🏈 Kareem Hunt Week Incoming?

Good morning. It’s Eddie here - Before we get into it, can I tell you how much I love Nick Sirianni? He ensures the Eagles are terrible, so the only real competition for my Cowboys is the team without a name. You’re the best Nick.

Trade Alert 🚨

Speaking of the Eagles, they traded former Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals for CB Tay Gowan and a 2022 5th-round pick. Apparently the Eagles told Ertz before kickoff that he was being traded, giving him a chance to be a captain and take it all in, knowing he was likely moving on.

The Eagles shared a video tribute to Ertz, who leaves the team second all-time in receptions. The fantasy takeaways:

• With Maxx Williams out for the year, Ertz becomes a low end TE1/high end TE2 in a dynamic Cardinals offense.

• Ertz should get the same target volume Williams was seeing (5-target avg in weeks 2-4), but Ertz is a better pass-catcher and should do more with the opportunities.

• Ertz is not eligible to play Sunday vs. the Browns after playing Thursday night, per Adam Schefter. I checked the entire 2020 NFL CBA, but am yet to find the exact rule.

• I’m not at all worried about Rondale Moore. Buy him where you can.

• For the Eagles, Dallas Goedert is a top 8 TE moving forward. He ran a route on 89% of the Eagles passing plays in the 4 games without Ertz last year, which would rank #3 this season (behind only Logan Thomas and Darren Waller, but ahead of Travis Kelce (87%).

Stop the Count!

It seems with every hour that passed yesterday, another fantasy stud was ruled out. Here’s a summary of the most notable injuries for Week 6.

1. Nick Chubb was ruled OUT (calf). This gives Kareem Hunt enormous upside, and really makes me regret trading him last week. He’s a must-start regardless of your other RB options. Demetric Felton could see some snaps, but don’t get your hopes up. It’s Hunt’s backfield. Although…

2. Christian McCaffrey is also OUT. CMC owners must play the long game as the Panthers take his recovery slow and don’t rush him back. Fire up Chuba Hubbard again as an RB2 with upside after he was the 3rd ranked RB in expected PPR points and had 29 touches for 134 total yards in Week 5.

3. Terry McLaurin, limited all week (hamstring), was a non-participant at practice Friday. WFT Coach Ron Rivera said McLaurin’s absence was due to “an abundance of caution.” We’re hoping he’s not a liar.

4. Chris Carson has been placed on IR and will miss at least the next 3 games.  Alex Collins saw 71% of the carries Week 5 and should see a similar workload going forward, and remains an RB3 with TD upside in an offence that should run more sans Russell Wilson

5. DeVante Parker (I know, I know, not a stud) will sit out Week 6 (shoulder and hamstring). Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki should be target monsters with Tua expected to return this week.

6. Russell Wilson:

We could really use injury sliders:

Looking on the Brighter Side

According to Bengals HC Zac Taylor, Joe Mixon will receive a full workload Sunday. He’s an obvious RB1 against a weak Lions defense who recently allowed Alexander Mattison’s 153-yard rushing performance. I love Mixon for DFS this week:

• Mixon will go completely overlooked because of his injury concerns, even though Samaje Perine‘s recent addition to the COVID-19 list means that Mixon will probably return to a bell-cow role.

• The Lions are the 3rd best matchup for RBs, allowing 141 yards and 1 TD per game to opposing RBs over their last three weeks. If Mixon’s average, that’s 20 fantasy points.

Dalvin Cook was removed from the injury report, implying he should be close to 100% Sunday against the Browns. He’s a must start anytime he plays.

• You might want to trade for Cook this week, especially if his owner is desperate for wins now. The Vikings also have a bye in Week 7, which is a good way to pitch the deal.

Baker’s favorite target, Jarvis Landry, return from the IR this week after missing 3 games with a knee injury. While there’s no word yet on any limitations, he should be viewed as a reliable WR3, especially in PPR leagues.

Sterling Shepard will play after missing the past two games (hamstring). Prior to his injury, Shepard saw a whopping 28% target share - but with the emergence of the Kadarius Toney, Shepard could see that % decline drastically. Sit him this week, let’s wait and see how the targets are scattered.

DK Metcalf was removed from Seattle’s injury report and should still be viewed as a WR1 unless Geno Smith turns back into Geno Smith.

Quick Slants

• Hollywood Brown’s 82.8 PFF grade this season makes him the highest-graded WR in the AFC

• Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury tested positive for COVID and is out for this week’s game against the Browns. In Kingsbury's place, DC Vance Joseph and assistant HC/ST coordinator Jeff Rodgers will split the Cards’ head-coaching duties.

• The world needs more Brandon Staley, the Chargers HC. He had some powerful words on coaching, leadership and inclusion in the wake of Jon Gruden's email scandal.

• Jalen Hurts Appreciation Tweet: While he may be struggling as a passer in real life, he’s been amazing in fantasy. An every week QB1 with rushing upside, especially since my boy Nick Sirianni isn’t interested in using his talented running backs. It’s not like Miles Sanders is good or anything….

Tweets of the Day

Bruce Arians is the man:

Kliff Kingsbury this Sunday:

Have a great Saturday!

- Eddie

The Morning Huddle: an (almost) daily newsletter full of fantasy football news, memes, and stats - giving you the edge to win titles and the laughs to enjoy every minute of it.

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