New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) was not spotted at the team's open portion of practice on Thursday, marking the second straight day he has missed. A Thursday "DNP" is always concerning, so fantasy managers should start to prepare for the possibility of him missing the Week 6 contest against the Houston Texans. If he misses, former Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson could see close to a workhorse role, while JaMycal Hasty would likely see some work behind him. The Texans have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to RBs this season, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye will likely target Stevenson or Gibson often in his first career NFL start. That said, whichever running back starts could see a slight boost in PPR setups.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) is back on the practice field on Thursday after logging a limited practice on Wednesday. The 2023 first-round pick out of Florida has been oft-injured during his short career, but it sounds like there's a chance he plays and starts against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. If Richardson is the starter, he'll be without Michael Pittman Jr. (back), who is expected to miss a few weeks. Additionally, Josh Downs (toe) missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, meaning he could be out. To make things even more challenging, the Titans have allowed the fewest passing yards per game this season (124.0). However, Tennessee gave up 73 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to Malik Willis and 40 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to Tyler Huntley, so the ground game is Richardson's path to fantasy success. Either way, his floor is lower than expected based on his early-season results. If Richardson can't play, Joe Flacco will get the start, but he's likely to struggle given the Colts' injuries and the matchup against a strong secondary.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is at practice on Thursday for the first time this week. The former Cincinnati Bengal is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and hasn't played since Week 2, so his return to practice is promising for a potential Week 6 return to game action. Mixon was excellent in the Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts, posting 178 total yards and a touchdown on 33 touches. He was injured in Week 2 and only produced 50 total yards. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday for his practice participation and gameday status, but if he plays, it will be tough to keep him out of the lineup against the New England Patriots, who have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. If Mixon doesn't play, Dameon Pierce (hamstring), who is likely to return this week, could handle starting duties. However, there's a chance Houston will opt to implement a three-headed backfield with Pierce, Cam Akers, and Dare Ogunbowale.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) was not spotted during the open portion of Thursday's practice, meaning he's likely to be listed as a "DNP" with a knee injury for the second straight day. Robinson missed the first day of practice last week and still played, but opening the week with two straight missed practices is far from ideal. If Robinson is in real danger of missing the Week 6 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, Austin Ekeler (heel) could become an RB2 option, while Jeremy McNichols could be utilized as a deep-league flex play. Through the first five weeks of the season, Robinson is the RB9 in half-PPR formats and has posted over 400 yards of offense. Ekeler and McNichols have looked good in limited roles, but Baltimore has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs through Week 5. Robinson's official game status will be announced Friday afternoon, so this is a "wait and see" situation.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday leading up to the Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets in Week 6. Shakir missed the Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans with an ankle injury, so he could reasonably sit out the AFC East contest. While the third-year wideout out of Boise State has not been a fantasy superstar this year, he's reached double-digit PPR points in all four active games, making him a solid flex option. Fellow wide receiver Curtis Samuel (foot) and receiving back James Cook (foot/toe) are also banged up, so Buffalo could have a depleted skill group. These injuries could clear the way for a big game from tight end Dalton Kincaid, but wideouts Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins will likely be more involved if at least two of the three banged-up pass-catchers can't suit up this week. However, the Jets have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers this year, so it could be an ugly passing attack for Buffalo on Monday night.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (foot/toe) is not practicing on Tuesday after missing Monday's practice with foot and toe injuries. The third-year ball carrier out of Georgia appears to be in real danger of missing the Week 6 game against the New York Jets, but the game is on Monday, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned throughout the week. Cook has three weekly RB1 finishes in PPR leagues, so his absence could be a major problem for his managers. If he can't play, veteran Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis will likely share the backfield against a New York Jets defense that has surrendered the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs in 2024.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) is in the "same" spot as Wednesday, according to head coach Brian Daboll, meaning he has not advanced to the next stage of the league's concussion protocol. There's still time for Nabers to clear the protocol, but his chances of playing on Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals is in doubt. Nabers didn't practice on Wednesday and will likely pick up another DNP on Thursday, which is bad news for fantasy managers that were expecting him back in Week 6 after he didn't get the green light to play in the Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The 21-year-old hasn't looked like a rookie at all in four games, catching a league-high 35 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers has already become a must-start in fantasy when he's active, but he could be on his way to a second straight missed game.UPDATE: Nabers did much less in practice on Thursday than on Wednesday in the portion of practice open to the media. He only rode an exercise bike on the side after running and doing more football-related drills on Wednesday.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon (collarbone) returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday. With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) sitting out the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars and not practicing yet this week, Sermon's status is worth watching closely. It's looking like Taylor is on track to miss his second straight game in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, so if Sermon gains clearance from his collarbone injury, he would once again operate as the Colts' primary running back this Sunday, with Tyler Goodson backing him up. The 25-year-old came through for fantasy managers that threw him in their lineups last weekend, carrying the ball 10 times for 38 yards and a score while adding six receptions for 25 yards. If Taylor is inactive and Sermon suits up, he'll be in play as an RB3/flex again against the Titans.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) were both absent from practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Pittman could be sidelined multiple weeks with his back injury, so fantasy managers should already be expecting him to miss the Week 6 contest against the division-rival Tennessee Titans this Sunday. Downs' status is a bit less clear, but with two DNPs already this week for him as well, his status is also firmly up in the air for the weekend. Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) hasn't practiced this week either, so Indy's offense could be missing three of their best playmakers against the Titans. If both Pittman and Downs are unable to play in Week 6, Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell would be the Colts' top-two wideouts for either quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) or Joe Flacco. Pittman is a candidate for Injured Reserve, which would sideline him at least four games.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Thursday that passing-game coordinator Todd Downing will take over the offensive play-calling from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after the organization fired head coach Robert Saleh earlier this week. Instead of also firing Hackett, the Jets instead are demoting him. Downing will have "the full say on the game plan and, ultimately, the plays that are called within the game," according to Ulbrich. Ulbrich also said he will remain the defensive coordinator and will continue to call plays. In 22 games under Hackett (only five full games with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this year), the Jets' offense ranked among the worst in the league, ranking 29th in points per game (16.4) and 30th in total yards per game (273). Rodgers is averaging only 6.0 yards per attempt, the lowest of his career through five games.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was not seen at practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Taylor suffered a minor high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and didn't play in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The fact that he has yet to practice this week doesn't bode well for his chances of returning this Sunday to face the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Backup Trey Sermon (collarbone) also was a DNP on Wednesday but returning to practice on Thursday, putting him in play to make a second straight start in Week 6. The 25-year-old Taylor said he's not dealing with as much pain in his ankle this week, but it doesn't mean he'll play on Sunday. Sermon had 10 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 25 yards in Taylor's absence last weekend, and he'll once again be in play as an RB3/flex in fantasy if he's active and Taylor is not against Tennessee.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said that tight end Tyler Conklin (hip) will be limited in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. Conklin apparently picked up a hip injury in the Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, where he had six catches on nine targets for 55 yards, his best performance of the season. As long as the 29-year-old doesn't suffer some sort of setback in the next two days, we think he'll be fine to play against the division-rival Buffalo Bills in Week 6 on Monday Night Football. He is coming off his best showing in 2024 and could get more involved in the passing game moving forward with pass-game coordinator Todd Downing taking over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Conklin's fantasy needle is ticking up right now against a vulnerable Bills defense. He'll have plenty of streaming appeal for fantasy managers this week as a low-end TE1.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) is still the team's featured running back when he was asked after the Week 5 win over the division-rival Indianapolis Colts if Tank Bigsby will start to see an increase in carries. "No. Travis is our guy. Tank had a good game. That's just the way games go. Happy for Tank. Great for the offensive line, obviously, in some of those situations there. Travis is our guy. Tank had a good game today, though," said Pederson. Over the last few weeks, Bigsby has rushed for 273 yards on 34 carries (8.03 yards per tote) and two touchdowns. He ranks fifth in the NFL with 18 missed tackles forced and first in rushing yards over expectation per attempt. Bigsby has become the team's power back, with Etienne remaining as an elusive, pass-catching back. Etienne's usage has slowed down over the last few weeks, and a nagging shoulder injury could be to blame. The bottom line is that despite Pederson's comments, Bigsby has outperformed Etienne and is deserving of a bigger workload.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (ankle, hamstring) will be limited in the first practice of the week on Thursday, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. He said that Rodgers will be ready to go for the Monday night contest in Week 6 against the visiting division-rival Buffalo Bills. The 40-year-old veteran picked up a low-ankle sprain and a hamstring injury in the Week 5 loss in London to the Minnesota Vikings. Despite Rodgers looking to be in significant pain when he injured his ankle, he didn't miss any snaps in the 23-17 loss. The future Hall of Famer should have an easier go of it against a banged-up Bills secondary this week after two rough performances the last two weeks in losses to the Broncos and Vikings. However, Rodgers is still nothing more than a low-end QB2 option in fantasy, at least until/if the Jets pull off a trade to reunite him with receiver Davante Adams.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers kicker Matthew Wright will look to make a good impression in his 2024 debut in Seattle on Thursday night. Wright was signed early in the week after starting kicker Jake Moody suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday against the Cardinals. Originally signed out of the University of Central Florida in 2020, Wright has bounced around the league, including multiple stints with Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Carolina, and San Francisco. His most productive year was 2021 with Jacksonville when he played in 14 games. Wright owns a career field goal percentage of 85.1, hitting 40 of 47 attempts. His career-long is 59 yards. While Wright is not as talented as Moody, the biggest factor in choosing a fantasy kicker is the strength of the offense, so for fantasy managers who see San Francisco spending a lot of time in Seahawks territory, Wright is a decent option. That said, there are probably safer bets available in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers officially signed free-agent DE Shaq Lawson (Bills) to their practice squad on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

From TheHuddle

The San Francisco 49ers D/ST unit is in Seattle in Week 6 to take on the Seahawks for the first of two 2024 matchups. The 49ers contributed nicely to fantasy scores in Week 5 against Arizona, the highlight being a blocked field goal for a touchdown by defensive back Deommodore Lenoir. The touchdown did a lot of salvage work though, as San Francisco only had one sack, one interception, and they allowed 24 points. Seattle's offense has been good, and comes in fully healthy, ranking seventh in the NFL in yards per game and 11th in points scored. The 49ers will be without starting safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) and starting cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee) is questionable. Treat the Niners' DST as a startable, but not elite choice in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee, ankle) was absent from practice on Wednesday. The talented tight end finally returned from an ankle injury in Week 5, but within mere minutes, he picked up a new knee injury. Njoku has yet to play a full game this season, and Wednesday's practice status suggests that he could end up being sidelined for Week 6, too. If that's the case, Jordan Akins will step up as the Browns' top tight end, ranking as a mid-to-low TE2 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. As the Bengals prepare for Week 6 against the New York Giants, there's a real chance they could be without their starting veteran tight end. Gesicki has 17 catches and 178 yards this year, but most of that production came over the first three weeks. His role has been drastically scaled back over the last two weeks, and now, it looks like he could be sidelined for Week 6. If so, rookie Erick All Jr., who has 14 catches through his last four games, would jump into the mid-to-low TE2 tier for fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (right shoulder) was a full participant during practice on Wednesday. The young signal-caller injured himself back in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, but a conveniently placed Week 5 bye allowed him to get healthy in time for the Titans' upcoming game against Indianapolis. The 25-year-old has been a turnover machine this year, logging six interceptions, three lost fumbles, and just four passing touchdowns so far. He should be avoided in fantasy football, ranking outside the top 24 fantasy quarterbacks.

From RotoBaller