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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 sordid saga of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has left many fantasy owners perplexed as to when to expect the star passer back on the field. Former Chargers team doctor, Dr. David Chao, wrote on the subject, “The clock on Luck's playing in a game won't even start until he practices. That is why I have expected Luck to play four weeks after he first practices – because it is rare that things go exactly as expected. By not placing Luck on the regular season PUP list, the Colts were not saying that he would play before the end of week 6, they were simply calculating that Luck would be able to practice prior to the start of week 7. That is still expected to happen.” So, if the Indianapolis quarterback practices this week, he should be back around Week 8. In dynasty, this would be a great time to get the offers out for Luck in case his fantasy owner is getting anxious.
After last week’s embarrassing loss to the Jets, Dolphins coach Adam Gase said he is fed up with his team’s "garbage" offense. Gase continued, "A lot of bad football. More mental errors than we've had the last two years … I'll find the guys that want to do it right, and those are the guys that will play." The game in London against the Saints, Sunday, was a chance for Miami to get things straightened out. The Dolphins offense was horrible. Quarterback Jay Cutler completed 20 of 28 passes for just 164 yards and a pick versus the Saints. Getting shutout by one of the NFL’s worst defenses must be humbling. It was almost consecutive weeks if not for the late timeout allowing more garbage production against the Jets last week. We expect Cutler to get replaced by Matt Moore soon enough. If nothing else, this situation should result in more acquisitions of Ryan Tannehill by savvy dynasty owners.
While Chargers tailback Melvin Gordon played this past week with a bone bruise on his knee, let’s take a moment and remember that this injury was to the same knee he had microfracture surgery less than two years ago. This coming week’s practice should tell us whether there is swelling in the knee. This week, against the Eagles, Gordon still lacked burst and explosion. Los Angeles is 0-4 to start the year and Gordon’s injury – even though he is playing through it – will not help the Chargers win games. --
We were saddened to watch rookie Dalvin Cook pull up with a knee injury. He had played so well this season and was beginning to assert himself in the Rookie of the Year conversation. But, the injury is a torn ACL, confirmed by Mike Zimmer. We do not have much faith in Latavius Murray to replace Cook. Plus, Jerick McKinnon is still a little gimpy. The Minnesota offense should continue to struggle without Cook.
The dominating victory on Thursday night looked to be a costly one as the Packers lost Ty Montgomery to broken ribs and his backup, rookie Jamaal Williams, to a knee injury. The good news is that both players may play very soon. Adam Schefter reported late last week that Montgomery is “day to day” and could play versus Dallas. Broken ribs are painful and especially difficult for running backs to return quickly. If he plays against the Cowboys, Montgomery will wear a flak jacket to protect his ribs. Ian Rapoport tweeted on Williams, “#Packers RB Jamaal Williams is believed to have suffered a knee sprain last night, source said. MRI to confirm. But likely to miss time.” Schefter followed up with, “Packers RB Jamaal Williams MRI results came back negative - no ligament damage, purely muscular, per source. Could miss next game, not more.” It is great news that Williams avoided a major injury. Aaron Jones did a great job filling in after Montgomery and Williams went down to injury. When asked about Jones, coach McCarthy said, “Thought he played well. Instinctive runner, young, still has some work to do. ... Kept me confident in the run game.” Green Bay drafted both Williams and Jones this year to add depth behind Montgomery. The move is paying off.
Seahawks rookie Chris Carson was beginning to take ownership of the Seahawks backfield prior to his injury Sunday night against the Colts. Carson broke his ankle and had other damage to the area. Before Carson’s emergence, the Seahawks rotated the backs in the backfield. We expect this to continue even with the Carson injury. Seattle beat reporter, Gregg Bell tweeted, “Pete Carroll: RB C.J. Prosise has a ‘significant’ ankle injury. ‘We are concerned about it’ Latest injury for oft-injured RB #Seahawks.” Ian Rapoport later tweeted that Prosise is considered week-to-week. We expect Thomas Rawls and J.D. McKissic to see their respective roles increase. McKissic is a second-year player from Arkansas State who could emerge as a fantasy-viable threat.
To the dismay of fantasy owners of Samaje Perine and Chris Thompson fantasy owners, Washington coach Jay Gruden told the media last week that Rob Kelley will still be the team's "No. 1 lead dog" when he returns from his rib injury. The longer Kelley is out, keep an eye on your league’s waiver wire for Kelley.
Last week, New York Jets running back Matt Forte’s turf toe injury was described as “week to week.” This is why the team signed Travaris Cadet. Cadet is a solid receiver out of the backfield and contributor on special teams. He played for New York offensive coordinator John Morton when the two were in New Orleans. Speaking of his injury, Forte said, "You can kinda say that you can ice and stem a lot and all the treatments that’s available but it takes time. Its not as severe I had my rookie year." Given Forte’s age and lack of burst at this stage of his career, his days dominating touches in the backfield are likely over. As the season progresses, we expect rookie Elijah McGuire to slowly eat into Bilal Powell’s lead role. The two backs were great in the victory over Jacksonville Sunday.
The hit on Davante Adams was vicious in the Thursday night game. We were left wondering if he would have long-term damage. But, the reports Friday morning gave hope. Lindsay Jones tweeted, “Update on Devante Adams from NFL office: Concussion, spent the night at hospital for observation. All signs are good from the doctors." Ian Rapoport followed it up with, “NFL’s Joe Lockhart says Dr. Allen Sills reports #Packers WR Davante Adams suffered a concussion & is in the hospital. I’m told MRI was clean.” And then, Adams tweeted, “At home feeling great. Appreciate the prayers.” We expect him to miss a week or two as he progresses through the league’s concussion protocol, but it is great news that Adams is doing well.
Buffalo receiver Jordan Matthews left Sunday’s game in Atlanta with a thumb injury. Adam Schefter shed light on the subject with this tweet, “Bills WR Jordan Matthews is expected to undergo thumb surgery, as @SalSports said, to have a pin inserted. Matthews could be out a month.” This hurts an already-thin receiver corps for Tyrod Taylor.
Feel free to (email me) 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.