During Week 5, a handful of key players suffered injuries that will impact the NFL and fantasy football alike. Most notably, Dak Prescott suffered an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season, and guys like Dalvin Cook, Diontae Johnson, and DJ Chark came out of their games with injury designations, as well. These injuries will surely have an impact on fantasy football owners, our Week 6 fantasy football rankings, and waiver wire strategy as owners look for streamers and sleepers to fill in for players that are injured and those that are on bye.
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WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Dalvin Cook injury update
UPDATE: The Athletic's Chad Graff reported Tuesday morning that Cook is not expected to play this week.
Cook looked like he was on his way to a huge fantasy day against the Seahawks after logging 94 scrimmage yards and a TD in the first half. However, Cook pulled up lame on his first carry of the second half and limped into the locker room. He was listed as questionable with a groin injury and returned to the game for one play, a Kirk Cousins interception. After that, however, Cook remained sidelined the rest of the game.
Cook's injury is certainly cause for concern. The Vikings RB has never played a full 16-game season, and he could miss time as a result of this injury. The Vikings won't feel the need to rush him back to action either since their backup, Alexander Mattison, is an excellent fill-in starter.
If Cook does miss time, Mattison will instantly be elevated to top-20 RB status running behind a Minnesota line that excels blocking the run. Against the Falcons in Week 6, he would be a potential RB1 and a must-start for his owners in a great matchup that another backup RB, Mike Davis, just exploited.
Hopefully, if you're a Cook owner, you either were able to draft Mattison as a top handcuff or he's still available on the waiver wire. If not, you can check out our Week 6 RB rankings to see who to start in place of Cook if he can't go in Week 6.
MORE WEEK 6: Top waiver pickups | FAAB Planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Diontae Johnson injury update
UPDATE: Johnson will be limited in practice early in the week.
Johnson (back) exited the Steelers' win over the Eagles early in the first half and was deemed questionable to return at the time of his departure. However, later in the game, he was ruled out after catching just one pass for -2 yards.
It's unclear the extent of Johnson's injury, but the Steelers didn't miss him much while he was off the field. Rookie wideout Chase Claypool got extra playing time as a result of Johnson's absence and put forth massive numbers. He totaled a whopping four TDs (three through the air, one on the ground) and may have done enough to earn more playing time in the Steelers' offense.
If Johnson has to miss time with this injury, Claypool could continue to command targets from Ben Roethlisberger given how explosive he looked during the game. Even if Johnson returns, his value may be hurt a little bit by the emergence of Claypool, as the two of them and James Washington could split some playing time at receiver across from JuJu Smith-Schuster and in the slot.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
DJ Chark injury update
Chark exited the Jaguars' loss to the Texans in the fourth quarter after suffering an ankle injury. He didn't return to the contest for Jacksonville, so his status moving forward is murky.
Chark has already missed a game this season with a chest injury, so the Jaguars may continue to be cautious in the handling of their No. 1 receiver. If he can't play, Keelan Cole and Laviska Shenault will soak up most of the targets from Gardner Minshew, and both will garner considerations as WR3s against the Lions in Week 6. Collin Johnson, a rookie who replaced Chark and caught three passes for 30 yards and a TD against the Texans, could also be in line for an expanded workload but wouldn't be much more than a speculative flex play.
