NFL Player News

Heyward-Bey appears to be on the wrong side of a questionable tag. If Hagan does get the nod, he’ll be the “Z” receiver opposite Denarius Moore but a mere desperation PPR option. When DHB sat out at Denver Week 4, Hagan ended up with just two catches for 18 yards. This time, of course, he’d be facing the Swiss cheese Saints’ secondary. Still, slot man Rod Streater and rookie Juron Criner project to steal targets.

Witherspoon missed Week 5 with his knee injury. The Seahawks were also missing S Julian Love (hamstring), LB Derick Hall (oblique), LB Ernest Jones (shoulder), EDGE Demarcus Lawrence (quad) on the defensive side of the ball. If they cannot practice the rest of the week, the Jaguars offense will have an easier matchup in Week 6.

Jennings has been on the Pats’ practice squad this season and could be next in line to rotate into the backfield with Antonio Gibson’s ACL injury. Head coach Mike Vrabel said, “He’s got a toughness to him. I think he’s improved.” Between Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumble issues and TreVeyon Henderson’s pass-protection struggles seemingly keeping him off the field, Jennings could carve out a meaningful role in the Patriots backfield with Gibson out for the season.

Johnston popped up on the injury report with a hamstring issue Wednesday. The 24-year-old is experiencing an electric start to the season but fumbled in a four-catch, 40-yard game in Week 5. The Chargers’ high usage of Johnston has frustrated Ladd McConkey owners so far this season. Should Johnston miss any time or be limited in Week 6, McConkey and Keenan Allen could see an uptick in targets, while rookies KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris would compete for deep routes. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for Johnston’s practice status throughout the week. Meanwhile, WR Derius Davis (knee) was a non-participant in the Chargers’ receiving corps.

We have an update on the severity of Kamara’s ankle injury. Though initial reporting had his injury occurring on Wednesday, Underhill reports Kamara actually suffered the injury in the first half of the Saints’ Week 5 win against Giants and it “isn’t anything serious.” The veteran experienced soreness in practice and backed off of it. Should Kamara miss time, Kendre Miller is in the fantasy RB2 range. Regardless, Miller has been cutting into Kamara’s workload and needs to be rostered, while Kamara has fallen to the low-end RB2 range.

Simmons did not participate in Wednesday’s practice while nursing an ankle injury. The 28-year-old is the Titans’ top defensive tackle and an important anchor for the defense. If he cannot go this week, Ashton Jeanty will have be in line for an even-better matchup against the Titans in Week 6.

Jefferson is seldom-used in the Titans’ passing game, getting just 12 snaps in Week 5. He did not practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. If Jefferson misses time, it could lead to increased snaps for Chimere Dike and Tyler Lockett, though no Titans receiver outside of Calvin Ridley or Elic Ayomanor should be considered for fantasy purposes.

Spears just returned from injured reserve due to an ankle injury he suffered before the season. He saw limited usage in his Week 5 return, but head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday his role will expand. Take this as a precautionary limited practice as the Titans ramp up Spears’ workload, but monitor his status throughout the week.

Slye is listed with a right calf injury for Wednesday. It is unclear when he suffered the injury as the 29-year-old kicked the game-winner in the Titans’ win over the Cardinals in Week 5. The Titans may look to add a kicker to the practice squad should Slye not practice the rest of the week.

Sanders missed Week 5 with the injury combo. In turn, rookie running back Jaydon Blue was active for the first time this year. Blue only saw four carries and ran for just seven yards. No matter who the backup is, Javonte Williams has a stranglehold on the backfield touches in Dallas.

Pete Carroll has insisted that Bowers is considered day to day, but all reports have him as unlikely to suit up in Week 6. Bowers is dealing with a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his knee. He suffered the pair of injuries in Week 1 and attempted to play through them for a while. The injuries eventually caught up with him and the Raiders put him on the bench for Week 5. Michael Mayer missed Week 5 with a concussion but should be available for the Raiders’ upcoming trip to Tennessee. He will be a streaming TE2 option if he is cleared for action and Bowers remains out.