Guest of the League
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FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6

Player Notes
Cooper Kupp Oct 14 9:50pm ET
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) had a positive workout on Monday. The veteran wideout appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. It sounds like Kupp has a chance at suiting up this weekend, but that'll depend on how he feels during practice. Kupp hasn't played since he was forced to exit early during the Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He'd immediately go right back into his WR1 spot if he's cleared to suit up in Week 7. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update during the week.

From RotoBaller

Cedrick Wilson Oct 14 9:40pm ET
Cedrick Wilson

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) was a limited participant during Monday's practice estimation. Wilson has been nursing an ankle issue, but did suit up during the Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He hauled in two of his three targets for 28 yards in the loss. Wilson figures to continue playing through the issue, but the Saints are on a short week. Fellow wideout Chris Olave (concussion) didn't practice on Monday and might be sidelined for Thursday's matchup against the Denver Broncos. If that happens, Wilson could have a bigger role, but it's hard to imagine him being a viable fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slay Oct 14 9:30pm ET
Darius Slay

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Darius Slay (knee) was forced to exit early during Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns. The All-Pro corner injured his knee during the third quarter and was unable to return to the contest. The organization was uncertain of the severity, but it appears Slay is only dealing with a minor injury. That is great news for the Eagles considering Slay is one of their key defenders. Isaiah Rodgers took over for Slay during Sunday's game and figures to start if Slay is unable to go in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Haason Reddick Oct 14 8:10pm ET
Haason Reddick

New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick, who has held out all season to this point for a new long-term contract extension, has hired Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha as his new agents. Rosenhaus and Matha have already spoken to the Jets and are in attendance for the Monday night game to close out Week 6 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. "We look forward to working with the Jets to get this resolved as soon as possible," Rosenhaus said. "Haason would like to be a New York Jet for years to come and our goal is to make that happen." The 30-year-old requested a trade on Aug. 12, and the Jets said they had no intentions of trading him. Since then, the stalemate has continued, and Reddick has forfeited around $4.7 million in game checks while accruing another $5 million in NFL-mandated fines. Reddick has 50.5 sacks over the previous four seasons and would make an already strong Jets defense that much stronger, but it remains to be seen if he'll ever play a snap in New York.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Oct 14 8:00pm ET
Kendre Miller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is expected to be available to play in the Week 7 contest on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos. "I anticipate him being ready to go this week," head coach Dennis Allen said. Miller was activated from Injured Reserve on Saturday but was inactive for the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The 22-year-old second-year back wasn't listed on the first injury report on Monday, though, signaling that he could operate as the No. 3 back on Thursday night behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. If Miller is active on Thursday evening, he'll be fully expected to have a small role unless one of Kamara or Williams is injured during the game. The former TCU star has so far been a disappointment after New Orleans took him in the third round in 2023. He was limited to eight games in his rookie year due to injuries and had 41 carries for 156 yards and one touchdown, adding 10 catches for 117 yards.

From RotoBaller

Josh Reynolds Oct 14 8:00pm ET
Josh Reynolds

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) is dealing with a fractured finger, according to head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos put Reynolds on Injured Reserve over the weekend, so he'll be forced to miss at least the next three games after Denver's Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The earliest Reynolds would be able to return will be for a Week 10 divisional clash against the Kansas City Chiefs. Until then, Broncos rookie wideouts Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin will see added opportunities to make plays in the passing game alongside Courtland Sutton. Vele has shown some nice chemistry with rookie quarterback Bo Nix in his two games played, while Franklin, a former college teammate of Nix's at Oregon, scored his first career NFL touchdown in Week 6. Still, both wideouts will need to show more to become realistic waiver-wire pickups in 12-team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Aidan Hutchinson Oct 14 7:50pm ET
Aidan Hutchinson

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson (leg) had successful surgery on Sunday night and is expected to be out for four to six months. Hutchinson is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season, but Campbell said that if anyone could make it back, it would be Hutchinson. The 24-year-old defensive end had surgery to fix a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula after a gruesome leg injury in the Week 6 blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys. He will return to Detroit this weekend and is expected to make a full recovery. Fantasy managers in IDP formats will obviously need to pivot and look for other options at the defensive line position the rest of the way. Meanwhile, Detroit's defensive unit in fantasy will surely take a hit after losing not only their best pass-rusher, but one of the best young sack artists in the game. The former second overall pick out of Michigan has a league-high 7.5 sacks after six weeks.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Oct 14 7:40pm ET
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) is "doing great and he's not going to miss any time." Stafford came out of the Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers with back soreness but had the bye in Week 6 to heal up properly. Stafford could be listed on this week's injury report, but it sounds like he won't be in danger of missing the Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. It's good news for Stafford and the Rams, but LA could be without both receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) for yet another week. Nacua won't practice this week and is most likely out, while Kupp is a question mark. The matchup will be a great one for the 36-year-old signal-caller, but without his top receivers, Stafford isn't all that attractive in fantasy as a QB2. Stafford is currently the QB31 at 14.8 fantasy points per game in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Sean Tucker Oct 14 7:40pm ET
Sean Tucker

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker, who exploded for 136 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in the Week 6 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday in addition to a receiving score, will join Rachaad White (foot) and rookie Bucky Irving more in the backfield moving forward. "It's definitely worthy of him making it a three-headed monster," head coach Todd Bowles said of Tucker. The 22-year-old was everywhere on Sunday for the Bucs, also adding 55 return yards on two kickoffs. Tucker had just three touches through the first five weeks of his second season in the NFL but saw an expanded role with White being inactive in Week 6. At the very least, Tucker is worthy of waiver-wire consideration in deeper fantasy leagues and for those that are in need of a RB or have White rostered. Whenever White returns, this backfield could get murky for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Oct 14 7:20pm ET
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (hip) is officially active for the Monday night game against the division-rival Buffalo Bills after being listed as questionable to play with a hip injury. Conklin will be on the field as the Jets look to beat their division rivals on prime time in their first game after the firing of former head coach Robert Saleh. The 29-year-old will continue to serve as New York's top pass-catching tight end and is coming off a season-high six receptions on a season-high nine targets for 55 yards in the Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Conklin is still searching for his first touchdown of the year and has produced a 17-181-0 line in his five starts in 2024. The matchup against Buffalo isn't a great one, as the Bills defense has allowed the 21st-most half-PPR points to opposing tight ends through the first five weeks of the season. Conklin has been more of a TE2 play so far in 2024.

From RotoBaller

C.J. Mosley Oct 14 7:20pm ET
C.J. Mosley

New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) is active for the Monday night clash against the division-rival Buffalo Bills to close out Week 6 action. A toe injury has sidelined Mosley for the last three games, but he'll rejoin New York's defense as they look to end their losing streak and slow down the Bills at home. The 32-year-old's return will be a nice boost to an already strong defense against a Buffalo offense that will be without star running back James Cook (toe). Mosley, a former first-round selection, will re-enter the starting lineup for the Jets at middle linebacker, although he may be eased back into the picture after missing three games. The five-time Pro Bowler had 12 tackles (10 solo) in two games this year before getting hurt. In IDP fantasy formats, Mosley will be back in play for a Week 7 matchup on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Oct 14 7:10pm ET
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) is officially active for the Monday night divisional showdown against the New York Jets to close out Week 6 action. Shakir injured his ankle in the Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and did not play in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. Despite being listed as questionable to play, he'll make his return after a one-game absence and provide a much-needed boost to Buffalo's offense, which will be without top running back James Cook (toe) as the Bills look to end their two-game skid. When fully healthy, Shakir has operated as quarterback Josh Allen's top target so far this year, securing 18 of 19 targets for 230 yards and two touchdowns. However, it remains to be seen if he'll have a full workload coming off his ankle injury on Monday night. At potentially less than 100%, Shakir has a difficult matchup against a tough Jets secondary.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Oct 14 7:00pm ET
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hip) was seen on the practice field on Monday, which was a light bonus session for the team coming out of their bye week. ESPN's Kevin Seifert doesn't think that Jones is a lock to play in Week 7 versus the division-rival Detroit Lions. The Vikings essentially got a stretch in on Monday, so we won't have a better idea on the 29-year-old's Week 7 status until the team officially resumes practicing on Wednesday. Either way, fantasy managers may not be getting Jones back despite having the bye week to rest up. If Jones doesn't make enough progress in practice to play this weekend, the undefeated Vikings will move forward with Ty Chandler most likely seeing the lion's share of the backfield touches. Myles Gaskin would serve as the change-of-pace backup. Chandler is currently rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues and could be a nice waiver-wire pickup for those in need of a RB.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Oct 14 7:00pm ET
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (toe), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 6 due to a painful toe injury, is officially inactive for the Monday night contest against the division-rival New York Jets. Cook is tough and wanted to tough it out, but instead the Bills will roll with rookie Ray Davis, Ty Johnson and rookie Frank Gore Jr. in their backfield against a tough Jets defense on the road. Fantasy managers that rolled the dice and left Cook in the starting lineups despite the questionable tag will need to pivot now and turn to either Davis or Johnson if they are available off the waiver wire. Cook didn't practice on Thursday or Friday last week but was limited on Saturday and was hoping to be able to suit up on Monday. He'll now be hoping to make more progress this week in order to play this upcoming Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Oct 14 6:50pm ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) said that Injured Reserve is not off the table after he gutted out a back injury to play in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. "But as long as I'm feeling, like, good and I can go out there and win routes, then I'll be out there," Pittman said. A back injury that became increasingly acute in the last week put Pittman's status in question for Week 6, but he played through the injury and even caught the decisive touchdown in the 20-17 victory. However, the 27-year-old played a season-low 80% of the offensive snaps and finished with only three catches for 35 yards. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks this week, we'd expect Pittman to play in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, but he acknowledged his back will be a week-to-week situation that could change at any time. That will certainly make him a more volatile fantasy option, especially with quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) expected to return this week.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Oct 14 6:40pm ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Monday that rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Harrison will have to progress through the league's protocol this week and be cleared by an independent neurologist before getting the green light to play in Week 7 on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers. The good news is the 22-year-old will have an extra day to recover, but fantasy managers may have to make a difficult lineup decision this week if Harrison is listed as questionable to play next Monday. The fourth overall pick out of Ohio State scored three touchdowns in Weeks 2-4 but has two catches for 36 yards the last two games after failing to haul in either of his two targets on Sunday before suffering a concussion. Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch would see added opportunities for Arizona if Harrison isn't cleared for Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Leonard Williams Oct 14 6:30pm ET
Leonard Williams

The Seattle Seahawks acquired standout defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris in a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026. The move makes sense as Seattle looks to fortify the interior of their defensive line after injuries to both Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy this year. Robertson-Harris will immediately come in to provide depth for the Seahawks at defensive tackle. The 31-year-old went undrafted out of Texas-El Paso but began his NFL career in 2017 with the Chicago Bears, playing four years there before joining the Jaguars. He was in his fourth year in Jacksonville this year before the trade, picking up seven tackles (five solo) and two sacks with three tackles for loss and four QB hits in six games played. Robertson-Harris is not on the fantasy radar in IDP formats.

From RotoBaller

Frank Gore Jr. Oct 14 6:20pm ET
Frank Gore Jr.

The Buffalo Bills elevated rookie running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster for Monday night's divisional showdown against the New York Jets. This could be a sign that James Cook (toe), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 6, may not be available to play on Monday night. But the Bills could also be electing for extra backfield depth behind Cook, Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis. Fantasy managers should know Cook's official status for Monday's primetime contest in another hour. The 22-year-old Gore hasn't played at all through the first five weeks of his rookie season in the NFL after going undrafted out of Southern Miss. At best, Gore could see some short-yardage work for Buffalo whenever he makes his NFL debut, but he can be ignored in all single-year fantasy formats for the time being.

From RotoBaller

Zay Jones Oct 14 6:20pm ET
Zay Jones

The Arizona Cardinals officially added wide receiver Zay Jones (hamstring) to their 53-man active roster on Monday. The Cardinals had a roster exemption on Jones for a week after his suspension ended. After releasing receiver Chris Moore last week -- Moore eventually re-signed to the practice squad -- the Cardinals had an open roster spot. Jones was suspended for the first five games of 2024 due to a violation of the league's personal-conduct policy. The 29-year-old injured his hamstring in practice last week and did not suit up for the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. If he's able to make progress in practice this week, Jones could be in line to make his 2024 debut on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. When fully healthy, Jones will be battling for targets as Arizona's WR3 with Greg Dortch and Zach Pascal behind rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) and Michael Wilson. Jones can stay on the waiver wire in standard-sized fantasy leagues for now.

From RotoBaller

Rashid Shaheed Oct 14 6:10pm ET
Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints electric wide receiver/return man Rashid Shaheed (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report for a knee injury that is described as concerning, according to a source. Chris Olave suffered a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, too, and could be fighting an uphill battle to be cleared from the league's concussion protocol before the Thursday night contest in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. If neither Olave nor Shaheed are able to play in Week 7, the Saints would be down to rookies Bub Means and Mason Tipton and Cedrick Wilson Jr. in three-wide sets for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler with Derek Carr (oblique) expected to miss a second straight game. The 26-year-old Shaheed will have his knee checked out, which should give us a better idea of whether he can play on Thursday. Denver's D could be licking their chops if both Olave and Shaheed are out.

From RotoBaller