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Week 6 Injury Report (2020 Fantasy Football)

Week 6 Injury Report (2020 Fantasy Football)

The 2020 injury report has been upgraded to include some new features. In addition to covering all of the fantasy-relevant injuries, I will update you on the previous weeks’ injuries. Also, I’ll explain the nature of the injury (if known), provide information on the expected length of each player’s absence, and offer an assessment of the impact on the injured player’s teammates.

With that, I welcome you to the revamped injury report. Football is a violent game, and, unfortunately, players are going to miss time due to injuries. I promise you I don’t want to be here just as much as you don’t, but this is a necessary evil in this game that we love. As always, I hope this list is as short as possible.

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New Injuries

Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
Late in the first half, Joe Mixon left with an ankle issue. He missed a few series and Giovani Bernard started the second half, but Mixon eventually returned and looked no worse for wear. Adrenaline certainly played a role, but I’d be surprised if Mixon wasn’t good to go next week. He will likely be limited in practice, but there’s very little concern here.

Fantasy Value Impact: N/A

Miles Sanders (RB – PHI)
The second half of the Eagles’ narrow loss to the Ravens was the Boston Scott show, as Miles Sanders missed time due to a knee injury. He will have an MRI and the results may be known by the time you read this, but the early reports are very worrisome. Doug Pederson is quite concerned that this is a long-term issue. Fantasy managers should be prepared to be without Sanders for the foreseeable future. Scott is the clear lead back in Sanders’ absence, but Scott has now had 1.5 games worth of lead-back duties and has disappointed thoroughly. While Scott needs to be added in leagues where is available, he’s no Miles Sanders.

Fantasy Value Impact: Boston Scott ⬆️⬆️

Zach Ertz (TE – PHI)
Zach Ertz rolled his ankle on Sunday and was hobbling through snaps for a while. Ultimately, he could not play through the injury and had to leave the game for good. While Ertz’s ankle sprain does not appear too severe, the fact that he couldn’t finish the game is a worrying sign. Monitor practice reports this week and if Ertz can’t go, with Dallas Goedert still out, Richard Rodgers will be the primary tight end. He is not a fantasy option.

Fantasy Value Impact: N/A

Jonnu Smith (TE – TEN)
An ankle sprain also befell Jonnu Smith in the Titans’ thrilling overtime win over the Texans. Jonnu is on the very short list of reliable tight ends for fantasy this season so an extended absence would be another hit to an already depleted position. Anthony Firkser took over primary tight end duties in Jonnu’s absence, but he is not a fantasy option even though he found his way into the end zone this week. If you’re a Smith manager, you should monitor practice reports throughout the week.

Fantasy Value Impact: N/A

Mark Ingram (RB – BAL)
The injury of the week was apparently the ankle sprain. Mark Ingram tweaked his ankle as well and did not return, leaving the backfield to J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Ingram had no fantasy value to begin with, but if he were to miss time, it seems likely that the Ravens’ backfield would be consolidated between Dobbins and Edwards, giving both of them at least a semblance of fantasy value. However, with the Ravens on bye in Week 7, Ingram has two full weeks to recover. Unless this is a high ankle sprain, I would tentatively expect Ingram back in Week 8.

Fantasy Value Impact: Gus Edwards ⬆️, J.K. Dobbins ⬆️

DeVante Parker (WR – MIA)
Parker was unable to finish out the Dolphins’ shutout of the Jets, but he was never formally ruled out. We have no way of knowing if Parker was held out as a precaution due to the score or if this is something more serious. Given Parker’s injury history, he would seem unlikely to play in Week 7. Fortunately, the Dolphins have the week off, giving Parker two full weeks to recover. We may not get a good idea as to Parker’s status until after next week, but at least fantasy managers don’t have to worry about replacing someone unexpected as Parker was always not playing this week.

Fantasy Value Impact: Preston Williams ⬆️

Raheem Mostert (RB – SF)
It’s always easier to gauge performance and injuries on isolated games. It also resonates more when someone playing as well as Raheem Mostert has to exit the game. Mostert looked phenomenal on Sunday night, but he limped off very late in the first half with an unknown injury. He came back to start the second half with tape on his ankle, took one carry, and returned to the sidelines. He was ruled out mere minutes later, which is usually concerning. However, there was a shot of Mostert on the sideline with his helmet still on, looking like a guy ready to re-enter the game. It seems possible that Mostert is able to play next week, but this will be the second time in six weeks that he’s been knocked out of a game with an injury. Jerick McKinnon was a near every-down back in Mostert’s stead, but it’s worth noting that JaMycal Hasty got an extended look in this one and looked much more explosive than McKinnon. Jeff Wilson was also banged-up and inactive, so Hasty is worth a speculative add if the news on Mostert isn’t good.

Fantasy Value Impact: Jerick McKinnon ⬆️⬆️⬆️, JaMycal Hasty⬆️⬆️

Injury Updates

Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
A back injury cost Diontae Johnson a game so far, but he was able to practice on a limited basis last week so it doesn’t look like this injury is too serious. It’s possible the Steelers were just playing it safe. This does not feel like a long-term injury, and I’d be shocked if Johnson missed more than one more game — if he has to miss another at all.

Estimated Return Time: 1 week
Course of Action: Hold

Sammy Watkins (WR – KC)
The Chiefs’ WR2 was ruled out for Week 6 with a hamstring strain. Given Watkins’ complete lack of practice and the early decision, don’t expect him to return in Week 7. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson should split time filling in for Watkins. This will be published before the game happens, so by the time you read this, we may have a clearer picture of what the wide receiver situation looks like behind Tyreek Hill in Kansas City.

Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold, or drop if you need the roster spot

Dalvin Cook (RB – MIN)
A groin injury cost Dalvin Cook an opportunity to be part of an embarrassing Week 6 home loss to a previously winless Falcons team. It was pretty clear leading up to the game that Cook was only going to miss a week. With the Vikings off Week 7, Cook will be ready to go in Week 8, relegating Alexander Mattison to backup duties.

Estimated Return Time: Week 8
Course of Action: Hold

Noah Fant (TE – DEN)
The Broncos’ starting tight end looked pretty close to suiting up for Week 6. Noah Fant was held out, but this does not look like an extended absence. He could very well return in Week 7, but if not, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t back the following game.

Estimated Return Time: 1 week
Course of Action: Hold

Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC)
We are two week into the 4-6 week timetable on Austin Ekeler’s return from a hamstring tear. Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson will continue to share the work in Ekeler’s absence.

Estimated Return Time: 4-6 weeks
Course of Action: Hold, or trade for healthy players if you need to win now

Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)
A sprained MCL is typically a 4-6 week injury. Nick Chubb is out at least one more game as he was placed on IR. It doesn’t appear as though Chubb will be ready to go when first eligible. Kareem Hunt is an elite RB1 (when he doesn’t face the Steelers) for as long as Chubb is out. D’Ernest Johnson does not matter. Dontrell Hilliard appears to be the Kareem Hunt handcuff.

Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold

Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)
The Eagles’ best tight end is on IR with an ankle injury. He will be out for at least one more game, but he’s extremely unlikely to return when first eligible. The Eagles are headed toward what could be a lost season, and they may play it safe with their long-term tight end. Dallas Goedert shouldn’t cost you a roster spot, but if he is, you can consider letting him go.

Estimated Return Time: 4-6 weeks
Course of Action: Hold/Drop if no IR spot

Sterling Shepard (WR – NYG)
Turf toe has cost Sterling Shepard three games, but we were already getting whispers of Shepard being able to return when first eligible. Daniel Jones is playing as poorly as a quarterback can, so it remains to be seen what value Shepard will have upon his return, but that appears as though it will be this week. Shepard is at least worth taking a shot on.

Estimated Return Time: Week 7
Course of Action: Hold

Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR)
The Panthers lost their first game without Christian McCaffrey this past week. As much as running backs don’t matter, they would sure like to have him back, and we all want to see him on the field again. McCaffrey is eligible to return as soon as he’s healthy enough to play. He wasn’t close to playing in Week 6, but that could change quickly. Regardless, McCaffrey’s return feels close. If he’s not back this week, then I expect him back for the Panthers’ Thursday night game the following week.

Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold

Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR)
Somewhat unexpectedly, Curtis Samuel missed the Panthers’ Week 6 game against the Bears with a knee injury. Samuel doesn’t carry significant fantasy value, but he was getting about 8-10 touches a game, which is enough to be a viable fill in fantasy option. Samuel should be back for Week 7.

Estimated Return Time: Week 7
Course of Action: Hold/leave on waivers

Baker Mayfield (QB – CLE)
The Browns’ quarterback entered Week 6 nursing a rib injury. Perhaps it was due to the score; perhaps it was due to poor play; perhaps it was due to an aggravation of the injury. Regardless, Baker Mayfield was replaced by Case Keenum to close out the Browns’ loss to the Steelers. Monitor his status throughout the week. As bad as Mayfield has been, Keenum would be a major downgrade for the entire offense.

Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold/leave on waivers

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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.

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