The injuries kept coming for fantasy football owners, with wide receiver and tight end squarely in the crosshairs this past Sunday. Star pass-catchers Tyreek Hill, Tee Higgins, Chris Olave, Drake London, and Pat Freiermuth all exited their games early and figure to miss some practice time this week. These injuries could have a domino effect on Week 6 fantasy rankings and waiver wire pickups.
Below we'll give you the latest news on these pass catchers and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 6 fantasy landscape. For updates on ailing RBs Rashaad Penny, Damien Harris, and James Conner, go here; for news on injured QBs Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa, click here; for more on banged-up WRs, including Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, and Rashod Bateman, go here; for the latest on Jonathan Taylor, Kyle Pitts, and Dawson Knox, click here.
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WEEK 6 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Tyreek Hill injury update, Week 6 fantasy outlook
Hill (foot) was seen leaving Sunday's game against the Jets in a walking boot, but it is not believed to be serious, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that Hill's foot was stepped on late in Sunday's blowout loss against the Jets.
The star wide receiver disappointed in Week 5, recording seven receptions (seven targets) for 47 yards and 13 rushing yards, though much of that can be attributed to Teddy Bridgewater (head) exiting after the Dolphins' first drive. Fantasy owners will be keeping an eye out on the injury report to see if the veteran wideout practices this week. If Hill can at least get a couple of practice sessions under his belt, owners should be comfortable starting him against the Vikings in Week 6 when either Tua Tagovailoa (head) or Bridgewater should be under center.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Tee Higgins injury update, Week 6 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Higgins is "day to day."
Higgins (ankle) entered Week 5 as "questionable" but tried to give it a go before ultimately bowing out in the first half after just 10 snaps. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters after the game that Higgins tried to fight through the whole game with the ankle injury.
It would not be a surprise to see him sit out Week 6 against the Saints, but obviously, it depends on how his ankle responds to treatment this week. If he does not play, look out for veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd to see an uptick in targets along with veteran tight end Hayden Hurst. Boyd had three receptions (four targets) for 32 yards against the Ravens, while Hurst added six receptions (seven targets) for 53 yards and a score. Between the two, Hurst would be a better starting option as a TE1 for Week 6, as he's scored a touchdown in back-to-back weeks.
Chris Olave injury update, Week 6 fantasy outlook
Olave left Sunday afternoon's game against the Seahawks in the third quarter with a concussion. We haven't heard any additional info about Olave's concussion and how long he could be out. The rookie wide receiver will have to go through the league's new protocols this week before being cleared to play in Week 6 against the Bengals.
Before exiting Sunday's game, Olave put together a solid stat line with four receptions (six targets) for 54 yards and a touchdown. If the rookie wide receiver is not cleared to play in Week 6, Marquez Callaway and Jarvis Landry (ankle), if active, could be decent flex options, but that also depends on whether Michael Thomas (toe) plays. If both Thomas and Olave are out, then Tre'Quan Smith might actually have the most upside. For now, have Callaway and Smith on your waiver radar, but there's no need to burn a claim on either given the confusion around Olave and Thomas.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Drake London injury update, Week 6 fantasy outlook
London suffered an ankle injury late in Sunday's six-point loss to the Buccaneers. He hadn't done much before the injury (four catches, 35 yards), marking the second-straight game in which he's disappointed. There haven't been any updates on London's potential availability for Atlanta's Week 6 matchup with San Francisco.
If London cannot play this upcoming weekend, Olamide Zaccheus and KhaDarel Hodge should see more targets (especially if Kyle Pitts is out again), but given the Week 6 matchup against San Francisco, it's unlikely you'll want any Falcons' pass-catchers in your lineup.
Pat Freiermuth injury update, Week 6 fantasy outlook
Freiermuth exited the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Bills with a concussion. It is now the third concussion the young tight end has suffered in his career.
Just like with Olave, it remains to see how long Freiermuth will be out as he has to pass the NFL's new concussion protocol. The 23-year-old tight end had two receptions for 12 yards before leaving the game. If Freiermuth is out for Week 6's contest against the Bucs, Zach Gentry slides into the Steelers' TE1 spot. However, rookie wide receiver George Pickens becomes more fantasy relevant after leading the team with six receptions (eight targets) for 83 yards last week. Pickens is currently rostered in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues and has a clear connection with fellow rookie QB Kenny Pickett. Gentry would be nothing more than a (very) deep-league flier thanks to a decent matchup on paper.
