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.
The victory over the San Francisco 49ers was not without loss as quarterback Drew Brees exited the contest and never returned. He took a hard sack late in the first half and did not come back in the game after halftime, saying he “did not feel right.” Star beat reporter Jeff Duncan had this to say after the game and post-game press conference, “I've read Drew Brees' body language and speech inflection for 15 years, and I don't recall him ever sounding like this. The concern was evident in his tone and demeanor. It speaks to his leadership & professionalism that he took the time to address the media after being injured.” Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday morning, “#Saints QB Drew Brees suffered a rib contusion in yesterday’s game, and he’ll have an MRI for cartilage damage today. But sources tell me and @TomPelissero that New Orleans is bracing for Brees to miss some time to fully heal.” Monday afternoon, Adam Schefter tweeted an unexpected level of concern, “Saints’ QB Drew Brees has multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung on the right side, per @WerderEdESPN.” Dan Graziano offered a timeline, “Source on Brees says the most optimistic recovery time would be 2-3 weeks. Emphasis on ‘optimistic.’ Will depend on healing time, which varies by patient, and when they're convinced he can take a hit without risk of serious re-injury. There is hope he's back in time for playoffs.” The Saints need Brees back for the home stretch. Thankfully, New Orleans has the Atlanta Falcons twice plus a road game in Denver as the next three games. There has been no timetable established for Brees’ absence. Jameis Winston replaced Brees and played well. Playing in the New Orleans system – and under the tutelage of coach Sean Payton – did wonders for Teddy Bridgewater’s career. Could it do the same for Winston?
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has not played well this season, and the game against the Las Vegas Raiders was among his worst. Beat reporter Zac Stevens had a telling statistic Sunday night, Drew Lock has played in 24 full quarters this year. "In 4th quarters against the Chargers and Falcons, he has 5 passing touchdowns. In the other 22 quarters, he has 2 total passing touchdowns...” Wow, that is crazy. The team must be looking at other alternatives for 2021. Another local voice, Andrew Mason, tweeted, “Drew Lock has a 66.5 passer rating so far this season. Here are the QBs since 2000 who had a passer rating below 70.0 in their second pro season (minimum 200 attempts): Brodie Croyle, David Carr, John Skelton, Cade McNown, J.P. Losman, Joey Harrington, Kellen Clemens, Akili Smith.” This is not good company. Given his (especially) poor play Sunday, it led many to wonder if Lock was injured. Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) tweeted Monday morning, “Drew Lock was dealing with oblique/abdomen muscle yesterday I’m told. It’s about performance and Lock didn’t have it but he showed guts by trying to fight thru physical discomfort. #9sports.” In Superflex leagues, we advise rostering Brett Rypien as Lock’s injury may either sideline him or give the coaches a great excuse to bench the starter and let the youngster play.
Austin Ekeler was an elite fantasy asset before injuring his hamstring in Week 4. He is eligible to return from injured reserve when the injury allows. Last Thursday, Ekeler tweeted, "the time draws near" on his return. He also posted a video of himself running, presumably at full speed, albeit in a straight line. The Chargers running game has been a mess since the injury and the backups (Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Troymaine Pope, and Kalen Ballage) have vacillated between inconsistent and awful. The rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert, should be anxious to get another weapon in the offense. Now is the time to make an offer for the injured Ekeler if his manager needs assets for the playoff stretch. We are expecting a Week-12 return.
Saturday, long-time beat writer John McClain was the first to report on Houston Texans running back David Johnson’s status, “The Texans are placing RB David Johnson on injured reserve. Johnson, their leading rusher, suffered a concussion in the Jacksonville game. Duke Johnson Jr is starting in Sunday’s game at Cleveland in David Johnson’s place. The Texans moved RB C.J. Prosise to the roster.” Duke Johnson Jr carried the load Sunday in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. The bigger story is a concussion requiring injured reserve. We are hoping he recovers well and soon. Concussions are nothing to slough off.
San Francisco 49ers tailback JaMycal Hasty exited Sunday’s game with a broken collarbone. Hasty was slowly carving out a role behind Raheem Mostert but is bound for injured reserve. In deeper dynasty leagues, he is a player to monitor over the offseason as Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon are not guaranteed a roster spot in 2021.
The New York Jets are a mess and almost could not lose on purpose against the New England Patriots a Monday ago. This is a team in disarray and is evaluating the young players with the hope of discerning who will be a future centerpiece. One such player is rookie LaMical Perine. The former fourth-round pick had been Frank Gore’s backup but gets his chance to be “the guy” the remainder of the season. If nothing else, the move should help the team lose more easily as Gore is outstanding in pass protection and does the little things a young team needs. Given the low-scoring nature of the New York offense, Perine makes a low-ceiling option for fantasy managers.
The Miami Dolphins have made Jordan Howard a healthy scratch the past two weeks. On Monday, we realized the team’s end game. Armando Salguero tweeted, “The Dolphins have released Jordan Howard.” With Myles Gaskin, Matt Breida, and Salvon Ahmed, the team is in good hands. As for Howard, the veteran tailback should not lack for suitors with all the injuries at the position so far this season.
New York Giants tailback Devonta Freeman aggravated his ankle injury during Thursday's practice. He had missed the two previous games with the ankle issue and was hoping to play against the Eagles. Freeman was placed on injured reserve Friday, meaning he will miss a minimum of three games. Wayne Gallman, Dion Lewis, and Alfred Morris are far from dependable but could offer weekly upside, especially Gallman, who has been a much better fantasy back than in real life. His touchdowns are buoying his fantasy numbers and covering up a paltry yards-per-carry average.
The gruesome knee injury to Baltimore Ravens tight end Nick Boyle will land him on injured reserve. While trying to turn up the field on a wet surface, his leg straightened, and the knee bent the wrong direction. Ouch! Boyle is an unheralded player in the Ravens run offense with his blocking. The injury should lead to Willie Snead and Mark Andrews seeing more targets, even though each dropped passes in the critical portion of Sunday’s game.
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