Raiders star TE Brock Bowers (knee) to miss second straight game

Fri Oct 10 5:44pm ET
Field Level Media

Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, marking his second straight absence for Las Vegas due to a knee injury.

Bowers missed practice all week and coach Pete Carroll saw no reason to wait another few days to see if his condition improved.

"We're trying to make sure that once he's back, he stays back, and there's no setbacks," Carroll told reporters Friday.

Bowers attempted to play last week against the Indianapolis Colts but his pre-game efforts weren't productive and the Raiders made him one of their inactives.

Bowers was a huge breakout star as a rookie last season when he caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. The receptions were the most by a rookie in NFL history.

This season, Bowers has 19 receptions for 225 yards and no touchdowns in four games.

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said not having Bowers affects the entire offense.

"You lose the premier tight end in the NFL, and play calling is different," Kelly said. "... You have to be able to make adjustments when you lose players like that, and you've got to move on, because no one's feeling sorry for you when you have a guy down.

"So, that's just the nature of the game, and we're hopeful we'll get Brock back soon here. He's working his tail off to get back in the rehab process, so we'll see how that goes."

Tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) is expected to return against Tennessee after missing the past two games. He practiced in full and wasn't given a status designation on Friday. Mayer has six catches for 47 yards this season.

Punter AJ Cole (right ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis Friday and is listed as questionable.

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The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Hunter Henry Oct 11 12:30am CT
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is looking to bounce back as a reliable fantasy option during Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints. Henry wasn't heavily involved last Sunday against the Bills, catching just two passes for 46 yards as he turned in his second-worst fantasy performance of the season. He should be more involved this week against the Saints, and he has a great opportunity to produce in a big way. After all, New Orleans has allowed the second-most touchdowns and third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2025. Henry is Drake Maye's favorite target not named Stefon Diggs, and he should be a mid-to-low TE1 this week.

From RotoBaller

Stefon Diggs Oct 11 12:30am CT
Stefon Diggs

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been excellent lately, and he'll look to remain effective heading into Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints. Diggs has at least 100 yards in each of his last two games, including a phenomenal 10-catch, 146-yard performance against his old team, the Bills, last Sunday. The veteran receiver started slow this season but has suddenly broken out in a huge way, cementing himself as Drake Maye's favorite target. In addition to his track record, Diggs is a strong fantasy option for this week because of his matchup. We should see him thrive if he runs most of his routes out wide, as New Orleans has allowed the fewest fantasy points to slot receivers but the 10th-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers. He's a low-end WR2 for the time being.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Oct 11 12:10am CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson remains a must-start fantasy option heading into Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Ferguson has been excellent so far this season, ranking as the overall TE1 with his 41 catches, 272 yards, and three touchdowns through five games. He has continued to demonstrate a strong rapport with Dak Prescott, cementing himself as one of the top targets in an offense that racks up high yardage totals every week. The 26-year-old could be headed for another big outing on Sunday against the Panthers, who have allowed the most receiving yards and second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2025. Ferguson should be started with confidence in all leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Oct 11 12:10am CT
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will face the Detroit Lions in Week 6. Hunt handled seven carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns in their Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran running back also caught one pass for eight yards last week. Hunt averaged 7.0 yards per carry against the Jaguars, but a 33-yard run boosted his average. Hunt managed just 16 yards on his other six carries in the contest for a 2.7 yards per carry average. The 30-year-old has failed to average at 4.0 yards per carry in four of five games this season, but Kansas City has still given him the most valuable touches out of the backfield. Hunt is the primary goal-line and passing downs back for the Chiefs despite his inefficiency, and that trend should continue this week. Kansas City will take on the Lions in a game where the O/U is 52.5 and the Chiefs are favored by 2.5 points. There should be plenty of scoring in this week's contest, and Hunt could be the one scoring touchdowns in this Chiefs backfield. Hunt is ranked RB35 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, putting him in the RB3 conversation this week.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aubrey Oct 11 12:10am CT
Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey remains a top fantasy option heading into Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Aubrey is the overall K2 this season, and although that ranking is largely skewed by big performances in Weeks 1 and 2, he remains a threat to deliver a massive fantasy performance in any given week. In addition to being extremely accurate, Aubrey has one of the strongest legs in the league, making four kicks from at least 50 yards out so far. As a result, he should be started in all fantasy leagues despite the Panthers allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to kickers in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 11 12:00am CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye remains a must-start fantasy option heading into Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints. The 23-year-old ranks as the overall QB7 this season, racking up nine total touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has three touchdowns in two different games this season and also helped take down the NFL's only remaining undefeated team, the Buffalo Bills, last Sunday night. Maye has made huge strides in the start of his first full NFL season, showing signs of a very bright future. In the short term, he has a very favorable outlook this week against the Saints. Maye's track record pairs well with New Orleans' defense allowing the third-most passing touchdowns and eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Oct 11 12:00am CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is headed for a sizable role workload again during Sunday's Week 6 contest against the New Orleans Saints. Despite losing three fumbles through five games, he has held onto his lead-back role. Both Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson should see a slight uptick in touches with Antonio Gibson (knee) done for the year, but it seems like the former will remain the No. 1 running back in New England for the time being. He salvaged his fantasy performance last week with two touchdowns and could be headed for another strong outing against the Saints. New Orleans has allowed the 11th-most rushing yards, seventh-most receiving yards, and 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. Stevenson ranks as a mid-range RB3/flex this week.

From RotoBaller

TreVeyon Henderson Oct 11 12:00am CT
TreVeyon Henderson

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson remains relegated to the No. 2 role on the depth chart, but he could still carve out some fantasy relevance against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. Rhamondre Stevenson lost his third fumble of the season last Sunday, which is one reason why Henderson could be given more opportunities with the football this week. The rookie will also get more snaps and touches after Antonio Gibson (knee) was placed on season-ending injured reserve. While we expect Stevenson to handle the majority of the snaps again this week, Henderson should still carve out a role for himself, especially against a New Orleans defense allowing the 11th-most rushing yards, seventh-most receiving yards, and 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. Henderson is a low-end RB3/flex this week.

From RotoBaller

Joshua Karty Oct 10 11:50pm CT
Joshua Karty

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty is a top fantasy option heading into Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 23-year-old has been merely mediocre this year, ranking as the overall K18 with just 12 extra points and nine field goals. However, he should pad those stats this week against the Ravens, who have struggled on both sides of the ball. Baltimore has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2025, putting Karty in a great position to succeed. Just last week against the Ravens, Ka'imi Fairbairn went 5-for-5 on extra points and 3-for-3 on field goals, including one from at least 50 yards out. Karty will be busy on Sunday, giving him top-five upside in Week 6. For what it's worth, RotoBaller has Karty ranked as the #2 overall kicker in fantasy football this week.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Oct 10 11:50pm CT
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 6. Pacheco handled seven carries for 36 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards in their Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pacheco once again split carries with Kareem Hunt, and the latter found the endzone twice last week. Rostering Pacheco has been a frustrating task for fantasy managers, even though he's averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in three games this season. Despite his efficiency, Kansas City has still preferred Hunt in goal-line situations. It won't be easy to trust Pacheco again this week against the Lions, who are the highest-scoring team in the league. The Chiefs have the highest neutral pass rate in the league, and that trend should continue, given their game has a 52.5 O/U, the highest of the week. Pacheco is ranked RB41 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option despite his efficiency on limited touches.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Oct 10 11:50pm CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert is not a reliable fantasy option for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. While Tolbert experienced a short stint of fantasy relevance with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) sidelined, he has lost significant allure after seemingly being supplanted by Ryan Flournoy. Last week, Tolbert had one target and zero catches on a 77 percent snap share while Flournoy had nine targets, six catches, and 114 yards on a 57 percent snap share. The latter has earned additional snaps going forward, while Tolbert is seemingly no longer a dependable target in Dak Prescott's offense. Tolbert should drop to third on the depth chart this week behind Flournoy and George Pickens, keeping him off the fantasy radar in most leagues. Managers can drop him to waivers and find a different receiver with a more consistent role and greater upside.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Whittington Oct 10 11:40pm CT
Jordan Whittington

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Whittington has seen a decent workload at times this season, including Week 4 when he played 80 percent of the snaps. However, his production has been modest at best, as he has just seven catches for 89 yards and ranks as the overall WR99 in PPR leagues. Whittington and Atwell have both been off the fantasy radar in their roles behind alpha receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. That should remain the case, despite a favorable matchup against Baltimore. As long as Nacua and Adams are healthy, Whittington and Atwell can be left on waivers.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Oct 10 11:40pm CT
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell got off to a hot start this season but cooled off for fantasy purposes with two underwhelming outings before the team's Week 5 bye. He'll look to get back on track against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. The Browns have held kickers to the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game, as their defense has made it difficult for offenses to sustain drives. Still, it's difficult to imagine the Steelers emerging victorious on Sunday without the help of Boswell's leg. His lone miss this year came on a blocked field goal attempt in Ireland against the Vikings. Fantasy managers can likely find a safer streaming option in a more favorable matchup, but Boswell's ceiling remains among the highest at the position, making him a viable starter in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Oct 10 11:30pm CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been excellent this season, and he should continue to produce at a high level against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. The 24-year-old has at least 22 fantasy points (PPR) in all five games this season, ranking as the overall WR1 so far. He's on pace for 1,999 receiving yards, putting the NFL's single-season record and 2,000-yard milestone well within reach. From a fantasy perspective, Week 6 offers Nacua a chance to further widen the gap between him and the next-highest-scoring receiver. The star pass catcher gets a favorable matchup against the Ravens, who are banged up on both sides of the ball. Baltimore has surrendered the most receiving touchdowns and third-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Nacua should be started in every fantasy league.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Oct 10 11:30pm CT
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been underwhelming in his fifth professional season and will look to turn things around against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. With wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) sidelined this week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers could target his tight ends more frequently, but it's difficult to predict who will benefit most at the position. Though Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith were expected to be featured in the offense early on, it was Darnell Washington who led the group in snaps in Week 4. Given Cleveland's strong defensive front, the big-bodied Washington could be in line for more opportunities on Sunday, further limiting Freiermuth's fantasy output. Fantasy managers should steer clear of Pittsburgh's tight ends this week, leaving Freiermuth on the waiver wire in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 10 11:30pm CT
Davante Adams

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams is a very strong WR2 option in fantasy football ahead of his Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Adams has posted at least 13.8 fantasy points (PPR) in each of his last four games, including a touchdown in three of those four. The talented veteran hasn't been quite as dominant as teammate Puka Nacua, but he's still a must-start fantasy receiver, especially with a favorable matchup on tap. This week, Adams faces the Ravens, who are banged up on both sides of the ball. Baltimore has allowed the most touchdowns and third-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Adams is a top-18 fantasy receiver this week, and a touchdown could vault him into the top 12.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Oct 10 11:20pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears is not a reliable fantasy option heading into Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Spears returned from injured reserve last weekend, rushing for 14 yards on four carries in his season debut. The 24-year-old played one-quarter of the offensive snaps, and reporting out of Tennessee indicates that the Titans are gradually going to get Spears more involved. Tony Pollard has run well enough in the lead-back role to justify easing Spears into a split backfield, rather than feeding him double-digit touches in his first couple of weeks back. As a result, managers will need to continue expressing patience with the young running back. He's not a reliable fantasy starter this week, while Pollard is headed for a sizable role once again.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Oct 10 11:13pm CT
Javonte Williams

Dynasty | The Cowboys have placed running back Miles Sanders on season-ending injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: He will reportedly have season-ending knee surgery. It's been a disappointing fall from grace for Sanders, who lost any shot at a time-share early this season when Javonte Williams played much better than expected. Things have just not gone as expected since he left the Eagles as Sanders flamed out with the Panthers and struggled with Dallas. He'll look to latch on with a team next year but he's going to be placed on a lot of waiver wires this coming week.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Matthew Stafford Oct 10 11:10pm CT
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to build on a strong stretch of games as he takes on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Over his last two games, Stafford has completed 59 passes for 764 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions, ranking as the overall QB1 during that span. The veteran quarterback has shown that he can produce against strong defenses, so his Week 6 matchup against a very poor Ravens defense is all the more exciting. Baltimore has allowed the second-most fantasy points, the third-most passing yards, and the most passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. They also have just one interception. Seeing Stafford post a third consecutive game with three touchdowns and zero interceptions is not out of the picture. He should be started as a mid-to-low QB1 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Oct 10 11:10pm CT
George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens had only two catches in the Week 5 win over the Jets. While Ryan Flournoy led the way with six receptions (nine targets), Pickens at least had a touchdown, finding the end zone off of a 43-yard pass from Dak Prescott in the third quarter. With CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and KaVontae Turpin (foot) sidelined, Prescott will need others to step up once again in the Week 6 meeting with the Panthers. Although that could mean continued added involvement from Flournoy and Jake Ferguson, who had two touchdowns versus New York, Pickens is still considered the No. 1 option on the depth chart against Carolina, making him worthy of a place in any fantasy lineup.

From RotoBaller