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We're heading into Week 6 of the NFL and there is competition for starting spots.
Players have put down enough tape to either lock in their starting place or have coaches starting to consider their backups. There are starters suffering injuries, rising stars pushing for a chance, and positive COVID-19 tests throwing gameplans into chaos.
One player's misfortune is another's opportunity and, from the aftermath, starting lineups will change. Here, we're looking at five players whose place may be up for grabs in Week 6.
5 players whose starting spot is under threat in Week 6
#1 – Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has shown progress in year four to the extent that veteran Zach Ertz has taken a back seat. But a positive COVID-19 test for Goedert seems set to leave the door open for Ertz to take the majority of snaps in the Thursday Night Football encounter against Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.
This could be Ertz's big opportunity to earn back a starting berth in the Eagles offense. The Buccaneers' defense has given up more passing yards than any other NFL team in 2021 and if Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are chasing the game, Ertz could be the main beneficiary, sending a timely reminder to head coach Nick Sirianni ahead of the trade deadline.
#2 – Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans
Tyrod Taylor will not be starting in Week 6, but he could still be set to lose his starting place when the Houston Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South divisional clash.
Third-round rookie selection Davis Mills showed up against the New England Patriots in Week 5, passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Mills was a last-minute field goal away from leading the Texans to an unlikely victory against head coach Bill Belichick, who has earned a reputation for bottling up first-year quarterbacks.
Another performance of that caliber would leave a serious question for Texans head coach David Culley to answer ahead of Taylor's eventual return. The veteran is week-to-week with a hamstring injury.
Mills had a solid starting debut against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, completing 68% of his 28 pass attempts, before taking a step back with a four-interception game in a 40-0 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.
Mills' 72% completion rate against the Pats earned him Offensive Rookie of the Week honors. Another good display against the Colts and the Texans may realize they have something in Davis, making it counter-productive to turn back to Taylor.
5 players whose starting place is in danger in Week 6
Here are three more players who could lose their starting spot in Week 6.
#3 – Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk had a nice start to the season through three games, culminating in a 104-yard display against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3. But Kirk was targeted once for five yards in the Week 4 win against the Los Angeles Rams and hauled in five catches for only 39 yards against the San Francisco 49ers last week.
Meanwhile, second-round rookie Rondale Moore has been making waves off the bench. Moore has increased his percentage of starting snaps in the last three weeks, recording a career-high 48% of starting snaps in Week 5. Last week, he recorded his most targets, catches and yards since Week 2.
Kirk has done little wrong, but Moore is turning heads at every opportunity. It could take one big breakout game off the bench for Moore to overtake Kirk in the pecking order, and it could be when the unbeaten Cards face the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
#4 – Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard logged his first career 100-yard rushing game in Week 5, but the Carolina Panthers offense stalled against the Philadelphia Eagles and ended up falling to defeat.
Without the safety blanket of checking down to Christian McCaffrey, quarterback Sam Darnold threw three interceptions against the Eagles as the Panthers blew a 15-6 half-time lead to lose 21-18 after a late blocked punt.
Hubbard proved he can play a role in head coach Matt Rhule's offense but, if McCaffrey is available, the temptation will be to slot the star runner back into the starting role. McCaffrey has a unique ability of ripping off a seven or eight-yard run for a first down when the heat is turned up – something the Panthers needed in the loss to the Eagles.
#5 – Jacoby Brissett, Miami Dolphins, quarterback
Jacoby Brissett held down the fort for three starts while Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the sidelines, but Week 5 could have been the final outing in the starting jersey for the former Colts and Patriots passer.
Brissett sustained a hamstring injury during last week's loss against the Buccaneers but played through the pain barrier and finished the game. Tagovailoa has been officially designated to return ahead of the Dolphins' Week 6 game in London, England, and should be under center against the Jaguars having recovered from breaking ribs in Week 2.
