Colts QB Andrew Luck (shoulder) practiced fully on Monday, and while the Indianapolis Star sounds skeptical, it appears likely that Luck will be back in action for Sunday night's Deflategate death match against the Patriots. Heck, the Colts released emergency QB Josh Johnson again and everything. Plan to roll with Luck in Week 6.
The Seahawks expect RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) back at practice on Thursday, and barring any setbacks, he's a good bet to be ready to go against the Panthers.
In other news ...
"Chiefs exploring several options to replace Jamaal Charles" isn't the headline you'd like to see if you already planned to spend half your remaining FAAB budget on backup Charcandrick West. The Kansas City Star suggests some sort of timeshare between West and Knile Davis, but notes that West "has far more consistent hands than Davis ... and his jitterbug style is similar to Charles." Ben Tate is apparently coming in today for a workout, and Pierre Thomas is a rumored candidate as well. The speedy West should be your top free-agent target this week, and if Davis is still available in your league, he won't be a bad consolation prize. Davis is a $4,500 DraftKings play, while West is $4,000.
Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring, toe) didn't practice Monday after being a gametime decision on Sunday. The Falcons visit the Saints on Thursday night, so we'll need to keep an eye on Jones' availability.
Jets DT Sheldon Richardson returns this week from a four-game suspension, bolstering a defense that was ferocious already. Pray for Kirk Cousins on Sunday.
Ryan Fowler and I discussed Todd Gurley, the Chiefs' running backs and free-agent recommendations on today's Fantasy 15 podcast. Listen below!
The Ravens sound positive about the status of RB Justin Forsett (ankle), and are even somewhat optimistic regarding the chances of WR Steve Smith returning. Smith, who has microfractures in his back, is likely to be a gametime decision if things go well this week.
Your Week 6 byes are the Cowboys, Raiders, Rams and Buccaneers. Gurley should rest up for the 300 carries he's going to get over the final 11 games.
When the Cowboys return in Week 7, it's probable that Matt Cassel will be under center. Get ready to stream the Giants' DST.
The Giants aren't yet sure about the availability of WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle, both of whom suffered hamstring injuries Sunday night. Neither player thinks his injury is serious, and Beckham returned for the game's final drive.
Dear Ben Roethlisberger: Get well soon. Signed, Antonio Brown owners.
Bears head coach John Fox talked Monday about the "frustration level" associated with Alshon Jeffery's hamstring injury. Look for another wait-and-see week with Jeffery.
Redskins WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring) will get an increased workload this week, with the hope that he'll be able to return just in time to face Darrelle Revis. The only update on TE Jordan Reed is that he has "improved," but is still undergoing independent concussion testing, according to the team's website.
The Browns don't expect to have CB Joe Haden (concussion) for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Speaking of the Browns, QB Josh McCown has been terrific, averaging 385 yards and two touchdown passes over his last three starts. Unfortunately, his next three opponents are the Broncos, Rams and Cardinals, all of whom rank in the top half of the league in pass defense. Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. WAS) would be a better streaming pickup if that's your Week 6 plan.
The injury situation in the Bills' backfield is still a mess, so much that Boom Herron is your best bet for Week 6. Herron is owned in just 1.4 percent of FOXSpprts.com leagues, and is $3,600 on DraftKings. On the bright side, WR Sammy Watkins (calf) might be ready to go this week.
The Lions hope that RB Joique Bell (ankle) will return this week, which is good timing considering that Ameer Abdullah fumbled twice against the Cardinals. We knew this was a possibility with Abdullah; hopefully the Lions won't completely bury him.
Jaguars QB Blake Bortles is expected to play against the Texans despite a sprained shoulder. Did you know that Bortles is the seventh-ranked fantasy QB on a per-game basis? He'd be a better streaming option than McCown, too.
See you back here on Friday morning.
