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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) closer to returning to action

Thu Oct 10 9:44pm ET
Field Level Media

Following his first two full practices since early September, the Pittsburgh Steelers' Russell Wilson is closer to making his season debut as a backup rather than the emergency quarterback.

Justin Fields, who became the starter when Wilson strained his calf in a Sept. 5 practice, remains QB1 for the Steelers (3-2) going into their Sunday road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3).

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, pledges to be ready whenever the time comes to see his first regular-season action since signing with the Steelers as a free agent in March. He practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday, but his status for Sunday had not been determined.

"I've played a lot of football games, have been in a lot of moments," Wilson, 35, said on Thursday. "I don't fear them. Getting ready to go and rock and roll.

"I feel confident that I'll be ready to play ... and play at a high level. I think we're being really smart, too, and trying to understand exactly how I feel."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Wilson is healthy enough to practice without restrictions. How well the veteran QB practices and his ability to protect himself will determine what the Steelers do from here. Wilson was inactive for the first five games.

Wilson was named the starter following the final preseason game in August but was limited in practice before the Week 1 opener at Atlanta. His status did not change from there, with Fields leading the Steelers to three wins to open the season before the team dropped its past two games.

Fields, 25, has completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes for 961 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in five starts. He also has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.

Wilson last started a game on Christmas Eve before the Denver Broncos benched him for the final two 2023 regular-season games in a contract dispute that led to the former Super Bowl winner being released.

"For me, I'm preparing my mind to get ready to go," Wilson said. "That's my mentality and help us win, whatever that is. I'm just getting prepared for Friday.

"It's not like I haven't been out there. I've gotten a lot of reps over this time. I have a lot of confidence with our guys and who we are."

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The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Jake Ferguson Oct 11 10:10am CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is a no-brainer start heading into Sunday's matchup with the Detroit Lions. The home game has the highest implied point total of any game this week (52), and Dallas will lean into the passing game per usual with Detroit's third-ranked run defense on the other side of the ball. Ferguson has averaged over eight targets per game since returning from injury in Week 3 and will continue to see a healthy workload on Sunday. Start the 25-year-old in all formats, as he has TE1 overall upside this week.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Oct 11 10:10am CT
Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys' defense played one of their better games in Week 5, as they held Pittsburgh to just 17 points. They had three sacks and forced two fumbles, stringing together a solid fantasy outing after struggling the previous few weeks. This week, they welcome the red-hot Detroit Lions into town. Detroit is coming off of a bye having scored 42 points in their prior game against Seattle. They will be well-rested with plenty of time to prepare a game plan, creating a tough matchup. Trevon Diggs (ankle/illness), Eric Kendricks (calf/shoulder), and Micah Parsons (ankle) have all missed significant practice time this week and could cause Dallas to be short-handed on the defensive side of the ball this week. Look elsewhere for your fantasy defense for Week 6.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Oct 11 10:00am CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb disappointed fantasy managers in Week 5 with five receptions for 62 yards. This week, Lamb is in a prime position for a big week. The Cowboys welcome the Detroit Lions to town in a game with the highest implied point total (52) of the week. Detroit's rush defense is sound, creating an environment where Dallas may lean even more into the pass than usual. They do not have a shutdown corner, meaning Lamb should draw favorable matchups. The 25-year-old grades as the WR1 overall this week and needs to be started everywhere.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Oct 11 10:00am CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert is coming off of the best game of his career in which he caught the game-winning pass against Pittsburgh. Tolbert is a strong flex option in Week 6's matchup with the Detroit Lions. Detroit's tough run defense will only lead Dallas to lean even heavier into the pass, creating plenty of opportunities for Tolbert to get involved with Brandin Cooks (knee) on injured reserve. Tolbert solidified himself as Dallas' WR2 last week and is a safe start with a high ceiling in a potential shootout this week.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Oct 11 9:50am CT
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott remains a top fantasy option ahead of Week 6's matchup with the Detroit Lions. Prescott is currently third in the league in passing yards per game behind just Geno Smith and Jordan Love and should continue to put up big numbers against Detroit's softer secondary. The Lions' defense has been a pass-funnel defense all season long, as they rank third in run defense but sixteenth in pass defense. Their defensive weaknesses match up well with Dallas' offensive strengths, creating a potential shootout with many fantasy points to go around. Prescott should benefit, as he grades as one of the top quarterback options for Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Oct 11 9:50am CT
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has asserted himself as the workhorse running back over the past two weeks, most recently taking 65% of rushing attempts in Week 5's win. Although Dowdle should see a heavy workload in Week 6 against Detroit, the matchup is one of the toughest on paper. Detroit has allowed the seventh-least fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, likely making Dowdle a touchdown-dependent option this week. With that being said, there will likely be a lot of touchdowns in this game given that it has the highest projected point total of any game this week (52). Dowdle grades as a low-end RB2 option this week.

From RotoBaller

Ezekiel Elliott Oct 11 9:50am CT
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has seen his role diminish in the past few weeks. Elliott has taken a clear step back to Rico Dowdle, who had 22 touches compared to his six last week. This week, Dallas draws a tough running back matchup against Detroit. With Elliott's diminished workload along with a tough matchup, he should not be started anywhere this week. Elliott can be safely dropped in most formats, as he now serves as Dowdle's handcuff.

From RotoBaller

Andy Dalton Oct 11 8:50am CT
Andy Dalton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton revived the offense for a couple of weeks until they ran into the Chicago Bears defense in Week 5. Dalton watched the end of the game from the bench as Bryce Young returned under center for a bit in the fourth quarter. In Week 6, the Panthers will take on the Atlanta Falcons who have some holes in their defense but haven't given up too many big fantasy outings to opposing quarterbacks. They're averaging 17.3 fantasy points allowed per game which slots them right in the middle of the pack. The Falcons offense, led by Kirk Cousins, will likely come out firing against a weak Panthers defense, so this game could turn into a huge passing effort from Dalton as long as he plays the entire contest. With a banged-up receiving corps, however, it doesn't seem too likely that Dalton will register a big week.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Owens Oct 11 8:40am CT
Jonathan Owens

Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) has officially been ruled out for the team's Week 6 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Brisker has been one of the leaders of a very good defensive unit that has kept the Bears in striking distance every game. They enter this week as a top-four unit in terms of fantasy points scored so far this season. Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens are the next two safeties on the depth chart and Hicks will likely be the one to take over for Brisker in this game. The Jaguars finally bounced back with a win in Week 5, but Trevor Lawrence has proven to slip up more often than not, so this defense has serious potential.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Oct 11 8:20am CT
Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has enjoyed some big fantasy success over the last few weeks since Andy Dalton took over as the starting quarterback. He's registered finishes of RB7, RB7, and RB5 in half-PPR formats across those weeks. After a brief offensive improvement to win their first game, the offense has slowly returned to the not-so-great version we've seen before. Now, Hubbard goes up against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6 who are the fifth-toughest defense against opposing running backs. They're only allowing an average of 15.9 fantasy points per game to backfields. Hubbard remains the best starting option from the Panthers' offense, but his upside is limited if the Falcons can get out to an early lead.

From RotoBaller

Zamir White Oct 11 8:00am CT
Zamir White

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) did not participate in practice on Thursday, his fourth DNP in a row since last week. He wasn't able to suit up for their last game against the Denver Broncos after picking up a groin injury during practice last week. Now, it seems he's on his way to miss another game. White hasn't been able to find a rhythm as the lead back this season, and Alexander Mattison earned more carries even when White was playing. Since the Raiders haven't played with a lead very often, the backfield has suffered on top of that. If White still can't get on the field this week, Ameer Abdullah will slot in as the backup to Mattison again.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Oct 11 8:00am CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) technically won the starting job in training camp, but hasn't been able to take the field due to a calf injury. In fact, the Steelers were ready to trot him out as the starter in Week 1 until the calf flared up a few days before kickoff, allowing Justin Fields to step in earlier than expected. Since then, Wilson has dressed as the emergency QB and has slowly worked his way to taking second-team reps. Head coach Mike Tomlin didn't explicitly say that Wilson would eventually take his spot back, but he said that "the door is ajar" in terms of a potential QB swap. While Fields has looked much improved from his days with the Chicago Bears, the passing game leaves a lot to be desired. Wilson may get the chance to see if he can breathe new life into it.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Oct 11 7:50am CT
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receivers Davante Adams (hamstring) and Jakobi Meyers (ankle) both registered DNPs for Thursday's injury report. Reports last week suggested that Adams would be healthy by this week, but as the week has progressed, he's increasingly been unlikely to play in Week 6's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is all while the team is looking for trade partners for the superstar receiver even though the trade market looks like it's going cold due to their asking price. Meyers, on the other hand, reportedly "seemed fine" and missing practice was more to make sure he's healthy by game time. Fantasy managers should still monitor his status leading up to the mid-afternoon kickoff on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Oct 11 5:10am CT
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (foot/toe) was limited in Thursday's practice. Despite being limited, he was back on the field after missing Wednesday's practice. Samuel has been dealing with a foot/toe injury from a turf toe issue that has lingered since the preseason. This adds to a Bills injury report already crowded at the wide receiver position, with Khalil Shakir (ankle) and Mack Hollins (shoulder) also dealing with injuries. Samuel will have a few more chances to log a full practice to avoid an injury designation ahead of Monday's matchup with the New York Jets. The 28-year-old caught just one pass for zero yards in last week's loss to the Texans, despite his increased playing time. Samuel has been a non-factor in fantasy so far and is a dart throw (ranked WR70 at RotoBaller) at best in a tough matchup against the Jets in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Oct 11 5:00am CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) was limited in Thursday's practice session. He has now been limited in back-to-back practices ahead of the week's final session on Friday. Although it is not clear if Herbert will be a full participant tomorrow, there is a belief that he has made progress with his ankle. Herbert looked clearly hobbled in the team's last game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he threw for just 179 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers are coming off a bye week, giving Herbert more time to recover before a divisional matchup with the Denver Broncos. Herbert is mainly an option in 2QB and Superflex leagues in Week 6, as he's ranked QB23 out of all quarterbacks in the latest RotoBaller rankings.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Oct 11 4:50am CT
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) did not participate in Thursday's session. This makes the second straight missed practice for Edwards, who was not on the field Wednesday either. If he does not practice on Friday, it is unlikely he will suit up for the Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Edwards' last action was before the bye week when he ran the ball six times for 19 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Edwards is rostered in 33% of leagues and is not on the fantasy radar, even if he is healthy for Week 6. Kimani Vidal should see an uptick in snaps if Edwards is ruled out in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Rashod Bateman Oct 11 4:50am CT
Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (groin) was limited in Thursday's practice. This was Bateman's first practice of the week after missing Wednesday's session. He is battling a groin injury heading into Sunday's matchup with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders' secondary is ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers. Bateman is coming off his best performance of the season, receiving eight targets and catching four of them for 58 yards and a touchdown. If active, Bateman will look to capitalize on a favorable matchup and build upon that success if the groin injury doesn't hold him back. Bateman is ranked RotoBaller's WR53, making him a borderline flex play in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Oct 11 4:30am CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle amplified his dominance at the fantasy tight end position during a 36-24 Thursday night victory in Seattle. The two-time First-team All-Pro caught five of six targets for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Kittle now has five touchdowns in his last four games and is averaging 14.5 points per game in Yahoo default scoring, while second place is held by Dallas Goedert and Brock Bowers at 10.5. That's the widest margin between two consecutively ranked players in the entire tight-end landscape. Kittle has had similar stretches during his career and he's always been streaky, so fantasy managers who have been propelled by Kittle to early winning records may consider selling high to win-desperate teams. Kittle and the Niners will face the Kansas City Chiefs at home in a Week 7 Super Bowl LVIII rematch.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Oct 11 3:50am CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings contributed modestly to a 36-24 victory over the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday night. The former seventh-rounder caught three of five targets for 27 yards. While conventional wisdom held that Jennings would fade into the background after his monster performance in Week 3 upon the return of George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. from injury, he has maintained more relevance in San Francisco's offense than expected. For example, Jennings has out-targeted Brandon Aiyuk in three of the past four weeks and has only one fewer reception than Deebo Samuel Sr. in the past three weeks. Still, Jennings will be a touchdown-dependent low-floor FLEX when the 49ers have their main pass-catchers healthy, including in a Week 7 rematch of Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at home.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Oct 11 3:10am CT
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. popped off in a 36-24 victory over the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday night. The former South Carolina Gamecock caught three of five targets for a team-high 103 yards and a touchdown. He also took four carries for 15 yards rushing. The first touchdown of Week 7 came on a 76-yard catch-and-run when a Seattle defensive back misread the trajectory of the ball, leaving Samuel Sr. to easily outrun a linebacker to the end zone. Samuel Sr. has now exceeded projections in three of five games in 2024. He'll have some extra time to enjoy the win before a Week 7 marquee matchup at home versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

From RotoBaller