Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has had four underwhelming showings in the first five weeks of the season, with his most recent game against the Broncos seeing him total just 43 yards on five catches. That being said, if there ever were a time for Brown to impress, it would be Thursday night against the Giants. New York is allowing the second-most fantasy points to WRs and the eighth-most passing yards per game (237.2) this season. Brown is getting consistent looks with at least eight targets in each of his last four games; now it's just time for him to capitalize on them. He's been a frustrating fantasy player so far, but this is make-or-break time for him. Even with his disappointing start, Brown is a low-end WR2 for Week 6.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that there's a chance that tight end George Kittle (hamstring) will return from Injured Reserve to play in next Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. The Niners have yet to open the 31-year-old's 21-day practice window, so Kittle will not be back this weekend to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers are going to have to stay patient, as Kittle won't be a lock to make his return next week, even if he resumes practicing in some capacity. San Fran really could use some good news in the health department, as receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) could both miss their second straight game this Sunday. Jake Tonges has seen his pass-catching role increase and has now scored in back-to-back weeks. Tonges will be a TE2 streamer yet again against Tampa, especially if Jennings and Pearsall miss another game.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith boomed against the Broncos, recording his highest target and receiving yard counts of the season in a team-leading performance. The question with Smith, as usual, is whether or not he can turn this into consistency. After his last big game against the Rams, he followed it up with two catches on two targets in the next outing. This week, he does have a very favorable matchup against the Giants, who are allowing the second-most fantasy points to WRs this season. Plus, on a short week, Smith might be able to capitalize on a New York defense that's less than 100% conditioned. He's worth a WR3 spot in what should be his second consecutive strong week.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has now scored in three straight games, bringing his touchdown total to four since the start of Week 3. What's scary about Goedert is the fact that he hasn't garnered more than four receptions in a game since Week 1. While he is touchdown-dependent, managers might as well keep starting him while he's scoring touchdowns. He does lead Philly in targets and receptions inside the 10-yard line and boasts a 100% catch rate in that area. His streak will likely have to end eventually, but for now Goedert should still be considered a low-end TE1.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley tallied his lowest rushing yards count of the season against the Broncos, carrying the ball just six times for 30 yards. On the other hand, Barkley has the 10th-most receptions among RBs this year with 17, and added to that count by hauling in three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown versus Denver. In Week 6 he matches up with the Giants on Thursday Night Football, and New York allows the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs this season. When Barkley met the G-Men last year, he bulldozed them for 176 yards. Whether he has a good game running or a good game receiving, you can bet on #26 to have a good game. Barkley is a high-end RB1 against his division rival.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles running back A.J. Dillon once again saw himself get priority over Will Shipley for second-in-command in the backfield this past Sunday, but that meant playing just 14.8% of offensive snaps compared to Shipley's 13.1%. Dillon carried the ball twice for 12 yards, with one attempt coming in the red zone. It seems like Shipley will get more usage in the passing game than his counterpart, being targeted twice while Dillon did not get any looks. Regardless, neither Dillon nor Shipley are involved enough to warrant a start in fantasy this week.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had his worst rushing game of the season against Denver on Sunday, being held to just two attempts for three yards on the ground. However, Hurts is facing a Giants defense on Thursday night that allowed Jayden Daniels to run for 68 yards on them a few weeks back, so the Philly QB should be back to his scrambling ways in Week 6. He had another high-volume passing day against the Broncos-tallying a season-high 280 yards while posting two touchdowns-and has now thrown for seven scores over his last three outings. Expect a multi-pronged attack by Hurts against a poor New York defense. He should be considered a top tier QB1, even on a short week.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Texans "would like to find ways to work rookie wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel" into the lineup more, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. The Texans were happier with their offense in the Week 5 win over the Baltimore Ravens, in which they scored over 40 points, with Higgins and Noel combining for six catches on seven targets for 45 yards. Higgins actually played a season-high 56% of the offensive snaps on Sunday, while Noel was in on 30% of the snaps. It's going to be hard to keep both Higgins and Noel involved in the offense consistently from week to week as long as Nico Collins and Christian Kirk remain healthy. However, it's a good sign for both Higgins and Noel that Houston's offense finally appears to be clicking and that they will continue to find ways to get them involved. It's hard to justify rostering Higgins or Noel in 12-team fantasy leagues at the moment.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that the Houston Texans still view rookie running back Woody Marks as "predominantly a passing-game back," and one who "had a bit of an injury history in college." It was looking like Marks was taking over the backfield from veteran Nick Chubb when he had a season-high 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 50 yards and another TD in the Week 4 win against the Tennessee Titans. However, he was a disappointment in last week's blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens, handling seven carries for 24 yards and failing to reel in his only pass-game target. It means that when Houston is up big, like they were in Baltimore, Chubb will continue to have the playing-time advantage. Marks is still worth rostering in all fantasy leagues, but his backfield takeover in Houston appears to be a little premature.

From RotoBaller

As expected, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is not practicing on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers suffered an injury to his PCL in the season opener but then played through Week 4. The 22-year-old second-year player was inactive for Sunday's blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts. With a third straight DNP, dating back to last week, Bowers is in danger of missing a second straight contest this Sunday when the Raiders take on the Tennessee Titans. The good news for the Raiders is that TE Michael Mayer (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and could be on track to return after missing the last two games with his head injury. Bowers is going to need to practice on either Thursday or Friday to have a shot at suiting up in Week 6. If Bowers is inactive and Mayer returns, Mayer will be on the TE2 streaming radar in a great matchup.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) missed the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Lamb is slowly recovering from a high left-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, but he's tracking towards missing a third straight game in Week 6 versus the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Fantasy managers should not expect the 26-year-old to return to practice this week or play this weekend. It's unclear if he'll have a better chance to make his return in Week 7 on Oct. 19 against the division-rival Washington Commanders. George Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson have been target hogs in a high-volume passing attack since Lamb's injury, and Ryan Flournoy blew up in the Week 5 win over the New York Jets, with KaVontae Turpin (foot) also out. It might be another couple of weeks before we see Lamb.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) will not practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Sean McVay. Higbee played through a hip injury in the Week 4 win over the Indianapolis Colts, but then was inactive on a short week in last Thursday night's upset loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 32-year-old is still battling his hip injury and is a question mark to suit up this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Higbee still has two more days to get back onto the practice field, which would give him a chance to play this weekend. Receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have been getting the vast majority of pass-game targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford, leaving little volume for L.A.'s tight ends. If Higbee misses a second straight game, more snaps will be available for Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson, and rookie Terrance Ferguson. Higbee has just six catches for 62 scoreless yards in his four games so far in 2025.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) did not take part in the team's practice on Wednesday, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Fellow wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) also missed practice and is not expected to be active in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Jennings is also trending toward missing his third game of the season, he has two more chances to get back on the practice field on Thursday and Friday. But as things currently stand, it looks like San Fran will have to navigate another week without Pearsall, Jennings, and quarterback Brock Purdy (toe). In last Thursday's upset win over the Los Angeles Rams, backup QB Mac Jones had another impressive performance throwing the ball, and receiver Kendrick Bourne was the WR1 with 10 catches and over 100 receiving yards. Tight end Jake Tonges will be back on the streaming radar, too, if Jennings and Pearsall miss a second straight game.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara injured his ankle during Wednesday's practice, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times. Head coach Kellen Moore said that the injury to Kamara is not a concern, for what it's worth. The veteran's back will be listed as day-to-day this week, and fantasy managers will want to pay attention to Thursday's injury report to confirm that he will be all good to go for Week 6. Kamara played a season low 53% of the snaps in Week 6 with the emergence of third-year back Kendre Miller. There's a possibility that the New Orleans backfield could be closer to a 50/50 split moving forward. Kamara will rank on the RB2/RB3 line if he can suit up on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Purdy suffered a turf-toe injury in the season opener and missed Weeks 2 and 3 before returning in Week 4, only to aggravate his toe. The 25-year-old missed his third game of the year in last Thursday's surprising upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. Purdy is progressing from his toe injury, but he remains week-to-week and could certainly miss his fourth game of the year in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is definitely going to need to return to practice in the next two days to even have a shot at playing on Sunday. Mac Jones (knee) has been banged up himself early this year, but he should be able to make a fourth start against Tampa if Purdy is ruled out later this week.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) did not practice on Wednesday and is not expected to play in their Week 6 matchup at Tampa Bay, according to Tracy Sandler of FGSN. Pearsall is now set to miss his second straight game after suffering a PCL injury in the 49ers' Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. It's unfortunate, as Pearsall had been enjoying a fantastic start to the season, catching 20 of 29 targets for 327 yards. His absence will again open up more opportunities for Week 5's breakout performer, Kendrick Bourne, as well as another heavy workload for star back Christian McCaffrey.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter of their Week 4 win over the Vikings, and it seems to have lingered over their Week 5 bye. Beginning the practice week with a missed practice paints a pessimistic picture of his chances to suit up on Sunday against Cleveland, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice this week. Austin has been a reliable weapon for veteran Aaron Rodgers, catching 10 of 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns. If Austin can play in Week 6, he wouldn't be a recommended start coming off injury against a tough defense.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) practiced in full on Wednesday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren missed the Steelers' Week 4 matchup against the Vikings in London and saw his backup, Kenneth Gainwell, total 134 yards and two touchdowns in his place. Before getting hurt, Warren handled the bulk of the work in the backfield. He began the season with 13 total touches against the Jets, then bumped up to 18 in Week 3 and up to a career high 23 in Week 3. He should be expected to retain his lead-back duties now that he is healthy and projects as a solid RB2 for Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist) did not practice on Wednesday, according to the team. It is unclear when or how St. Brown suffered this injury, but fantasy managers should keep a close eye on the injury report for the rest of the week. It is only Wednesday, and it could be a precautionary measure for their star wideout, but it is worth monitoring regardless. St. Brown is off to a remarkable start to the season, leading the league with six touchdown catches and ranking as WR2 in PPR points per game. Other Lions pass catchers like Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, and perhaps rookie Isaac TeSlaa could see a boost in production if St. Brown were to miss Sunday night's game against the Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should monitor the situation to see if St. Brown is in danger of missing the Week 6 game. He is one of the top receivers in the NFL when healthy and will be a must-start option in all leagues if he is active for the game.

From TheHuddle