Week 6 is in the books and to say the least it was a much quieter slate of games as far as injuries go. Let’s get real. The biggest news of the week was the Pittsburgh Steelers took down the Geno Smith led Seattle Seahawks to even their record up at 3-3. But enough of the Steelers talk, let’s talk injuries. Here is your week six injury report.
Kareem Hunt, Running Back, Cleveland Browns
Hunt went down with a non-contact injury in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. He clutched at his calf as he weaved his way through the offensive line. He was carried off the field, unable to bear any weight on that side. Hunt was later taken off the field via a cart to the locker. Fantasy owners and Browns fans feared the worst as it looked like he could have possibly suffered a season ending Achilles Tear. Fortunately, he was diagnosed with a calf strain. He was given initially the “several week” prognosis of being out. Expect a trip to the Injured Reserve for Hunt and to be without him for multiple games.
The fantasy value in Cleveland falls also on other injured Running Back Nick Chubb. If Nick Chubb is back from his own calf injury, he will carry the whole workload and should be back in everyone’s lineup as an RB1. If he is out for at least another week, the workload would be split between Demetric Felton and D’Ernest Johnson. Felton becomes an interesting spot start as he is a gadget player who gets manufactured touches in both the run game and the passing game. Johnson is worth the stash to see what his usage is in the offense as well.
Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield is the second Cleveland Brown on this to go along with a ton of other players injured on this team. He injured his left, non-throwing shoulder a couple weeks ago and reinjured it this past week as he fell awkwardly on the shoulder again. He was taken off the field only to be put right back in after receiving treatment in the blue medical tent. It was reported he dislocated his already injured shoulder on that play but he played through it. Now, Mayfield has come out and said he plans on playing in week seven, but head coach Kevin Stefanski stated that they will make the decision on Baker’s status after he receives a second opinion. Right now, his status is up in the air for week seven against the Broncos on Thursday night.
Baker Mayfield has not been a reliable fantasy option all year. So why talk about him in this article? Baker Mayfield is discussed in this article based on the impact he has on receiving options. Landry is returning from the injured reserve himself and I wouldn’t play him when he first comes back anyways. For the other pass catching options I am staying away. It will either be a hurt Baker or Case Keenum throwing the ball and that does not excite me one bit. Move on from all Browns pass catchers for the foreseeable future.
Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans
Oh no. He is back again on the injury report for another hamstring injury. In his return to back to the field following a hamstring injury, Jones leaves again with a hamstring, in what I would imagine is a reaggravation of the same injury. The future of this season is unknown, but I am calling my shot now that it is the end of fantasy relevance this season for Julio. He hasn’t been healthy all year and I would imagine if it is a reaggravation of the same hamstring injury, the Titans will place him on the injured reserve.
Fantasy managers absolutely cannot trust Julio Jones for the rest of this season. Consider him droppable to me even before I hear the outlook of his current hamstring injury. AJ Brown stepped up finally this year in this game against the Bills. Expect him to be more like 2020 AJ Brown for the rest of the year, albeit if he stays healthy himself, rather than previous 2021 AJ Brown. If fantasy managers can somehow trade low for Brown this week, then do so. However, the time may be too late to do so.
Antonio Gibson, Running Back, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson was in and out of Washington’s game this weekend against the Chiefs this week with what seems like multiple injuries. A stress fracture in his shin has been around for a couple of weeks now and seemed to have re-aggravated this game along with a calf injury. The two injuries may connect, but Gibson has shown he will play through injuries, even some as serious as a stress fracture in his shin. Head Coach Ron Rivera claimed they took him out of the game towards the end as he wanted to “be careful” with Gibson injury. It may be beneficial for Rivera to “be careful” and not risk any further damage and sit Gibson out at least a week. Now that isn’t for sure the outlook so keep an eye on the injury reports throughout the week for Gibsons week seven status.
J.D. McKissic took over as Washington’s lead back in Gibson’s absence and did well for fantasy. If Gibson were to miss any time, McKissic becomes a fantasy relevant player as a flex option, especially in any sort of points per reception leagues as he is an excellent pass catching back. McKissic needs to be rostered in all leagues for a stash and wait to see what Gibson’s status is. All other running back options are out of the question for a struggling Washington Football Team.
