Week 6 of the NFL season has become a minefield for fantasy football managers. Several of the league’s biggest stars are dealing with injuries heading into Sunday, while others are trending in the right direction but still have something to prove before kickoff.
🚨 Fantasy Football News Updates You Need to Know • A.J. Brown said his Week 6 status is "up in the air" • Brock Bowers was upgraded to a full participant • Jalen Hurts is out for Week 6 with a blood clot • Caleb Williams is practicing fully but still needs clearance to play • Saquon Barkley sat out another day of practice • Lamar Jackson was held out of another session • DeVonta Smith was upgraded to a limited participant • Zay Flowers joined the injury report with a toe injury • Chris Olave missed another practice due to illness • Rashee Rice remained sidelined Thursday • Breece Hall was spotted working with trainers • David Montgomery was ruled out for Week 6 • Jeremiyah Love did not get any work for a second straight day • TreVeyon Henderson got in another limited session • Terry McLaurin is still not past his hamstring issue • Mike Evans is now dealing with rib and Achilles injuries • Ladd McConkey again worked on a limited basis • DJ Moore was held out again Thursday • Quinshon Judkins was sidelined for another day • Baker Mayfield is "not quite ready" to play • Rico Dowdle was upgraded to a full participant • Jacory Croskey-Merritt sat out with a groin injury • Jonathon Brooks was spotted jogging Thursday • Stefon Diggs did not practice but still could this week • Kyle Monangai remains stuck on the sidelines • Josh Downs was upgraded to a full participant • Deebo Samuel is avoiding injured reserve • Denzel Boston was limited again Thursday • Dontayvion Wicks went from limited to no practice • Tyjae Spears was downgraded to a non-participant • Dylan Sampson returned to practice Thursday • Christian Kirk’s practice window was opened
— RotoWire Fantasy Football (@RotoWireNFL) October 16, 2026
With four teams on bye and numerous fantasy-relevant players carrying questionable injury situations, lineup decisions could come down to the final hours before games begin.
MORE:Fantasy Football studs & duds for Week 6 of 2026 NFL season
Quarterbacks and running backs create major fantasy concerns
The biggest quarterback storyline is Caleb Williams, who is making significant progress toward returning for the Chicago Bears. Williams was a full participant in Thursday’s practice after dealing with a torn hamstring, but he still needs medical clearance before he can return against Atlanta. Williams said he feels good after working through cutting and planting drills, making him one of the most important players to monitor Friday.
Lamar Jackson is in a much more uncertain situation. The Ravens quarterback missed Thursday’s practice with his ankle injury, his second consecutive absence to begin the week. Baltimore remains hopeful that Jackson can play Sunday against Cleveland, but a return to practice before the weekend would provide a major boost to those chances. Tyler Huntley would start again if Jackson cannot go.
Saquon Barkley is another massive concern. The Eagles running back remained sidelined Thursday with his hamstring injury after missing last Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Barkley was originally considered a possibility to return in Week 6, but two consecutive missed practices have made his status increasingly difficult to trust.
TreVeyon Henderson remains limited, while Breece Hall was spotted working with trainers. Quinshon Judkins also missed another practice, and Jeremiyah Love failed to practice for a second straight day. Fantasy managers relying on any of these backs will need to monitor Friday’s reports closely.
Wide receivers and tight ends add to the uncertainty
A.J. Brown provided perhaps the most important update at wide receiver, saying Thursday that his Week 6 status is “up in the air.” Brown remains limited with an ankle issue, leaving fantasy managers without a definitive answer heading into the weekend.
There was encouraging news for DeVonta Smith, who was upgraded to limited participation Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. That is a positive development, although Philadelphia’s receiving corps remains difficult to project with multiple injuries and Jalen Hurts already ruled out.
Brock Bowers also moved in the right direction, while Zay Flowers was added to Baltimore’s injury report with a toe issue. Chris Olave missed another practice because of illness, and Rashee Rice remained sidelined Thursday.
Mike Evans is suddenly dealing with additional concern after being held out with rib and Achilles injuries. Ladd McConkey remained limited, while DJ Moore was held out again. Terry McLaurin is still working through his hamstring issue.
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