their rest-of-season schedule for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers gets tougher moving forward.
Eagles notes:
Dallas Goedert finished with a team-high 26.0 fantasy points. He led the Eagles in targets, receptions and receiving yards. Goedert also played nearly as many snaps and ran almost as many routes as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. The veteran tight end has stockpiled 20 targets over the last two games and currently is showing more chemistry with Hurts than either Brown or Smith. Goedert remains firmly on the TE1 radar in Week 7 against the Vikings. He was started in only 37.8% of ESPN leagues; that number should be higher.
Saquon Barkley showed flashes against the Giants, gaining 31 yards on the Eagles’ first two carries, but he finished with just 58 rushing and nine receiving yards, failing to surpass 60 rushing yards for the fourth straight game. He averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in the last two games, up from under 4.0 in the first four. The bigger concern for managers is that Barkley has had just 23 total touches over the last two games due to game flow and Philadelphia’s offensive struggles.
Oct. 10: Warren likely to resume lead role for Steelers
By Stephania Bell
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (knee): Remember when Warren was a bit of a surprise inactive in an early morning game for the Steelers? It was just two weeks ago when the Steelers were in London that Warren — whose knee did not respond as well as the team had hoped coming into the game — was replaced by Kenneth Gainwell who merely posted 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns while adding six receptions for 35 yards. With the Steelers on a bye immediately afterward, it was hard to know what to anticipate about the length of Warren’s absence, especially with limited information in advance of the Week 4 game.
On the first official injury report of the week Warren was listed as a full participant which would suggest he is on track to resume his lead back role on Sunday against the Browns.
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