As the fantasy football season rolls on, more and more teams will hit their byes at critical times. Four teams will be off in Week 6, and that will knock top-tier running backs like Kyren Williams, De’Von Achane, Aaron Jones, and the rejuvenated Kareem Hunt out of action.
That means fantasy football managers are going to have to search for some potential waiver wire gems and streamers to help fill in at running back.
Who can you trust in Week 6 of the 2024 fantasy football season? Here are five running backs to start and five to sit.
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Brown is starting to eat into Zack Moss‘ workload and out-touched him 15-12 against the Baltimore Ravens. Moss is nursing a sore ankle entering Week 6, so that could allow Brown to continue his rise in Cincinnati’s backfield. Either way, his explosive playmaking ability makes him a solid RB2 against a Giants defense that is allowing the third-highest yards per carry average in the NFL this season at 5.1.
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Dobbins is fresh off a bye week and is playing against a Broncos defense that is much easier to run on (111.4 yards per game, 11th in the NFL) than to pass on (159.8 yards per game, fifth in the league). Expect Jim Harbaugh to take a run-heavy approach in this one, giving Dobbins the volume needed to be an effective RB2 despite Denver’s recent defensive success.
It isn’t clear if Singletary will return to action in Week 6 after missing Week 5 with a groin injury. If not, Tracy will be a great play after he logged career highs in carries (18) and rushing yards (129) against the Seattle Seahawks. If Singletary returns, both will be strong flex plays against a Cincinnati defense, allowing 151.4 rushing yards per game, which is third-most in the NFL.
Sermon wasn’t overly impressive in a great Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he scored a touchdown on the goal line and caught all six of his passes in the high-scoring affair. Sermon’s receiving production is notable, as the Titans are one of two NFL teams to allow three receiving touchdowns to running backs this season. So long as Jonathan Taylor (ankle) remains out, Sermon should have a chance to do some damage against Tennessee.
Fantasy owners looking for a PPR sleeper could consider Ogunbowale if Joe Mixon can’t return to the field. Ogunbowale has operated as Houston’s top third-down back with Mixon out and would likely reprise the role regardless of whether Cam Akers or Dameon Pierce is his primary partner. The Patriots have allowed the ninth-most receptions to running backs this season, and with Nico Collins out of action, there should be more receiving options available for Ogunbowale.
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Etienne hasn’t logged a touchdown since Week 2 and has been ceding snaps and carries to Tank Bigsby in recent weeks. Etienne is also dealing with a shoulder injury, so even if he plays against the Bears, he may not be 100 percent. That makes him a riskier play than usual, so teams with deep running back rooms might want to think twice about starting Etienne.
Dowdle is coming off his best game as Dallas’ starter, as he logged season-highs in career (20) and rushing yards (87) against the Pittsburgh Steelers while logging a 22-yard touchdown reception. His long-term outlook may be that of a volume-based flex play, but he should be left out of lineups against a Detroit defense, allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.
White and Irving are in an unpredictable timeshare, so each enters Week 6 as a touchdown-based flex play. The Saints have only allowed three total touchdowns to running backs during the 2024 NFL season, so that will limit the scoring upside of this duo. One may end up having a good day, but trusting either seems more like a 50-50 chance of playing a bust.
The Browns are one of eight NFL teams averaging under 100 rushing yards per game and it doesn’t seem likely to get better against an Eagles defense that allowed 100 rushing yards per game in its final two contests before the bye. Ford hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1 and has yet to eclipse 64 rushing yards in a game this season.
Akers may not play at all if either Mixon or Pierce can return from the ankle and hamstring injuries that have impacted them in recent weeks. If both miss time, Akers might look like an appealing flex option, but Ogunbowale seems to have leapfrogged him on Houston’s running back depth chart. He’s nothing more than a TD-dependent flex at best.
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Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 6.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 6 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 6.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 6.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 6.
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