Michael Thomas, Dallas Goedert, Sam Darnold, Noah Fant, and Diontae Johnson have all missed action in recent weeks due to injuries. Obviously, Thomas is the biggest name of the bunch, but with bye weeks approaching, fantasy football owners will want to know the statuses of Goedert and Fant given how thin the tight end position is. Darnold's and Johnson's health could have a ripple effect on their receiver rooms if healthy, so both could matter when it comes to Week 7 fantasy rankings and waiver wire pickups.
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WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKING:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Michael Thomas playing in Week 7?
Thomas (ankle) hasn't played for the Saints since suffering an ankle injury in the team's season-opening win over the Bucs. That said, he didn't miss Week 5 because of the injury. He was listed as "questionable" with that malady, but ultimately, he was suspended for getting into a practice altercation with one of his teammates.
Now, Thomas is coming off a Week 6 bye, and many are wondering whether he will play. Given that he was practicing in a limited capacity all week leading up to the game against the Chargers, it would stand to reason that after missing that game and getting a full week off that he should be good to go. His Wednesday practice status will be worth watching, but it appears that Thomas' owners will finally get a chance to use him again.
On the off chance that Thomas isn't ready, Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith would continue to be the top two receivers for the Saints. Sanders showed good chemistry with Drew Brees against the Chargers, so he would be the better play of the two. Even if Thomas returns, Sanders will still have value while Smith's would likely evaporate.
MORE WEEK 7: Full waiver list | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Is Dallas Goedert playing in Week 7?
After missing three weeks with an ankle injury, Goedert is eligible to return from IR for the Eagles' Week 7 game against the Giants. However, given that the game is on Thursday night, he may have a tough time getting on the field for the short turnaround, so Philly could opt to keep him out another week to give him extra time to get healthy.
If Goedert is out on Thursday night along with Zach Ertz (ankle), Richard Rodgers will be the top tight end for the Eagles against the Giants. Rodgers is a good streaming option at the position, so he could end up being one of the top waiver wire pickups this week for TE-needy teams. Goedert isn't a bad speculative pickup either, but he may not be ready to contribute until Week 8 or later.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Sam Darnold injury update
Darnold (shoulder) missed his second consecutive game last week in what turned out to be a Jets shutout loss against the Dolphins. Darnold was reportedly pushing the Jets to let him play in Week 5, and last week, he confirmed that he still had some shoulder pain but was "feeling much better."
Should Darnold continue to make progress, he should have a chance to play in Week 7 against the Bills. If not, Joe Flacco will get another chance to start. If Darnold returns, he will be a potential QB2 option for two-QB and Superflex leagues and he will provide a slight boost to Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman in the passing game. Either way, the Bills D/ST is a top option this week.
Noah Fant injury update
Last week, Fant (ankle) got in a couple of limited practices for the Broncos ahead of their game with the Patriots. He was considered a "truly questionable" game-time decision by head coach Vic Fangio, per Troy Renck of ABC Denver before he was ruled out ahead of the game against the Patriots.
Given that Fant was a toss-up last week, it would seem that he'll have a better chance of returning this week against the Chiefs. He'll need to be watched closely in practice, but even if he's limited all week, he could suit up. If he does, he will be a TE1 because of his big-play ability, and he'll give Drew Lock a better chance of making an impact in two-QB leagues.
Fant's presence would be neutral for Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick, as he would demand defensive attention, which would help them, and demand targets, which would hurt them.
Diontae Johnson injury update
UPDATE: Johnson is expected to practice on Wednesday.
Johnson (back) logged a couple of limited practice sessions last week before being declared out for Pittsburgh's game against the Browns. Johnson has been banged up quite a bit this year, so perhaps the week off will serve him well as he looks to get back to 100 percent.
Johnson may get a day off to start this week of practice -- the Steelers have frequently given he and JuJu Smith-Schuster Wednesdays off -- but the more important thing to watch will be whether or not he can be declared a full participant at any point this week. If he is only limited again, he will probably be a true game-time decision, and given how well Chase Claypool has played in Johnson's absence, they could keep Johnson out of action until he is fully healthy.
