Monitoring the trends of player participation in practice throughout the week can help give fantasy football managers time to formulate a contingency plan for alternative starting options if big-name players are trending in the wrong direction heading into their upcoming game.
With Tony Pollard and Elijah Mitchell on the injury report this week, let’s take a closer look at the latest injury update we have on both heading into Week 6.
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Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Editor’s Note: Pollard has been cleared from the injury report.
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard has appeared on the team’s injury report this week after logging a limited practice on Thursday while dealing with a shoulder injury.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
The Cowboys are set to square off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football, which could put fantasy managers in a tough spot if Pollard is unavailable for the team’s Week 6 prime-time matchup.
Pollard has been on a bit of a cold streak after scoring two touchdowns in the season opener against the New York Giants. He has seen his carries decrease in four straight games while watching his efficiency drop to 4.2 yards per carry on the season, which is a career-low mark for the dynamic back.
If Pollard is active against the Chargers, he will remain a top-10 play at the RB position this week.
If he is unable to go on Monday Night Football, Rico Dowdle would be first in line for an extended role but could work in tandem with rookie Deuce Vaughn against the Chargers. Dowdle would likely sneak just inside the top 30 in the running back rankings if Pollard is inactive in Week 6.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Editor’s Note: Mitchell is listed as questionable for Week 6.
Elijah Mitchell hasn’t been very busy working behind Christian McCaffrey in 2023, but his lingering knee injury has opened the door for other backs to get involved in a complimentary role to McCaffrey over the last two games.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
On a positive note, Mitchell did return to practice on Thursday, which could give him a chance to be available against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
Unfortunately for Mitchell, even if he is active, his fantasy upside behind McCaffrey playing against one of the stingiest defenses in the league doesn’t feel very high.
If Mitchell is active, I still have him ranked outside the top 50 in my weekly rankings at the running back position.
If Mitchell misses a third straight game, Jordan Mason would likely fall into the same range in my rankings against the Browns.