The Week 6 Injury Report has a healthy slate of names to watch heading into Sunday/Monday. While team practice reports can give us a good idea of who is going to play/sit, sometimes it is not that obvious. I break down some of these injuries below to try and make your start/sit decisions a little easier.
Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)
"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. It also includes players who rested or missed practice for non-injury-related reasons. The second is the Game Status Report, which gives the probability a player will play, i.e., Questionable, Doubtful, Out. The Practice Participation Report is released every day of the week (Monday through Saturday). The Game Status Report is released with the Friday participation report (Wednesday for Thursday games, Saturday for Monday games). In this feature, I'll include the Game Status Listing and my expectations of their likelihood of playing."
If you are reading this article on Saturday, make sure to come back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours.
Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players
Gameday Decision
- RB Brian Robinson Jr.
- WR Christian Watson
- QB Anthony Richardson
- WR Michael Pittman Jr.
- WR Josh Downs
- RB Jaylen Warren
- RB Devin Singletary
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- RB Rachaad White
- WR Khalil Shakir
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- TE Evan Engram
- RB Joe Mixon
- WR Diontae Johnson
- RB James Cook
Ruled Out
- WR Malik Nabers (concussion)
- WR Nico Collins (hamstring - placed on IR)
- RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle)
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson (foot)
- RB Nick Chubb (knee)
- TE/QB Taysom Hill (ribs)
- TE Luke Musgrave (ankle - placed on IR)
- WR Davante Adams (hamstring/contract)
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Active
We have not seen Even Engram since Week 1. The veteran TE was injured during pregame warmups of Week 2.
Heading into Week 5, Engram had not practiced at all but was able to log one limited practice session. He ended up sitting again, but this week, Engram practiced all week, albeit in a limited fashion again. Based on recovery time and Engram's practice trends, I expect him to be active this week.
For what it's worth, I would avoid Engram this week, even if he is healthy. Typically, TEs see a 21% decrease in fantasy production upon return. Additionally, among current TEs, Engram is the third worst in terms of fantasy production vs. expected following an injury. Although the TE landscape has been ugly, the data suggests Engram carries a lot of risk.
RB Joe Mixon, Houston | High Ankle Sprain | Questionable | Likely Active
Joe Mixon appears to be trending in the right direction and by all accounts, on track to play in Week 6. Mixon logged consecutive limited practices (LPs) on Thursday and Friday.
RBs tend to struggle following high ankle sprains, averaging a 13% decline in fantasy points upon return with lingering effects that carry on in the games following their return. Of the 16 most common RB injuries I've tracked, high ankle sprains can be one of the most limiting in terms of fantasy production. Some of the decline in fantasy points is due to performance, and some is due to workload. It would not be shocking to see Dare Ogunbowale involved, to the dismay of Mixon managers.
Mixon is in flex consideration for me personally. Refer to the Footballguy's staff rankings for start/sit decisions when it comes to Mixon. I encourage managers to temper expectations in Mixon's first game back.
Update: Joe Mixon is expected to be active in Week 6.
RB Brian Robinson Jr., Washington | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Brian Robinson Jr. was dealing with the same knee injury last week, but it's possible that after scoring two touchdowns in the first half of Week 5, he suffered a setback.
Robinson did not play in the second half of Sunday's win over Cleveland and has not practiced all week heading in this upcoming Sunday. He appears to be heading in the wrong direction.
Austin Ekeler is officially off the Commanders' injury report. I would expect him to be heavily involved should Robinson sit.
Update: Brian Robinson Jr. is officially out.
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay | Ankle Injury | Questionable | 50/50
This week on X/Twitter, we received word from a very reliable source close to Christian Watson (aka his dad) that Watson is not dealing with a high ankle sprain. Instead, it is an eversion (medial) ankle sprain similar to that of a low ankle sprain. Eversion sprains typically take longer to heal than traditional low ankle sprains but do not result in as much time missed as high ankle sprains.
With all that in mind, I think Watson will likely miss at least one more week but could be back sooner than originally expected.
Dontayvion Wicks, your days are numbered.
Update: Watson will start in Week 6.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay | Foot | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Rachaad White is officially listed as "Doubtful" heading into Week 6. Followers of this article know these numbers all too well, but for those you migh be first timers, I'll drop them for you anyway.
- >90% of players listed as "Doubtful" on the final injury report do not play
- RBs average 2.2 weeks missed with foot injuries
- Foot injuries carry a high risk of re-injury
This is Bucky Irving's backfield in and it could stay that way beyond Week 6.
Update: Rachaad White is out.
QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis | Hip/Oblique | Questionable | 50/50
Anthony Richardson is another player who is a true game-time decision. Following Richardson's practice trend this week, he seems to be on track to play. So far in Richardson's career, when he shifts from passer to runner, he has sought out contact rather than avoided it. That will have to change if he wants to stay healthy.
Update: Richardson is the Colts' "Emergency QB." Joe Flacco will start.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis | Back | Questionable | 50/50
In a matter of 24 hours, Michael Pittman Jr. went from IR candidate to likely starter in Week 6. It's been an odd storyline to follow, but the latest out of Indy is that Pittman is going to give it a shot come Sunday.
Historically, back injuries can put a significant damper on a wide receiver's fantasy production. Combine that with the fact that Anthony Richardson, not Joe Flacco figures to be under center and Pittman's floor seems much lower than others this week. I would consider my options and try to pivot where possible.
Update: All signs point to Pittman being active.
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis | Toe | Questionable | 50/50
Josh Downs did not practice to start the week with a toe injury, leaving most (myself included) wondering if the former Tarheel was dealing with turf toe. However, this seems unlikely as Downs was a full participant in practice Friday. He figures to be active come Sunday.
Update: Downs is expected to play.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Games
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Jaylen Warren has been dealing with a PCL sprain that has sidelined him for the past two weeks. Although this is the same injury that has caused Puka Nacua to miss the last five weeks and most of the preseason, there are different severity levels of PCL sprains (and any sprain, for that matter). Based on practice reports, Warren's injury seems minor.
Even if Warren does play, he feels risky in Week 6. I'd like to see his level of involvement and performance level first.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
WR Diontae Johnson, Carolina | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active
Diontae Johnson dealt with this same injury last week and ended up playing. Despite being limited this week in practice, I feel confident that Johnson will play in Week 6.
Sunday Night 8:20 PM EST Game
RB Devin Singletary, NY Giants | Groin | Questionable | 50/50
Devin Singletary was limited all week with a groin injury – the same injury that caused him to miss Week 5.
Typically, soft tissue injuries like groin strains result in multiple weeks missed, but Singletary's ability to practice bodes well for his availability. The overwhelming majority of my sample of skill position players with an LP in the final practice went on to play.
The man they call "Motor" will hope not to stall out because rookie RB Tyrone Tracey is lurking in the shadows and coming off a 129-yard performance. Even if Singletary is active, Tracey should still get some work.
Update: The Giants downgraded Singletary to out.
Monday Night 8:15 PM EST Game
RB James Cook, Buffalo | Foot/Toe Injury | Questionable | Likely Active
James Cook has been a pivotal fantasy asset to those who drafted him, but he is Questionable for Week 6. It can be risky to wait till the Monday slate of games because you do not have many options to pivot to.
By all accounts, Cook is dealing with turf toe, likely resulting in him missing Week 5 and beyond.
Update: On Saturday word broke the Cook would practice and be active come Monday.
WR Khalil Shakir, Buffalo | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Inactive
Khalil Shakir missed last week with an ankle injury and has yet to return to practice. He is another Buffalo Bill I would not hold out hope for heading into Monday night.