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Lamar Jackson Not Seen at Wednesday's Practice
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) was not seen at practice on Friday, according to Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan. Jackson injured his left ankle in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and did not play in Sunday night's overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The 29-year-old has been improving and has a realistic chance to return to the starting role this weekend against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, but a missed practice on Wednesday would not be a great start. Still, head coach Jesse Minter said last week that Jackson could miss the entire week of practice and still suit up. The Ravens will surely play it safe with their star QB, so fantasy managers should not be surprised if Jackson is ultimately held out for a second straight week. We should have a clearer picture of the former MVP's Week 6 status later in the week. If Jackson continues to improve this week and returns on Sunday to face Cleveland, he will be a must-start in starting fantasy lineups. Through four games in 2026, Jackson is averaging 20.8 fantasy points per game, which puts him as the QB9. UPDATE: Head coach Jesse Minter told The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec that Jackson remains "day-to-day."
Source: 105.7 The Fan - Cordell Woodland
Source: 105.7 The Fan - Cordell Woodland
Michael Penix Jr. Expected to Start Sunday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (ribs) is expected to start Sunday's Week 6 matchup with the Bears, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski and NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Stefanski added that Penix will need to get through the week without any setbacks from the rib injury he sustained Sunday night, but he is trending toward his fourth consecutive start. Penix led the team to victories in each of his first two starts after missing two weeks with the knee injury that ended his 2025 season, but he was watching from the sideline when backup Tua Tagovailoa threw a game-sealing interception in the Week 5 overtime loss to the Ravens. The Falcons face the Bears in Week 6, and if Penix is able to play without limitation, fantasy managers can start both Bijan Robinson and Drake London with the utmost confidence.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Caleb Williams to Practice in Full on Wednesday
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) will be a full participant on Wednesday's injury report, head coach Ben Johnson told Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune. Wednesday's practice is a walkthrough, so the injury report will be an estimate. Williams suffered a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings and has missed the last three games. He returned to practice last Friday, though, and all signs are pointing towards his return this weekend on the road in Atlanta against the Falcons. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 from USC, will give all of the Bears' offensive skill players a boost in fantasy value if he returns this weekend in Atlanta, and he will be back on the QB1 radar as well. He threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns on 29 pass attempts in the season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers before throwing for 138 yards and a pick in the Week 2 loss to the Vikings on a rain-soaked field in Chicago. Fantasy managers should be preparing to get Williams back into their lineups in Week 6.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Buccaneers Planning on Starting Jalon Daniels Again at QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday that the team plans on starting rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels again in Week 6 against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Daniels is not officially locked in as the starter this weekend, but all signs are pointing towards him making a third straight start as Baker Mayfield continues to recover from a dislocated right thumb. For what it is worth, Mayfield is not practicing on Wednesday. Daniels, a 23-year-old undrafted free agent from Kansas, has handled himself quite well in his first two career starts under center against the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. He has gone 38-for-52 passing for 337 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Daniels led the Bucs to an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday night and will try to make it two straight wins this Sunday against the Steelers if he gets the nod to start this weekend. If Daniels makes another start, he will continue to be in play as a short-term low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues.
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Michael Penix Jr. Set to Practice on Wednesday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (ribs) is set to practice on Wednesday despite suffering a rib injury late in Sunday night's loss to the visiting Baltimore Ravens, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. It is a good sign for Penix's availability in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears, but he should not be considered a lock to play just yet. The 26-year-old went 18-for-25 passing for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Sunday night's loss to Baltimore before taking a shot to his ribs late in the fourth quarter. He was unable to get back on the field in overtime, with backup Tua Tagovailoa taking over and throwing a game-ending interception. Penix got a late start to the 2026 season as he continued his recovery from a partially torn ACL suffered late last year, but once he was cleared, he was Atlanta's clear choice as the starter over Tagovailoa. The former first-rounder has completed 67.5% of his pass attempts for 719 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in his first three starts in 2026. If he is cleared to face Chicago, Penix will be in play this weekend in fantasy as a midrange QB2 in superflex formats.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Baker Mayfield Still Absent From Practice Ahead of Week 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) was not spotted at Wednesday's practice, according to Pewter Report, leaving his availability for Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in question. Mayfield has missed the past two games after dislocating his right thumb during Tampa Bay's Week 3 loss to Minnesota. The initial expectation was that he would miss at least three weeks, although the veteran has been working toward an earlier return. The 31-year-old completed 61 of 96 passes for 615 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions before getting hurt. Rookie Jalon Daniels has started both games in his absence, most recently completing 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 24-16 victory over Dallas. Daniels appears positioned for another start if Mayfield remains unavailable, although the Buccaneers have not made a definitive announcement regarding Sunday's quarterback situation. Fantasy managers should continue preparing for the possibility of another missed game until Mayfield returns to practice and receives clearance. UPDATE: Head coach Todd Bowles told Scott Smith that Mayfield has not yet resumed throwing.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Jacoby Brissett Could Face Benching Later This Season
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett could eventually lose his starting job if the team's struggles continue, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Arizona has dropped four straight games to fall to 1-4, although Brissett's individual production hasn't been nearly as poor as the record suggests. The 33-year-old has completed 132 of 199 passes for 1,110 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions through five games, including 292 yards and three scores in Sunday's 45-21 loss to Detroit. Fowler believes the Cardinals could eventually turn to third-round rookie Carson Beck to evaluate their younger quarterback, particularly if Arizona continues losing. He also mentioned Brissett as a potential trade candidate if injuries create opportunities elsewhere around the league. Head coach Mike LaFleur has publicly backed Brissett as his starter, however, and the team is only considering making Beck active on game days after previously designating him as its emergency third quarterback. Brissett remains a viable option in two-QB and superflex leagues, but fantasy managers should recognize the risk of a quarterback change later in the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cardinals Expected to Consider Carson Beck in Late November
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to take a look at rookie quarterback Carson Beck at some point during the 2026 season, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. Graziano cited late November as a possible date for Beck to enter the lineup, as the Cardinals face a tough six-game stretch. Current starter Jacoby Brissett has completed 132 of 199 passes for 1,110 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions in five games, but the Cardinals are reeling after four straight losses. The team drafted Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he played well in his only preseason appearance. Fantasy managers of Brissett, Beck, or the Cardinals' playmakers should watch this situation, as any quarterback change would affect their outlooks moving forward.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lamar Jackson Has Realistic Chance to Return in Week 6
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) has a realistic chance to return in Week 6, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jackson suffered an ankle sprain that cost him one game, but he appears on track to play against the Cleveland Browns. In four games, Jackson has completed 68 of 96 passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception, and has added 144 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said the star quarterback has been doing much better, but it was unclear whether he would be able to return to practice this week. Based on Schefter's report, signs point to Jackson returning on Sunday as the Ravens try to move to 5-1. If Jackson is healthy, fantasy managers can start him as a high-end QB1 in Week 6.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Michael Penix Jr. a Top Waiver-Wire Target if Injury Isn't a Major Concern
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (rib) should be added in most fantasy football leagues after he strung together three solid performances. Penix now has at least 220 passing yards and one touchdown in each of his three games this year, and his only turnover so far was more than two weeks ago. The big storyline surrounding the 26-year-old now is that he's dealing with a rib injury that he suffered in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. Fortunately, the injury isn't expected to be serious, but it's still too early to tell whether he'll play in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears. Assuming Penix isn't going to miss a significant amount of time, his impressive and consistent production makes him an intriguing quarterback for managers to target on the waiver wire. There's more than just streaming appeal here; he can be a high-end QB2 for the rest of the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Deshaun Watson Continues to Produce as a Viable Streaming Option
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has cooled down since the first three weeks of the season, but he still remains in the streaming conversation for fantasy football. Watson has thrown for at least one touchdown pass in every game this season, but he also has three turnovers over the last two weeks. Similarly, although he has been running the ball incredibly well, he has also found himself under extreme pressure; he took a whopping eight sacks in Week 5. It seems like for every positive factor surrounding Watson, there's also something negative to consider. That's why he remains a fringe streamer going forward. He doesn't need to be rostered in every league, but managers looking for a quarterback fill-in to overcome injuries or bye weeks should feel comfortable turning to Watson. He'll get a mediocre matchup this week in the form of the Baltimore Ravens, who most recently allowed 240 passing yards and a touchdown to Michael Penix Jr.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalon Daniels' Fantasy Value Carried by Rushing Upside
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels has looked solid in two weeks as the team's starter, leading the Bucs to a 1-1 record during that time. Daniels has yet to throw for more than 200 yards in a single game so far, but he has one passing touchdown in each game and a combined 78 rushing yards across the two contests. Given that he's mediocre at best in the passing game, the bulk of Daniels' upside comes from his rushing ability. His rushing profile alone is enough to put him on the fantasy radar, and he ranks as the overall QB18 in fantasy football since being installed as the starter in place of the injured Baker Mayfield (right thumb). This week, Daniels faces off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh has allowed 265+ passing yards in each of the last two weeks, so we like Daniels' chances to set a new career-high passing mark. We're a little less certain about how he'll fare on the ground, though, as the Steelers' T.J. Watt-led defense has slowed down mobile quarterbacks in the last two weeks. Daniels remains a mid-range QB2 in fantasy football, making him a viable streamer in deeper leagues or 2QB formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Williams Looking "Pretty Good" for Week 6
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show that it looks "pretty good" for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) to return in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Head coach Ben Johnson has been non-committal on when the starting signal-caller will be able to return after he suffered a Grade 2 strained right hamstring in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The 24-year-old former first overall pick from USC returned to practice last week and was listed as questionable to play in Week 5 against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, but he was ultimately held out on Sunday. If he can get in a full practice this week, it will look even better for Williams to make his return this weekend, when he would be back on the fantasy radar as a QB1. Third-stringer Case Keenum beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, and backup Tyson Bagent won a start as well for the Bears with Williams out, but Chicago's offense will be in much better shape when Williams returns to the field. Keep a close eye on Williams' practice status this week from Wednesday through Friday.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Chargers Not Considering Trading Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers have never discussed the idea of potentially trading quarterback Justin Herbert, a team source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter admitted that the idea of the Chargers trading Herbert for three first-round picks would be intriguing and would allow the 0-5 team to rebuild for the future, but it sounds as though the Bolts have no interest in trading away their franchise signal-caller despite the bad start and injuries piling up around him on offense. Things could change if the Chargers continue to lose -- they face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 -- but as of now, it is a non-starter for the organization, and it does not even sound like they are willing to listen to trade offers for Herbert. The 28-year-old has struggled in new coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme through five weeks, but L.A.'s grinder of a schedule has not made it any easier. Herbert is completing 59.4% of his passes for 937 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and is already working with a patchwork offensive line in front of him. He has quickly fallen down to low-end QB2 status, and it is going to be difficult for him to bounce back this weekend against KC given all the injuries to the Chargers' WR corps.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Sam Darnold a Risky Week 6 Streaming Option Against Denver
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold offers limited waiver-wire appeal heading into Thursday night's Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Darnold completed 18 of 29 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in Sunday's 32-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He was also sacked five times, continuing an inconsistent stretch since his four-touchdown, 379-yard performance against Washington in Week 3. Over his past two games, Darnold has thrown for just 363 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, while offering little production as a runner. The matchup isn't particularly inviting, either. Denver held Justin Herbert to 121 passing yards and forced an interception in its Week 5 victory over the Chargers. Darnold still has enough receiving talent around him to deliver an occasional strong fantasy performance, but his turnover issues and limited rushing contributions make him difficult to trust on a short week. Rostered in 50% of leagues, he is best viewed as a streaming option in 14-team formats or a depth quarterback in two-QB and superflex leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
