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 are not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
Jordan Schultz sent shockwaves through fantasy circles last week when he reported on Russell Wilson’s willingness to waive his “no-trade clause” for a trade landing with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, or Denver Broncos. It is interesting that those are the three teams given. The Saints have no cap room to pull off the trade unless many expensive players are jettisoned. The 33-year-old Wilson sees the end of his career and knows the Seattle Seahawks will not be in contention for many years. It may be time for the Seahawks brass to blow the team up and go into rebuild mode. There were rumblings last offseason that Wilson was unhappy, but the veteran has always maintained his love for the team … at least publicly. A couple of days after the Schultz report, Wilson told reporters that it was a “non-story” and that he hopes to be in Seattle through the length of his current contract. The most telling part of his denial was a comment that Wilson wants to “focus on the present” and not the future. The Seahawks are an aging team without draft picks or youth so there is reason to believe the Schultz report. With Aaron Rodgers, and possibly Matt Ryan, also on the move, this shapes up to be a crazy offseason.
The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala reported last week that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick underwent a hip scope last week. He is done for the season, but the scope should enable the journeyman passer to be ready for the 2022 season. He will be a free agent in the offseason and will likely be playing for yet another team next year. Washington’s starting quarterback will either be Taylor Heinicke or a rookie.
Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport reported that Tennessee Titans star tailback Derrick Henry is making great progress rehabilitating his foot injury. Per Rapoport, Henry is expected to return for the playoffs if the Titans make the postseason. He added that there is a slim possibility for a Week-18 return if the team is in a must-win situation. The team closes the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans, all teams possessing records below .500. Currently sitting at 9-4, a first-round playoff bye would give Henry an extra week of rest. This could be one of the larger stories down the stretch.
Ace beat reporter Michael Gehlken was the first to report on the injury to Dallas Cowboys tailback Tony Pollard, “Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (foot) says he tore his left plantar fascia during 58-yard TD run vs. Saints. Resulted in less fourth-quarter work. ‘It’s really going to be a game-time decision’ Sunday at Washington.” Pollard will attempt to play through the injury but probably should give the injury some rest, at least until the playoffs. This is an extremely painful injury. With Ezekiel Elliott’s knee malady, the Cowboys could transition to a pass-heavy team, elating fantasy managers everywhere.
For the second time in three weeks, Buffalo Bills tailback Zack Moss was a healthy scratch. It is now apparent that Moss is active against teams the Bills are expected to dominate and need a hammer at the running back position. Fantasy managers should consider Moss a poor long-term play as he is positioned behind Devin Singletary and Matt Breida. Also, the running prowess by quarterback Josh Allen lowers the fantasy ceiling for all Buffalo ball carriers.
Ace beat reporter, Connor Hughes, broke the disappointing news Saturday, “BREAKING: The #Jets are placing WR Elijah Moore on the injured reserve, per sources.” He should miss the next two games with a quadriceps injury. The Jets offense was a mess in the loss to the Saints Sunday. Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson looks traumatized with few weapons to target and no running game. He should be passable eventually, but completing only 19 of 42 passes Sunday against New Orleans.
Last week, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that receiver Corey Davis would undergo core-muscle surgery and miss the remainder of the 2021 season. He had been battling a groin injury for several weeks and it was obvious he could not continue doing so. The team without both Moore and Davis will enable Jamison Crowder to see more action. This past offseason, Davis signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract. He ends the season catching 34 passes for 492 yards and 4 touchdowns. With Moore and Davis, the Jets have given quarterback Zach Wilson the tools for long-term success. It is now up to him. Michael Carter is expected back in the lineup this coming week. It is a young offense.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers pined for the Green Bay Packers to trade for his pal, Randall Cobb. The star passer got his wish, but the veteran receiver looks like a shadow of his former play-making self. He has gone under the knife for core-muscle surgery and his season is in major jeopardy. This is a similar procedure as the one Corey Davis had above. These types of surgeries can take months to get back to full health. This could be the end of the line for Cobb. Rodgers will push forward without a familiar face. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
The New Orleans Saints have been dealt blow after blow in terms of player availability. The latest was the three-game suspension for receiver Deonte Harris. The DUI suspension was upheld last week and the speedy receiver will miss another two weeks. He is eligible to return in Week 17. TreQuan Smith and Marquez Callaway are the top wide receivers for the Saints. At least Alvin Kamara has returned to the lineup.
Buffalo Bills veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders suffered a knee sprain in the first half of the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. He was quickly ruled out for the season. Coach Sean McDermott told reporters Sanders was “week-to-week” so we should not expect him on the field for a week or so. In his comments to reporters, McDermott said he was pleased with the progress by Gabriel Davis and expressed confidence in the youngster. For the Bills, the injury to quarterback Josh Allen is a bigger blow than Sanders.
In a purposeful slam, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that tight end Anthony Firkser “is a special teams player who might see some third-down involvement.” Yikes! This is a player who was coveted in the offseason by dynasty managers. In the short term, Geoff Swaim is the starting tight end with MyCole Pruitt also seeing action. Until further notice, Firkser is not fantasy-relevant.
If you would like to review our most recent Dynasty rankings, here is the link.
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