Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NFL season. For worried fantasy managers or opportunistic DFS players, they can make or break your entire lineup. What could have been a relaxing weekend can suddenly turn into hours of scrolling social media for any breaking news.
Luckily, DraftKings Network has you covered. Tune in to Meghan Townsley (@mtownsleyy) and Steve Buchanan (@SBuchanan24) on Injury Report Live, streaming every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on DKN X and YouTube!
The pair will react to the latest injury updates, analyze the juiciest matchups of the week, and discuss their favorite DFS and season-long fantasy plays before Sunday’s NFL action kicks off.
If you missed Friday’s full show, no worries! Here’s what you need to know before setting your lineups:
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns – 1:00 PM EST
CLE RB Nick Chubb (knee)
The 1-5 Browns will get a much-needed dose of hope when Nick Chubb ($6,000) makes his long-anticipated return this Sunday. While the star running back is always dangerous, expectations will need to be managed. This is Chubb’s first game since tearing his MCL and damaging his ACL last year against the Steelers. Can fantasy managers expect instant production against a weak Bengals defense?
- Steve isn’t expecting your traditional twenty-carry Chubb game. The Browns have been very pass-heavy this season, only running the ball on 37% of their plays.
- The Bengals are six-point favorites this week. That doesn’t signal a run-first approach for Cleveland.
- On top of the game factors, Meghan is worried about how Chubb will look on the field in his first appearance since suffering such a gruesome injury.
See their full analysis here:
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings – 1:00 PM EST
MIN RB Aaron Jones (hamstring)
One of the driving forces behind the Vikings‘ impressive 5-0 start has been Aaron Jones ($6,500). The former Packer, signed this offseason, has averaged 103.4 yards from scrimmage through five games. However, after suffering an injury in London vs. the Jets, the running back’s status this week is now in question. Heading into a pivotal NFC North showdown with the Lions, Jones’ workload (if he does play) will be something to monitor.
- Steve is baffled by the high price on backup running back Ty Chandler ($5,600), who is one of the league’s worst runners after contact.
- Even if Jones is out, Chandler would face an elite Lions run defense allowing 83.2 rushing yards per game (third-lowest in the NFL).
- Better options to start at the position this week include: Alexander Mattison ($5,500), Trey Sermon ($5,500), and Tyler Allgeier ($5,100).
See their full analysis here:
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants – 1:00 PM EST
NYG WR Malik Nabers (concussion)
After two weeks in the concussion protocol, the Giants will welcome superstar wideout Malik Nabers ($7,500) back into the fold this Sunday. So far, the rookie has put together a monster season, producing a whopping 35 catches for 386 yards in just four games. Going against an Eagles secondary allowing the 26th-most DK fantasy points to wide receivers, Nabers could be in line for a big day. That might also mean less work for some of New York’s other targets, including Wan’Dale Robinson ($6,100) and Darius Slayton ($5,100).
- Steve thinks Sunday’s game could turn into a shootout. The current over/under of 43 points might be a tad too low.
- Although everyone will flock to Nabers, Robinson still has some value. Despite his lack of yards after the catch, he has the second-most targets in football (58) this year.
- Slayton’s recent run of fantasy productivity is likely over with Nabers back in tow.
See their full analysis here:
Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts – 1:00 PM EST
IND QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) & RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle)
The Colts were able to nab an ugly 20-17 win against the Titans last Sunday thanks to backup quarterback Joe Flacco. However, the team will likely turn back to franchise QB Anthony Richardson ($6,000) this week against the Dolphins. Since Week 4, when Flacco took over, the Colts have the eleventh-most passing yards in football (254.0). Under Richardson, they averaged only 194.3 YPG.
At running back, the team has already announced that Jonathan Taylor will miss his third straight game. While Trey Sermon ($5,500) has handled most of the work in Taylor’s absence, Indianapolis hasn’t gotten much going on the ground in the last two weeks (89.5 rushing yards). Head coach Shane Steichen could turn to Tyler Goodson ($5,400), who had a solid day in Tennessee (8 carries for 51 yards).
- Meghan thinks that Alec Pierce ($5,200) is set up for success. Although the deep threat has been inconsistent, he’s had multiple 100+ yard games with Richardson under center.
- Josh Downs ($5,700) might be a stay away. The second-year wideout only had five targets in one game with ARich, compared to an average of ten per game with Flacco.
See their full analysis here:
- Despite an abysmal Week 6 (18 carries for 29 yards), Steve believes a matchup against the Dolphins is “a perfect storm” for Sermon.
- Although Miami’s defense is a clear downgrade from Tennessee, Sermon is now cheaper to roster since so many were burned by him last week.
- The Colts should put up points, but Richardson’s inaccuracy makes backing any pass catcher a gamble. That makes Sermon the safest play on the roster.
See their full analysis here:
MIA RB De’Von Achane (concussion)
Not much has gone right for the Dolphins in 2024. After a disastrous hit on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Week 2, the Fins have gone from elite to anemic on offense. Second-year running back De’Von Achane ($6,700) has also fallen victim to the injury bug, having left Week 5’s game against the Patriots with a concussion. Luckily for Miami, their second-year star appears good to go this weekend in Indianapolis.
- Miami’s terrible offense needs Achane desperately. Backup quarterback Snoop Huntley ($5,100) has not been able to get anything going through the air.
- Raheem Mostert’s ($6,100) return makes this backfield especially tricky. The pair have not shared the field since Week 1.
- Steve thinks Achane’s $6,700 price tag is “absurdly high.” Names like David Montgomery ($6,600) and Josh Jacobs ($6,400) offer more value.
See their full analysis here:
Carolina Panthers @ Washington Commanders – 4:05 PM EST
WSH RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee)
The Commanders are currently football’s fifth-ranked rushing offense. That means instant fantasy consideration for any of their running backs – if they’re healthy. Brian Robinson Jr.’s ($6,400) terrific season hit a speed bump last Sunday, as the second-year pro missed the team’s game against the Ravens due to a knee injury. In his absence, veteran Austin Ekeler ($5,900) didn’t impress, finishing as just the fantasy RB25. Robinson Jr.’s health is trending in the right direction this week, but it still remains to be seen if he’ll suit up against the Panthers.
- Ekeler struggled last week as the RB1 vs. Baltimore (9 rush attempts for 21 yards). However, Steve thinks this week’s game against Carolina is a perfect setup for running back success.
- If you’re interested in buying one of the many high-priced receivers on Sunday’s slate, a lower-cost back like Ekeler makes sense.
- Since so many were burned by the former Pro Bowler last week, his DFS cost doesn’t match a terrific game situation.
See their full analysis here:
Kansas City Chiefs @ San Francisco 49ers – 4:25 PM EST
SF WR Deebo Samuel (wrist) & RB Jordan Mason (shoulder)
Despite playing without Christian McCaffrey (achilles) all season, the 49ers have managed to claw their way back to the top of the NFC West. Unfortunately, the injuries haven’t stopped there. Limited practices for star wideout Deebo Samuel ($7,000) and CMC replacement Jordan Mason ($7,600) have cast a shadow over this week’s Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs. Right now, it’s anyones guess as to what the San Francisco offense will look like this Sunday.
- Brandon Aiyuk’s ($6,300) inconsistency has been infuriating this season. Even without Samuel, a matchup against a Chiefs team that stifles opposing receivers doesn’t bode well for a bounce-back.
- If you’re going to play any 49er, Steve thinks it should be George Kittle ($6,000).
See their full analysis here:
- Meghan also loves Kittle. He’s caught ten of his eleven red zone targets for five touchdowns this season.
- In fact, Week 7 could be huge for tight ends in general. If you aren’t interested in Kittle’s price tag, consider Brock Bowers ($5,800) and Trey McBride ($5,700).
See their full analysis here:
Baltimore Ravens @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 8:15 PM EST (Mon.)
TB RB Rachaad White (foot)
Despite missing starting running back Rachaad White ($5,700), the Buccaneers had no problem gashing the Saints‘ defense last week. Tampa Bay picked up 277 yards on the ground, thanks in large part to the duo of Bucky Irving ($5,900) and Sean Tucker ($4,000). Now, with White expected to return from injury against the Ravens, the most dreaded words in fantasy football could be upon us: backfield committee.
- Tampa Bay has already said they will ride the hot hand at running back. It’s almost impossible to trust any of the three backs this week.
- Most of Tucker’s 192 yards from scrimmage against New Orleans came in garbage time during the 4th quarter.
- Steve thinks White’s injury could be a blessing in disguise. A matchup with Baltimore’s league-best run defense (59.0 rush yards allowed) will be tough regardless of his health.
See their full analysis here:
Los Angeles Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals – 9:00 PM EST (Mon.)
ARI WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion)
A stellar rookie campaign for Marvin Harrison Jr. ($7,000) was put on hold last week. Against the Packers last Sunday, MHJ suffered a hit to the head that kept him out of action for the rest of the game. Although Harrison Jr. has been spotted in practice this week, it’s anyone’s guess if the young wideout will be good to go when the Cardinals host the Chargers on Monday Night Football.
- After Harrison Jr. left the game, Trey McBride ($5,700) was the clear top option in Arizona’s passing game. He finished the day with eight catches for 96 yards.
- Despite a lackluster performance last week, Michael Wilson ($4,600) is someone Meghan and Steve could be targeting if Harrison Jr. is out.
- James Conner ($6,700) received five targets in Green Bay, but he carried the ball just seven times for 24 yards. He’s a difficult player to pin down on an offense that has been wildly inconsistent.
See their full analysis here:
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.