Week 6 Injury/Depth Chart Report

Arizona Cardinals - Hightower will continue to get more touches than Beanie Wells thanks to the pass-first philosophy of the offense, and Wells is becoming a liability as the defense knows what to expect when he's in the game.

Atlanta Falcons - None.

Baltimore Ravens - Rice got the vast majority of touches in week 5, and as the Ravens move towards more of a pass-first offense, Rice will see the field more accordingly.  He's thriving in his current role, even with his inconsistent touches, so there's untapped upside if they choose to use him the majority of the time.  He certainly has the skills for it.

Buffalo Bills - Lynch is slowly working his way back towards the lead back of the committee, and it seems like despite the impressive start that Fred Jackson had to the season, they prefer Lynch as their lead guy.  I think Lynch can be used as an RB2 in the right match ups, but since this offense is far from explosive, you can't use him each week.  Jackson is definitely worth hanging onto, though.

Carolina Panthers - Unlike last year, Stewart is arguably more productive with his touches, and could start getting more.  Expect close to an even share of carries each week.

Cincinnati Bengals - Caldwell continues to outproduce Coles, and it's annoying that he hasn't passed him on the depth chart yet.  He's a reasonable low-end WR3 in the right match ups as is, and he could be an every week option there if he can finally start.

Chicago Bears - Hester is expected to return this week and resume being a WR3 play.  Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox will continue splitting snaps opposite Devin Hester.

Cleveland Browns - Derek Anderson will continue to start, and while he was a victim of drops in week 5, it's safe to wonder why at this point.  The Browns should continue to see what they have with Brady Quinn...it's obvious that Anderson is not the future of this team.  Jamal Lewis is officially back as the primary ball carrier, and Harrison goes back to his situational role.

Dallas Cowboys - Bye week.

Denver Broncos - Knowshon Moreno has officially moved into the starting RB position, but Buckhalter will return in week 6.  Moreno is a RB2 regardless as the primary ball carrier in a solid match up against SD this week.

Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will both miss week 6, so plan on alternatives.  Dennis Northcutt will take CJ's place and is only a desperation play.

Green Bay Packers - Greg Jennings took to the media about demanding the ball more earlier this week, and I expect the Packers to get the ball to him more in week 6.  Chad Clifton's return will be a boost to Rodgers' protection this week.

Houston Texans - Chris Brown continues to get the short yardage work, but after a critical fumble earlier in the season followed by getting stuffed on 4th and 1 last week to tie the game, you have to wonder if the Texans are considering alternatives here.

Indianapolis Colts - Bye week.

Jacksonville Jaguars - MJD went off on the offense today, so expect a heavy dose of him in week 6, and I'm also expecting a big game against a weak STL defense.  Mike Sims-Walker: from fantasy gold to fantasy doghouse.  Supposedly he stayed out too late getting laid on Saturday night, so he was punished in week 5, along with most of his fantasy owners.  This was especially annoying as he was a surprise inactive during the late games, and I am extremely lucky to have Eddie Royal behind him so I could plug someone in.  This is not a long term concern, and Sims-Walker has probably learned his lesson.  Get him back out there in week 6.

Kansas City Chiefs - Dwayne Bowe looked 100% in week 5 and is safe to use as a WR2 moving forward.  If Cassel can build off of his strong week 5 showing, Bowe could flirt with WR1 numbers.  The other WR position is a fantasy wasteland.

Miami Dolphins - Bye week.

Minnesota Vikings - Sidney Rice continues to improve as the secondary receiver, and he's actually outproducing Bernard Berrian so far.  Both are potential WR3s options, with Rice being a better bet for TDs.  Rice is quietly emerging as a very nice NFL WR.

New England Patriots - Moss and Welker continue to miss some practices, but both are fine.  If there's a week to get this passing attack back on track, it's this week's match up against the banged up TEN secondary.

New Orleans Saints - Pierre Thomas continues to battle minor injuries as he's battling an ankle problem now.  Mike Bell has returned to practice at 100%.  I would not be surprised if there is some sort of committee forming here given Thomas' inability to stay healthy, but Thomas is listed as probable for week 6, and I would still roll with him as a RB2.

New York Giants - Eli Manning looked great in limited action in week 5, and while he'll be limited in practice this week, there's no question in my mind that he'll start in week 6 in a battle of the unbeatens against the Saints.  Jacobs continues to frustrate owners, but he's getting plenty of touches...enough to be useful.  Bradshaw has been wildly productive each Sunday, and he's a solid RB2 for bye week purposes...perhaps even on non-bye week purposes depending on who else you have.  I'd rather be using him than guys like Portis and Thomas Jones...

New York Jets - Thomas Jones and Leon Washington continue to split snaps, with Washington looking better.  Both are reasonable RB3s, with TJ the better bet for TDs and Washington the better bet for yardage and catches.  Braylon Edwards looked right at home and dominated targets...he's a WR2 with upside in NY.  Cotchery is out for week 6, so David Clowney will start for him.  He's only a desperation play.

Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden is still out while recovering from his knee injury, and Michael Bush will start and see more carries each week.  However, he's only a last ditch RB2 in a horrible match up against PHI this week.  Oakland's schedule has been brutal with McFadden out.

Philadelphia Eagles - McNabb looked great in week 5.  Westbrook looked pretty solid as well, but split carries with LeSean McCoy.  There's a good chance that will continue moving forward given Westbrook's inability to stay healthy, and also McCoy's effectiveness when he's played.  Jeremy Maclin took over for Kevin Curtis in week 5...and he's probably taken his job for good.  He's a WR3 until he proves otherwise, but he might get a lot of Asomugha in coverage this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Mendenhall is battling an illness that has prevented him for practicing while Willie Parker has returned to practice in full so far this week.  Thankfully, Mendenhall returned to practice on Friday and should receive the majority of the carries in week 6.  Use him.

San Diego Chargers - LT figures to have benefited from a bye week, but he's still going to split work with Sproles, coming out on passing downs and in the hurry up offense.  This will be a solid test of what exactly LT has left...if he can't regain some explosiveness after a week off, it'll be about time to write him off as anything more than a RB3 moving forward.  He also has a stern test against DEN's surprising D.

San Francisco 49ers - Bye week.

Seattle Seahawks - Matt Hasselbeck is back, and he carved up a horrible Jacksonville secondary.  Arizona provides another positive match up, and he's still a good bye week fill-in.  The running game has resumed being worthless.  Burleson is apparently for real while Hasselbeck is starting...he's the #5 receiver so far!!  Housh is also a WR3.

St. Louis Rams - Marc Bulger came in to clean up Boller's mess and looked pretty good.  He's back starting this week against a weak Jacksonville secondary, so he's a decent QB2 this week if you're lacking options.  Donnie Avery is a sneaky WR3 this week as well.  Also, after 5 weeks of waiting, I think this is the week that Steven Jackson finally scores a TD.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Johnson will start again, but he's looked poor thus far.  The running game, thought in the preseason to be a strength, has been a bit of a wasteland as Caddy/Ward split carries behind a defense that can't stop anyone.  Antonio Bryant is putting up reasonable numbers, but his knee continues to limit him.  He's a risky WR3.

Tennessee Titans - None.

Washington Redskins - Portis again busted in the yardage department, but 2 TDs saved his fantasy day.  The current coaching staff remains loyal to him for his years of service, but if Zorn and company are fired, it might not stay that way.  I would try to deal him immediately if you can.