Following a brief reprieve for a few weeks from any catastrophic injuries to the fantasy landscape, Week 6 reared its ugly head and claimed a multitude of victims. Thankfully, none (except Aidan Hutchinson for IDP players) appear to be season-ending, but given that managers are already short-staffed due to bye weeks, this certainly throws a wrench in the works.
Below is a comprehensive list of injuries managers should be aware of heading into Week 7. All information listed below is as of Monday afternoon.
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Fantasy Football Injuries to Know: Week 7
Quarterbacks
Anthony Richardson appeared to be close to returning in Week 6 from his hip/oblique injury before a decision was made on Sunday morning that another week of rest was necessary. Given he has already logged multiple limited practices (and a full one on Thursday), he is expected to return in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, with veteran Joe Flacco returning to the bench. Richardson’s return ultimately hurts Colts receivers (especially Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr.) due to his accuracy issues and propensity to take off running when his first read is covered.
Derek Carr sustained an injury to his oblique in Week 5 and isn’t expected to return to action until at least Week 8, given that New Orleans plays in the Thursday Night game against Denver. For as long as he remains off the field, rookie Spencer Rattler will stay under center. Rattler is off fantasy radars in all but the deepest of Superflex leagues, especially with both Saints top receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed expected to sit out.
Running Backs
Jordan Mason left Thursday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks mid-way through the second half after being slammed into the ground on his shoulder. Down for several moments, it was initially feared he might have broken his collarbone. Thankfully, Mason was able to later return for a few snaps in the second half before deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, ceding touches to rookie Isaac Guerendo.
Mason was later diagnosed with a mild AC sprain and is currently considered day-to-day by San Francisco’s coaching staff. The fact he had a few additional days of rest bodes well for his return in Week 7, but managers should closely monitor practice reports to see how he is faring. Guerendo would be an immediate short-term waiver wire add in all formats if Mason were to miss Week 7 and would easily slide into the high RB2 tier.
After missing all of last week’s practice, Brian Robinson Jr. was ruled out, leading to a committee situation for the Commanders led by Austin Ekeler. Given that he was able to play through the same malady the week prior with limited practice, we don’t currently consider this a long-term situation to monitor.
Washington has an outstanding matchup in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, currently ranked as the third-worst unit, allowing over 150 rushing yards per game. The team trusts Robinson to take the field without many practice reps, making this a situation that could truly come down to the wire. Managers with Robinson shares should keep a close eye on what the Commanders’ staff is saying about his availability.
Travis Etienne left Sunday’s game with a dreaded hamstring injury in the first half and did not return. In his absence, Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson formed a committee situation, with Johnson seeing eight total touches to Bigsby’s six. Even before leaving the contest, Etienne demonstrated little effectiveness and didn’t seem himself.
Bigsby will draw the start and should see the majority of touches moving forward. We expect Etienne to miss a game or two while recovering. Head coach Doug Pederson updated his status as “week to week”, which effectively rules him out until something changes. Bigby is likely already rostered, but he can be added off the waiver wire as a streaming option in shallower leagues where he remains available.
Jerome Ford was already on borrowed time in Cleveland, given that veteran Nick Chubb was designated to return from injured reserve (IR) the week prior. With Chubb’s practice window already opened and him looking good per all reports, the expectation was that Chubb would be eased into action slowly initially, before eventually becoming the Browns’ featured option in the backfield. Consider the timetable sped up.
Ford injured his hamstring on Sunday after just two rushing attempts. In his absence, D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. shared touches. We anticipate Ford missing Week 7, with Foreman supporting Chubb in the backfield as a change-of-pace option.
Devin Singletary managed to get in a few limited practices last week, but his lingering groin injury ultimately ruled him out. In his absence, Tyrone Tracy handled nearly all the touches out of the backfield, rushing for 50 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown and adding six receptions for 57 yards through the air. Tracy has been exceptional during his spot starts. Even when Singletary returns, we’d expect this to be a full-blown 50:50 split between the two options.
Singletary is a more practical option in short space, with Tracy being more elusive in the open field as a receiving threat. One of last week’s biggest waiver wire additions, Tracy should be rostered universally at this point and is a Flex upside start moving forward.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s foot collided with an opponent’s helmet late during Week 5. He was sore afterward. Unable to practice at all last week, he was ultimately ruled out for the Patriots’ game against Houston. Head coach Jerod Mayo told beat reporters Stevenson’s injury “isn’t expected to keep him out long-term”, so there is a solid chance he returns to action in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday morning.
Stevenson might miss Wednesday afternoon’s practice, but monitor his additional reps, especially if he travels with the team overseas. His return would thrust him back into upside RB2 territory, with Antonio Gibson being a fantasy start sit Flex dart throw.
Gus Edwards was placed on injured reserve on Saturday last week, sidelining him for at least the next four games with an ankle injury. In his absence, rookie Kimani Vidal (who was a healthy scratch in every other contest) was activated and had six total touches against the stout Denver Broncos defense.
Vidal only managed 11 rushing yards on four attempts but broke a long reception for a touchdown and demonstrated why the Chargers’ coaching staff was high on the youngster from Troy. Vidal’s touches will be limited behind J.K. Dobbins, and he will need luck to break his way (or another injury) before becoming a viable streaming option. Still, in deeper formats, he should be added.
Wide Receivers
Chris Olave suffered a concussion early in the first half of the game against Tampa Bay when a defender led with his helmet right into Olave’s temple. I (amongst others) was a bit surprised the officials didn’t call targeting. But I digress. Down for a brief moment, Olave was later accompanied into the blue medical tent and ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a concussion. Even worse for his fantasy managers, New Orleans plays Denver on a short week, with the Thursday Night game right around the corner.
Given the extremely short turnaround, we expect Olave to miss Week 7 as he progresses through the league’s protocol stages, hopefully returning in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. His absence would ordinarily boost Rashid Shaheed’s prospects, but he is dealing with his own injury issue (more on that below). Fifth-round rookie Bub Means becomes the “top” option for New Orleans in a very difficult contest against the Broncos. We’d avoid this situation unless necessary.
Following the conclusion of Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers, it was revealed on Monday afternoon that Rashid Shaheed had picked up a “concerning” knee injury, per Ian Rapoport, and that he would undergo further testing to determine the severity. No further information has been released at this time. Concerning doesn’t sound great, so everyone should hold their breath until we hear more news.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
Marvin Harrison’s head collided with the leg of a Green Bay Packers lineman in the second quarter on Sunday before being tackled. After standing up briefly, Harrison wobbled around before taking a knee and was escorted off to the sidelines. He was immediately ruled out with a concussion. His absence opened up additional targets for tight end Trey McBride and fellow wideout Michael Wilson.
Typically speaking, most players miss at least one game as they pass through the league’s protocol. Arizona benefits from playing on Monday Night Football, giving him a little more leeway. If he misses Week 7, Wilson becomes an upside WR3 streamer while McBride will have a modest target boost.
Last week’s waiver wire darling, Dontayvion Wicks left Sunday’s game in the first half with a shoulder injury and ended his afternoon with 1.9 PPR on three targets (one catch for nine yards). Woof. His absence aided the rise of Romeo Doubs, who returned after a one-game suspension levied by the team for intentionally missing practices.
If Wicks were to miss any time, it would greatly aid Doubs and Christian Watson, thinning things out for the Packers. The team is calling his status “week to week” and is expected to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
Jakobi Meyers missed last week’s contest with an ankle injury, a malady that will now be front and center of the limelight, thanks to Las Vegas trading away Davante Adams to the New York Jets. Meyers becomes the de-facto top receiver for the Raiders moving forward, with Tre Tucker and DJ Turner behind him.
Make no mistake; this is still a terrible offense that will be playing from behind constantly, with most targets being funneled to rookie tight end Brock Bowers. If Meyers were to return in Week 7, he’d have the benefit of squaring off against the Los Angeles Rams, who have surrendered the fourth-most points per game so far in 2024.
Tight Ends
Thankfully, the tight end position was relatively unscathed during Week 6 from any new injuries. The lone note worth sharing is that Taysom Hill remains out with his rib injury and there remains no timetable for him to currently return.
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