Week 6 saw some very high-scoring games and huge fantasy outputs by some of the league’s elite players. It also saw several key players go down with injuries of varying degrees. One of the most difficult aspects of managing a fantasy roster is making decisions on players with nagging injuries without any clarity on whether they are going to play. This is why you need to be diligent and check the injury reports every day of the week because it will affect your strategy for the upcoming week. So without any further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the 2018 fantasy football emergency room.
Cooper Kupp (WR-LAR)
The Rams passing game was slowed down a bit this past weekend against Denver and the injury to Cooper Kupp likely played a part in that. Kupp suffered a knee injury which will likely keep him out of this coming Sunday’s game against San Francisco. Kupp has been stellar thus far this season catching 30 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns. He is considered week-to-week and will be replaced by a combination of Josh Reynolds and Gerald Everett . The timing of this injury is unfortunate because Kupp would have had a great matchup against a 49ers defense that was just shred to pieces by Aaron Rodgers .
Amari Cooper (WR-OAK)
There are few more frustrating players to own on a fantasy roster than Amari Cooper . He has been wildly inconsistent and failed to live up to his expectations. He suffered a concussion in Week 6 against Seattle and will have a bye this week to try and get ready for Oakland’s next game against Indianapolis. Cooper has 22 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown, although most of those statistics were accumulated in two games. The Raiders are reportedly trying to trade him, but both Oakland and fantasy GMs will find that others are not going to be willing to give up much for him.
Devonta Freeman (RB-ATL)
Freeman has barely played this year and reports out of Atlanta already expect him to miss Week 7 against the Giants as well. He has been dealing with a foot injury and there is no indication when he might be able to return. It would have been a golden opportunity to get Freeman back on track against a struggling Giants defense, but those chances will go to Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith . You cannot drop him because he still has a chance to be productive before the fantasy playoffs begin. However, it is frustrating to have a roster spot dedicated to stashing the perpetually injured Falcon.
Dalvin Cook (RB-MIN)
Cook was inactive this past weekend against Arizona which came out of nowhere after had been on track to return in a limited capacity. Minnesota did not think he looked ready before the game so he was held out yet again with a hamstring issue. Latavius Murray stepped in and had a big game in his absence, so the Vikings may not be inclined to rush him back for Week 7 against the Jets. Follow for further updates later in the week but do not count on Cook for much even if he is active this weekend.
Baker Mayfield (QB-CLE)
The first overall pick in the 2018 draft suffered an ankle injury this past weekend but it is not expected to affect his status for Week 7. The Browns confirmed that he is fine and may see some limited reps in practice to keep him healthy. Mayfield has an appetizing matchup for Week 7 against Tampa Bay whose defense continues to get lit up like a Christmas tree. He has thrown for 1,076 yards along with four touchdowns and five interceptions since making his debut, and he should be considered a streaming option this week despite having limited options at wide receiver.
Calvin Ridley (WR-ATL)
Falcons rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley suffered a bone bruise in his ankle and is questionable for next Monday night’s game against the Giants. Ridley has been stellar thus far with 22 catches for 349 yards and six touchdowns. Atlanta is hopeful that Ridley can play on Monday night, as are fantasy GMs who are salivating at the matchup against the 1-5 Giants. With Devonta Freeman out, look for Matt Ryan to take to the air against a susceptible Giants defense where Ridley would be a big part of the passing attack.
Quincy Enunwa (WR-NYJ)
The Jets offense has been surprisingly good this year with rookie Sam Darnold under center. Quincy Enunwa has been one of his favorite targets thus far with 22 catches for 287 yards and one touchdown. Enunwa suffered a high ankle sprain which is going to sideline him for three weeks or more. This should open up more targets for Jermaine Kearse and Terrelle Pryor in the next few weeks. Enunwa is not good enough to be stashed so feel free to set him loose.
Mohamed Sanu (WR-ATL)
Atlanta is dealing with a wrath of injuries including Mohamed Sanu who suffered a hip injury. The good news is that the Falcons play on Monday night so Sanu will have an extra day to rest and recover for the chance to play against the Giants on national television. Sanu has 22 catches for 303 yards and three touchdowns thus far and would be a viable WR3 or Flex option in Week 7 if he is healthy enough to play.
Leonard Fournette (RB-JAX)
Fournette was expectedly held out of this past week’s game against Dallas with a hamstring injury that has been bothering him since Week 1. Earlier reports indicated that he would be out through Week 9 but there is some discussion about him possibly being able to return for Week 7. Take that with a grain of salt because Fournette has not demonstrated any ability to fully heal and stay on the field.
Josh Allen (QB-BUF)
The Josh Allen era in Buffalo has not exactly set the world on fire as he has thrown for 832 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions. However, he has rushed for 155 yards and scored three touchdowns so perhaps he would be better served playing running back. Allen suffered an elbow injury late in the game against Houston on Sunday and had to be replaced. It is unknown whether he will be able to play this weekend against Indianapolis. No matter who lines up under center, whether it is Allen, Nathan Peterman or Derek Anderson , the Colts may be a sneaky streaming D/ST option for Week 7.
Matt Bryant (K-ATL)
Veteran kicker Matt Bryant suffered a strained hamstring this past weekend against Tampa Bay and will be out for Week 7 against his former team. Bryant has always been one of the better fantasy kickers in the league and this year was no different after going 9-for-9 in field goals and making 16 out of 17 extra point attempts. Atlanta is rumored to be looking at Giorgio Tavecchio as Bryant’s replacement.
ON THE MEND
T.Y. Hilton (WR-IND)
Hilton has missed the past couple games with injuries to his hamstring and chest. He is considered week-to-week and has been desperately missed by Andrew Luck and the Colts. Hilton is a WR1 when healthy but we will have to wait for more updates later in the week to see if he is able to return for a matchup against the Bills in Week 7.
Evan Engram (TE-NYG)
Engram has missed the past several games with a knee injury but is on track to return for Monday night’s game in Atlanta. The Giants played on Thursday night last week which was too quick a turnaround for him to come back, but with the extra days before Week 7 there is every expectation that he will be back on the field with an opportunity to exploit a depleted Falcons defense.
Chris Thompson (RB-WAS)
The Redskins were without Chris Thompson this past weekend against the Panthers as he was dealing with injuries to his ribs and knee. He did practice last week despite being held out, so assuming he does not have any setbacks this week he should be in line to return for Week 7. Thompson is a solid RB2 or Flex option in PPR leagues thanks to his pass catching ability in which he has caught 26 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown thus far.