For the first time in a while, there were no huge performances on Thursday (unless you count Harrison Butker...which we don't), so there aren't any huge deficits to crawl out of. Making the right Week 6 start 'em, sit 'em decisions will still be key, but byes, key injuries, and inclement weather are conspiring to make those more difficult.
Yet again, we have a game in London, so the action kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET with Tennessee and Baltimore. Fortunately, neither team has any key "questionable" players, but the same can't be said for the afternoon and prime-time kickoffs. Tee Higgins (ribs), Saquon Barkley (ankle), Darren Waller (groin), Hollywood Brown (illness), Tank Dell (concussion), and Sam LaPorta (calf) are just some of the important game-time decisions. That's on top of key guys like Deshaun Watson (shoulder), Miles Sanders (shoulder), Roschon Johnson (concussion), and Daniel Jones (shoulder) already being ruled out.
We'll be here to help all morning, reacting to injury news, monitoring the active/inactive lists for any surprises, watching the weather, and providing start 'em, sit 'em advice based on all the latest developments.
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Fantasy football live news for NFL Week 6
Live updates will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Injury updates for NFL Week 6
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that the Giants are "hopeful" that Saquon Barkley (ankle) will play tonight against Buffalo. Given the uncertainty, it remains difficult to wait for Barkley even if you have Matt Breida or Eric Gray, but at least there's some optimism.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that things are "trending in the right direction" for Sam LaPorta (calf) to play against the Buccaneers. (ESPN's Jeff Darlington later reiterated that LaPorta is expected to play.) Start him if he's active.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Darren Waller (groin) is expected to play against Buffalo. It's not a great matchup, but Waller remains one of the highest-ceiling TE options.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Marquise Brown (illness) is expected to play against the Rams. Start him as usual.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday Morning that Tank Dell (concussion) is not expected to play against New Orleans. Robert Woods (ribs) is expected to play, and he'll likely see enough targets to work as a deep-league flex.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday night that Tee Higgins (ribs) is expected to play against Seattle. Start him as usual.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Dawson Knox (wrist) is expected to play against the Giants. No word yet on Dalton Kincaid (concussion), though we'd be somewhat surprised if he suited up. Knox has more upside than usual if Kincaid is out, but he's still a risky start given the circumstances.
OFFICIAL NOTABLE EARLY ACTIVES (11:35 a.m. ET): Tee Higgins, Elijah Mitchell, David Njoku, Robert Woods
OFFICIAL NOTABLE EARLY INACTIVES (11:35 a.m. ET): Tank Dell, Miles Sanders, Zay Jones, Deshaun Watson, Jeff Wilson Jr., Roschon Johnson, Juwan Johnson
WEEK 6 INJURY UPDATES: WRs | TEs | Barkley
Playing time updates for NFL Week 6
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Mac Jones will be on a "short leash" against the Raiders today. That makes him an even riskier play in two-QB and superflex leagues, and this might be one of the rare occasions where you play another position in your superflex spot.
With Tank Dell (concussion) officially OUT and Robert Woods officially active, Woods should see six-plus targets, making him a potential flex in deeper PPR leagues.
Juwan Johnson (calf) is OUT once again, opening the door for Foster Moreau to start and see a handful of targets. Houston allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to TEs, making Moreau a legit streamer in deep leagues.
Elijah Mitchell's return once again makes him the handcuff to own in San Francisco. He still can't be trusted today against Cleveland's fourth-ranked run defense even though the windy and rainy conditions will likely yield more rushing attempts than usual.
Chuba Hubbard will draw the start in Carolina with Miles Sanders (shoulder) OUT. It's not a great matchup on paper, but Hubbard should get at least 15 touches and have flex value. The upside is there for much more.
With Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) both OUT, D'Onta Foreman will be the main RB in Chicago. He's a high-end flex, and if he plays well, it's possible he could hold onto the starting role until Khalil Herbert (ankle) returns in Week 10.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (finger, midsection) still isn't ready to return, making Salvon Ahmed the Dolphins' primary backup for at least one more week. Today's game is expected to be a blowout, giving Ahmed some deep-league flex value against Carolina's 26th-ranked run defense.
K.J. Osborn and Jordan Addison should both see nice bumps in targets with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) OUT. Against the Bears' 31st-ranked pass defense, you can count on both as at least flexes in your 12-team leagues, and they both have WR2 upside.
Weather updates for NFL Week 6
For a full breakdown of all of the Week 6 weather worries, click here.
This is going to be one of the windiest and rainiest weekends of the season, but fortunately, no one game stands out as being particularly nasty. The worst weather will likely be in Cleveland for the 49ers-Browns (15-30-mph wind, lingering rain), with the Vikings-Bears contest in Chicago featuring a similar forecast, just with a slightly lower chance of rain. Seahawks-Bengals, Panthers-Dolphins, Colts-Jaguars, Lions-Buccaneers, and Giants-Bills could all be affected by stray showers and/or wind, but the conditions won't be enough to sit any key players.
Who should I start in fantasy football today?
Advice based on 12-team, half-point PPR leagues
The recommendations below are from Vinnie Iyer's Week 6 start 'em, sit 'em column.
Must-starts
QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. DEN), Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NYG), Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. CAR), Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at NYJ), Justin Fields, Bears (vs. MIN), Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at CHI), Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. IND), Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. SEA), Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. DAL)
RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at CLE), Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. CAR), Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at LAC), Alvin Kamara, Saints (at HOU), Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. IND), Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. WAS), Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. DAL), D'Andre Swift, Eagles (at NYJ), Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. DEN), David Montgomery, Lions (at TB), Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at CIN), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. NE), Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. SEA), Saquon Barkley, Giants (if he returns, at BUF), Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. ARI), Alexander Mattison, Vikings (at CHI)
WR: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. CAR), Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. SEA), Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. NYG), Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. ARI), Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. IND), Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. ARI), Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. DAL), Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at TB), Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. NE), CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at LAC), A.J. Brown, Eagles (at NYJ), DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at NYJ), DJ Moore, Bears (vs. MIN), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at CLE), Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. NYG), Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NYG), DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at CIN), Chris Olave, Saints (at HOU), Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at CLE), Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. IND), Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. DET), Adam Thielen, Panthers (at MIA), Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. NE), DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. BAL in London)
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs (if he plays, vs. DEN), T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at CHI), Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. TEN in London), Sam LaPorta, Lions (at TB), Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at NYJ), George Kittle, 49ers (at CLE), Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. IND)
D/ST: Eagles (vs. NYJ), Bills (vs. NYG), 49ers (at CLE), Chiefs (vs. DEN), Ravens (at TEN in London), Saints (at HOU), Dolphins (vs. CAR)
Smart sits
QB: C.J. Stroud (vs. NO), Dak Prescott (at LAC), Josh Dobbs (at LAR)
RB: Zack Moss (at JAC), Jerome Ford (vs. SF), Rachaad White (vs. DET), Jonathan Taylor (at JAC), Gus Edwards (vs. TEN),
WR: Terry McLaurin (at ATL), Nico Collins (vs. NO), Michael Thomas (at HOU), Curtis Samuel (at ATL)
TE: Darren Waller (at BUF), Jonnu Smith (vs. WAS), Hunter Henry (at LV), Jake Ferguson (at LAC)
D/ST: Cowboys (at LAC), Patriots (at LV), Jets (vs. PHI), Browns (vs. SF)
Read more coverage from Sporting News' team of fantasy football experts, including Week 6 rankings for PPR and standard formats, sleepers, busts, DFS picks, and other projections below.
WEEK 6 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts
WEEK 6 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
WEEK 6 TOOLS: RotoBaller "Who To Start?" tool | Draft Sharks' Week 6 projections
Fantasy football rankings Week 6
Below are Sporting News' updated fantasy football rankings for Week 6. Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring.
Quarterback
Rank Player
1 Josh Allen, Bills vs. Giants
2 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Broncos
3 Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Jets
4 Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Titans
5 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Panthers
6 Justin Fields, Bears vs. Vikings
7 Kirk Cousins, Vikings @ Bears
8 Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Cowboys
9 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Colts
10 Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Cardinals
Running back
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Browns
2 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Chargers
3 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Panthers
4 Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Seahawks
5 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Commanders
6 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Colts
7 David Montgomery, Lions @ Buccaneers
8 Alvin Kamara, Saints @ Texans
9 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Broncos
10 Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Cowboys
11 Kyren Williams, Rams vs. Cardinals
12 D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Jets
13 Josh Jacobs, Raiders vs. Patriots
14 James Cook, Bills vs. Giants
15 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Bengals
16 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Ravens
17 Breece Hall, Jets vs. Eagles
18 Alexander Mattison, Vikings @ Bears
19 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders @ Falcons
20 Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Bills
Wide receiver
Rank Player
1 Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Giants
2 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Panthers
3 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals vs. Seahawks
4 Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. Cardinals
5 Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Patriots
6 Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Cowboys
7 A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Jets
8 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Chargers
9 Puka Nacua, Rams vs. Cardinals
10 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Panthers
11 DJ Moore, Bears vs. Vikings
12 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Buccaneers
13 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Browns
14 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars vs. Colts
15 Chris Olave, Saints @ Texans
16 Adam Thielen, Panthers @ Dolphins
17 Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. Lions
18 DK Metcalf, Seahawks @ Bengals
19 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ Jaguars
20 Jordan Addison, Vikings @ Bears
21 Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Eagles
22 DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Jets
23 DeAndre Hopkins, Titans vs. Ravens
24 Amari Cooper, Browns vs. 49ers
25 Tee Higgins, Bengals vs. Seahawks
Tight end
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Broncos
2 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Bears
3 Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Titans
4 Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Buccaneers
5 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Colts
6 Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Jets
7 Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Falcons
8 Darren Waller, Giants @ Bills
9 George Kittle, 49ers @ Browns
10 Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Raiders
Defense/Special teams
Rank Player
1 San Francisco 49ers @ Browns
2 Buffalo Bills vs. Giants
3 Philadelphia Eagles @ Jets
4 Detroit Lions @ Buccaneers
5 Dallas Cowboys @ Chargers
6 Baltimore Ravens vs. Titans
7 New Orleans Saints @ Texans
8 Miami Dolphins vs. Panthers
9 Seattle Seahawks @ Bengals
10 Houston Texans vs. Saints
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
