{"id":1030338,"date":"2026-10-17T21:54:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T21:54:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1030338\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T21:54:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T21:54:30","slug":"the-loop-fantasy-football-update-week-6-last-minute-moves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1030338\/","title":{"rendered":"The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 6: Last-minute moves"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPDATE: 4:44 p.m. Saturday\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u2019ll be out at least the next six weeks.<\/p>\n

This makes Tanner McKee the starter. He\u2019ll be a help to no fantasy teams, and Eagles offensive stars such as Saquon Barkley and Devonta Smith will now be of less help.<\/p>\n

Two more notables have been ruled out Saturday: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel and Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt<\/p>\n

Two standout receivers appear good to go tomorrow: New England\u2019s A.J. Brown and the Steelers\u2019 D.K. Metcalf.<\/p>\n

UPDATE: 8:42 p.m. Friday\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fantasy mavens will be digging into the subterranean depths of their roster this week as a slew of headliners\u2019 injuries have exacerbated what already was a bye week shortage of talent.<\/p>\n

The void begins at quarterback where Baltimore\u2019s Lamar Jackson, Philly\u2019s Jalen Hurts and Tampa Bay\u2019s Baker Mayfield have been ruled out. With Joe Burrow and Jared Goff on bye Sunday, this means third-tier options such as the Raiders\u2019 Kirk Cousins and Indy\u2019s Daniel Jones are suddenly above average starting options.<\/p>\n

The running back cupboard is also bare. Ruled out this weekend are Philly\u2019s Saquon Barkley, Arizona\u2019s Jeremiyah Love, the Jets\u2019 Breece Hall, the Texans\u2019 David Montgomery and Chicago\u2019s Kyle Monangai.<\/p>\n

Pass catchers were already in scarce supply before the ruling out of the Chiefs\u2019 Rashee Rice, the Jets\u2019 Adonai Mitchell and Houston\u2019s Tank Dell.<\/p>\n

The questionables at this hour are led by four running backs (the Patriots\u2019 TreVeyon Henderson, the Saints\u2019 Alvin Kamara, Cleveland\u2019s Quinshon Judkins, Tennessee\u2019s Tajae Spears) and five pass catchers (Buffalo\u2019s D.J. Moore, New England\u2019s A.J. Brown, New Orleans\u2019 Chris Olave, Pittsburgh\u2019s D.K. Metcalf, Indy tight end Tyler Warren).<\/p>\n

In a bit of a surprise, it appears both injured quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Michael Penix, will start in Sunday\u2019s Bears-Falcons contest.<\/p>\n

ORIGINAL POST: 3:00 p.m. Monday<\/p>\n

Sure, there have been bye weeks with as many as six teams on the sidelines. But it\u2019s hard to think of a single week where three of the best wide receivers in the NFL will all be spectating.<\/p>\n

All-world pass catchers Justin Jefferson, Ja\u2019Marr 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 \u2026 well \u2026 it\u2019s time to run, not walk, to the waiver marketplace.<\/p>\n

The cupboard\u2019s not entirely bare. Here are five guys who can be used as spackle to patch up your receiving corps:<\/p>\n

DeMario Douglas (Patriots) \u2013 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<\/p>\n

\"NewNew 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)<\/p>\n

Josh Downs (Colts) \u2013 He\u2019s arguably the most talented receiver in Indianapolis, but he has yet to score on 20 receptions this season. If he doesn\u2019t break out this week against the winless Titans, it may be time to give up on him.<\/p>\n

\"IndianapolisIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) catches a pass during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Durisko)<\/p>\n

Keon Coleman (Bills) \u2013 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\u2019ll be facing this week is nothing special against the pass.<\/p>\n

\"BuffaloBuffalo 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)<\/p>\n

Rashod Bateman (Ravens) \u2013 It\u2019s 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\u2019re expecting.<\/p>\n

\"BaltimoreBaltimore 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)<\/p>\n

Germie Bernard (Steelers) \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

\"PittsburghPittsburgh 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)
\nSITTING STARS<\/p>\n

His game-ending stupidity against the Giants notwithstanding, there are a million reasons not to start Washington QB Jayden Daniels against the 49ers\u2019 stifling defense. \u2026 Tampa Bay\u2019s defense is sneaky good, so expect Steelers RB Jaylen Warren to cool off and WR D.K. Metcalf to stay frigid. \u2026 Denver WR Jaylen Waddle will continue to disappoint against Seattle. \u2026 Don\u2019t 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. \u2026 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.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew 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)
\nMATCHUP GAME<\/p>\n

Green Bay running back MarShawn Lloyd finally woke up this week against Chicago, and he\u2019s a great option again this week against Dallas. \u2026 This might be the last week Seattle RB Emanuel Wilson has the No. 1 job to himself, so start him against Denver. \u2026 Houston RB Woody Marks looked good off the bench last week and could hit paydirt against Jacksonville. \u2026 Two veteran receivers we expect to star this week are the Giants\u2019 Malik Nabers versus New Orleans and Houston\u2019s Nico Collins against the Jaguars. \u2026 Raiders QB Kirk Cousins cooled off last Sunday In New England, but he\u2019ll find Buffalo\u2019s defense more to his liking. \u2026 And even though Indy quarterback Daniel Jones has mostly stunk this season, he\u2019ll rebound against the lowly Titans.<\/p>\n

\"GreenGreen 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)
\nINJURY WATCH<\/p>\n

We\u2019re getting some big names back this week. In addition to Lamar Jackson, Bears QB Caleb Williams is expected back on the field. \u2026 The Eagles are hoping the same for RB Saquon Barkley. \u2026 The Jets won\u2019t be rushing back RB Breece Hall thanks to the strong play of Braelon Allen. \u2026 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.<\/p>\n

\"BearsBears 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)
\nDEEPEST SLEEPER<\/p>\n

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\u2019s paydirt on a stunning 57 percent of receptions. He\u2019ll 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\u2019t get in his way.<\/p>\n

\"PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia 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)
\nTHE THURSDAY PICK<\/p>\n

Seahawks at Broncos (+2\u00bd):<\/p>\n

Pick: Seahawks by 3<\/p>\n

\"SeattleSeattle 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)
\nBREAKING NEWS<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday\u2019s kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com\/theloop.<\/p>\n

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere\u2019s \u201cBS Show\u201d podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X\u2013 @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UPDATE: 4:44 p.m. Saturday\u00a0 The big news today is out of Philadelphia, where the Eagles put quarterback Jalen…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1030339,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2073],"tags":[4566,390,254,117,53,1036,260,391,256,54,257,39200,7354,258,113,1999,7,26718,345,253,392,8633,125,4563,734,8265,1509,2780,110,8100,393,262,58,5393,251,233,259,2529,249,55,56,255,6,109,57,13052,252,261,250,2978,394,234,111],"class_list":["post-1030338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-minnesota-vikings","tag-amon-ra-st-brown","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-baltimore-ravens","tag-buffalo-bills","tag-caleb-williams","tag-carolina-panthers","tag-chicago-bears","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-darius-cooper","tag-demario-douglas","tag-denver-broncos","tag-detroit-lions","tag-fantasy-football","tag-football","tag-germie-bernard","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-houston-texans","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-jamarr-chase","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-jameson-williams","tag-jayden-daniels","tag-jordan-addison","tag-josh-downs","tag-justin-jefferson","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-keon-coleman","tag-las-vegas-raiders","tag-los-angeles-chargers","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-marshawn-lloyd","tag-miami-dolphins","tag-minnesota","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-minnesotavikings","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-orleans-saints","tag-new-york-giants","tag-new-york-jets","tag-nfl","tag-philadelphia-eagles","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-rashod-bateman","tag-san-francisco-49ers","tag-seattle-seahawks","tag-tampa-bay-buccaneers","tag-tee-higgins","tag-tennessee-titans","tag-vikings","tag-washington-commanders"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1030338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1030338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1030338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1030339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1030338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1030338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1030338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}