NFL Player News

This one was pretty obvious after Ford went down in the first quarter and wasn’t spotted in the second. D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong have formed something of an even committee in Ford’s absence. Ford should initially be considered on the wrong side of questionable for Week 7 against the Bengals. Nick Chubb’s (knee) status will be a complicating factor between Foreman and Strong.

Foster Sarell replaced Slater, who was seen working out on the sidelined with the training staff. It is unclear if Slater exited due to his preexisting pectoral injury.

Godwin had taken a backseat to Mike Evans for two weeks before this game. It was his turn to dominate this time around and he did just that, racking up over 100 yards after the catch on top of his two touchdowns, the second of which was a 55-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter. Godwin has topped 50 yards in every game this year and has yet to fall below five receptions. He was been one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL and is topping the charts from a fantasy perspective as well. He is pushing for a WR1 rank in his Week 7 matchup with the Ravens.

It was McBride’s best game of the season. He now has 17 targets over two games since returning from his early-season brain injury, functioning as the team’s top pass catcher while Marvin Harrison Jr. does wind sprints downfield. The touchdowns should eventually come for McBride, who has 28 receptions without a score in 2024.

Backup Jamaree Salyer has replaced Pipkins in the lineup. Pipkins’ injury has yet to be disclosed. The Chargers’ offensive line was finally returning to full health following the Week 5 bye. Hopefully, Salyer can return to play.

Zach Ertz and Noah Brown outclassed McLaurin in the yardage department, but his two touchdowns helped keep the game within reach all day long, with his first coming on a leaping grab in the end zone before half-time. McLaurin’s second score, which came from six yards out, came on a critical fourth-and-goal that Washington needed to convert. Now sitting on four touchdowns this season, McLaurin has gone for 50-plus yards in his last four games as he continues to build is rapport with Jayden Daniels. He’ll profile as a high-end WR2 in Week 7 against the Panthers.

He added 38 rushing yards on five carries. It’s a shame that the rookie signalcaller couldn’t do better than Jacoby Brissett — wait, we’re being told that’s exactly what happened in his first start. He hit Kayshoun Boutte on a deep ball for a 40-yard touchdown to pull the Patriots to within seven at halftime. It was an up-and-down game for Maye as he took four sacks — three from Will Anderson — and peppered in some rough throws at times. One of Maye’s picks was tipped at the line, and another simply sailed on him. Maye did generally seem to be trending up in the second half. The rushing yards and the juicy matchup against a crumbling Jaguars defense in London would seem to suggest Maye could wind up on the QB1 line next week. The unknown of the situation probably makes him more of a QB2.

Downs has now caught at least seven balls on at least nine looks in each of his past three appearances, scoring twice in the process. That has come with Joe Flacco under center, while Downs is posting tight end-like yards per catch totals. It is still moving the chains for the Colts and making the PPR cash machine go brr for fantasy managers. Today’s score was a 22-yarder where Flacco attacked a backup cornerback. The question now becomes if it will be Flacco or Anthony Richardson in Week 7 against the Dolphins. The Colts can’t use the “another week to heal” excuse again with A-Rich. Our guess is that Richardson is back, rendering Downs a lower-end, boom-or-bust WR3.

Flowers did not see a target in the second half of Sunday’s win over the Commanders but did enough damage in the first half to help the Ravens to a 17-10 lead at halftime. The second-year found space to operate nearly every time Lamar Jackson looked his way and nearly found the end zone in the first-half if not for a DPI near the goal-line. Flowers has now gone for 100-plus yards in back-to-back games and is well on his way to smashing is rookie year total. He’ll be a high-end WR2 in Week 7 against the Buccaneers.

Evan Engram returned to the lineup this week after a four-game absence because of a hamstring injury. He immediately became Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target on short and intermediate looks, seeing 10 targets to Kirk’s six. Kirk entered Week 6 on a streak of three games over 60 yards. He amassed 19 receptions during that stretch. He wasn’t making big plays or scoring often, but Kirk was serving as a safety valve for Lawrence, making him a viable PPR WR2. Without a heavy dose of targets to fall back on, Kirk will tumble into the WR3 ranks for his Week 7 matchup with the Patriots.