Welcome to Week 7 of the NFL Season! Or, as I am calling it Bye-mageddon #1. This week is the first of two weeks this season which will see 6 teams on bye. In a season that has already seen many teams decimated by injury, having this many teams on bye will pose another unique challenge for fantasy fans. We are going to see some ugly lineups out there. I am here to help! Let’s take a look at this weeks practice/injury report to get a handle on who you will be able to count on in your time of need.

Quarterback

I always like starting with some good news, and we got some this week. Kyler Murray returned to practice this week for the Cardinals. I don’t expect Kyler to play this week, but just having him back at practice is a good sign. Now, on to the bad news. 

Anthony Richardson was placed on season ending IR after electing to have surgery to repair his injured shoulder. This means it is Gardner Minshew time in Indy, and likely ends any chance the Colts have of having a winning season. Minshew is a capable backup, but as a starter he is very lackluster. 

In Chicago, Justin Fields has been a DNP with his thumb injury, and no one in the organization is giving any kind of timetable on his injury. This means it is Tyson Bagent time in Chicago, and greatly improves the Bears chances of securing another top draft pick this year. 

Jimmy Garoppolo has been a DNP this week for the Raiders with a back injury. I don’t expect him to play this week, and if he doesn’t it will be Brian Hoyer. Hoyer is another guy who is a capable backup, but not someone I want starting for me. He does have a decent matchup this week, so if you have to use him you might be okay. 

One of the most interesting injuries for me is Deshaun Watson. He seemed like he was close to playing in Week 4, but hasn’t played or practiced since. With an injured rotator cuff, I kind of understand it. But, I think it has more to do with his contract. He is guaranteed to get his money, so he has no incentive to try and rush back. This is the exact reason why owners are hesitant to give fully guaranteed contracts. At this point, I propose Chick-Fil-A as Deshaun’s new nickname…since he is never available on Sundays. When, and if, Watson gets back on the field I think if you have him, you are probably playing him, but given what we have seen from him so far this year, I think he may be droppable in most leagues. 

Josh Allen has been a limited participant in practice after briefly leaving the game last week. I fully expect him to play, and there is no way you are taking him out of your lineup if you have him. I would just temper my expectations a bit. 

After missing last week, Daniel Jones returned to practice in a limited fashion this week. Neck injuries are tough, but as it looks now, he seems to be trending toward playing this week.

Running Back

This section should just be summed up with everyone is hurt, and no one knows what to expect this week. But, that doesn’t really help us make roster decisions, so here goes.

Jahmyr Gibbs returned to practice in a limited fashion this week, and with David Montgomery out and Craig Reynolds logging a DNP on Wednesday, he looks to be in line to get the Lions share of the work(see what I did there 🙂). Barring setbacks, I think he is good to go, and if you have him, you are playing him in all formats. Craig Reynolds did get in a limited practice on Thursday, but I still think that Gibbs will be the primary back this weekend.

Kyren Williams seems to be on his way to missing a few games. He avoided IR, but indications around the team are that he is going to return after the team’s week 10 bye. Ronnie Rivers was placed on short-term IR. This is a situation that I have very little confidence in predicting. I fully expect the Rams to employ a true RBBC with Zach Evans, Royce Freeman, and Darrell Henderson. The Rams also signed Myles Gaskin away from the Vikings this week, so he may even be involved. As good as Williams has been for fantasy this year, until we get some clarity on this situation, I am avoiding it.

In Chicago, Roschon Johnson still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, and with two straight DNP’s to start the week it is a real question mark. If he clears protocol he should be the primary back this week for the Bears. If he is active, I think you can safely use him in all formats

For the Dolphins, Jeff Wilson is expected to return this week. While this is Raheem Mostert’s backfield, the second back in Miami has been very successful this year. If you are hurting at the position this week, I think you could find worse options than Wilson.

For the 49ers, Christian McCaffery is dealing with an oblique injury. This is a tough injury for a tough guy. We will really need to monitor this situation through the week, and I do not know if he is going to be able to play or not. If he plays, we have to play him but I don’t know if we should expect his normal workload. If he misses time, I expect Elijah Mitchell to be the lead back, but I do expect it to be a bit of a timeshare.

A lot of guys have been limited in practice this week, but I don’t expect it to affect their availability. These names include Saquon Barkley, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Aaron Jones. Of this list, the one that would concern me the most is Aaron Jones. But, if I have these guys, I am playing them.

Wide Receiver

Continuing in the vein of starting with some good news, Diontae Johnson returned to practice this week for the Steelers. I fully expect him to play this weekend, and I can’t wait to get him back into my lineups.

In Philadelphia, Devonta Smith was a DNP on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. He did get in a limited practice on Thursday, so that is a good sign. This will be a situation we need to monitor through the week. Smith has been somewhat disappointing this year, but is still a guy capable of putting up a big week every time he plays. If you are reading this, please don’t be the manager that signs Julio Jones. He hasn’t done anything in years, and I do not expect any fantasy relevance this year either.

For the 49ers, Deebo Samuel is dealing with a shoulder injury. It doesn’t seem like this is an injury that will keep him out of the game, but he may be at limited effectiveness.If he plays, I think you have to keep him in your lineups. We will learn more as the week progresses, but keep an eye on this situation.

Wan’Dale Robinson was a DNP for the Giants on Wednesday as he works back from his knee injury. His status does not appear to be in doubt for the weekend as he got in a full practice on Thursday.

Tight End

One last positive note to get our position group started! Pat Freirmuth returned to practice for the Steelers. I would fully expect him to play this week, and unless you have a better option at the position, I think he is a very startable option.

In Detroit, Sam LaPorta has been limited in practice as he is working through a calf issue. If you have LaPorta and he is in the lineup you are starting him.

For the Patriots, Hunter Henry has been a DNP with an ankle injury. After a great start to the season, he has really fallen off. The Patriots offense as a whole has been abysmal, and I think you can find better options elsewhere.

In Buffalo, Dalton Kincaid has cleared concussion protocol and is fully expected to play this week. This is good news for fantasy owners. In a week like this, I think Kincaid is a guy who should be able to get you through the week at the position.

Greg Dulcich was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday for the Broncos with a hamstring injury. If he doesn’t play it looks like it will be Adam Trautman starting for the Broncos. I don’t think I would use him, but I suppose there could be worse options.

There you have it! This week is going to be a challenge for all fantasy owners, and I hope this information helps you come out on the winning side of your matchups. As always, if you need help with your fantasy rosters, please reach out on X(Twitter) @2fatguysff