After a slew of injuries struck in Weeks 2-5, it looks like Week 6 will be on the healthier side of 2016’s norm. There are still some big-ticket items and situations to breakdown for an interesting sixth slate of the year. Let’s hit it in Thursday’s Dose.
The Headlines
In an expected-yet-still-troubling move, the Jets placed Eric Decker (shoulder) on injured reserve on Wednesday. Decker tore his rotator cuff a few weeks back, tried to rehab the ailment, and ultimately has to settle for season-ending surgery. With Decker out, Quincy Enunwa will continue to function as the Jets’ slot-man with Robby Anderson playing outside opposite Brandon Marshall. Without Decker, Robby Anderson played 90% of the Jets’ snaps in Week 5, but he only drew two targets (1-10).
Enunwa is obviously the other Jets’ receiver to own in fantasy football, but it is worth mentioning his production has actually slightly suffered in the past two weeks without Decker. Enunwa averaged 13.7 PPR points/game in Weeks 1-3 with Decker and just 10.6 points/game in Weeks 4-5 (without Decker). In any case, that is an extremely small sample to work with and Enunwa’s target floor is immediately bankable on a weekly basis behind Marshall. This week, Marshall and Enunwa will travel to Arizona to face a ball-hawking Cardinals’ secondary on Monday Night Football. The Cards are permitting the 5th-fewest fantasy points per target to opposing wide receivers (1.34).
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Jordan Reed’s concussion history grew another page on Wednesday. After reporting concussion-like symptoms, Reed was held out of practice on Wednesday and immediately placed in the league’s protocol. This marks Jordan Reed’s sixth known concussion dating back to his college days at Florida. In 2015, Reed missed two games with a concussion and had a severe concussion back in 2013 that ultimately led him to Washington’s season-ending injured reserve. This is obviously a situation to monitor very closely as the week progresses. Niles Paul and Vernon Davis will function as the Redskins’ tight end rotation should Reed miss any time.
All signs are pointing to Jamaal Charles seeing his first real involvement of the 2016 season in Week 6. After playing just 10 total snaps (two carries) in Week 4’s stinker vs. the Steelers before their bye, Charles’ role will do “a little more” this week per HC Andy Reid. When asked about his health, Charles mentioned he feels “110%”. Spencer Ware has been very solid in Charles’ absence, but Charles will be more involved going forward. Granted, no one should expect Charles to be re-installed as Kansas City’s bell-cow immediately. At the very least, both Ware and Charles are RB2 plays at Oakland this week. The Raiders have been a premier matchup for opposing backs this season as their front seven is permitting the third-most yards/carry (4.90) and the ninth-most PPR points per touch (0.94) to the position.
We don’t have direct clarity about how Kansas City intends to use the duo and while Ware may be the Chiefs’ goal-line hammer, we know Charles is very capable of ripping defenses on just 13-17 touches per game. Charles ranked 5th, 1st and 9th in PPR points per opportunity on 320, 329, and 246 total touches during 2012-14. This week should serve as a barometer for how the Chiefs intend to deploy Charles and West and, just as importantly, where Charles stands physically coming off an ACL tear at 29-years-old.
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Quick Hits
Sammy Watkins (foot) doesn’t need a second surgery… Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) is set to return in Week 6… Steve Smith (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and is not expected to play in Week 6… Cody Kessler (ribs) plans to start in Week 6… Browns G Joel Bitonio (foot sprain) is out indefinitely… Sammie Coates (lacerated finger) was sporting a cast on the Steelers’ campus Wednesday. He is day-to-day… Arian Foster (groin, hamstring) is expected to play in Week 6… Dez Bryant was limited in practice on Wednesday… Tyler Eifert (back) did not practice Wednesday… Cam Newton (concussion) got in a limited practice on Wednesday… Eli Rogers (turf toe) is practicing in full in advance of Week 6… Theo Riddick (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday… Bashaud Breeland (ankle) is expected to play in Week 6… Julius Thomas (elbow) is practicing in full for Week 6… Eddie Lacy (ankle) was limited on Wednesday while James Starks (knee) did not practice. Finally, Colin Kaepernick agreed to a restructured contract with a voidable option at the end of the season.
