Week 6 of the NFL season is upon us and by now both NFL teams and fantasy GMs are starting to separate themselves in the standings.  Injuries always play a major factor in the outcome of games, and this week will be no different.  There are a lot of running backs dealing with a myriad of injuries so it is even more imperative that you fill your roster with competent depth to be able to withstand the loss of some players in both the short-term and long-term.  So without any further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the 2018 fantasy football emergency room.

Devonta Freeman (RB-ATL)

Frustration continues to mount for GMs who own Devonta Freeman as it looks like he will miss another game this weekend.  Freeman is dealing with a foot injury and did not practice on Thursday.  He has already missed several games this year with an injury and has been limited to just 14 rushes for 68 yards and no touchdowns in two games.  Atlanta has a favorable matchup this weekend against Tampa Bay so GMs should consider Tevin Coleman a solid RB2 or Flex option assuming Freeman is inactive.

Dalvin Cook (RB-MIN)

Cook has been limited to parts of three games this year due to a hamstring injury.  He has only rushed for 98 yards and also has 107 yards receiving with no touchdowns.  He did practice in a full capacity on Thursday which is good news for GMs who are hopeful to get some sort of production from him.  Cook would only be a RB2 option because we cannot trust his ability to stay on the field throughout his young career.

Matt Breida (RB-SF)

Breida suffered a sprained ankle last week and has missed practice up through Thursday.  It was reported that he is not limping as much as he was earlier in the week so it is still possible he could play on Monday night against Green Bay.  Breida has rushed for 369 yards and one touchdown along with 11 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown making him a viable RB2 or Flex option.  GMs should have more clarity on his situation on Friday depending on whether he is able to get any practice in or not.

Larry Fitzgerald (WR-ARZ)

It has been a miserable season thus far for the Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald .  The future Hall of Famer has been limited to 17 catches for 176 yards and no touchdowns thanks in large part to horrendous quarterback play.  He has also been hampered by nagging back and hamstring issues which are even more of an issue for a player of Fitzgerald’s age.  His fantasy value is extremely limited at this point and he should only be in starting lineups due to players on a bye or injured.

Leonard Fournette (RB-JAX)

It appears that Fournette will be shut down for several weeks, at least through Jacksonville’s bye in Week 9.  Fournette has been limited to parts of two games due to a lingering hamstring injury and only amassed 71 yards rushing and no touchdowns.  The Jaguars signed veteran Jamaal Charles this week to provide some depth, but Charles’ best days are likely way behind him.  Stash Fournette on your bench and hope that he can return healthy in a few weeks and actually provide some production for what likely cost GMs an early round draft pick.

George Kittle (TE-SF)

Not a lot has gone right for the 49ers this year, but one bright spot has been George Kittle who has 23 catches for 399 yards and one touchdown.  He is dealing with a knee injury and practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday.  Right now there is no concern about his status for Monday night against Green Bay, so GMs should feel comfortable starting Kittle as a TE1 or even a Flex option depending on your choices.

Will Fuller (WR-HOU)

It appears that Will Fuller will be on the injury report every week in perpetuity thanks to his hamstring injury which has been bothering him for months.  He saw his consecutive game streak of catching a touchdown come to an end last weekend but Fuller is still a solid fantasy options thanks to his rapport with Deshaun Watson .  He will likely play but is always a risk of re-aggravating the hamstring so GMs should be wary of that possibility. 

Isaiah Crowell (RB-NYJ)

Crowell is coming off a 200-yard game against Denver and came back into the conversation as a viable RB2 option in any league format.  He also has five touchdowns on the season making him one of the most prolific scoring rushers thus far.  However, he has missed the past couple days of practice with an ankle injury putting his status for Week 6 in jeopardy.  We should know more later on Friday depending on whether he is able to practice.  If Crowell is inactive on Sunday, then Bilal Powell will have an opportunity against the Colts and would be a RB2/Flex option as well. 

Eric Ebron (TE-IND)

Ebron has impressively been listed with four different injuries this week including his ankle, knee, shin and quadriceps.  He also did not practice the past couple days so his status for Sunday against the Jets is questionable.  Ebron has shined thus far in Indianapolis with 26 catches for 255 yards and five touchdowns.  Check back in for further updates on his status because he would be a solid fantasy option going up against the Jets.

Chris Hogan (WR-NE)

Hogan did not practice on Thursday and is appears to be on the wrong side of questionable for Sunday night’s showdown with Kansas City.  He has been absent from the Patriots offense except catching two touchdowns in the second week of the season.  With the addition of Josh Gordon and the return of Julian Edelman , it appears that Hogan’s fantasy value has plummeted to the point of possibly finding the waiver wire. 

On The Mend

Brandin Cooks (WR-LAR)

Cooks suffered a concussion last week but returned to practice on Thursday.  Barring any setbacks or recurring symptoms, it appears that Cooks will be able to play this weekend against Denver.  This is a great matchup for Cooks and the Rams who can prey on a Broncos’ defense that got lit up by the Jets last week. 

Cooper Kupp (WR-LAR)

Kupp also suffered a concussion last week and returned to practice on Thursday alongside Brandin Cooks .  Kupp has been stellar thus far catching 30 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns.  Assuming he can avoid any setbacks, Kupp will be a solid WR2 for Week 6 against Denver.

Geronimo Allison (WR-GB)

The Packers are hoping to get most of their receiving core back for Monday night.  Geronimo Allison missed last week’s game with a concussion but returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday.  He will have an extra day of rest with Green Bay playing on Monday, so there is a good chance he returns and can build off of his 19 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Randall Cobb (WR-GB)

Cobb is also trending in the right direction to make a return this week after he missed the last game with a hamstring injury.  Cobb’s statistics are skewed as most of his production came in one game, so he is not as vital to the offense as he once was.  Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a big game last week, but his value diminishes significantly if both Cobb and Allison return to the field. 

Greg Olsen (TE-CAR)

Olsen practiced in a full capacity on Thursday and is expected to be on the field this weekend against the Redskins.  He has not played since Week 1 when he re-fractured his foot and his return should be a big boost for Cam Newton .  Olsen is a huge risk for a re-injury but is worth taking a chance on in any fantasy league format. 

O.J. Howard (TE-TB)

Tampa Bay is hopeful that O.J. Howard will be able to return this weekend against Atlanta after he suffered a sprained MCL a few weeks ago.  Howard was limited in practice on Thursday but appears to be heading in the right direction to be on the field for what should be a high scoring game between two division rivals with bad defenses.