We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most to you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has not played well this season. After leaving the Week-8 contest, Garoppolo’s Thursday night availability was in question. Monday afternoon, Adam Schefter tweeted, “49ers’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be sidelined indefinitely with his high ankle sprain, source tells ESPN. 49ers feel he needs time to rest an injury that has bothered him since Week 2. Nick Mullens took over for Garoppolo on Sunday.” Schefter later tweeted that Garoppolo is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks. Given the way Mullens struggled when starting earlier this season, rostering C.J. Beathard would be a strong move in SuperFlex and Two-Quarterback leagues. As for Garoppolo’s long-term future, Jennifer Lee Chan had a quote from 49ers great, Steve Young, “I just don’t know how Jimmy ends up being the quarterback for the 49ers next year.” This is a team that could use Cam Newton or another veteran next year as San Francisco will finish with too good of a record for one of the top passers in the 2021 NFL Draft.
With the hand and thumb injuries, Gardner Minshew is expected to miss this week’s game. As the team is circling the drain, expect the Jacksonville coaching staff to go with Jake Luton, the youngster from Oregon State, over veteran Mike Glennon. Beat reporter Hays Carlyon captured a quote from the coach, “#Jaguars coach Doug Marrone says Jake Luton has a high ceiling and ‘we might as well see what we have.’" This is a team looking at what it has at quarterback to confirm that there are no viable long-term options on the roster, thus needing to draft a quarterback with what appears to be a high first-round pick.
In his first week back from injured reserve with a knee injury, San Francisco tailback Tevin Coleman suffered an injury to the same knee late in the first quarter. This was Coleman’s first action since September 20, and he may be shelved for another few weeks – or longer. The 49ers offense looked lost without the ability to run the football and anxiously awaits the return of Raheem Mostert. He is on injured reserve, and so is Jeffrey Wilson. The team has few options remaining at the position, but none are in the same realm as Mostert. With quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo not playing well, the running game is required for the team to have a shot at making a playoff run.
Last week, the plugged-in Aaron Wilson tweeted, “Colts designated Michael Pittman for return from injured reserve.” With T.Y. Hilton hurting and failing to produce this season, Pittman is set up to emerge as a late-season star in the Colts offense. He could be a league-winner if quarterback Philip Rivers ups his play. Also, keep an eye out for Parris Campbell to possibly return in December.
In the first half of Sunday’s victory over the Lions, T.Y. Hilton injured his groin and was quickly ruled out. During his Monday press conference, coach Reich said that the injury was minor. In response, Dr. Jesse Morse tweeted, “Very good news, I still expect him to miss 1-2 weeks. #Colts #TYHilton.” Hilton has been largely ineffective this season. He has not scored a touchdown in over a year (last came in October 2019) and has been under 30 receiving yards in 7 of his last 11 games. The chemistry is not strong between him and quarterback Philip Rivers. With Parris Campbell on injured reserve, Michael Pittman becomes an intriguing fantasy option this week versus the Ravens.
Aaron Wilson also broke news on a certain Packers wideout, “Packers designate Christian Kirksey and Allen Lazard for return.” With Lazard back in the lineup and Adams healthy, the Green Bay passing game is unlikely to use the ancillary receivers who have seen action the past few weeks.
Ace beat Jeff Howe was the first to tweet about Julian Edelman, “Julian Edelman is absent from practice and is expected to miss some game action, according to a source. He's been dealing with a knee injury.” He followed that up with, “Edelman actually already had knee surgery today, according to two sources. Not expected to end his season but he’ll miss time.” Then, fellow beat Michael Giardi added, “My understanding is Edelman is dealing with bone on bone in the knee.” He should miss extended time and will not be rushed back as the Patriots see what they have in the younger receivers. Mike Reiss captured a quote on Edelman’s future from his head coach, “Bill Belichick on Julian Edelman: "I don't think this is a season-ending situation. We'll see. I'm not a doctor."This could be Edelman’s last season in New England.” Not that we expected a different answer, but this is far from a glowing report on the injury.
The tongues are wagging and ink spilling on Antonio Brown’s return this week. Tampa Bay beat reporter Rick Stroud tweeted, “#GoBucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich says he used to call Antonio Brown ‘1-10’ because he caught 110 passes at Central Michigan. ‘I know him, I've known him since he was a kid. I know what type of player he is...I think our locker room will be great for him.’'' Stroud followed that up with another quote from Leftwich, “#GoBucs O.C. Byron Leftwich on what gives him confidence Antonio Brown won't cause problems: ‘What gives me confidence is that I've known him since he was a kid. I just got confidence that he loves the game of football and I know what type of player he is...’” If he is nothing else, Brown is the center of attention. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin nicked up for most of the season, Brown could have an immediate impact. After the Monday Night Football victory over the Giants, the Buccaneers have Tuesday off and Brown will join his new teammates on Wednesday.
Monday afternoon, Rapoport tweeted, “Sources: #49ers star TE George Kittle has a small fracture in his foot that was revealed while doing further testing and will miss extended time.” He followed up with more context,” More bad injury news for SF. At this point, it’s unclear if Kittle will be able to return this season. One of the game’s best regardless of position.” Schefter piled on with, “George Kittle is out eight weeks with a broken bone in his foot, per source.” Jordan Reed should be back from the Reserve/Injured list very soon and makes a savvy preemptive pickup.
The week after scoring a pair of touchdowns, Schefter tweeted about a Miami tight end, “Dolphins are signing TE Adam Shaheen to a two-year contract extension with a max value of $7.85 that includes $3.2 million fully guaranteed, per source. His deal was scheduled to expire after this season.” Shaheen was a Day 2 pick who floundered in Chicago. His new contract is a negative sign for the long-term upside of Mike Gesicki. While not huge money, the guarantees are enough to ensure Shaheen stays around and plays.
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