Looks like Malik Nabers could be out again...

Make sure to listen to the latest episode of the Upper Hand Fantasy Podcast: QB & RB Matchups, and also stay tuned later today for the WR & TE Matchups episode!

• Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers misses practice for second straight day Thursday with concussion, status for Week 6 up in the air

  • Things aren’t trending in the right direction for the rookie sensation ahead of Week 6 as he continues to be ailed by a concussion he suffered late in Week 4. After failing to return following a 10-day break between games in Weeks 4 and 5, there was hope that Nabers would be able to get back on the field this weekend against the Bengals. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case as Nabers has yet to practice this week, and HC Brian Daboll said that he participated less yesterday than he did on Wednesday. While there’s still an off chance that he could get in a limited session today, it’s unlikely that the Giants will want to push Nabers onto the field any sooner than necessary with a long season ahead – and with Darius Slayton having a career day in New York’s win against the Seahawks last week. Should Nabers miss, both Slayton and slot ace Wan’Dale Robinson can be fired up as WR3/flex plays in a solid matchup against the Bengals. Malik Nabers’ managers will likely have to ride out the storm another week in anticipation of getting their high-end WR1 back in the lineup.

• Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson misses practice with foot injury Thursday, could miss Week 6 vs Texans

  • We talked about it earlier this week on the podcast – Stevenson said that he expected to be good to go for this weekend immediately after last week’s game, but the test results have determined that was a lie. He’s now missed back-to-back practices to open the week ahead of the Patriots matchup with the Texans, and it comes on the heels of Stevenson being verbally benched in Week 5. Stevenson was able to produce last week despite just a 50% snap share, but exited the game late with the injury in question and didn’t return. Antonio Gibson has been efficient on what’s been limited work, averaging over 5 yards per carry in three out of five games this season. If Stevenson doesn’t get a practice in today, it’s unlikely he’ll start or handle a full workload if he does go, which could lead to Gibson stepping into a primary role in New England’s backfield. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be jumping for joy with Gibson in this matchup (the Patriots have the lowest implied total on the week at just 15 points), but he at least becomes startable as a flex or RB3 option instead of being relegated to the bench. Monitor Stevenson’s practice status today, but Stevenson’s fantasy managers should find backup plans in the event he’s ultimately ruled out.

• Colts RB Trey Sermon returns to practice in full on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice with collarbone injury

  • And… exhale. After making a surprise debut on the injury report on Wednesday with an alleged collarbone injury, Sermon was not only able to return to practice yesterday, but was also listed as a full participant. Unfortunately for those fantasy managers who rushed to the wire and scooped up Tyler Goodson, they’ll have to put their suddenly not-so-shiny new toy back on the shelf. The Colts are also dealing with injuries to their top two wide receivers in Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, both of whom have been unable to practice to this point ahead of Sunday’s game. With limited options in the receiving game and a tough matchup through the air on tap against the Titans, the Colts could be inclined to lean once again on Trey Sermon as a workhorse-lite type of running back. However, Tennessee is allowing the fewest rush touchdowns to running backs this season, which could prevent Sermon from being started as anything more than a low-RB2/high-RB3 or flex. RB Jonathan Taylor remains sidelined, of course, and Sermon will be the RB to roster as long as he continues to tend to his ankle injury.

Breece Hall - RB, NYJ vs BUF

Buffalo’s not only allowing the most fantasy points/game to RBs and more than 100 yards/game on the ground, but they’re also allowing the most receptions and receiving yards to RBs this season.

For reference, Breece is already 2nd in receptions among all RBs, so this is a get right spot for him – don’t let yourself get to cute with it after the last two duds he’s put up over the past two weeks. And if you’re going to buy Breece Hall low, this week is probably the week to do it - he has some very very good matchups on the schedule coming up. Especially the playoff schedule - but starting in Week 10, Arizona, Indy, the bye week, then Seattle, Miami, Jacksonville, the Rams, and the Bills again in championship week.

That is an amazing schedule - and I know Braelon Allen looks good and is getting a little bit of work, but Breece was on the field for 80% of snaps last week and hasn’t dipped below 70% for the season, and that’s according to Fantasy Life’s utilization report that gets updated every single week - Breece Hall can still win leagues.

Bijan Robinson - RB, ATL vs CAR

As for Bijan, the Panthers are allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to RBs, over 120 rushing yards/game (which is 2nd in the league), and they’re allowing the most rushing TDs in the league by far to RBs. Atlanta is favored by almost a TD - so let’s cross our fingers and hope that the volume is there for him this week. I wouldn’t overthink it – his rushing attempt share went up to 65% this past week according to Fantasy Life’s utilization report; that’s what you want to see. Let’s hope for some targets, too - but in this game against Carolina where you’d expect a ton of volume on the ground, the coaches are probably game planning for just that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyler Allgeier was pretty involved - maybe the same percentage of runs, but they’ll be eating out of a bigger cake this week.

D’andre Swift - RB, CHI vs JAX

How can you bench the guy right now? Two top-3 finishes over the last two weeks. He has to be in lineups against Jacksonville - they’re allowing the 3rd most fantasy points to RBs, and particularly relevant to Swift – who’s averaging 4.5 targets over the last 4 games – the Jags are allowing the 2nd most receptions and receiving yards to RBs. I think he’s a RB1 play this week.

It is worth noting that they’re giving up a ton of fantasy points, but they’re allowing only 3.81 yards/carry to RBs, which is 5th best in the NFL - but running backs are scoring touchdowns and getting it done in the receiving game against them.