Good Morning! The fantasy football injury report touches on 7 players today. I look through each injury situation and identify who the next person is on the depth chart and whether they have fantasy value.
QB: Lamar Jackson
RBs: Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, Josh Jacobs, Jamaal Williams, Damien Williams
WR: DK Metcalf
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson (QB) - The athletic quarterback was absent from practice on Thursday while dealing with an illness. This is worth keeping an eye on due to his absences the past couple of weeks due to wear and tear. Tyler Huntley is the backup to Lamar, and he’s thrown 18 career pass attempts, completing half of them for 75 yards and rushed for 55 yards.
Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey (RB) - The star running back was on track to return to play this week against the Vikings on Sunday prior to yesterday. He had practiced on Wednesday but was absent on Thursday resulting in some serious concern. Chuba Hubbard has been the starter with McCaffrey out, putting up a 100-yard game last week and 284 total yards over the last three.
Chicago Bears: Damien Williams (RB) - With David Montgomery already on the mend, this positive COVID test for Williams really puts Chicago in a spot. Khalil Herbert will be RB1 if Williams doesn’t test out. The rookie had 75 yards last week on a team high 18 carries. Ryan Nall would back up Herbert and he’s touched the ball 13 times the last three years.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Mixon (RB) - The starting back has been banged up the last couple of weeks, culminating with losing a significant portion of his touches in Week 5. He is dealing with an ankle issue and that kept him from practice on Thursday. If he struggles this week, Samaje Perine will take some carries with Chris Evans doing the work on passing downs. Perine has 141 total yards this season with 27 touches, and Evans has five receptions for 55.
Detroit Lions: Jamaal Williams (RB) - After being limited in practice on Wednesday, Williams was absent from the team yesterday with an illness. The team did indicate that his hip should be okay to go this week, and now it’s a matter of being healthy. D’Andre Swift is the lead back, and will likely see an increase in his touches in Week 6. The team's 7th round pick Jermar Jefferson would be the guy to play if Williams can’t go on Sunday. Jefferson had 18 rushes for 72 yards in the preseason along with two receptions for 6 yards.
Las Vegas Raiders: Josh Jacobs (RB) - Shortly after being removed from the injury report for the first time this season, Jacobs missed practice on Thursday with an illness. It isn’t clear whether he tested positive for COVID or not though. Peyton Barber and Kenyan Drake split the carries earlier in the year when Jacobs was out. Barber totaled 174 yards in three games and Drake has 195 in five.
Seattle Seahawks: DK Metcalf (WR) - The big bodied wide receiver missed practice on Thursday as he was put on a rep count by the coaching staff to protect his foot. He has missed practice the last couple of weeks at points. Freddie Swain is WR3 and would see more targets if Metcalf was out. Swain has 155 total yards this season on 13 touches.