We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most for 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 of the recent happenings around the league.
Non-contact injuries always cause concern, and the ankle injury to Robert Griffin III III fit the bill. Washington confirmed the injury was a dislocated left ankle, but no fracture, which is good. It is possible that Kirk Cousins may finish the season as the team's quarterback even though the team currently hopes Griffin can be back in the next six weeks.
For the second time in the quarterback's short career, Dr. James Andrews performed an ACL reconstruction for Sam Bradford last week. The timing of this surgery allows for Bradford to be ready for training camp next year. It remains to be seen which uniform he will be wearing, but Bradford will be ready to move past this latest knee injury and rejuvenate his career.
In a less than shocking quote to the Indianapolis Star newspaper, Colts running back Trent Richardson alluded to an even split in carries for he and Ahmad Bradshaw. Neither has looked especially strong so far this season with Bradshaw playing a little better than the ex-Browns back. However, the player to watch is Dion Lewis, who was signed last week after being waived in Cleveland. The Browns chose undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell over Lewis, but dynasty owners should not discount Lewis' ability. He shined in Philadelphia a couple of years ago. Indianapolis gave Lewis a two-year contract. In dynasty leagues, Lewis is a player to stash. Richardson has not played well and Bradshaw has a long history of injuries.
The Miami Dolphins backfield took a beating in the lop-sided loss to the Buffalo Bills. First, Knowshon Moreno suffered a dislocated left elbow early in the game. This happened early in the contest. Then, in the fourth quarter, Lamar Miller left the game with an ankle injury. This left just Damien Williams to tote the rock. There is a chance he is the main back next week. Even Daniel Thomas was signed, much to the dismay of Dolphins fans. Moreno is expected to miss four-to-eight weeks with the injury.
Ryan Mathews was carted off the field in San Diego's win over the Seahawks after spraining his MCL. Mathews is expected to miss two-to-four weeks with the injury. Expect Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead to pick up the slack in the Chargers running game.
When Ben Tate injured his knee in the week-one game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, many feared the worst. The good news is that the sprained knee should only keep Tate out of the lineup for another two weeks. This will give Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell ample opportunity to seize the job. Both are talented rookies. Knowing his competition, Tate said that he is targeting a return after the Browns bye in week four. Cleveland faces Tennessee that week. As the lone veteran of the three, the team had hopes that Tate would carry the load and allow the youngsters to slowly work into a larger role. In an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, coach Mike Pettine inferred that he sees West would be the starter, while Tate was sidelined, and Crowell the power back. Pettine said, "I think Terrance is more of a 'can make you miss' guy. I don't know if Crowell wants to make you miss." Cleveland has staffed the running back position very well. First, the in-season trade of Trent Richardson (above) for a first round pick allowed the team to upgrade talent at other positions. Then, Tate was added in a cheap free agent deal. Lastly, West was drafted in the third round of May's NFL Draft and Crowell was signed after going undrafted. The trio is talented and should produce solid fantasy statistics behind the powerful offensive line.
Even though the Bengals did not need him against the lowly Falcons defense, superstar receiver A.J. Green left the game with ligament strain in his foot. This differs from the early reports of turf toe. The Bengals hope the superstar receiver will only miss a game or two, if any.
The terms of the new NFL drug policy, which is being worked out at the moment, will help currently suspended players get back on the field sooner. While Wes Welker is expected to be instantly reinstated, Josh Gordon's situation is muddier. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Josh Gordon will be suspended ten games under the terms of the drug policy. If this is true, then Gordon will be eligible to play beginning in week twelve. At this point, everything should be considered conjecture until the new deal is finalized. One note to remember courtesy of beat writer Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter, “Josh Gordon's DWI hearing is Nov. 18 in Raleigh, N.C. If he's convicted, that would be 2 more games out for a total of 12.” This would mean Gordon would be available in week 14, just in time for the fantasy playoffs. The longer this drags out, the more of a chance to obtain Gordon at a reduced rate from his fantasy owner.
Several fantasy owners started New England receiver Aaron Dobson in week one only to find him as a healthy scratch. While this was a shock to fantasy owners, Dobson told ESPN Boston he was not surprised. Dobson said, "I missed a lot of the offseason, a lot of the preseason, and only played the last preseason game … I’m feeling good out there, I feel like I'm back up to speed." We expect the speedy receiver to have a strong season. He will have an increasing role as the lone receiver with deep speed for the Patriots. Given the results of week one, coach Belichick likely wishes he had Dobson in the lineup as New England was unable to make big plays down the field. Against the Vikings in week two, Dobson was only targeted twice, catching one pass for thirteen yards. He also drew a pass interference penalty. Dobson's time is coming. He could have a big outing any week.
Tavon Austin suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of Sunday's victory against Tampa Bay. The injury was diagnosed as a sprained MCL. With Stedman Bailey expected back from suspension this week, Austin should not be missed. It is not as though he was a major part of the offense pre-injury.
Dynasty owners were worried after watching Washington tight end Jordan Reed clutch his hamstring in the week one game against Houston. It was a relief when coach Jay Gruden later said Reed's hamstring strain is "minor." He is considered week-to-week with converted wide receiver Niles Paul playing great in his stead. Could there be competition when Reed returns? Or, should we just chalk up Paul's big game to the opponent (Jacksonville)? At this point, we will take the latter.
Fans and dynasty owners need to watch the contract status of Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron over the next few months. He is in the last year of the rookie contract and the Browns should not let him walk. Unless a contract can be reached, we expect Cleveland to slap Cameron with the Franchise Tag. However, remember that the tight end Franchise Tag will be expensive for the team with the recent contracts of Jimmy Graham and others raising the average of the top five salaries at the position. Not that we doubt Cameron's toughness to play through the shoulder injury, but the young tight end could use a stellar season to capture a large payday. He has incentive to put up big numbers in 2014.
The New England Patriots offense is as versatile as any in the league. The acquisition of tight end Timothy Wright could lead to the fewer three- and four-receiver sets, impacting Danny Amendola specifically. Mike Reiss, of ESPN Boston, said Amendola "doesn't look like the explosive player we saw in the 2013." This is definitely a situation to watch as the season progresses.
Jacksonville tight end Marcedes Lewis left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a high-ankle sprain. Expect this injury to hold Lewis out of action for possibly a couple of months. He had a long touchdown prior to the injury. It could be his last game until Thanksgiving.
Injuries to monitor this week
Robert Griffin III III: Ankle
Carson Palmer: Neck
Jamaal Charles: Ankle
Knowshon Moreno: Elbow
Ryan Mathews: Knee
Andre Ellington: Foot
Doug Martin: Leg/Knee
Ben Tate: Knee
Roy Helu: Knee
Marcus Lattimore: Knee, Hamstring
DeSean Jackson: Shoulder
A.J. Green: Toe
Alshon Jeffery: Hamstring
Brandon Marshall: Ankle
Aaron Dobson: Foot
Cecil Shorts: Hamstring
Odell Beckham Jr: Hamstring
Kenny Stills: Quadriceps
Rob Gronkowski: Knee
Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
Tyler Eifert: Elbow
Jordan Reed: Hamstring
Marcedes Lewis: Ankle
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.