Dynasty News: Week 9

Dynasty News has been a part of Footballguys for well over a decade. Our Jeff Tefertiller combines strategy with relevant NFL news to help dynasty managers excel with their teams. It examines some of the larger happenings of the week from a dynasty perspective. The news may be injury- or performance-related.

Dynasty News: Jordan Love, Green Bay

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love exited Sunday's game in the third quarter with a groin injury. After the game, Tom Pelissero tweeted some optimism, "#Packers QB Jordan Love will undergo tests Monday, but there’s optimism he avoided a long-term injury today, per sources. Love kept playing after tweaking his groin but eventually had to come out. Status TBD for next Sunday’s showdown against the #Lions." Next week's contest against the Lions is huge for the division title, so we expect Love to do everything possible to play. But Green Bay has a bye after the Detroit game, so he may be held out for the stretch run. The good news is that he avoided a long-term injury. Also, Malik Willis played well this season when Love was sidelined. Willis led his team to a victory, completing 4-of-5 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. This is a big injury to monitor for dynasty managers who regularly start one or more of the Packers receivers.

Dynasty News: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco

Last Friday, Ian Rapoport reported that San Francisco star tailback Christian McCaffrey has a "Very good chance" to play in Week 10. His presence will give the 49ers a big lift, as that offense has suffered through a myriad of injuries. San Francisco has a Week 9 bye and plays at Tampa Bay on November 10. McCaffrey will be back for the second half of the season, and San Francisco has a difficult remaining schedule. After the Buccaneers game, the 49ers play the Seahawks, Packers, and Bills the next three games. We expect the veteran running back to return to the practice field this week.

Dynasty News: Stefon Diggs, Houston

Stefon Diggs has played well in Houston, giving the young receiving corps a veteran presence, especially with Nico Collins sidelined. Diggs injured his knee in Sunday's game against Indianapolis on a non-contact play. The way his teammates surrounded him indicated a serious injury. He was quickly ruled out of the game. The Texans do not have much depth at the position other than Tank Dell. We expect tight end Dalton Schultz to see an uptick in targets until Collins can return. In April, Diggs signed a revised one-year deal worth $22.52 million with $22.015 million guaranteed. This means that the veteran will be a free agent this offseason. Depending on his recovery timetable, we might expect him to re-sign in Houston on a one-year "prove-it" deal with the hopes of earning a longer deal in 2026. Diggs turns 31 years of age in November and has not shown signs of slowing down as of yet.

Dynasty News: DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City

The Hopkins trade to the Chiefs dominated the news cycle last week. It started with Ian Rapoport tweeting, “Sources: #Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins is being traded to the #Chiefs in exchange for a 5th rounder that can get to a fourth-rounder. Deal is being finalized. A key veteran who could be the final piece, Hopkins' name has been hot in the trade market. Now, he lands with the champs. Then, James Palmer offered more context, “A few notes on the #chiefs landing DeAndre Hopkins:

• Giving up a conditional 4th for Hop, KC has two third-round picks next season.
• After Smith-Schuster's injury, it pressed a move to certainly happen
• The plan is get him ready to play this week vs the #raiders I'm told. It's early.” After the trade was finalized, Rapoport tweeted out the compensation details, “Full details on the DeAndre Hopkins trade:
• -#Chiefs get DeAndre Hopkins.
• #Titans get a fifth-round pick that elevates to a fourth-rounder if KC makes the Super Bowl and Hopkins plays 60% of the snaps.
• Tennessee eats $2.5M in salary.” 

Salary cap expert Joel Corry shed some light on the situation, “DeAndre Hopkins has been on KC's radar screen for a while. The Chiefs explored trading for Hopkins before the 2023 NFL Draft. There were two issues that couldn't be resolved (lack of salary cap space, trade compensation, Hopkins' contract, Cardinals unwillingness to eat salary).” He then added, “DeAndre Hopkins has $5,713,889 remaining on his 2024 contract ($ 5,053,889 base salary & $660,000 per active game roster bonuses). With KC having $4.311M of salary cap room per the NFLPA, the Titans are going to have to eat some money for the trade to work.” After the injuries to Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice, the Chiefs had to make a move. Hopkins was a cheap addition to help their Super Bowl chances. He usually plays wide in the formation while Rice dominates in the slot, so it will be interesting to see how coach Andy Reid utilizes Hopkins’ capabilities.

Dynasty News: Jameson Williams, Detroit

Last week, Ian Rapoport tweeted, “Official: Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions is suspended two games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, the league announced today. Williams will be eligible for reinstatement on November 4 following the Lions’ Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers.” He was not missed against the Titans but will be missed this week versus the Packers. Williams for the Week 10 matchup against the Texans. This is the second time Williams has been in trouble with the league in his short career, with the first being for gambling. While very talented, he bears dynasty risk, and dynasty managers must account for the risk.

Dynasty News: Marquise Brown, Kansas City

This past offseason, Marquise Brown signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs. Injury has prevented Brown from suiting up for Kansas City. Last week, reporters asked coach Andy Reid about Brown’s potential return late in the season. He responded, “He’s doing great. He seems to be on schedule or a little bit ahead of schedule. It’s going to be a while, though. He’s a relentless worker. He’s doing very well.” He underwent collarbone surgery in September and could return for the playoffs. Having both Brown and Xavier Worthy on the field at the same time would create mismatches for Hopkins and Kelce.

Dynasty News: Mike Evans, Tampa Bay

The Week 7 game against the Ravens was painful for the Buccaneers offense. Mike Evans pulled up with a hamstring injury, and Chris Godwin fractured his ankle and was lost for the season. Evans is hoping to return after the team’s Week 11 bye. If he does return in Week 12 against the Giants, it will be none too soon as the Tampa Bay offense looks inert without the star receivers in the lineup.

Dynasty News: Adam Thielen, Carolina

Last week, Carolina opened the 21-day practice window for Adam Thielen in his return from a hamstring injury. Thielen suffered the injury in Week 4 and has been out of action ever since. The Panthers are missing Thielen, Diontae Johnson, and quarterback Andy Dalton for the game at Denver. Last year, with Dalton starting at quarterback for the Panthers, Thielen was very productive. He makes a solid buy in dynasty leagues if the price is ultra-cheap. Thielen and Dalton have great chemistry and could finish strong as Carolina will be throwing often in come-from-behind mode. The expected trade of Diontae Johnson would buoy Thielen's short-term value. 

Dynasty News: Christian Kirk, Jacksonville

Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk exited Sunday's loss to the Packers in the fourth quarter. He injured his shoulder going for a deep pass and was quickly ruled out of the contest. The severity of the injury was indicated when the veteran skipped the blue tent and went straight to the locker room for testing. We expect Kirk to miss extended action. This was a rough day for the Jacksonville receivers as Kirk, Brian Thomas (chest/ribs), and Gabriel Davis (shoulder) all were injured. Kirk's name was mentioned this past week in trade rumors, but those will be squelched. Adam Schefter reported Sunday night that the injury is a broken collarbone that will sideline Kirk for the remainder of the season. With all three receivers injured, it will elevate Evan Engram and make Jacksonville even more reliant on the running game.

Dynasty News: Josh Reynolds, Denver

Last Thursday, Denver’s 9News reported on an unbelievable story. Denver Broncos receiver Josh Reynolds had been wounded after leaving a strip club the week before. There are two pieces to the story that are hard to imagine. The first is that the incident happened almost a week before, and it was never publicized, even though it was harrowing. The second is that Reynolds escaped with no major injuries, even though he was shot in the head and arm. Here is an excerpt from the story, “Documents obtained by 9NEWS show that Josh Reynolds and his friends were fired upon after they were followed from the club early Friday morning … Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds and another man were injured in a shooting early Friday morning in Denver after they were followed from a strip club. Shortly after 3 a.m. on Oct. 18, someone called 911 about a shooting near East Hampden Avenue and South Dahlia Street. The caller reported he was driving a blue Ford Bronco and said he had been shot, according to court documents obtained by 9NEWS … Officers responded there and located the victims. Among them was Reynolds, who, according to court documents, was shot twice, once in his left arm and once in the back of his head. Another man was shot in his back. A third victim was wounded by shattered glass, the court documents say. All three had scrapes from climbing over a fence, the documents say.” After the 9News report, the Broncos put out a public statement, “Josh Reynolds was a victim of a shooting on Friday in Denver and received treatment for minor injuries. Out of respect for the legal process, we will defer further comment on this matter to the authorities.” Reynolds signed a two-year, $9-million contract this past offseason. He is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 10. The Broncos offense has been playing better of late with rookie quarterback Bo Nix targeting his college teammate Troy Franklin and fellow-rookie Devaughn Vele. Reynolds may not have a regular role on this young offense and is borderline droppable in all but the deepest dynasty leagues.