Croskey-Merritt has dealt with a groin injury all season despite playing in the Commanders’ first five games. He missed multiple practices this week and will now get two weeks off with missing the game against the 49ers ahead of Washington’s bye week. For now, expect Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler to handle the majority of the backfield touches for the Commanders.

According to Pelissero, teams have called Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, but he’s not interested in potential trade offers despite Los Angeles’ 0-5 record. The Chargers have one game left before their bye week and if they lose to the 4-0 Chiefs, falling to 0-6, this could all change. For now, the Chargers GM doesn’t want to deal, but trade calls on veteran players aren’t going to stop without a massive turnaround. Pelissero mentions Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Daiyan Henley, Donte Jackson, Denzel Perryman, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Tuli Tuipulotu as potential trade candidates in the final year of their contracts with the Chargers. He adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if teams that need running back or receiver help call about Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, and Quentin Johnston.

The Packers play the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football on NBC and Peacock in Week 6, but Parsons still isn’t practicing. According to Pelissero, it’s unlikely the 27-year-old defensive end plays before Green Bay’s matchup with the Patriots in Week 9 at the earliest. The Packers’ defense has certainly struggled without Parsons, but they have enough offensive firepower to win shootouts, which only adds to the fantasy floor for Jordan Love and Green Bay’s skill players.

No surprise here. Pierce shed his cast earlier this week, but there was also a report from the Athletic’s James Boyd that he “didn’t get the sense” Pierce was close to a return. Pelissero reports that Pierce isn’t expected to return to practice next week when he’s eligible. It’s difficult to justify holding Pierce in leagues without IR spots given the circumstances.

Mayfield didn’t practice this week, but according to Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles he threw on Monday and was pushing to play before his “thumb swelled up on him.” It seems like Mayfield is trending in the right direction and that he could return against the Panthers in Week 7 if the swelling is no longer an issue. Jalon Daniels is starting for Tampa Bay again in Week 6 against the Steelers.

While Hurts still has no timetable to return, the Eagles haven’t even discussed the possibility of placing him on injured reserve, according to Schefter. That could change as there’s still a possibility Hurts could wind up on injured reserve if that’s where the medical information leads them. Most blood clots are treated with anticoagulants (blood thinners), which would sideline Hurts for a minimum of six weeks, according to Schefter’s sources. The best-case scenario, according to Schefter, seems to be if the blood clot is minor enough that doctors could begin treatment with anti-inflammatories. Two team doctors that Schefter polled also speculated that the 28-year-old quarterback could miss six weeks. Tanner McKee is in line to start at least a few games while Hurts is out.

Brown returned to practice this week after going on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. While nothing is official yet, it’s a great sign that Rapoport is anticipating a return for the 29-year-old wide receiver in Week 6 against the Jets. Brown may not play a full complement of snaps in his first game back, but is still essentially a must-start for fantasy managers.

Fowler reportedly spoke to “some people who are hopeful” that Hurts can avoid injured reserve. He described the situation as being “very much touch and go” and said Tanner McKee will “probably” start multiple games. The Eagles go on bye in Week 10, so if Hurts does land on injured reserve, the Eagles’ Week 11 game against the Steelers would be his earliest possible return.

Warren popped up on the injury report on Friday after suffering the injury in practice. Fantasy managers who were relying on Warren likely won’t find a good enough option to replace him with proactively on waivers at this point, so it makes some sense to sit and wait for more reporting to come out or for him to be ruled out. This was, frankly, the last thing the Colts needed given how banged up their receiving corps has been.

Smith sat out on Wednesday, but practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday before upgrading to full on Friday. Smith told media members earlier today that he is “good,” and that the toe injury is not an issue. Jalen Hurts (blood clot) is out indefinitely, so Smith will be working with pocket-passing backup Tanner McKee. The Panthers are currently without both of their starting perimeter cornerbacks. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but Smith is a WR2 in Week 6.