UPDATE: 4:44 p.m. Saturday
The big news today is out of Philadelphia, where the Eagles put quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve because of a blood clot, meaning he’ll be out at least the next six weeks.
This makes Tanner McKee the starter. He’ll be a help to no fantasy teams, and Eagles offensive stars such as Saquon Barkley and Devonta Smith will now be of less help.
Two more notables have been ruled out Saturday: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel and Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Two standout receivers appear good to go tomorrow: New England’s A.J. Brown and the Steelers’ D.K. Metcalf.
UPDATE: 8:42 p.m. Friday
Fantasy mavens will be digging into the subterranean depths of their roster this week as a slew of headliners’ injuries have exacerbated what already was a bye week shortage of talent.
The void begins at quarterback where Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Philly’s Jalen Hurts and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield have been ruled out. With Joe Burrow and Jared Goff on bye Sunday, this means third-tier options such as the Raiders’ Kirk Cousins and Indy’s Daniel Jones are suddenly above average starting options.
The running back cupboard is also bare. Ruled out this weekend are Philly’s Saquon Barkley, Arizona’s Jeremiyah Love, the Jets’ Breece Hall, the Texans’ David Montgomery and Chicago’s Kyle Monangai.
Pass catchers were already in scarce supply before the ruling out of the Chiefs’ Rashee Rice, the Jets’ Adonai Mitchell and Houston’s Tank Dell.
The questionables at this hour are led by four running backs (the Patriots’ TreVeyon Henderson, the Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Cleveland’s Quinshon Judkins, Tennessee’s Tajae Spears) and five pass catchers (Buffalo’s D.J. Moore, New England’s A.J. Brown, New Orleans’ Chris Olave, Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf, Indy tight end Tyler Warren).
In a bit of a surprise, it appears both injured quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Michael Penix, will start in Sunday’s Bears-Falcons contest.
ORIGINAL POST: 3:00 p.m. Monday
Sure, there have been bye weeks with as many as six teams on the sidelines. But it’s hard to think of a single week where three of the best wide receivers in the NFL will all be spectating.
All-world pass catchers Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St Brown will be out of action in Week 6. When you also note the absences of Tee Higgins, Jameson Williams and Jordan Addison … well … it’s time to run, not walk, to the waiver marketplace.
The cupboard’s not entirely bare. Here are five guys who can be used as spackle to patch up your receiving corps:
DeMario Douglas (Patriots) – The former Liberty standout broke out in Week 5 with two touchdown catches. His quarterback, Drake Maye, is on a hot streak, and that could continue for both against the Jets
New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Josh Downs (Colts) – He’s arguably the most talented receiver in Indianapolis, but he has yet to score on 20 receptions this season. If he doesn’t break out this week against the winless Titans, it may be time to give up on him.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) catches a pass during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Keon Coleman (Bills) – He has stepped up in the absence of D.J. Moore, tallying six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in Week 4. And the Las Vegas defense he’ll be facing this week is nothing special against the pass.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) catches a pass over New England Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor (28) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Rashod Bateman (Ravens) – It’s been an underwhelming start for the former Gophers standout, with only one TD in five games. But he could thrive this week against Cleveland if Lamar Jackson returns, as we’re expecting.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) works out before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Germie Bernard (Steelers) – The rookie from Alabama is coming off of his best pro game with six catches for 80 yards against Indianapolis. Aaron Rodgers targeted him nine times and could give him similar work against Tampa Bay.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard (17) signals for a first down during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
SITTING STARS
His game-ending stupidity against the Giants notwithstanding, there are a million reasons not to start Washington QB Jayden Daniels against the 49ers’ stifling defense. … Tampa Bay’s defense is sneaky good, so expect Steelers RB Jaylen Warren to cool off and WR D.K. Metcalf to stay frigid. … Denver WR Jaylen Waddle will continue to disappoint against Seattle. … Don’t even think about using new Texans wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. until he shows some life when reunited with his Ohio State QB, C.J. Stroud. … And we saw the bad Deshaun Watson again last week in the rain in the Meadowlands. The Cleveland QB hear from the home boo birds again Sunday against Baltimore.
New York Giants’ Darius Alexander (91) tackles Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels (5) during the overtime of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
MATCHUP GAME
Green Bay running back MarShawn Lloyd finally woke up this week against Chicago, and he’s a great option again this week against Dallas. … This might be the last week Seattle RB Emanuel Wilson has the No. 1 job to himself, so start him against Denver. … Houston RB Woody Marks looked good off the bench last week and could hit paydirt against Jacksonville. … Two veteran receivers we expect to star this week are the Giants’ Malik Nabers versus New Orleans and Houston’s Nico Collins against the Jaguars. … Raiders QB Kirk Cousins cooled off last Sunday In New England, but he’ll find Buffalo’s defense more to his liking. … And even though Indy quarterback Daniel Jones has mostly stunk this season, he’ll rebound against the lowly Titans.
Green Bay Packers’ Marshawn Lloyd celebrates his touchdown run with fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
INJURY WATCH
We’re getting some big names back this week. In addition to Lamar Jackson, Bears QB Caleb Williams is expected back on the field. … The Eagles are hoping the same for RB Saquon Barkley. … The Jets won’t be rushing back RB Breece Hall thanks to the strong play of Braelon Allen. … Players who went down in Week 5 include Cleveland RB Quinshon Judkins, Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson, Houston RB David Montgomery and San Francisco wideout Deebo Samuel.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of Chicago’s 59-37 victory Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. Williams passed for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards and two TDs. (Scott Kinser / Associated Press)
DEEPEST SLEEPER
Philadelphia wideout Darius Cooper has caught only seven passes this season. However, the second-year pro out of Tarleton State has touchdowns on four of those. If you do the math, that’s paydirt on a stunning 57 percent of receptions. He’ll get a shot to improve on that statistic thanks to injuries plaguing teammates Devonta Smith, Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks. The Carolina defense that recently gave up 59 points to Chicago won’t get in his way.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper (80) scores a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Bettcher)
THE THURSDAY PICK
Seahawks at Broncos (+2½):
Pick: Seahawks by 3
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) on his way to score on a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
BREAKING NEWS
We’ll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday’s kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.