Some of the best big-play threats in all of fantasy football are dealing with injuries heading into Week 6 of NFL action. Here are the latest injury updates we have for DK Metcalf, Jerome Ford, and Treylon Burks, and how these injuries could impact the fantasy landscape heading into the weekend.
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Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks’ dynamic wide receiver is currently dealing with a rib injury.
It managed to keep him out of Wednesday’s practice heading into their Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
🚨INJURY UPDATE PART 2 TODAY:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE:
G Damien Lewis/Ankle.
WR DK Metcalf/Ribs.
CB Coby Bryant/Toe.
CB Artie Burns/Hamstring.LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:
T Charles Cross/Toe.
G Phil Haynes/Calf.
S Jamal Adams/Concussion.
LB Jordyn/Knee.… pic.twitter.com/T9eHVoLQay— HawkMania (@hawkmania4) October 12, 2023
Normally, a veteran not participating in a Wednesday practice while dealing with an injury is not also a major concern. However, the Seahawks are coming off a bye week, which actually gave Metcalf extra time to recover from this rib injury, and he still missed the first practice of the week.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
Now, he has time to get back on the practice field before Sunday’s game and should be a good bet to be available for Sunday since he has been able to work his way through this rib injury throughout the season.
Unfortunately, this injury may be having a slight effect on his production in 2023. He currently ranks as the WR37 on the season with 18 receptions, 268 yards, and two scores through four games. His per-game average of four receptions for 67 yards is a slight step down from what he was producing last season.
While Metcalf has been battling through the rib injury, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett haven’t been able to establish themselves as the alpha in the Seahawks’ passing game.
If Metcalf is active, he is once again in the WR2 conversation for Week 6.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
Ford posted a huge dud of a fantasy performance against the Baltimore Ravens — just 9.5 fantasy points in PPR formats — heading into the team’s bye week.
This performance likely deserves a bit of context, given that rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was thrust into a leading role when he was named the starter under center against the Ravens.
Unsurprisingly, the rookie struggled in his NFL debut, which led to a poor game across the board for the Browns’ offense.
MORE: 2023 NFL Schedule
Now, fast forward to Wednesday’s practice, and Ford appeared as a limited participant due to a knee injury.
Jerome Ford –
Limited practice today (knee).
Noted he had grasped towards it in Wk4 but he did keep playing.
My guess is he’ll wind up without an injury designation by end of week. https://t.co/ph2ydMJjQ6— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 12, 2023
Fortunately, reports coming from The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot says that Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt isn’t concerned about Ford’s knee ahead of their game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.
Ford’s efficiency hasn’t been great since starting RB Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he has still managed to find the end zone three times this season.
Ford is in the RB2 conversation this week if he is active. If the Browns decide to make Ford inactive for Sunday, look for Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr. to see an expanded role in the Browns’ backfield in Week 6.
Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
It has been a rough start for Burks through the first five games of the 2023 NFL season.
He picked up a knee sprain in the preseason, but he worked his way back fast enough to be available for the season opener… only to suffer another knee injury within the first month of the season.
#Titans vs @Ravens Wednesday Injury Report. pic.twitter.com/7DEGqvbG4C
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 11, 2023
You will need to closely monitor his participation in practice this week. However, he may not be your best option at WR, even if he makes it to the field against the Ravens.
Burks scored more than five fantasy points in just one of his three games played this season, and the Titans’ offense has been below average through the first five games of the year.
Burks certainly has plenty of talent, but he won’t be in my top 50 players at the WR position in my weekly rankings.
If Burks is unavailable again, look for an expanded role for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Chris Moore alongside DeAndre Hopkins in the Titans’ passing game.
Editor’s Note: The Titans have officially ruled Burks out for Sunday’s contest against the Ravens.
#Titans WR Treylon Burks, DB Elijah Molden and LB Luke Gifford have been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game vs @Ravens — they won’t travel with the team to London.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 12, 2023