Week 6 Waiver Wire Top Fantasy Pickups After Latest NFL Injuries

We're only one game into Week 6, but some managers may already be scrambling for late-week waiver-wire adds. Injuries continue to be problematic, and we've waded into bye-week season.

The Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings will be out of action this week.

Fortunately, a few viable sleepers may still be available in your league. Here, we'll run down the top remaining plays of Week 6, the latest from the NFL's Week 6 injury report and the top waiver-wire targets at each position.

All rankings, picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

49ers QB Mac Jones

Top 10

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
10. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) has been ruled out again, which is arguably the most notable injury of the week—though a few situations are noteworthy.

The Cincinnati Bengals are turning to the recently acquired Joe Flacco, which may or may not be a good move against a good Packers defense in Green Bay. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (foot) is questionable.

The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, have both Brock Purdy and Mac Jones on the injury report—though it appears that Jones will be able to play in Week 6.

Purdy has been ruled out.

Jones, it's worth noting, is still available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He's coming off of a 342-yard, two-touchdown outing and should be a solid Week 6 play if healthy.

The 49ers are set to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. are waiver targets who are worth a look in deeper leagues.

Running Back

AP Photo/David Becker

Chargers RB Hassan Haskins

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
4. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
5. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
7. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
8. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
9. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
10. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton and Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson are on injured reserve, which opens the door for a couple of viable waiver targets.

Arizona's Michael Carter was a popular pickup this week after leading the team in carries last Sunday. However, he's still available in roughly 35 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues, so it's worth checking on him.

The Chargers, who had already lost Najee Harris for the season, are likely to turn to Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal. It's tough to know how their split will shake out, but Vidal was the more efficient runner of the two in Week 5.

We'd give an edge to Vidal, who is still available in 75 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. Haskins is available in roughly half of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. An uncertain workload makes both backs risky, but at least they have a favorable matchup.

The Miami Dolphins have surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

The Carolina Panthers have already ruled out Chuba Hubbard, which means managers can feel good about leaning on Rico Dowdle, who ripped off 234 scrimmage yards and a touchdown last week. He's still available in about 25 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues, by the way.

Bucky Irving has been ruled out, which means Rachaad White should be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' lead back in Week 6. Alvin Kamara is questionable with an ankle injury.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

49ers WR Kendrick Bourne

1. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
4. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
7. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
8. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
9. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
10. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The Dallas Cowboys won't have CeeDee Lamb back this week to face the Carolina Panthers, but he could potentially return in Week 7. KaVontae Turpin, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Calvin Austin III and Christian Watson have also been ruled out.

Ja'Marr Chase is listed as questionable with an illness, while Quentin Johnston is questionable with a hamstring injury. Those are two of the more impactful situations to follow at any position this week.

Jauan Jennings, Jonathan Mingo and Van Jefferson are also questionable.

On the waiver front, managers should find a handful of options. Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs, for example, is still available in more than 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He's caught 10 passes on 13 targets over the last two weeks and has a fair matchup with the Cardinals, who have allowed the 18th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown has averaged just over five receptions and 50 yards this season and has a terrific Sunday night matchup. The Detroit Lions have been solid defensively this season but have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Brown is still available in roughly 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Kendrick Bourne is coming off of a 10-catch, 142-yard outing and is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. Troy Franklin, Tre Tucker, Darnell Mooney and Isaiah Bond are other waiver targets to consider this week.

Tight End

AP Photo/Kevin Ng

Seahawks TE AJ Barner

1. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
2. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
3. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
4. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
5. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
6. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
7. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
8. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
9. Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins
10. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

It appears that star 49ers tight end George Kittle won't be back this week. However, he could return to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.

Jake Tonges has been a fine fill-in during Kittle's absence, tough and is still available in more than 80 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He had seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown last week.

Las Vegas Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will miss another week, though Michael Mayer (concussion) may make his return.

Like Tonges, Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner deserves waiver-wire attention this week. In fact, he's a virtual must-add for any manager without a true star at tight end. Barner has caught a touchdown pass in three of his four outings and is rapidly becoming a go-to target in Seattle's offense.

Barner caught seven passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5. Yet, he's rostered in only 12 percent of Yahoo leagues and nine percent of ESPN leagues. Mason Taylor, Harold Fannin Jr. and Taysom Hill are also worth considering this week.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.