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Calvin Austin III A Low-End WR3 Versus The Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III secured four of five targets for 31 yards during Week 17's 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. During Week 15 and 16, with counterpart George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined, Austin took over as the leading receiver in those games with 65 yards in each contest. Pickens returned in Week 17, and Austin moved down the pecking order. The silver lining was that the five targets were fourth on the team, showing signs that he would remain involved in the passing game. However, that's not enough volume and opportunity to make Austin a reliable fantasy start in Week 18. This week, the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals, who rank middle of the pack against opposing wide receivers. Austin comes in as WR66 in the latest RotoBaller wide receiver rankings for Week 18.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More Recent News
Brandin Cooks A Pivot Option Amid Injuries To Teammates
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandin Cooks had one catch in his team debut last week, but it was good for a seven-yard touchdown. Amid injuries to Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles), Cooks was mostly rotated into two-WR sets, and his snap share was nearly equal to that of Samuel, Jacob Cowing (ankle), and Jordan Watkins. With Samuel ruled out for Week 6, and Evans questionable after not practicing all week, Cooks might take another step forward on Monday night. The 49ers will host the Commanders in the final game of the slate, and Washington has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2026. Cooks currently projects as a WR5 in Week 6. He is best suited for deep leagues and is worth stashing elsewhere as a late pivot option for teams rostering Evans.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Mike Evans Worth Gambling On In Week 6 Despite Injuries
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans fought through a rib injury to snag seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in Week 5. Evans logged three straight DNPs ahead of the 49ers' Week 6 matchup with the Washington Commanders, though he was able to work out on the side. Not only was Evans still bothered by the rib ailment, but he is also battling Achilles soreness. If Evans can tough out the injuries again, he could have another big week. The Washington Commanders have given up the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2026, and have given up at least 120 yards and a touchdown to a wide receiver in three of their first five games. Evans projects as a WR2, but if a late decision comes for Evans to sit, fantasy managers have a grab bag of receivers to pivot to on Monday night that includes Jacob Cowing (ankle), Brandin Cooks, and Jordan Watkins.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Kaelon Black Could See More Work In Mismatch
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black hasn't seen much work as the team's change-of-pace back lately. The rookie wowed in Week 1, handing a season-high 14 carries for 65 yards, but he has averaged 5.8 carries and 17.8 rushing yards in the four games since. The disparity between the 49ers and Commanders in their Week 6 meeting could put more on Black's plate. If the 49ers get out to an early lead, they are more likely to preserve Christian McCaffrey and give more work to Black, as we saw in Week 1. The Commanders' run defense has been stout, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards to running backs, but the 49ers' improved run blocking in 2026 has led to 4.6 yards per attempt. Black projects as an RB4/5 in Week 6. While he won't be suitable to start in most leagues, his upside makes him an option in deep leagues that may need a solution as a bye-week streamer.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey Could See More Receiving Work Amid WR Injuries
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and three catches for 15 receiving yards on five targets last week. In Week 6, the 49ers face the Commanders, who have been surprisingly effective against the run. Washington has allowed just two rushing touchdowns, the sixth-fewest rushing yards, and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2026. McCaffrey's utility as a receiver will keep him in play as a top option at his position. The Commanders are in the middle of the pack defending against passes to running backs, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) has been ruled out, and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is questionable, which means more targets could come CMC's way. McCaffrey projects as an RB1 and should be started in fantasy football in Week 6.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Brock Purdy's Week 6 Outlook Still Rosy Despite WR Injuries
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy passed for a season-low 189 yards in his 19-for-29 effort against the Seahawks in Week 5. Purdy also had two touchdowns in the win, giving him his fifth consecutive multi-score game to start the season. Purdy's touchdown rate has kept him in the running as a QB1 from week to week despite averaging 239.2 pass yards per game (16th in the NFL). The 49ers' wide receiver room has been racked by injuries this season, and Week 6 is no different. Deebo Samuel (hamstring) has been ruled out, as has been expected, and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) has a questionable tag after sitting out of practice all week. Still, the Commanders represent one of the softest matchups a quarterback could ask for, having offered up 24-plus fantasy points in four of their first five games. Given the inviting opponent and Purdy's reputation as a system quarterback, he could find success no matter who is plugged in at wide receiver and projects as a QB1 in Week 6.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jalen Nailor Remains Tough for Fantasy Managers to Trust in Week 6
After missing his team's Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots with a concussion, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor has been cleared to return in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. The 27-year-old has played a minimal role in his team's offense so far, recording five catches for 52 yards on 11 targets across four games. Nailor could have a favorable matchup against the Bills, who rank 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed (1,379) and 29th in passing touchdowns allowed (13) through five weeks. However, Nailor is buried on the Raiders pecking order for targets behind tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Tre Tucker, and running back Ashton Jeanty. Even in a game that could turn into a high-scoring affair, Nailor is hard for fantasy managers to trust as a starter in Week 6.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Williams in Line to Return in Week 6
The Chicago Bears are "planning to start" quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Williams has been sidelined since Week 2 by a hamstring injury and is officially listed as questionable to play on Sunday, but Rapoport reports that the third-year QB is "ready to roll." Across two games before getting hurt, Williams threw for 407 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 107 yards and two scores. Coming off of a hamstring injury, Williams may not be quite as aggressive as a runner right away. Still, the 24-year-old carries tremendous upside for fantasy managers while he's at the helm of the high-powered Bears offense. Williams profiles as a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers in Week 6 against Atlanta.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Saints Elevate Cedric Tillman Amid Teammate's Uncertainty
The New Orleans Saints have elevated wide receiver Cedric Tillman from their practice squad to their active roster ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants, per Mike Triplett of NewOreleans.Football. Tillman's elevation is particularly noteworthy given the uncertain health status of star Saints wideout Chris Olave (illness), who is officially listed as questionable to play in Week 6 due to an illness. Tillman has not recorded a catch in his one game for New Orleans this season, but he hauled in 21 receptions for 270 yards and two scores on 39 targets across 13 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2025. If Olave is inactive on Sunday, Tillman could join Saints wideouts Devaughn Vele and Bryce Lance as more intriguing wide receiver options for fantasy managers in Week 6.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Ja'Kobi Lane Officially Activated from Injured Reserve for Week 6 Return
Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) has been activated from Injured Reserve and will make his return in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Lane has been sidelined since fracturing his wrist in Baltimore's Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. A third-round pick out of USC, Lane hauled in 49 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns across 11 games in his final collegiate season for the Trojans in 2025. The 22-year-old had one catch for 11 yards on three targets before suffering the wrist injury in his first NFL game. Now that Lane has returned, he could be competing with veteran Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman for the WR2 role in Baltimore behind Zay Flowers.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
A.J. Brown Officially Activated from Injured Reserve, Will Play in Week 6
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) has officially been activated from Injured Reserve and will play in his team's Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Brown has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle sprain in New England's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 29-year-old is in his first season with the Patriots, but he has a long history of being a highly productive wideout and should immediately become the number one target for New England quarterback Drake Maye. Across 15 games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, Brown recorded 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 121 targets. Now that he's officially active, Brown profiles as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in Week 6.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jalen Hurts Set to Be Placed on Injured Reserve
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (calf) is being placed on Injured Reserve due to a superficial blood clot in his leg, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Reporting earlier on Saturday indicated that Hurts would avoid IR, but Schefter writes that the Eagles will indeed make the move following "consultations with numerous doctors and experts." As a result, Hurts will remain sidelined through at least Week 10, when the Eagles have their bye. Across five games in 2026, the 28-year-old has thrown for 933 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 107 yards and a score. Without him, the Eagles will likely turn to quarterback Tanner McKee in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers and beyond. McKee has thrown for 597 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception across six games (two starts) with the Eagles since the start of 2024.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Stefon Diggs Questionable in Week 6
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring) has been listed as questionable to play against the San Francisco 49ers due to a hamstring injury. Diggs missed last week's tie with the New York Giants and did not practice on Thursday before being marked as a limited participant on Friday and Saturday. Diggs has been a key contributor for Washington this season, totaling no fewer than four receptions in each of his first four games. He has racked up 31 targets and 18 receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns on the year. The Commanders take on a 49ers pass defense that has allowed opponents to pass for just 199.6 yards per game this season, the eighth-best mark in the NFL.
Source: Commanders injury report
Source: Commanders injury report
Roman Wilson Placed on Injured Reserve
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed Roman Wilson (dislocated finger) on Injured Reserve, which will sideline him for at least the next four weeks. Wilson is the Steelers' third-leading receiver, recording 14 receptions for 188 yards and a couple of touchdowns this season. With Wilson unavailable, that will likely mean more targets for rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard, who has totaled 13 receptions for 140 yards on the year. Additionally, fellow Pittsburgh wide receiver DK Metcalf did not practice on Friday due to an illness. Bernard is RotoBaller's 36th-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score nine fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. Tampa Bay has allowed an average of 226.6 yards passing per game this season, which is middle of the pack. During a win over the Dallas Cowboys last week, Tampa Bay gave up 316 yards to Dallas through the air, including a three-reception, 90-yard performance from WR3 Ryan Flournoy, which included a 48-yard reception.
Source: Steelers official site
Source: Steelers official site
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Losing Value as Jaguars Handcuff
After a slow week in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is losing value as his team's top handcuff to starter Bhayshul Tuten. Rodriguez Jr. carried the ball just twice for five yards while recording one reception for six yards against Philadelphia, which ended his streak of two straight weeks with a touchdown. The week before, Rodriguez Jr. received six carries, totaling 35 yards and a touchdown. He has averaged four yards per carry leading into Jacksonville's Week 6 tilt with the Houston Texans, who have allowed a slim average of 78.4 yards rushing per game this season, the third-best mark in the NFL.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Goodson a Potential Waiver-Wire Addition as Handcuff
Cowboys running back Tyler Goodson is a handcuff option and a potential deep-league waiver wire addition as Dallas prepares to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. Goodson didn't receive a carry or a target during the Cowboys' loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, but remains the backup to starter Javonte Williams, RotoBaller's eighth-ranked running back. The Packers have allowed 127.6 yards per game this season, ninth-worst in the NFL. With that said, the Green Bay defense limited the Chicago Bears to just 81 yards on the ground during a Week 5 win last Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Blake Corum a Deep-League Option in Week 6
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum is a deep league option as he goes up against a leaky Arizona Cardinals run defense in Week 6. Corum found the end zone for the first time this year during a loss to the Buffalo Bills, scoring a rushing touchdown while finishing with just 19 yards rushing on five carries. He also recorded three receptions for 53 yards during his most productive performance of the season. The Cardinals allowed the Detroit Lions to run rampant in Week 5, as Detroit racked up 163 yards on the ground, including a couple of touchdowns for running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Arizona has allowed an average of 126.6 yards rushing per game this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson Waiting in Wings for Bills
Bills running back Ty Johnson played a critical role in Buffalo's Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams, finishing the game with four receptions for 72 yards. He has 10 receptions for 131 yards since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 3. While Johnson has been a non-factor in the running game, recording just one carry for three yards this season, he could see an uptick in usage in that department if fellow Bills running back James Cook's fumbling issues continue this week against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cook nearly gave the game away late against the Rams, fumbling for the ninth time in his last 13 games. Johnson was listed on the Bills' injury report with a hamstring injury, but returned to full practice on Friday and does not have an injury designation entering Sunday's matchup with Las Vegas. He and Ray Davis are behind Cook on the Bills' depth chart.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
CJ Donaldson Drawing Waiver Interest as Saints Backfield Battles Injuries
New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson has seen his playing time increase as injuries continue to deplete the team's backfield. The rookie led New Orleans running backs with a 42% offensive snap share against Minnesota in Week 5, although he managed just 13 yards on four carries and caught one pass for seven yards. Kendre Miller handled 10 rushing attempts for 30 yards and a touchdown despite playing fewer snaps, leaving Donaldson without a substantial rushing workload. With Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) and Ty Chandler (knee) on injured reserve, another opportunity could be approaching. Alvin Kamara (back) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the New York Giants after being limited in practice throughout the week. Donaldson has totaled only 42 rushing yards and 10 receiving yards through five games, but his increased involvement and the uncertainty surrounding Kamara make him worth considering as a speculative waiver stash in deeper leagues. Miller remains the more appealing short-term option if Kamara cannot play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DJ Moore's Shoulder Injury Makes Him a Risky Week 6 Option
Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) faces an appealing matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, but his availability remains uncertain after missing Monday's overtime win over the Rams. Moore is questionable after sitting out practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited capacity Friday. The 29-year-old initially injured his shoulder against Detroit in Week 2 and aggravated it against New England in Week 4. His season totals of 12 receptions for 178 yards and one touchdown are heavily influenced by a five-catch, 100-yard performance against Houston in the opener. Across his other three appearances, Moore has managed just seven receptions for 78 yards. Las Vegas presents an opportunity for a rebound after allowing Drake Maye to throw for 374 yards and four touchdowns last week. Still, Moore's health and uncertain workload make him a risky WR3/flex option even if he plays. Fantasy managers should have an alternative available with Buffalo not kicking off until 4:25 p.m. ET.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Higbee's Consistent Production Makes Him a Week 6 Streaming Option
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee has caught at least five passes for 60 yards in three consecutive games, putting him in a favorable position for Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Since Terrance Ferguson (ankle) went down, Higbee has caught 18 of 23 targets for 212 yards and a touchdown, including five receptions for a season-high 83 yards against Buffalo in Week 5. He played 67% of the offensive snaps in that contest, while fellow tight end Colby Parkinson managed just two targets despite playing a similar number of snaps. Arizona has been particularly vulnerable against tight ends, surrendering 258 receiving yards and four touchdowns to the position over its last three games. Higbee has become a reliable receiving option for Matthew Stafford, and Ferguson's continued absence should help preserve his opportunities. He is a worthwhile Week 6 streaming option, especially in PPR leagues, with the potential to deliver low-end TE1 production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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