Fantasy Football Buzz: Collins placed on IR, Carr sidelined indefinitely

Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and more, the news cycle will constantly influence player values ​​in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, featuring contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to give fantasy managers the information they need as NFL news breaks.

Important links: Fantasy depth maps

Oct. 9: Nico Collins is placed on IR with a hamstring injury

Eric Moody: Nico Collins has had a good start to the season, scoring 16 or more fantasy points in four of his first five games. He led the Texans in scoring with 45 and led the league in receiving yards through Week 6. Now Collins' fantasy managers need a replacement and the Texans have enough talent at wide receiver to make up for the loss.

Stefon Diggs appears to be the focal point of the passing game in Collins' absence. Diggs has scored 14 or more fantasy points in four of five games this season and has topped 18 points in three of them. He was the Texans' second most targeted player behind Collins.

Tank Dell is also expected to play a larger role, much to the delight of his fantasy managers. While both Diggs and Dell play in most ESPN leagues, second-year receiver Xavier Hutchinson is one to keep an eye on. Hutchinson caught two of three targets for 31 yards in the Texans' Week 5 win. Houston is tied for the third-most pass attempts per game (38.0), so CJ Stroud continues to be a solid QB1.

If you're looking for other replacements for Collins, there are a few options to consider including JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Tolbert and more in this week's waiver claim column.

Oct. 9: Derek Carr is out indefinitely with an oblique injury

Tristan H. Cockcroft:Carr is out for Week 6 and likely several games after suffering an oblique injury in Monday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving either Jake Haener, a 2023 fourth-rounder who came in for Carr on Monday, or rookie Spencer Rattler remains behind to step in as quarterback. Both decisions diminish the fantasy appeal of the New Orleans Saints' wide receiver room, as neither offers a profile of Carr's caliber.

Haener was 2 of 7 passing in Week 5 and attempted just two passes that went more than eight yards beyond the line of scrimmage (both 18-yarders), while targeting Alvin Kamara three times (on both completions) and Chris Olave twice and Juwan Johnson once. Rattler, the more intriguing of the two from a dynasty sleeper perspective, completed 53% of his pass attempts in the preseason for 202 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. But both raise questions about their vertical passing, while Derek Carr has one of the better deep balls among current quarterbacks (50% completion rate, 15 touchdowns since the start of last season).

Olave's fantasy appeal takes the biggest hit. Originally a high-end WR2 in my rankings, he's a WR3/Flex as long as Carr is sidelined or needs Rattler to establish himself as a competent NFL passer. Rashid Shaheed belongs in the same ranking, a few notches behind Olave. Also keep in mind that the Saints have two tough matchups coming up against the Denver Broncos in Week 7 and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8.

Oct. 8: The Patriots make a QB change, starting Drake Maye

The New England Patriots plan to make a change at quarterback, using Jacoby Brissett and starting rookie Drake Mayew when the Patriots host the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Maye is available in 98.3% of fantasy leagues, but it's probably not worth starting in a standard 10-team league right now.

The QB change doesn't change how Eric Moody currently evaluates the Patriots' receivers.

Oct. 8: Hope for underperforming fantasy football teams

Earlier today, in a somewhat surprising move, the New York Jets fired coach Robert Saleh, even though the team's 2-3 record puts them just one game behind the AFC East Division leaders Buffalo Bills. Apparently, team management felt that drastic changes were needed for the Jets to make the 2024 playoffs.

But what about fantasy football teams that started the 2024 season significantly worse? If your team is 1-4 or even 0-5 after the first five weeks of the season, is there really hope for you? Should you fire your coach (i.e. yourself) and just ride it out until next season? Well, in the immortal words of Lee Corso: “Not so fast, my friend!”

Although no one is saying there is no hill left to climb, the feat is far from impossible. Last season, a whopping 10% of ESPN fantasy teams that started the season with a 1-4 record made the playoffs. And in a somewhat surprising development, even more teams that were winless after Week 5 action (12%) managed a huge turnaround that led to postseason action.

In other words: yes. We say there is still a chance!

Oct. 7: Nico Collins could be out for a few weeks

Stephanie Bell: Following Sunday's NFL action, we have a number of injury situations that we are monitoring closely. Here are the new injured players to watch in the coming days and weeks, starting with the league's receiving yards leader in Houston.

Nico Collins, WR, Texans: Collins' 67-yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Bills was a beauty, but apparently it came at a price as he left with a hamstring injury afterwards. It was unclear whether this was the same hamstring that Collins reported on an injury report for Thursday's practice before Week 4 (he returned to full practice the next day and played without incident that week) or whether it was the opposite side acted. Recurrence is a common problem with soft tissue injuries and can delay full recovery time. This is therefore worth watching to see if any further details emerge.

Coach DeMeco Ryans described Collins' status as a day-to-day postgame, but on Monday changed his forecast to week-to-week, adding: “A hamstring injury is a couple of weeks.” This would certainly suggest that Collins is expected to play in Week 6 and possibly is longer.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets: In the third quarter, Rodgers got on all fours and appeared unable to stand after his leg got caught in a heap while the rest of him was twisted awkwardly. Clearly uncomfortable, he then grabbed the back of his thigh before falling all the way to the floor. He eventually left the field, escorted by the Jets' medical staff. He came back quickly after evaluation, but seemed to avoid driving through his left (front) leg on his throws, often throwing off with his back foot. After the game, the injury was reported as a lower ankle sprain, and on Monday coach Robert Saleh said all preliminary tests indicate Rodgers will be “fine” and expected to play in Week 6.

It's worth noting that this is the same ankle that Rodgers had a Achilles tendon repair on just over a year ago. There is not necessarily a risk of repair, but swelling or stiffness in the ankle may be a little more difficult to resolve given the history. Rodgers also had some mild swelling in his left knee in Week 5. Even if he can't miss time, it could compound the team's difficulties offensively if he has trouble with mobility or follow-through with his front leg on certain throws.

Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings: Jones suffered a right hip injury in the first quarter against the Jets and appeared to try to work through it by stretching on the sideline when the team initially considered a return questionable. However, he was officially ruled out at halftime and ended his day after just 16 snaps. The Vikings are fortunate to be heading into a bye week and coach Kevin O'Connell said he is “crossing his fingers” that this is a short-term injury situation for Jones. If he has to miss time, it will mean an increased workload for Ty Chandler.

David Njoku, TE, Browns: In his first game back after missing three games with a high ankle sprain, Njoku suffered another injury – this time to the knee – and was forced to retire early again. He was scheduled to undergo imaging of his knee on Monday, but it will also be important to hear how his ankle fared after playing 25 offensive snaps in this game.

Jake Moody, K, 49ers: Kickers who shoot long field goals have been a fantasy boon this season, so losing a kicker is significant to the lineup. Moody, who started the season with two field goals of more than 50 yards, will now be sidelined for several weeks after spraining his right upper ankle while trying to make a tackle on a kickoff return. The 49ers play Week 6 on Thursday night and are expected to have another kicker in action shortly.

De'Von Achane, RB, Dolphins: Achane suffered a concussion in Week 5 and the Dolphins' departure seems to come at a good time for them in several ways. Updates will be scarce during this bye week, but keep an eye out for training reports ahead of Week 7 to see if Achane has a chance of returning.

More things to watch in Week 6

Eagles WRs AJ Brown And DeVonta Smith Both had injuries early in the team's Week 5 bye. Smith suffered a concussion in Week 3 (missed Week 4) and Brown suffered a hamstring injury in practice before Week 2 that has sidelined him since. Both players could potentially return to training this week.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert played in Week 4, although his upper ankle sprain had worsened the week before, but he had a bye in Week 5 to rest and rehab. He's expected to play in Week 6, but his practice status (will he be on the injury report?) is something to keep an eye on.

Browns running back Nick Chubb (ACL, MCL, meniscus) had his training window open and said he felt good after returning to training with the team. Once the window opens, the Browns have 21 days to activate him, so it could come any time between now and Week 8. This week's game is away (at the Eagles), but the Browns then have home games against the Bengals and Ravens. A return in one of these two weeks is most likely.