Tony Pollard overcomes the Titans Offense 💪

Happy Monday, everyone - make sure to stay tuned as always for our full Week 6 takeaways post on Instagram, as well as the takeaways episode of the Upper Hand Fantasy Podcast coming later on today! Until then, here’s a look at this week’s top performers pending tonight’s MNF game:

• Cardinals rookie WR Marvin Harrison exits game Sunday vs Packers with concussion, doesn’t return

  • Harrison Jr. has seen his production gradually fall back down to Earth each week since his two-touchdown performance in Week 2 against the Rams, and things bottomed out for the rookie yesterday as he left the game with a concussion and zero points in the fantasy box score. The Cardinals offense overall couldn’t get anything going on the day, with the Packers jumping out at one point to a 24-0 lead late in the second quarter. That forced the Cardinals to be one dimensional in favor of the pass, although Harrison was already out of the game at that point and didn’t return. Because it’s a concussion, there’s at least a chance that Harrison will be able to return in Week 7 without missing any time – he’ll have an extra day to recover with Arizona’s next game against the Chargers coming in Week 7 on Monday night. However, given that the recovery timelines for the injury seem to be running a bit longer this season, fantasy managers should be ready with a backup option in the event that this year’s fourth overall pick is unable to suit up. WR Michael Wilson would receive a significant boost should Harrison miss any time, while TE Trey McBride would continue to be an every-week high-TE1 start with additional security next week.

• Saints WR Chris Olave suffers concussion early in game vs Buccaneers in Week 6, held out for most of contest

  • One of a handful of players to go down early in their respective games and not return, Olave suffered his concussion on just the third play from scrimmage for the Saints’ offense. It’s the latest disappointing development in what’s been a season of few peaks and plenty of valleys for Olave. Just one week after losing his starting quarterback to an oblique injury for the time being, Olave left fantasy managers who had the balls to play him with Spencer Rattler under center out to dry against the Bucs. His one catch for five yards and -0.5 PPR fantasy points as a result of a fumble marked his worst performance of the season to date, and with a Thursday night matchup against the Broncos on tap in Week 7, it’s all but certain that Olave will be forced to miss at least another week with his concussion. In his place, WR Bub Means stepped in and provided a serviceable fantasy performance for all 0% of fantasy managers who started him in their leagues this week. Means’ 8 targets were tied with Alvin Kamara for the team lead, and he was the only Saints pass catcher to find themselves on the receiving end of a touchdown pass from Spencer Rattler. Fantasy managers should be prepared to weather the storm without Olave for at least the next week – especially in a tough matchup against the Broncos.

• Eagles TE Dallas Goedert exits game early with hamstring injury vs Browns in Week 6

  • It didn’t take long for Goedert to be out of the lineup and ruled out for the remainder of the game; in fact, he didn’t make it past the through the first drive before he was forced to leave the field yesterday. Of course, that yielded zero fantasy production for those managers who were brave enough to start him even with A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith returning from injury. As we’ve seen with other players around the league this season and historically, a hamstring injury is never good news – especially considering that Goedert isn’t as young and spry as he used to be at this point in his career. With Goedert out, backup TE Grant Calcaterra saw most of the work in Goedert’s absence by reeling in all four of his targets on the day for 67 yards. Seeing as it is a hamstring injury, after all, fantasy managers should enter Week 7 preparations under the assumption that Philly will be without Goedert’s services at least for this upcoming week. Calcaterra should be rostered only in the deepest of fantasy formats, as he’s unlikely to be a consistent fantasy factor each week moving forward with A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith both back from their respective injury absences.

Tony Pollard becomes the guy vs Indianapolis

Tony Pollard was pretty much the guy for the Titans to start the game. Tyjae Spears got some work on the third drive, but Pollard was clearly the primary back - and then Tyjae hurt his hamstring, didn’t play at all in the second half, and it resulted in Pollard having another big game. 17 carries for 93 yards and a TD, 3 catches as well - 17.8 fantasy points. The definition of a solid RB2, and if Spears misses time, Pollard has to be in lineups next week in a great matchup against Buffalo.

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.

Kimani Vidal flashes on limited opportunity

Kimani Vidal earned only 6 opportunities, but he definitely made the most out of that work - his first NFL touch was a 38 yard wheel route for a TD. Vidal is legit; we talked about him during NFL draft season and also leading up to this season, and he should be rostered. There’s a chance that if he gets going, this backfield can become a 2-man backfield once again between him and Dobbins. As good as Dobbins is, I think Greg Roman wants this to be a 2-man backfield if it makes sense for them to do that and if they have someone capable to do that. With Gus Edwards on IR now, Vidal is going to have that opportunity. You can’t start him just yet, but he’s a good bench stash.