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Who should I start Week 6? Fantasy Sunday start sit lineup decisions, inactives, breaking news

Tim Heaney

Griffin Missant

Who should I start Week 6? Fantasy Sunday start sit lineup decisions, inactives, breaking news image

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Every weekend during the NFL season, fantasy football players must stay on top of the latest news. This especially matters on Sundays, when the league releases the injury and inactive reports for every game.

Below, you'll find Week 6 start-sit lineup recommendations to help you make early decisions on who to start in your fantasy league.

We're starting our running, live tracker of the latest fantasy news you need to know each Sunday morning, leading into 1 p.m. ET NFL game kickoffs.

    Scroll down for our latest news updates and strategy tips to help you set your fantasy lineups.

    FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 6 Sleepers | Week 6 Busts | Week 6 Waiver Wire

    Who should I start in fantasy Week 6?

    Click to read Vinnie Iyer's full Week 6 Start 'Em Sit 'Em.

    Fantasy lineup Week 6 questions answered, for half-PPR start-sit lineup tips:

    Fantasy Football Week 6 Must-Starts

    QB: Josh Allen, Bills (at ATL), Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at CAR), Jayden Daniels, Commanders (vs. CHI), Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. DET), Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. SF), Justin Herbert, Chargers (at MIA), Drake Maye, Patriots (at NO)

    RB: Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. ARI); Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs. CIN); Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. BUF); Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at TB); Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at KC); Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. TEN); De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. LAC); James Cook, Bills (at ATL); Quinshon Judkins, Browns (at PIT); Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at CAR); Kyren Williams, Rams (at BAL); Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. DAL); J.K. Dobbins, Broncos (vs. NYJ); Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. CHI); Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. SEA); Tony Pollard, Titans (at LV); Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. LAR); David Montgomery, Lions (at KC); Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at JAX)

    WR: Puka Nacua, Rams (at BAL); Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at KC); Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. TB); Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (vs. SF); Rome Odunze, Bears (at WAS); Davante Adams, Rams (at BAL); Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at GB); George Pickens, Cowboys (at CAR); Deebo Samuel, Commanders (vs. CHI – if active); Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. DAL); Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (vs. DET); Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. LAC); DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. CLE); Drake London, Falcons (vs. ATL); Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at IND);  Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at MIA – if he plays); Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. MIA); Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at MIA); Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. SEA); Tee Higgins, Bengals (at GB)

    TE: Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at CAR); Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. CIN); Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. ARI; Trey McBride, Cardinals (at IND); Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. DET); Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at ATL); Sam LaPorta, Lions (at KC)

    D/ST: Green Bay Packers (vs. CIN); Pittsburgh Steelers (vs.CLE); Los Angeles Rams (at BAL); Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. SEA); Cleveland Browns (at PIT); Las Vegas Raiders (vs. TEN); Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARI); Dallas Cowboys (at CAR); Buffalo Bills (at ATL); New England Patriots (at NO); Tennessee Titans (at LV); Detroit Lions (at KC)

    Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em

    QB: Matthew Stafford, Rams (at BAL); Daniel Jones, Colts (vs. ARI); Jordan Love, Packers (vs. CIN); Caleb Williams, Bears (at WAS); Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. NYJ); Mac Jones, 49ers (at TB – if he plays)

    RB: Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at SF); Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at NO); Hassan Haskins, Chargers (at MIA); Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at JAX); Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (vs. DET)

    WR: Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. LAR -- if active); Calvin Ridley, Titans (at LV); Chris Olave, Saints (vs. NE); Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (at TB); Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. ARI); Stefon Diggs, Patriots (at NO); DJ Moore, Bears (at WAS); Rashid Shaheed, Saints (vs. NE)

    TE: David Njoku, Browns (at PIT); Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. NE); Hunter Henry, Patriots (at NO); Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. SEA); Darren Waller, Dolphins (vs. LAC)

    Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit 'Em

    QB: Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. DAL);  Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. SEA); Justin Fields, Jets (vs. DEN); Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at IND, if active); Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. CLE); Jared Goff, Lions (at KC)

    RB: Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. NE, if he plays); Chase Brown, Bengals (at GB); Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (vs. CLE); D'Andre Swift, Bears (at WAS); Michael Carter, Cardinals (at IND); TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at NO)

    WR: Jameson Williams, Lions (at KC); Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at IND); Khalil Shakir, Bills (vs. NE); Jerry Jeudy, Browns (at PIT); Romeo Doubs, Packers (at CIN); Matthew Golden, Packers (at CIN)

    TE: Jake Tonges, 49ers (vs. TB);  Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. CHI); Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. LAR); Mason Taylor, Jets (vs. DEN); Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. BUF); Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (at PIT)

    NFL Fantasy Week 6 Inactives

    Inactive fantasy players expected to be OUT for Week 6

    These fantasy names are among either those listed on injured reserve, listed as OUT, or not expected to play this week. Remove them from your Week 6 lineups once confirmed.

    To check every player practice report and health designation every week, bookmark our NFL injuries tracker.

    • Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals - INACTIVE
    • Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens - OUT
    • Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers - OUT
    • Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers - OUT
    • CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys - OUT
    • Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers - OUT
    • Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers - INACTIVE
    • Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders - OUT
    • Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers - OUT
    • Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers - OUT
    • Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers - OUT
    • Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders (MNF) - OUT
    • Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers - IR-R

    NFL Fantasy Week 6 Players ACTIVE, EXPECTED TO PLAY, or QUESTIONABLE

    These fantasy names are expected to play in Week 6, but confirm their status before locking them into your lineups:

    Early-window injuries

    • Alvin Kamara, RB Saints - ACTIVE
    • Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens - ACTIVE
    • Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers
    • Tutu Atwell, WR, Rams

    Late-Window and SNF injury statuses to watch

    • Jauan Jennings, WR, 49ers
    • Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs

    Week 6 fantasy players on bye

    Take these typical or occasional fantasy starters out of your lineups: 

    Houston Texans

    • WR Nico Collins
    • RB Nick Chubb
    • RB Woody Marks
    • QB CJ Stroud
    • TE Dalton Schultz

    Minnesota Vikings

    • WR Justin Jefferson
    • RB Jordan Mason
    • WR Jordan Addison
    • TE T.J Hockenson
    • QB Carson Wentz (J.J. McCarthy injured)

    Top Week 6 fantasy news for Sunday

    Watch for updates on major fantasy news for Week 6.

    Hassan Haskins will lead Chargers' backfield

    In the first week with Omarion Hampton (ankle) on injured reserve (designated to return), the Bolts will turn to Haskins as the No. 1 running back, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. 

    However, the Bolts may be on the lookout across the trade market for a bigger name with the assumption that Hampton's recovery may take nearly two months:

    Kimani Vidal probably will still mix in for Week 6 as a passing-situation back, but Haskins (6-foot-2, 228 pounds) has the best shot at goal-line and red-zone work due to this size. 

    • Haskins: a fantasy RB2 | Vidal: low-end flex play, better in PPR

    Bam Knight will start for Cardinals RBs

    Michael Carter's demotion doesn't necessarily mean Knight is the unquestioned, majority player, though Emari Demercado's major fumble mistake last Sunday might've cost him a decent share of backfield touches.

    Knight (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) does have the build for between-the-tackles and goal-line work, so he may wind up seizing the majority of those reps, with Demercado and Carter taking many pass-catching snaps.

    Desperate for a flex? Say BAM.

    Brock Bowers' return likely will be Week 9, at the earliest 

    NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Raiders' tight end likely will not return from his knee injury until after the Raiders' Week 8 bye, which means he'll also sit out in Week 7. 

    Fantasy players should make other long-term plans at tight end. We'll keep tabs on the best pickups each week in our waiver wire.

    Week 6 fantasy rankings

    This week's fantasy football rankings were updated Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

    We've based these fantasy football rankings on full-point PPR scoring except where otherwise noted.

    Note: Players or teams who have already participated in their game this week will have - TNF or - London next to their names.

    Week 6 Fantasy QB Rankings 

    Week 6 Fantasy RB Rankings (PPR)

    Week 6 Fantasy WR Rankings (PPR)

    Week 6 Fantasy TE Rankings (PPR)

    Week 6 Fantasy Defense Rankings

    RkTeam DefenseOPPRk Chg
    1Green Bay Packers CIN 
    2Philadelphia Eagles@NYG 
    3Denver BroncosNYJ 
    4Buffalo Bills@ATL 
    5Arizona Cardinals@IND 
    6Pittsburgh SteelersCLE⬆️ 2
    7Detroit Lions@KC 
    8New England Patriots@NO 
    9Washington CommandersCHI 
    10Cleveland Browns@PIT 
    11San Francisco 49ers@TB⬇️ 2
    12Los Angeles Chargers@MIA 
    13Los Angeles Rams@BAL⬆️ 4
    14Tampa Bay BuccaneersSF 
    15Baltimore RavensLAR 
    16Seattle Seahawks@JAX 
    17Kansas City ChiefsDET 
    18Indianapolis ColtsARI 
    19Tennessee Titans@LV 
    20Jacksonville JaguarsSEA⬆️ 3
    21Dallas Cowboys@CAR⬆️ 1
    22Las Vegas RaidersTEN 
    23New York JetsDEN 
    24New York GiantsPHI 
    25Chicago Bears@WAS⬆️ 1
    26New Orleans SaintsNE 
    27Carolina PanthersDAL 
    28Miami DolphinsLAC 
    29Atlanta FalconsBUF 
    30Cincinnati Bengals@GB 
    BYEHouston TexansBYE 
    BYEMinnesota VikingsBYE

    Week 6 Fantasy Kicker Rankings

      RkKickerTMOPPRk Chg
      1Brandon AubreyDAL@CAR 
      2Cameron DickerLAC@MIA 
      3Wil LutzDENNYJ 
      4Jake ElliottPHI@NYG 
      5Harrison ButkerKCDET⬇️ 1
      6Joshua KartyLAR@BAL 
      7Matt PraterBUF@ATL⬆️ 1
      8Chad RylandARI@IND 
      9Matt GayWASCHI 
      10Chase McLaughlinTBSF 
      11Jake BatesDET@KC 
      12Eddy PineiroSF@TB 
      13Tyler LoopBALLAR⬇️ 1
      14Chris BoswellPITCLE⬆️ 1
      15Jason MyersSEA@JAX 
      16Joey SlyeTEN@LV⬇️ 2
      17Cam LittleJAXSEA 
      18Nick FolkNYJDEN⬇️ 3
      19Ryan FitzgeraldCARDAL⬆️ 2
      20Brandon McManusGBCIN 
      21Andy BorregalesNE@NO⬆️ 1
      22Daniel CarlsonLVTEN 
      23Andre SzmytCLE@PIT 
      24Evan McPhersonCIN@GB 
      25Michael BadgleyINDARI⬆️ 5
      26Jude McAtamneyNYGPHI 
      27Blake GrupeNONE 
      28Jason SandersMIALAC 
      29Cairo SantosCHI@WAS 
      30Parker RomoATLBUF 
      BYEWill ReichardMINBYE 
      BYEKa'imi FairbairnHOUBYE

      Week 6 Fantasy Half-PPR RB/WR/TE Flex Rankings

      RkPlayer NameTMPOSOPP
      1Puka NacuaLARWR1@BAL
      2Christian McCaffreySFRB1@TB
      3Jahmyr GibbsDETRB2@KC
      4Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR2@KC
      5Bijan Robinson ATLRB3BUF
      6De'Von Achane MIARB4LAC
      7James CookBUFRB5@ATL
      8Saquon Barkley -TNFPHIRB6@NYG
      9Jaxon Smith-NjigbaSEAWR3@JAX
      10Jonathan TaylorINDRB7ARI
      11Emeka Egbuka TBWR4SF
      12Josh Jacobs GBRB8CIN
      13Tetairoa McMillan CARWR5DAL
      14Ashton JeantyLVRB9TEN
      15Drake LondonATLWR6BUF
      16Breece Hall - LondonNYJRB10DEN
      17Kyren WilliamsLARRB11@BAL
      18George PickensDALWR7@CAR
      19Derrick HenryBALRB12LAR
      20Trey McBrideARITE1@IND
      21Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR8@GB
      22Garrett Wilson - LondonNYJWR9DEN
      23Rome OdunzeCHIWR10@WAS
      24Kenneth Walker IIISEARB13@JAX
      25Courtland Sutton - LondonDENWR11NYJ
      26Davante AdamsLARWR12@BAL
      27Keenan AllenLACWR13@MIA
      28Javonte WilliamsDALRB14@CAR
      29Xavier WorthyKCWR14DET
      30Quinshon Judkins CLERB15@PIT
      31Chris OlaveNOWR15NE
      32Tyler Warren INDTE2ARI
      33Quentin JohnstonLACWR16@MIA
      34Ladd McConkeyLACWR17@MIA
      35Marvin Harrison Jr.ARIWR18@IND
      36Travis Etienne Jr.JACRB16SEA
      37David MontgomeryDETRB17@KC
      38Alvin KamaraNORB18NE
      39Rachaad WhiteTBRB19SF
      40Tucker KraftGBTE3CIN
      41Brian Thomas Jr.JAXWR19SEA
      42Jaylen WaddleMIAWR20LAC
      43Rico DowdleCARRB20DAL
      44Chase BrownCINRB21@GB
      45DK MetcalfPITWR21CLE
      46Jake FergusonDALTE4@CAR
      47Cam Skattebo -TNFNYGRB22PHI
      48Deebo Samuel Sr.WASWR22CHI
      49Sam LaPortaDETTE5@KC
      50Michael Pittman Jr.INDWR23ARI
      51Juwan JohnsonNOTE6NE
      52Calvin RidleyTENWR24@LV
      53Rhamondre StevensonNERB23@NO
      54Rashid ShaheedNOWR25NE
      55TreVeyon HendersonNERB24@NO
      56Jacory Croskey-MerrittWASRB25CHI
      57A.J. Brown -TNFPHIWR26@NYG
      58Jauan JenningsSFWR27@TB
      59Tee HigginsCINWR28@GB
      60Tony PollardTENRB26@LV
      61Jakobi MeyersLVWR29TEN
      62DeVonta Smith -TNFPHIWR30@NYG
      63Zay FlowersBALWR31LAR
      64Kyle Pitts Sr.ATLTE7BUF
      65Wan'Dale Robinson -TNFNYGWR32PHI
      66J.K. Dobbins - LondonDENRB27NYJ
      67Khalil Shakir BUFWR33@ATL
      68Kendrick BourneSFWR34@TB
      69Keon ColemanBUFWR35@ATL
      70Jaylen WarrenPITRB28CLE
      71RJ Harvey - LondonDENRB29NYJ
      72Dalton KincaidBUFTE8@ATL
      73Stefon DiggsNEWR36@NO
      74Jameson WilliamsDETWR37@KC
      75D'Andre SwiftCHIRB30@WAS
      76David NjokuCLETE9@PIT
      77DJ MooreCHIWR38@WAS
      78Jerry JeudyCLEWR39@PIT
      79Harold Fannin Jr.CLETE10@PIT
      80Josh DownsINDWR40ARI
      81Zach ErtzWASTE11CHI
      82Tre TuckerLVWR41TEN
      83Sterling ShepardTBWR42SF
      84Travis KelceKCTE12DET
      85Tyquan ThortonKCWR43DET
      86Darren Waller MIATE13LAC
      87Elic AyomanorTENWR44@LV
      88Jake TongesSFTE14@TB
      89Romeo Doubs GBWR45CIN
      90Travis HunterJACWR46SEA
      91Kenneth GainwellPITRB31CLE
      92Marvin Mims Jr. - LondonDENWR47NYJ
      93Bhayshul Tuten JACRB32SEA
      94Kayshon BoutteNEWR48@NO
      95Michael CarterARIRB33@IND
      96Isiah PachecoKCRB34DET
      97Kareem HuntKCRB35DET
      98Tyler AllgeierATLRB36BUF
      99Hunter HenryNETE15@NO
      100Troy Franklin - LondonDENWR49NYJ
      101Matthew GoldenGBWR50CIN
      102Jalen TolbertDALWR51@CAR
      103Kyle WilliamsNEWR52@NO
      104Ray DavisBUFRB37@ATL
      105Rashod BatemanBALWR53LAR
      106Mark AndrewsBALTE16LAR
      107Cooper KuppSEAWR54@JAX
      108JuJu Smith-SchusterKCWR55DET
      109Evan Engram - LondonDENTE17NYJ
      110DeAndre HopkinsBALWR56LAR
      111Cade Otton TBTE18SF
      112Joshua PalmerBUFWR57@ATL
      113DeMario DouglasNEWR58@NO
      114Ollie Gordon IIMIARB38LAC
      115Tory HortonSEAWR59@JAX
      116Chig OkonkwoTENTE19@LV
      117Jeremy McNicholsWASRB39CHI
      118Isaiah Davis - LondonNYJRB40DEN
      119Emari DemercadoARIRB41@IND
      120Brian Robinson Jr.SFRB42@TB
      121Luke McCaffreyWASWR60CHI
      122Oronde Gadsden IILACTE18@MIA
      123Kimani VidalLACRB43@MIA
      124Blake CorumLARRB44@BAL
      125Parker WashingtonJAXWR61SEA
      126Ryan FlournoyDALWR62@CAR
      127Justice HillBALRB45LAR
      128Devin Singletary -TNFNYGRB46PHI
      129Tyrone Tracy -TNFNYGRB47PHI
      130Jaydon BlueDALRB48@CAR
      131Kendre MillerNORB49NE
      132Hassan Haskins LACRB50@MIA
      133Tutu AtwellLARWR63@BAL
      134Marquise BrownKCWR64DET
      135Brashard SmithKCRB51DET
      136Jimmy Horn Jr.CARWR65DAL
      137Tre' HarrisLACWR66@MIA
      138Luther Burden IIICHIWR67@WAS
      139AJ Barner SEATE20@JAX
      140Tommy TrembleCARTE21DAL
      141Jalin Hyatt -TNFNYGWR68PHI
      142Josh Reynolds - LondonNYJWR69DEN
      143Sean Tucker TBRB52SF
      144Malik WashingtonMIAWR70LAC
      145Mack Hollins NEWR71@NO
      146Theo Johnson -TNFNYGTE22PHI
      147Isaiah BondCLEWR72@PIT
      148Nick Westbrook-IkhineMIAWR73LAC
      149Brycen TremayneCARWR74@DAL
      150Demarcus RobinsonSFWR75@TB

      NEW - FANTASY TOOLS: NFL Player Stats | NFL Transactions | NFL Depth Charts

      NFL Weather Week 6: Fantasy updates and players affected

      No immediate weather concerns for NFL fantasy exist as of Sunday, 10 a.m. ET.

      Tim Heaney

      Tim Heaney joined The Sporting News in 2025 as Fantasy Football Editor. For nearly 20 years, the FSWA award winner has created fantasy NFL and MLB rankings, podcasts, and analysis for sites including ESPN, USA Today/Sports Weekly, KFFL, RotoWire, and RotoBaller. The Boston University alum hopes he’s helped a few followers win their leagues, even when he’s a year too early on breakout players.

      Griffin Missant

      Griffin Missant joined The Sporting News in 2025 as a fantasy football intern. He graduated from Grand Valley State University, where he covered the Lakers football program. He has also worked for Sleeper and the Fantasy Trade Room. He has played fantasy for over a decade, and has been passionate about fantasy football ever since.