Several notable names are slated for a return to action in Week 6, although a couple of quarterbacks face dimmer prognoses. Meanwhile, a couple of receivers are finally set to make their season debuts Sunday as well. Without further ado, here's the health outlook for prominent fantasy assets heading into Sunday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Vikings' Sam Bradford (knee) finds himself on the sidelines once again in Week 6 after putting in one half of ineffective football last Monday night. Case Keenum, who's generated 895 yards and a 4:0 TD:INT ratio in four games this season, will once again be behind center. However, he'll be without the services of Stefon Diggs (groin) and Dalvin Cook (knee), two players who certainly had a part to play in many of his successes thus far. Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and Michael Floyd figure to be Keenum's top trio of pass catching targets versus the Packers.
The Titans' Marcus Mariota (hamstring) appears headed for another game-time decision as the Titans take on Colts in a Monday night divisional battle. He was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, so he appears to have a true 50/50 chance of suiting up. Matt Cassel, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 141 yards with a touchdown and lost fumble against the Dolphins in Week 5, would once again step in if Mariota is unable to suit up. He'd draw a favorable matchup against an Indianapolis defense that's allowed 294.0 passing yards per game.
Several notable names are slated for a return to action in Week 6, although a couple of quarterbacks face dimmer prognoses. Meanwhile, a couple of receivers are finally set to make their season debuts Sunday as well. Without further ado, here's the health outlook for prominent fantasy assets heading into Sunday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Vikings' Sam Bradford (knee) finds himself on the sidelines once again in Week 6 after putting in one half of ineffective football last Monday night. Case Keenum, who's generated 895 yards and a 4:0 TD:INT ratio in four games this season, will once again be behind center. However, he'll be without the services of Stefon Diggs (groin) and Dalvin Cook (knee), two players who certainly had a part to play in many of his successes thus far. Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and Michael Floyd figure to be Keenum's top trio of pass catching targets versus the Packers.
The Titans' Marcus Mariota (hamstring) appears headed for another game-time decision as the Titans take on Colts in a Monday night divisional battle. He was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, so he appears to have a true 50/50 chance of suiting up. Matt Cassel, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 141 yards with a touchdown and lost fumble against the Dolphins in Week 5, would once again step in if Mariota is unable to suit up. He'd draw a favorable matchup against an Indianapolis defense that's allowed 294.0 passing yards per game.
The Colts' Andrew Luck(shoulder) continued his journey back to full health this past week with some 7-on-7 work, but he's already ruled out for the Monday night tilt versus the Colts. Jacoby Brissett, who threw for a career-high 314 yards against the 49ers in Week 5, will once again take the reins of the Indianapolis offense.
The Lions' Matthew Stafford (ankle) turned in full practices throughout the week but is still listed as questionable on the final Week 6 injury report. However, he's expected to play in what should be a favorable matchup against a Saints defense giving up 265.3 yards per game.
The Raiders' Derek Carr (back) returned to full participation Friday after limited sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and he will start in Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. His return upgrades the fantasy prospects of Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, although the former has been plagued by drop issues regardless of who's been behind center.
Tom Brady (shoulder) progressed from a non-participant at practice Wednesday to full participation by Friday, making him a full go for Sunday's divisional showdown against the Jets.
RUNNING BACKS
Leonard Fournette, the centerpiece of the Jaguars offense, was limited in both Wednesday's and Thursday's practices with an ankle injury but back as a full participant Friday. He's fully expected to suit up against a Rams defense allowing a robust 133.6 rushing yards per contest.
Fournette's teammate Chris Ivory (hip flexor) will also be ready to roll, considering he returned to a full practice session by Friday and avoided the final Week 6 injury report.
The Ravens' Terrance West (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Bears with the calf injury that he suffered early in the Week 5 contest against the Raiders.
The Lions' Dwayne Washington turned in a trio of limited practices with a quadriceps injury and is a true game-time call for Sunday's showdown against the Saints.
The Texans' D'Onta Foreman began the practice week limited with a hip injury, but he was off the final injury report by Friday. He'll thus serve in his typical complementary role alongside Lamar Miller against the Browns on Sunday.
The Jets' Matt Forte (toe) is set to take the field against the Patriots on Sunday following a full practice Friday. His return after a two-game absence would be particularly timely, considering that backfield mate Bilal Powell is a game-time decision due to his calf injury after not practicing Friday.
Ty Montgomery (ribs) was able to turn in three full practice sessions this week, making it highly likely that his absence will be limited to just last week's game versus the Cowboys. He's expected to play against the Vikings without restrictions and split carries with impressive rookie Aaron Jones as per latest reports, muddying the Packers backfield picture.
The Dolphins' Jay Ajayi (knee) had his usual day off Thursday but was back to practicing in full Friday. He'll be ready to go against the Falcons on Sunday.
The Giants' Paul Perkins (ribs) is already listed as out for Sunday's contest versus the Broncos, leaving Wayne Gallman, Orleans Darkwa and Shane Vereen to handle backfield duties once again.
Rex Burkhead (ribs) will be out for a fourth straight game against the Jets in Week 6.
The Raiders' DeAndre Washington (hamstring) is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Chargers after limited showings in practice throughout the week, a repeat of last week's pattern that led to an inactive designation against the Ravens. Jalen Richard would see a boost in snaps as the change-of-pace option behind Marshawn Lynch in Washington's absence.'
The Redskins' Rob Kelley (ankle) is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest versus the 49ers, and head coach Jay Gruden stated earlier in the week that he didn't expect him to play. Samaje Perine will handle early-down work against San Francisco, while Chris Thompson should be deployed in his typical complementary role against a 49ers defense that's allowed an average of seven receptions and 60 yards to running backs.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Vikings' Stefon Diggs (groin) is already ruled out for Sunday's battle with the Packers, leaving Adam Thielen, Michael Floyd and Laquon Treadwell as the top three wideouts, while also improving tight Kyle Rudolph's fantasy outlook.
The Dolphins' DeVante Parker is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest versus the Falcons with the ankle injury that prompted his early exit from last Sunday's win over the Titans. He's not expected to play as of early Sunday, and his absence would certainly boost the fantasy prospects of Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Leonte Carroo.
Despite turning in limited practice sessions throughout the week, the Falcons' Julio Jones (hip) was off the final Week 6 injury report and will be a full go versus the Dolphins. However, the news is nowhere near as good for Jones' teammate Mohamed Sanu (hamstring), who has already been ruled out for the contest. Taylor Gabriel and Justin Hardy, who'd missed Wednesday's practice with an illness, will each bump up a notch on the depth chart in Sanu's absence.
The Ravens' Jeremy Maclin was limited throughout the practice week with a shoulder injury, and is per early Sunday morning reports, his availability will be based on the results of a pre-game exam. Meanwhile, teammate Breshad Perriman (knee) turned in full participation on Thursday and Friday and should therefore be a full go.
The Chiefs' Chris Conley is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles against the Texans last Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Albert Wilson (knee) saw a sudden downgrade to questionable Saturday after turning in limited practices Thursday and Friday. The potential joint absences of Conley and Wilson would boost the prospects of Tyreek Hill, who off the final Week 6 injury report after being limited with a hamstring injury earlier in the week. Moreover, it would give the likes of De'Anthony Thomas and Demarcus Robinson some potential streaming value in very deep formats.
The Cardinals' John Brown was back to full participation by Friday's practice and shed his injury designation in advance of Sunday's battle against the Buccaneers.
That same applies for Brown's teammate J.J. Nelson (hamstring), who was also off the final Week 6 injury report.
The Browns' Kenny Britt (groin) was limited throughout the practice week and is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Texans. His second consecutive absence would once again mean increased opportunity for Rashard Higgins and Ricardo Louis, with the latter having recorded a team-high five receptions for 71 yards in Week 5.
The Lions' Kenny Golladay (hamstring) was limited throughout the practice week and is thus in danger of missing his third consecutive game Sunday. TJ Jones would once again serve as the third receiver against the Saints if Golladay sits.
The Jaguars' Marqise Lee (ribs) shook off his injury designation by Friday and will be a full go against the Rams on Sunday.
The Chargers' Dontrelle Inman (hamstring) will be ready to go against the Raiders after back-to-back full practices to finish off the week. However, the much bigger injury-related story among the San Diego wideouts is 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams (back), who's announced that he'll make his season debut Sunday after another trio of limited practices, although he'll be on a specific play count as per Sunday morning reports.
The Saints' Willie Snead (hamstring) was once again limited throughout the practice week, but he's expected to make his season debut versus the Lions on Sunday.
Sterling Shepard (ankle) is listed as out for the Giants' Week 6 battle versus the Broncos, although his long-term prognosis is significantly better than those of teammates Odell Beckham, Jr. and Brandon Marshall, who both suffered season-ending ankle injuries versus the Chargers in Week 5.
The Raiders' Amari Cooper (knee) is off the final Week 6 injury report and will suit up versus the Chargers on Sunday.
Corey Davis' hamstring injury will cost him a fourth consecutive game on Monday night versus the Colts. His absence will continue to afford Eric Decker and Taywan Taylor additional snaps.
TIGHT ENDS
Rob Gronkowski (thigh) is off the final Week 6 injury report and will thus be ready to roll against the Jets on Sunday.
The news is just as good for another star tight end, as Travis Kelce (concussion) has passed the league-mandated protocol and will suit up against the Steelers on Sunday.
George Kittle (chest), he of the breakout seven-catch, 83-yard, one-touchdown effort in Week 5, was off the final Week 6 injury report and will try to build on his stellar effort versus the Redskins on Sunday.
Jack Doyle (concussion/neck) apparently won't miss a second straight game, as he managed to turn in three full practices from Thursday through Saturday ahead of Monday's nights battle against the Titans.
KICKERS
The Falcons' Matt Bryant (back) is officially questionable for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins after turning in no better than a limited practice this week, said session having come on Friday. He's fully expected to suit up versus Miami as per early Sunday morning reports, but practice squad kicker Mike Meyer waits in the wings in case Bryant suffers a setback in pregame warmups.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
The Vikings' Andrew Sendejo (groin) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Packers.
The Packers' Morgan Burnett (hamstring) is out for the same contest after failing to practice throughout the week.
The Giants' Landon Collins (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Broncos but is expected to play.
The 49ers' Eric Reid is questionable for Sunday's matchup against Washington with the knee injury that's kept him out since Week 2.
The Cardinals' Karlos Dansby (hamstring) is questionable with a hamstring injury for Sunday's Week 6 tilt versus the Buccaneers after turning in limited practices all week.
The Buccaneers' Keith Tandy (hip) is already ruled out for Sunday's battle with the Cardinals, while fellow safety T.J. Ward is questionable with a hip ailment of his own.
The Falcons' Vic Beasley (hamstring) is free of his injury designation ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Dolphins.
The Packers' Joe Thomas (ankle) remains out for Sunday's matchup versus the Vikings.
The Bucs' Lavonte David (ankle) is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup versus the Cardinals after turning in limited practices throughout the week. However, teammate Kwon Alexander (hamstring) is already ruled out for his fourth consecutive contest despite practicing in limited fashion this week.
The Rams' Mark Barron (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup versus the Jaguars.
The Chiefs' Justin Houston (calf) was able to return to a limited practice by Friday and was off the final Week 6 injury report.
The Steelers' Ryan Shazier (quadriceps) was back to a full practice by Friday and is expected to suit up against the Chiefs on Sunday.
The Niners' Reuben Foster (ankle) is questionable to suit up versus the Redskins on Sunday.
The Browns' Myles Garrett (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's tilt versus the Texans.
The Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (knee) was a limited participant in Friday's practice but is expected to play versus the Browns.
The Giants' Olivier Vernon (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's battle with the Broncos.
Teammate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (suspension) is also out indefinitely.
The Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Bucs but is expected to play.
The Redskins' Josh Norman (ribs) is out for Sunday's matchup against San Francisco.
The Jaguars' Jalen Ramsey (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation after turning in a full practice Friday.
The Patriots' Stephon Gilmore (concussion) is out Sunday against the Jets.
The Texans' Johnathan Joseph (groin) was only able to turn in a single limited practice all week and is questionable for Sunday's battle with the Browns.
Muhammad Wilkerson's shoulder injury will make him a game-time decision against the Patriots.