Week 6 DFS NFL Injury Report and Updates
Daily Fantasy Football is one of the most popular DFS contests for good reason, as each Sunday is full of action and excitement. Every week, we’ll bring you our top DFS NFL GPP plays and Cash Game plays for contests on FanDuel and DraftKings. We’ll also provide an article every Monday to update you on the key injuries across the NFL and discuss how they might effect playing time and production for healthier players going forward.
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Key DFS NFL Injuries for Week 6 Lineups
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants (Fractured Ankle)
The Giants bad luck apparently knows no bounds, as they also lost No. 2 and 3 WRs Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard to ankle injuries in a loss to the previously winless Chargers. To make matters even worse, WR/KR Dwayne Harris (broken foot) is out indefinitely as well. But the massive injury worth noting is Beckham’s, which may very well be a season-ender and would leave Marshall and Shepard fighting for scraps in a defunct Giants offense once they get back on the field. Rookie TE Evan Engram should see an increased workload along with Roger Lewis, but this mainly makes the Giants offense a plum target for D/ST units in DFS. – UPDATE: Beckham and Marshall both out for season
Orleans Darkwa, RB, New York Gians (Left game with calf injury)
The G-Men also lost their most reliable running back, well at least in the eyes of HC Bob McAdoo. He threw some water on Wayne Gallman’s impressive debut in Week 4 by saying the rookie still has “a lot to learn” and proceeded to give Darkwa the primary workload against the Chargers on Sunday. Yet once Darkwa left the game, Gallman turned 16 touches into 82 yards in equally efficient fashion, so he’ll serve as a reliable fill-in if the Giants need a RB to carry the load with virtually all their WRs injured ahead of a brutal road tilt in Denver next Sunday.
Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets (Left game with calf injury)
Powell’s role as Jets workhorse didn’t last very long at all, as he left their third straight win in the first half with an apparent calf injury. What seems like more of a pulled muscle or cramp than a long-term issue may not keep him out for multiple weeks, but it opens the door for rookie Elijah McGuire to handle work on early downs and new acquisition Travaris Cadet to work as a third-down back, provided Matt Forte (toe) remains out as well. UPDATE: Listed as day to day
Terrance West, RB, Baltimore Ravens (Left game with calf injury)
The Ravens muddled backfield would become a bit clearer if West is ruled out ahead of a Week 6 matchup against Chicago. Unlike Powell’s calf injury, West’s seemed to be far more serious, as he was carted to the locker room in the first quarter at Oakland. Once he left, Javorious Allen and Alex Collins split the load, with the former and more entrenched Allen handling 21 carries and 4 receptions on 12 targets. Allen also received a cupcake touchdown from the 1-yard line and will be a high-usage, appealing mid-tier play with West inactive, while Collins appears to be a change-of-pace option.
DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins (Left game with ankle injury)
Parker couldn’t make the most of a plus matchup because he too suffered an ankle injury in Week 5. While he left the stadium on crutches, Parker was also warming up on the sidelines after sustaining the injury in the first quarter, so it may simply be a low-ankle sprain that won’t keep him out next Sunday. He may have to do battle with Falcons shutdown CB Desmond Trufant, which is a different concern, but in any case his inactivity or limitations would funnel more targets towards Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills as Miami likely struggles to match points in Atlanta next Sunday.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans (Inactive in Week 5- hamstring)
With Mariota out last Sunday, the Titans offense was nearly as dysfunctional as that of the Dolphins. Matt Cassell failed to get a receiver over 34 yards as Tennessee net just 188 yards from scrimmage in a 16-10 loss. Cassell also coughed up a fumble six to the Dolphins and the Titans will remain a plum target for opposing D/ST units with Mariota expected to miss at least one more week.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions (Dealing with ankle injury)
This is simply a nick to note, as Stafford is unlikely to miss any time with an apparent ankle injury that left him hobbled during a 27-24 loss to Carolina last Sunday. He took a ton of hits in that game and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more of a quick-hit passing attack from Detroit going forward in an effort to keep him healthy, resulting in more targets for Golden Tate and T.J. Jones over the middle as opposed to Marvin Jones Jr. down the boundaries. UPDATE: Team optimistic Stafford will play
Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs (Concussion protocol)
The Chiefs leading receiver took a shot on his way to the ground in their fifth consecutive win to open the season. While Kelce tried to flex and do his annoying bit after the long gain, he was clearly nautious and/or hurt from a possible concussion and will have to jump through the league’s hoops to get cleared for Week 6. If Kelce is out, the Chiefs offense will become even more multiple with Tyreek Hill likely leading the team in targets especially with Albert Wilson (leg) banged up and Chris Conley (Achilles) done for the season. Also look for Andy Reid to use De’Anthony Thomas on more gadget plays if those players are inactive. UPDATE: In league concussion protocol
Charles Clay, TE, Buffalo Bills (Left game with knee injury)
The Bills lost their leading receiver to what could be a serious knee injury, as Clay was hit low and carted off in the first half of a loss to the Bengals. He’ll get an MRI to determine the nature of the injury, but with Jordan Matthews (thumb) already ruled out for the month, the Bills are dangerously thin on receiving options. Perhaps Zay Jones and/or career return specialist Brandon Tate will fill the void, but the best punt play to consider after Buffalo’s Week 6 bye. UPDATE: Will miss multiple weeks
**Of note, JJ Watt broke a bone in his leg, so the Texans D/ST took a major blow on Sunday as well.
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