Week 6 is in the books, and while some teams are hoping to ride hot starts into the postseason, others are struggling with injury-depleted rosters and dimming hopes.
We will have injury analysis for all 32 NFL teams later in the week, but here are the biggest injury stories coming out of Week 6.
Also, be sure to bookmark our NFL Injured Reserve Tracker, which will be updated weekly throughout the season.
Biggest NFL Week 6 Injuries:
Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
The rookie receiver suffered a head injury in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Packers and was immediately removed from the game to be tested for a concussion.
With Harrison sidelined, Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson were the only wide receivers to get targets in the passing game, catching five of their nine total targets for 57 yards.
The Cardinals don't play until next Monday, so Harrison does have an extra day to get through concussion protocol, but based on how dazed he looked after getting hit, there appears to be little chance he can be back for Week 7.
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions
The most gruesome injury of the week belongs to Hutchinson who suffered a broken leg against the Cowboys and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
A source told The Detroit News that Hutchinson could return for the Super Bowl if the Lions advance that far, but even that feels like a stretch at this point.
With Detroit sitting at 4-1 and still second in the NFL's most competitive division, it's worth wondering if the front office decides to take a big swing and add another edge rusher before the trade deadline to replace Hutchinson's production.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Olave also suffered a concussion on Sunday, exiting the Saints' loss to the Buccaneers on just the third play of the game.
The Saints passing offense struggled to get anything going with Spencer Rattler under center, but rookie fifth-round pick Bub Means had five receptions.
Rashid Shaheed led the team with seven targets but caught just one pass for 11 yards.
Complicating Olave's return is the Saints' upcoming Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos.
It will be nearly impossible for Olave to clear all five stages of the concussion protocol in time for that matchup, so his earliest return could be Week 8 against the Chargers.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert left the Eagles win over the Browns on the game's opening drive and never returned due to a hamstring injury. His 75.3 yards per game led all tight ends heading into Week 6.
Grant Calcaterra was actually the Eagles' second-leading receiver against Cleveland, catching four passes for 67 yards, trailing only A.J. Brown in both categories.
The severity of Goedert's injury remains unknown, but he hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2018.
It seems likely he will miss a couple of games before he is back on the field.
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Mason suffered a shoulder sprain on Thursday night against the Seahawks, but the good news is he is currently considered day-to-day ahead of this week's Super Bowl 58 rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even with Mason out, the 49ers rushed for 228 yards on 33 carries with Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. picking up the bulk of the work.
Of course, Christian McCaffrey's eventual return looms over this backfield, but Kyle Shanahan has already ruled out McCaffrey coming back this week as he continues to recover from Achilles tendonitis.
The 49ers will enjoy their bye in Week 9, so a Week 10 return for McCaffrey remains the logical choice.
Full injury analysis for all 32 NFL teams will be available below on Wednesday!
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Here's a team-by-team breakdown of where everyone stands heading into the sixth week of the regular season.
Arizona Cardinals Injury Analysis:
The rookie receiver suffered a head injury in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Packers and was immediately removed from the game to be tested for a concussion.
With Harrison sidelined, Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson were the only wide receivers to get targets in the passing game, catching five of their nine total targets for 57 yards.
The Cardinals don't play until Monday, so Harrison does have an extra day to get through concussion protocol, but based on how dazed he looked after getting hit, there appears to be little chance he can be back for Week 7.
Atlanta Falcons Injury Analysis:
Safety Justin Simmons sat out Wednesday's practice after suffering a hamstring injury in the Falcons' win over the Panthers on Sunday.
However, head coach Raheem Morris told reporters Simmons “should be fine” following the game. It will be worth monitoring his participation in practice the rest of the week.
Baltimore Ravens Injury Analysis:
Coming Soon!
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis:
Running back James Cook was a surprise inactive on Monday night after suffering a toe injury against the Texans in Week 5. With Cook out, rookie Ray Davis picked up over 140 yards from scrimmage.
Cook was present during the Bills' walk-through on Wednesday, but his status for Week 7 remains questionable.
Carolina Panthers Injury Analysis:
Rookie running back Jonathan Brooks had his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week as he continues to recover from offseason ACL surgery.
Brooks was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice but the team is probably targeting Week 8 as a likely date for him to make his NFL debut.
Chicago Bears Injury Analysis:
The Bears enter their bye week with Kyler Gordon dealing with a hamstring injury.
Matt Eberflus told reporters Gordon will get further imaging on his injury later this week, but they don't expect it to be a long-term issue.
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Analysis:
The Bengals enter Week 7 as a relatively healthy team with DJ Turner II listed as the only player on the roster who was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Turner is dealing with an ankle injury, but wasn't limited against the Giants at all last week.
Cleveland Browns Injury Analysis:
Running back Nick Chubb is expected to make his 2024 debut this week against the Bengals after starting the season on the PUP list.
Chubb tore multiple ligaments in his knee last season and should be playing on a limited basis as he works his way back to full strength.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Analysis:
The Cowboys will enjoy their bye week in Week 7, but head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters he is unsure if Micah Parsons will be back on the field when they play the 49ers in Week 8.
Parsons hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in Week 4.
Denver Broncos Injury Analysis:
The Broncos have ruled out Pat Surtain (concussion) for their Thursday night game against the Saints.
On the positive side of things, tackle Mike McGlinchey has been designated to return from the IR and was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He could start if he's added to the 53-man roster prior to kickoff.
Detroit Lions Injury Analysis:
The most gruesome injury of the week belongs to Aidan Hutchinson who suffered a broken leg against the Cowboys and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. He was officially placed on the team's IR on Tuesday.
A source told The Detroit News that Hutchinson could return for the Super Bowl if the Lions advance that far, but even that feels like a stretch at this point.
With Detroit sitting at 4-1 and still second in the NFL's most competitive division, it's worth wondering if the front office decides to take a big swing and add another edge rusher before the trade deadline to replace Hutchinson's production.
Green Bay Packers Injury Analysis:
Despite being initially considered week-to-week, Dontayvion Wicks was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice as he tries to recover from a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 6.
Matt LeFleur told reporters they will give Wicks the week to see if he can play on Sunday, so his status is worth monitoring through the weekend. Fellow receiver Jayden Reed was also limited on SU
Houston Texans Injury Analysis:
Safety Jimmie Ward is not expected to b3+e active this week as he deals with a groin injury.
With Ward out last week, the Texans turned to Calen Bullock and Eric Murray at safety and both guys recorded an interception.
Indianapolis Colts Injury Analysis:
After being a surprise participant in Sunday's win over the Titans, Michael Pittman, Jr. was back at Colts practice on Thursday, indicating he could be active again in Week 7 as he fights through a back injury.
Anthony Richardson was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He expects to be ready for Sunday, but warned he won't be 100% confirmed as the starter until he goes through pregame warm-ups.
Jacksonville Jaguars Injury Analysis:
Despite being initially considered week-to-week by Doug Pederson, Travis Etienne has been limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week, an encouraging sign that he could be active on Sunday or at least in the near future.
D‘Ernest Johnson actually got more touches than Tank Bigsby with Etienne sidelined last week.
Kansas City Chiefs Injury Analysis:
Juju Smith-Schuster was limited in practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury after practicing in full on Wednesday following the Chiefs' bye.
Now, this could be a precautionary thing, but it could also be a new injury that Smith-Schuster picked up in practice on Thursday. His participation in Friday's session will tell us a lot about his health heading into the weekend.
Las Vegas Raiders Injury Analysis:
Another week, another injured star dealing with trade rumors for the Raiders. With Davante Adams now a member of the Jets, Maxx Crosby fits the bill as he deals with an ankle injury.
Crosby sat out Week 4, but has played in the Raiders' last two games. The edge rusher has yet to practice this week, so his status will be worth monitoring into the weekend.
Los Angeles Chargers Injury Analysis:
Joey Bosa has missed two weeks in a row due to a hip injury and opened this week as a DNP for Thursday's practice as the Chargers prepare for a Monday night game against the Cardinals.
Elsewhere on the defense, Asante Samuel Jr. was moved to the IR prior to Week 6 so he will have to miss three more games as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Los Angeles Rams Injury Analysis:
Cooper Kupp was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and could be active for Week 7 after missing four weeks due to an ankle injury.
The news isn't as good for Puka Nacua, but he is expected to return in Week 8, according to Sean McVay.
Miami Dolphins Injury Analysis:
De'Von Achane was a full participant in Thursday's practice as he works his way through concussion protocol following the Dolphins' bye week.
If things progress, he should be cleared on Friday or Saturday and active for Week 7.
Minnesota Vikings Injury Analysis:
Despite returning to the practice field this week, tight end TJ Hockenson will not be active for the Vikings against the Lions on Sunday.
Hockenson started the season on the PUP list as he recovered from a torn ACL and is currently targeting a Week 8 debut.
New England Patriots Injury Analysis:
Rhamondre Stevenson still hasn't returned to the practice field since injuring his foot back in Week 5.
Antonio Gibson led the Patriots running backs in snaps last week, splitting time with Jamycal Hasty and Terrell Jennings.
New Orleans Saints Injury Analysis:
It will be hard for the Saints to take advantage of Pat Surtain's absence on Thursday night with Chris Olave out due to a concussion and Rashid Shaheed on the IR after getting surgery to replace a torn meniscus.
While Olave could return as soon as next week, Shaheed is expected to miss the rest of the season.
New York Giants Injury Analysis:
The Giants will be without left tackle Andrew Thomas for the rest of the season after he underwent surgery for a Lisfranc injury he sustained in Week 6.
Joshua Ezeudu is expected to be New York's left tackle against the Eagles on Sunday, but Brian Daboll did say there's a chance right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor could move to the left side with 2022 seventh-overall pick Evan Neal reclaiming a starting spot.
New York Jets Injury Analysis:
Davante Adams is expected to make his Jets debut this week after missing his last few weeks with the Raiders due to a hamstring injury.
Adams has already been a full participant in practice for the first time since his injury.
Philadelphia Eagles Injury Analysis:
Goedert left the Eagles win over the Browns on the game's opening drive and never returned due to a hamstring injury. His 75.3 yards per game led all tight ends heading into Week 6.
Grant Calcaterra was actually the Eagles' second-leading receiver against Cleveland, catching four passes for 67 yards, trailing only A.J. Brown in both categories.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Analysis:
Starting center Zach Frazier suffered an ankle injury in Week 6 and has already been ruled out for this week. In fact, Mike Tomlin told reporters he expects the rookie to be back following the team's bye week, which would put Frazier out until Week 10.
Ryan McCollum should start with Frazier out.
San Francisco 49ers Injury Analysis:
Mason suffered a shoulder sprain on Thursday night against the Seahawks, but the good news is he is currently considered day-to-day ahead of this week's Super Bowl 58 rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even with Mason out, the 49ers rushed for 228 yards on 33 carries with Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. picking up the bulk of the work.
Of course, Christian McCaffrey's eventual return looms over this backfield, but Kyle Shanahan has already ruled out McCaffrey coming back this week as he continues to recover from Achilles tendonitis.
The 49ers will enjoy their bye in Week 9, so a Week 10 return for McCaffrey remains the logical choice.
Seattle Seahawks Injury Analysis:
The Seahawks have missed two of their top cornerbacks this week with Riq Woolen and Tre Brown both sidelined due to ankle injuries.
Mike MacDonald told reporters it will be “down to the wire” for both guys to be active on gameday, so it remains a question mark who will start opposite Devon Witherspoon against the Falcons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Analysis:
Rachaad White was a limited participant in Thursday's practice as he works his way back from a foot injury that kept him out of Week 6.
With White out, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker split time and each produced over 100 yards from scrimmage. The Buccaneers have promised to run a three-way committee in the backfield once White gets back.
Tennessee Titans Injury Analysis:
The Titans will be without Tyjae Spears for a little while as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Brian Callahan has classified Spears as week-to-week.
With Spears out, Julius Chestnut could be next up to spell Tony Pollard. Chestnut is the only running back on the roster with a rushing attempt besides Pollard and Spears.
Washington Commanders Injury Analysis:
Jonathan Allen will miss the rest of the season after tearing his pec in Week 6. Allen was officially placed on the IR on Wednesday.