Darnell Mooney Ruled Out for Week 6
Darnell Mooney (hamstring) has been ruled out for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. It's been an injury-filled season for Mooney, who has recorded seven catches for 79 yards on 16 targets across three games so far this season. With Mooney sidelined, Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McLoud III should see an uptick in targets. Atlanta wideout KhaDarel Hodge (groin) could also see more playing time, but he's been limited in practice this week with a groin injury and is not certain to play. Tight end Kyle Pitts could be the Falcons' pass-catcher whose outlook is most impacted by Mooney's absence. In Week 1 when a shoulder injury sidelined Mooney, Pitts recorded seven catches for 59 yards on a season-high eight targets.
Source: ESPN - Marc Raimondi
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Source: ESPN - Marc Raimondi
Khalil Shakir Poised for Bigger Role if Dalton Kincaid Sits
Khalil Shakir could see an uptick in targets Monday night with tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) questionable after limited practice participation this week. Shakir tied his season-high with nine targets in Week 5 and now sits tied for the team lead with 29 on the year, turning them into 235 receiving yards through five games. With the Bills set to face the NFL's top-ranked pass defense in Atlanta, Shakir will need to create separation against cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Dee Alford to stay productive. If Kincaid is ruled out, Shakir should serve as a reliable safety valve for Josh Allen and could offer sneaky PPR value as a volume-based WR3 or flex play in Week 6.
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Source: BuffaloBills.com
Bijan Robinson a High-Floor, High-End RB1 in Week 6
Bijan Robinson eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage for the fourth straight game in Week 4, which also included his second touchdown of the season (first rushing score) and his second game with at least 100 yards receiving. With a minimum of five targets and three catches in each of the team's first four games, the 23-year-old has one of the highest floors for fantasy of any running back in the league, and the Falcons will likely need him to contribute in that area again in Week 6 if the team hopes to keep pace with the Bills. With Buffalo yielding the second-fewest pass yards per game and Atlanta as 4.5-point underdogs, the Falcons may lean on the run in an attempt to limit Buffalo's possessions, but could find themselves playing catch-up later in the game. Either way, Robinson will be involved, and with LB Matt Milano (pec) ruled out, there should be more holes for the former first-rounder to run through. The third-year pro sets up as a high-end RB1 again in Week 6.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons running back Source: ESPN
Evan McPherson Not a Relevant Fantasy Option in Week 6
Evan McPherson has made all of his field goals this season. Unfortunately, he's been limited to only five attempts. The Bengals offense has struggled throughout the 2025 campaign, regardless if Joe Burrow (toe) and Jake Browning were under center. With Joe Flacco, who was recently traded by the Browns, getting the start versus the Packers, it's unknown how the offense will respond. With that in mind, until the offense can put McPherson in a position to be more productive, he should be left out of all fantasy lineups in Week 6. That will also apply moving ahead until McPherson starts getting more action.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Source: ESPN
Mike Gesicki Not Worth Starting Versus Green Bay
Mike Gesicki had 17 catches in the first five games of the 2024 campaign. However, he has only eight this season. While most didn't expect the 30-year-old to be consistently productive, it's safe to say he's still fallen below expectations. In all fairness, the Bengals offense hasn't looked the best, so Gesicki, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown have all struggled. With that in mind, Gesicki has some work to do before earning a place in any fantasy lineup for the Week 6 showdown with the Green Bay Packers and beyond, meaning managers can keep him benched or off the roster completely until he shows signs of life. Unfortunately, that isn't expected to happen anytime soon.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Source: ESPN
Michael Penix Jr. Faces Tough Test Against Bills in Week 6
Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a 313-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 4, and although a Week 5 bye afforded him extra time to prepare for the team's Week 6 opponent, the Bills will present a challenge nevertheless. Buffalo has allowed the seventh fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs so far this season, and have limited teams to 154 passing yards per contest, which is second-fewest in the league. It also won't help that Darnell Mooney (hamstring) has been ruled out for this one. On the bright side, this game features one of the highest expected point totals on the slate (49.5), and the Falcons could be playing from behind for much of the game, which could mean that the second-year quarterback will have to throw it more to keep pace. The 25-year-old will also have the home crowd at his back, and there will be no weather elements to contend with inside the dome in Atlanta, but in the end the lefty QB projects as a low-end QB2 this week.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Source: ESPN
James Cook a Touchdown-Dependent RB1 in Tough Matchup vs. Falcons
James Cook will face one of his toughest challenges of the season when he takes on Atlanta's sixth-ranked run defense on Monday night. The Falcons have excelled at controlling time of possession and limiting offensive opportunities, though they've allowed a 44.7% scoring rate on drives, leaving the door open for Cook to find the end zone. The third-year back is averaging 107.8 scrimmage yards and one touchdown per game, but he's coming off a sluggish performance against New England's opportunistic defense. While Cook's volume and role in Buffalo's high-powered offense keep him in RB1 territory, fantasy managers should temper expectations--his Week 6 success will likely hinge on finding pay dirt against a disciplined Falcons front.
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills running back Source: BuffaloBills.com
Samaje Perine Still Not a Practical Fantasy Option in Week 6
Samaje Perine had only 52 yards off nine carries in the first five games of the 2025 campaign, adding four receptions for eight yards. While most assumed Chase Brown would lead the way out of the backfield this season, fantasy managers are still disappointed with Perine's lack of involvement and production. The 30-year-old logged 29 snaps in the Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions, suggesting more involvement could be on the horizon for the Week 6 meeting with the Green Bay Packers. However, until Perine does something meaningful to benefit managers, it's best to leave him out of any fantasy lineup versus the Packers. That outlook likely won't change in the weeks ahead unless Brown goes down with an injury.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Bengals running back Source: ESPN
Josh Allen Faces Improved Falcons Defense in Monday Night Showdown
Josh Allen will face his toughest challenge of the season when the team heads to Atlanta to take on the league's top-ranked defense. The Falcons have been dominant, allowing just 244 total yards per game, including a league-low 135 passing yards. Monday night's clash features the NFL's two leaders in time of possession, with Buffalo averaging 34:09 and Atlanta close behind at 33:30, setting up a physical, clock-controlling battle. While the Falcons have padded their numbers against Marcus Mariota and J.J. McCarthy, they did hold Baker Mayfield to just 159 passing yards in Week 1. Allen's dual-threat ability and offensive weapons should still allow him to produce, but expectations should be tempered--he's best viewed as a mid-tier QB1 in what could be a grind-it-out matchup.
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills quarterback Source: BuffaloBills.com
Trey McBride Remains a Must-Start in Week 6
Trey McBride still sits atop the mountain at the position as the No. 1 option in the team's offense. He's still quarterback Kyler Murray's (foot) favorite target, and even if backup Jacoby Brissett gets the start, McBride plays a great security-blanket role. The Indianapolis Colts are ranked as the 10th-toughest defense against the position, allowing 11.66 fantasy points per game, but McBride has been matchup-proof for the past couple of seasons. It goes without saying that McBride is a set-it-and-forget-it type of play.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals tight end Source: RotoBaller
Marvin Harrison Jr. Hovering Around WR2 Value Against Colts
Marvin Harrison Jr. has had his fair share of issues with drops so far this season, but he seems to be trending in a better direction over the last two weeks. He registered finishes of WR21 and WR14 in half-PPR formats against the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. The coaches even talked about getting Harrison some more targets moving forward. On the flip side, Kyler Murray (foot) is considered questionable, so Brissett may be under center. Usually, backup quarterbacks target their number-one receiver more often, so that could play into Harrison's favor. With that being said, he's currently projected as a low-end WR2 with a higher ceiling since the Indianapolis Colts are ranked 28th against opposing receiver groups, giving up 38.02 fantasy points per outing.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Michael Carter a Possible Flex Play in Week 6?
Michael Carter leap-frogged the rest of the depth chart when he was elevated from the practice squad last week. After James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both went down for extended periods of time, Carter saw 23 touches and 57.4% of the offensive snaps. Leaving Emari Demercado and Bam Knight to pick up the scraps. He seems to be in line for a similar workload, especially if Kyler Murray (foot) can't play, but Week 6 presents a tough matchup. The Indianapolis Colts are ranked as the sixth-toughest unit against opposing backfields, allowing just 18.12 fantasy points per game. Carter seems to have a ceiling of a low-end RB2, which could be a decent flex play in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Source: RotoBaller
Deebo Samuel Sr.'s Week 6 Status Uncertain, Washington Will "Take it into Monday"
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Samuel Sr. has been the team's most reliable pass-catcher so far this season with 30 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 38 targets across five games. The 29-year-old has also recorded seven carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. Washington has already ruled out wideouts Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin, knee) for Week 6, so the team could be extremely thin at wide receiver. Wideouts Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore would all be in line for an uptick in playing time in Week 6 if Samuel Sr. were to be sidelined.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said the team will "take it into Monday" regarding the status of wide receiver Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Jacoby Brissett is a Dart-Throw Option in Week 6
Jacoby Brissett has had a handful of solid games as a starter throughout his career. He's not going to do anything flashy or out of this world, but he's been able to manage the game for a few different teams when the starter has gone down. Kyler Murray (foot) is currently considered questionable, and it looks like the team won't make a decision until gameday. If Murray can't suit up, Brissett takes over an offense that doesn't have much of a run game and has to go up against the sixth-toughest defense against opposing QBs in the Indianapolis Colts. The last time Brissett started was in Week 5 of last season with the New England Patriots when he was unable to register any touchdowns and lost 10-15 to the Miami Dolphins. Fantasy managers will want to avoid Brissett if he does play, as long as they can afford to.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Legette Remains Tough to Trust in Week 6
Xavier Legette returned in Week 5 from a hamstring injury that cost him two games and recorded two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on three targets against the Miami Dolphins. Legette now has six catches for 39 yards and a score on 18 targets across three games this season. The Panthers have a favorable matchup on paper in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, who allowed the most passing yards (1,520) and second-most passing touchdowns (12) in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season. Still, Legette's role in the Panthers' offense and his ability to produce are not secure enough to make him a trustworthy fantasy wide receiver. Additionally, Legette could have additional target competition in Week 6 with Panthers wideout Jalen Coker (quad) potentially set to return from Injured Reserve for his season debut. Legette should be avoided by fantasy managers against Dallas in Week 6.
Source: RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Source: RotoBaller