Fantasy Football Week 6 Rankings: RB

First, the bad news -- you'll have to do without the services of Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, and Cedric Benson this week.

The good news? You won't miss any of them! OK, so maybe you'll miss Benson.

On the injury front, Joseph Addai and Darren McFadden both were able to practice on Wednesday. Addai's the better bet to suit up this weekend, while McFadden still remains a question mark (more on that below). Pierre Thomas hasn't been officially ruled out, but after another no-show at practice, all signs point to the Saints resting him another week.

One more quick news item before we dig into these here rankings -- a trade involving running backs went down on Wednesday afternoon, with Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison switching uniforms. Nothing to see here, really. Move along.

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1. Adrian Peterson, MIN (vs. DAL)
2. Frank Gore, SF (vs. OAK)
3. Chris Johnson, TEN (at JAC)
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC (vs. TEN)
5. Ray Rice, BAL (at NE)
6. Michael Turner, ATL (at PHI)
7. Rashard Mendenhall (at CLE)
8. Steven Jackson, STL (vs. SD)
9. Arian Foster, HOU (vs. KC)
10. LeSean McCoy, PHI (vs. ATL)
11. Jamaal Charles, KC (at HOU)
12. Michael Bush, OAK (at SF)
13. Jahvid Best, DET (at NYG)
14. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG (vs. DET)
15. Matt Forte, CHI (vs. SEA)
16. Marshawn Lynch, SEA (at CHI)
17. Felix Jones, DAL (at MIN)
18. Chris Ivory, NO (at TB)
19. Ronnie Brown, MIA (at GB)
20. Mike Tolbert, SD (at STL)
21. LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ (at DEN)
22. Peyton Hillis, CLE (at PIT)
23. Ryan Mathews, SD (at STL)
24. Joseph Addai, IND (at WAS)
25. Ricky Williams, MIA (at GB)
26. BenJarvus Green-Ellis (vs. BAL)
27. Brandon Jacobs, NYG (vs. DET)
28. Ryan Torain, WAS (vs. IND)
29. Shonn Greene, NYJ (at DEN)
30. Mike Hart, IND (at WAS)
31. Thomas Jones, KC (at HOU)
32. Justin Forsett, SEA (at CHI)
33. Brandon Jackson, GB (vs. MIA)
34. Earnest Graham, TB (vs. NO)
35. Chester Taylor, CHI (vs. SEA)
36. Ladell Betts, NO (at TB)
37. John Kuhn, GB (vs. MIA)
38. Darren Sproles, SD (at STL)
39. Marion Barber, DAL (vs. TEN)
40. LeGarrette Blount, TB (vs. NO)
41. Knowshon Moreno, DEN (vs. NYJ)
42. Jason Snelling, ATL (at PHI)
43. Danny Woodhead, NE (vs. BAL)
44. Derrick Ward, HOU (vs. KC)
45. Correll Buckhalter, DEN (vs. NYJ)
46. Jerome Harrison, PHI (vs. ATL)
47. Willis McGahee, BAL (vs. DEN)
48. Cadillac Williams, TB (vs. NO)
49. Mike Bell, CLE (at PIT)
50. Julius Jones, NO (at TB)

• Chargers rookie Ryan Mathews returned to practice on Thursday and could be in line for more carries in Week 6. That said, Norv Turner has been adamant that Mathews won't carry the load until his ankle is fully healed, meaning Mike Tolbert may have one more week to shine. Just don't be fooled into thinking either will run wild on the Rams, a team that's allowed just one rushing score in five games.

• Darren McFadden's return this week looks iffy, meaning Michael Bush should once again net 20-25 touches. Look for him to have a big game against the reeling 49ers, who ceded 138 total yards and a score to LeSean McCoy in Week 5.

• Opposing defenses paid little mind to the Browns passing game when Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme were lining up behind center. Now that Cleveland's forced to roll with rookie Colt McCoy at QB, Peyton Hillis is really going to have a bullseye on his chest. Facing a Steelers squad that's yielding just 12.4 points per game to opposing RBs (only the Jets allow fewer), Hillis gets downgraded to a flex play.

• As previously mentioned, Joseph Addai is expected to play in Week 6. That doesn't mean Mike Hart won't be relevant. With Donald Brown banged up, Hart could see another 10-12 touches. With the Redskins giving up 19.1 points per game to opposing RBs and 4.5 yards per carry this season, Hart could make for a decent flex option (just make sure to check on Hart/Addai's status before game time -- they were both held out of practice on Thursday).

• I struck out on Chris Ivory as a top-15 back last week, but I'm keeping the faith with him facing the Buccaneers in Week 6. With Ladell Betts in the doghouse (costly turnovers last week) and Julius Jones nothing more than a depth signing (at least according to Sean Payton), Ivory should at least get the chance to do damage against Tampa Bay (143.3 rushing yards allowed per game).

• Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is telling anyone who will listen that Marshawn Lynch will be a big part of the team's gameplan in Week 6. If true, Lynch could have a huge day against a Bears unit that's giving up a TD per contest to opposing rushers.