Fantasy Football Week 6 injury report: Updates on Julio Jones, Christian McCaffrey, Baker Mayfield and more

A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction, and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.

Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.

ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT

ARIZONA CARDINALS

N/A

ATLANTA FALCONS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Julio Jones	WR	75.3	WR70	Hamstring	Questionable
Hayden Hurst	TE	54.8	TE9	Back	Questionable
Russell Gage	WR	72.4	WR40	Shoulder	Questionable

Mario’s take: Jones reinjured his hamstring in Week 4. The typical timeline for a Grade 1 strain is two to three weeks. Jones missed Week 5. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant on Friday. Jones will be back and play in Week 6.

Hurst and Gage were limited participants in practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I expect them both to play in Week 6.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Miles Boykin	WR	61.5	58	Thigh	Questionable

Mario’s take: Boykin popped up on the injury report Friday and was a limited participant at practice. It’s concerning to appear on the injury report for the first time this late in the week, but I believe it is a minor injury. I expect Boykin to play in Week 6.

BUFFALO BILLS

 

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Dawson Knox	TE	62.0	TE27	Calf	Questionable

Mario’s take: Knox exited the Tuesday night game early with a calf injury. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday. I am not optimistic he plays in Week 6.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Christian McCaffrey	RB	76.6	N/A	Ankle	Questionable
Curtis Samuel	WR	65.0	WR46	Knee	Questionable

Mario’s take: McCaffrey sustained a high ankle sprain during a TD run in the fourth quarter of his Week 2 game against the Buccaneers. He was placed on IR and will miss at least three weeks. McCaffrey's return-to-play timetable is around four to six weeks. 

Samuel was a limited participant in practice all week and I expect him to play in Week 6.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Auden Tate	WR	74.5	WR86	Hamstring	Doubtful

Mario’s take: Tate did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. He is listed as doubtful and I do not believe he plays in Week 6.

CHICAGO BEARS

N/A

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Baker Mayfield	QB	66.7	QB22	Ribs	Questionable
Jarvis Landry	WR	74.2	WR30	Ribs/Hip	Questionable
Odell Beckham Jr.	WR	76.7	WR19	Illness	Questionable

Mario’s take: Mayfield was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant on Friday. Mayfield will play in Week 6.

Landry did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. I believe they are managing his injuries and he will play through the discomfort in Week 6.

Beckham was sent home Thursday due to an illness and missed Friday’s practice. He has recovered from his illness and will play in Week 6. 

DALLAS COWBOYS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Dak Prescott	QB	85.2	N/A	Ankle	Out

Mario’s take: Prescott suffered a compound fracture in his ankle during the third quarter of his Week 5 game against the Giants. A compound fracture means that the bone has gone through the skin. It is unclear if he suffered multiple fractures or ligament damage, which would create an instability. The Cowboys quarterback underwent surgery immediately because the risk of infection is high. Typically, patients are immobilized from four to eight weeks and start weight-bearing exercises and physical therapy at six to eight weeks.

DENVER BRONCOS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Courtland Sutton	WR	72.9	N/A	Knee	IR
K.J. Hamler	WR	53.7	WR96	Hamstring	Out
Noah Fant	TE	65.1	TE29	Ankle	Questionable

Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

Hamler reinjured his hamstring in Week 4 and missed Week 5. He has missed practice all week and will not play in Week 6.

Fant suffered a minor ankle injury in Week 4 and he missed Week 5. Fant was a limited participant all week and I believe he will return to action in Week 6.

DETROIT LIONS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Adrian Peterson	RB	47.9	RB28	Illness	Questionable

Mario’s take: Peterson did not practice on Thursday due to an illness but was a full participant on Friday. He will play in Week 6.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

N/A

HOUSTON TEXANS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Jordan Akins	TE	72.4	TE32	Head	Questionable

Mario’s take: Akins was a limited participant all week and I expect him to be ready in Week 6.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Jordan Wilkins	RB	74.9	RB46	Calf	Questionable
Mo Alie-Cox	TE	91.3	TE34	Knee	Out

Mario’s take: Wilkins has not practiced since Wednesday and I do not expect him to play in Week 6.

Allie-Cox has not practiced all week and has been ruled out for Week 6.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
D.J. Chark	WR	76.5	WR68	Ankle	Questionable
Tyler Eifert	TE	54.5	TE31	Neck	Questionable

Mario’s take: Chark did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday.  He is expected to play in Week 6.

Eifert did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. I believe he has a great shot at playing in Week 6.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Sammy Watkins	WR	66.9	N/A	Hamstring	Doubtful

Mario’s take: Watkins injured his hamstring during the second quarter, and the severity is unclear. A Grade 1 strain typically requires one to two weeks to recover, and a Grade 2 strain takes three to six weeks to recover. Watkins did not practice on Thursday or Friday and I expect him to miss a couple of weeks.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Bryan Edwards	WR	70.6	N/A	Ankle	Out

Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of Week 3. He did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. He is considered week-to-week but has been ruled out for Week 6.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Austin Ekeler	RB	84.5	N/A	Knee	IR
Tyrod Taylor	QB	60.7	N/A	Chest	Out
Keenan Allen	WR	86.7	N/A	Back	Questionable

Mario’s take: Ekeler was carted off in the first quarter of Week 4. He hyperextended his knee at an awkward angle, immediately grabbed his hamstring and could not put any pressure on his left foot. Ekeler escaped with a Grade 2 hamstring tear; he will miss four to six weeks.

Taylor was shockingly pulled right before kickoff in Week 2 due to complications from a rib injury. He was given an intercostal nerve block by the team doctor pregame to help relieve pain, and the injection reportedly caused a complication known as pneumothorax — an air leak between the lung and chest wall. Essentially, a small hole can form if the needle goes too deep, thus causing an air leak. Pain is the determining factor as to when the player can return to play. The general timeline for a small pneumothorax is a minimum of two weeks. Now that Justin Herbert has been officially named as the team's starting quarterback, Taylor will take up backup duties once he is cleared to play.

Allen suffered back spasms during Week 5, but I expect him to be ready to play in Week 6.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

N/A

MIAMI DOLPHINS

N/A

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Dalvin Cook	RB	54.5	N/A	Hamstring	Out

Mario’s take: Cook suffered a groin injury in the third quarter. A Grade 1 strain typically takes one to two weeks to recover. Cooks did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 6. I expect him to return in Week 8 after his bye.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Julian Edelman	WR	71.9	WR32	Knee	Questionable

Mario’s take: Edelman was a limited participant all week and he will play in Week 6.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

N/A

NEW YORK GIANTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Saquon Barkley	RB	60.2	N/A	Knee	IR
Sterling Shepard	WR	68.5	N/A	Toe	IR
Darius Slayton	WR	76.7	WR26	Foot	Questionable

Mario’s take: Barkley sprained his MCL and tore his ACL and meniscus in the second quarter of Week 2. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

Shepard has been on IR for a toe injury the past three weeks. He has a chance to return in Week 6.

Slayton was a limited participant all week and I expect him to be ready for Week 6.

NEW YORK JETS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Sam Darnold	QB	58.7	N/A	Shoulder	Doubtful
Chris Hogan	WR	56.1	N/A	Knee	IR
Breshad Perriman	WR	56.3	WR81	Ankle	Questionable

Mario’s take: Darnold injured his shoulder after getting slammed to the turf in the first quarter of the Week 4 clash against the Broncos. He went into the locker room and came back out to play. Most likely, his X-rays came back negative, and he received an injection in his shoulder. I believe he has a Grade 1 A/C sprain. Return-to-play can take up to three weeks. He did not play in Week 5 and is out for Week 6.

Hogan was injured in Week 5 and was put on IR. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.

Perriman did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. He was a limited participant all week and I expect him to be ready for Week 6.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Dallas Goedert	TE	69.8	N/A	Ankle	IR
Alshon Jeffery	WR	–	N/A	Foot	Out
DeSean Jackson	WR	62.4	N/A	Hamstring	Out
Jalen Reagor	WR	54.4	N/A	Hand	Out

Mario’s take: Goedert fractured his ankle in Week 3. Typically, bone takes six weeks to heal, so he will miss the next five to seven weeks.

Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and returned to practice in a limited fashion. He is yet to play this season and is considered week-to-week. Jeffery was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday. He is trending towards making his season debut.

Jackson injured his hamstring in the second quarter. He has a history of injury, and this is a concerning injury for a speedster WR. Jackson did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. He was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday. I believe he returns to action in Week 6.

Reagor tore the UCL in his thumb during the game in Week 2. This is the same injury that caused Drew Brees to miss five games last year. Reagor has been put on IR and will miss at least three weeks. I would expect Reagor to miss three to five weeks in total.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Diontae Johnson	WR	73.4	WR69	Back	Out

Mario’s take: Johnson did not practice Wednesday, was a limited participant Thursday and did not practice on Friday. He has been ruled out for Week 6.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Jeff Wilson	RB	65.8	61	Calf	Questionable
Tevin Coleman	RB	65.8	N/A	Knee	IR
Jordan Reed	TE	86.9	N/A	Ankle	IR

Mario’s take: Wilson popped up on the injury report and didn’t practice on Thursday but was limited on Friday. It is never a good thing to show up on the injury report mid-week and I am not optimistic he plays in Week 6.

Coleman suffered a knee sprain in Week 2. He did not play in Week 3, Week 4, or Week 5. Coleman was placed on IR and will miss at least one more week.

Reed left the first quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second quarter. Later in the game, he was seen getting his knee checked out and was ruled out shortly after. Reed was placed on IR and will miss the next five to seven weeks.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Carlos Hyde	RB	59.9	N/A	Shoulder	Questionable

Mario’s take: Hyde missed Week 4 and Week 5 with a shoulder injury. I expect him to return in Week 7 after his bye.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Chris Godwin	WR	70.5	WR71	Hamstring	Questionable
Mike Evans	WR	67.0	WR7	Ankle	Questionable
Leonard Fournette	RB	68.2	RB39	Ankle	Questionable
LeSean McCoy	RB	53.2	N/A	Ankle	Out
O.J. Howard	TE	80.1	N/A	Ankle	IR
Scotty Miller	WR	65.6	WR59	Hip/Groin	Questionable
Rob Gronkowski	TE	66.3	TE16	Shoulder	Questionable

Mario’s take: Godwin, McCoy and Gronkowski were limited participants in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practice. They were full participants on Friday and expect all of them to play in Week 6.

Fournette was a limited participant all week. He will play in Week 6 but with a limited workload. 

Miller was a  limited participant all week and I expect him to play in Week 6.

Evans did not practice on Wednesday last week but he played through the injury in Week 5. He missed practice Wednesday but was a limited participant at practice on Thursday and Friday. I expect Evans to follow the same timeline as last week and play in Week 6.

Howard ruptured his Achilles in Week 4. He was placed on IR and will miss the rest of the season.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Darrynton Evans	RB	52.3	RB70	Hamstring	Questionable

Mario’s take: Evans did not practice all week and I do not believe he plays in Week 6.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Dwayne Haskins Jr.	QB	46.7	N/A	Illness	Questionable
Steven Sims Jr.	WR	62.9	N/A	Toe	IR

Mario’s take: Haskins has not practiced all week due to an illness but returned as a full participant on Friday.

Sims was placed on IR with a toe injury, ruling him out for at least the next two games.

 

Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.