Dynasty News, Week 12

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Here's a quick rundown of the top dynasty news that matters.

QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati

Thursday night's game squashed the Bengals playoff hopes when quarterback Joe Burrow grabbed his wrist after throwing a second-quarter touchdown pass to Joe Mixon. He tried to throw on the sideline but could not grip the ball. Jake Browning replaced Burrow and played decently, but lacks Burrow's playmaking ability. On Friday, coach Zac Taylor gave an update, "Burrow is out for the year with torn ligament." He continued by saying, "We're turning to Jake. Good to have AJ (McCarron), a veteran in the room who is getting more comfortable (in the system)." Cincinnati will have a few extra days to get Browning up to speed. Hopefully, Tee Higgins will be back in the lineup for the home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland

Burrow was not the only quarterback lost for the season last week. On Wednesday morning, Field Yates broke the news on Deshaun Watson, "Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery." The Browns posted their own update, adding context, "Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending surgery on a broken bone in his throwing shoulder." Ian Rapoport reported more details, "It's a displaced fracture in his right glenoid in his shoulder, and he'll have surgery to repair it. Full recovery is expected." To the surprise of many, it was rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson who started Sunday against the Steelers, not veteran P.J. Walker. Thompson-Robinson had a rough start a few weeks ago, so it was good to see the coaching staff give him another chance. He played well against Pittsburgh, leading Cleveland to victory. The coaching staff adopted a short-passing game plan, enabling Thompson-Robinson to throw the ball 43 times. Neither his completion percentage nor his average depth of target were great, but it was good to see the fifth-round rookie lead his team to victory against a good defense. It should also be noted that both quarterbacks are a huge downgrade from Watson for the Browns receivers. Cleveland's playoff chances rest with their defense.

QB Mac Jones, New England

Last week, beat reporter Andrew Callahan wrote a riveting piece in the Boston Herald on the state of New England Patriots quarterback, Mac Jones. Callahan wrote, "Mac has lost the locker room. After he was benched for a second time this season during a Week 5 loss to New Orleans, several members of the organization lost faith in Mac Jones. But now, after getting benched for a third time last Sunday in Germany, Jones' support is vanishing. One team source estimated that at least 80% of the Patriots' locker room is out on Jones. Another said the 'vast majority' of players are done with him. Both said the lack of belief spreads to both sides of the ball, with a shared sense that Jones' worst mistakes negate the best efforts of his teammates. Certain players, including running back Rhamondre Stevenson, said they're still behind Jones after Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Colts. Asked if the team could benefit from a change at quarterback, running back Ezekiel Elliott replied, 'I don't know,' and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said the team would need to figure that out after the bye. Jones' 10 interceptions ranks second in the league, and he's recorded the most turnover-worthy plays of any quarterback this season, per Pro Football Focus. He's tracking for career worsts in passer rating, touchdown percentage, interception percentage and yards per attempt." New England is coming off a bye week and faces their Super Bowl nemesis, the New York Giants. From Callahan's article, dynasty managers should expect New England to draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. A couple of days later, Albert Breer appeared on "The Herd" and said, "The Patriots are concerned that Mac Jones' feet are such a mess that he now has the '𝗬𝗶𝗽𝘀'". Breer added, "They were sold a smart, efficient game-managing quarterback, and (instead) they're getting a guy that makes a lot mistakes out there that doesn't do the smart thing that often … There's not a lot of confidence in Mac Jones right now inside that building." This offense needs total revamping as there is little talent at receiver. There are also rumors of a coaching change, which could further change the team's personnel. With a 2-8 record, the playoffs are out of reach, and it might be best for the Patriots to get a look at younger players.