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.
It was not unexpected, but eyebrows were raised when Aaron Wilson tweeted Monday, “Bill O'Brien has been fired as Texans' head coach and general manager, effective immediately, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.” The Houston Texans are a mess. But it is quite remarkable how O’Brien managed to misuse resources as general manager. This tweet from Field Yates says it all (and still does not include losing Clowney and Hopkins), “The Houston Texans are spending $255M in cash on their roster this season, more than any other team in the NFL. They owe their first- and second-round picks in 2021 to the Dolphins. They're currently 0-4.” It is not too difficult to image this team in the cellar of the division, even with an elite quarterback in his prime. With Deshaun Watson, this is still an attractive coaching job.
Before the victory over the Jets on Thursday Night Football, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said “there’s a chance” quarterback Drew Lock could return for the Week 5 matchup against the Patriots. Lock has missed two games with a shoulder injury and is likely to be out again this coming week. Currently, we do not believe the coachspeak. Even James Palmer is passing on said coachspeak with this tweet from Friday afternoon, “Right now #broncos QB Drew Lock (throwing shoulder) is legitimately 50/50 to play next Sunday against the #patriots. They’re going to see how he progresses during the week and evaluate where he’s at as the days go by.” Pick up the Patriots defense if your league uses the position. Brett Rypien will likely get another start. His weak arm will be easy pickings for the New England defense. For those believing that Lock is close to returning this week, let this tweet from beat reporter Mike Klis sink in, “Fangio said Drew Lock has not thrown a football yet. Thrown some other balls. #9sports.” This was last Friday. What are the chances that Lock can graduate from his shoulder being so injured that he cannot throw a football to throwing one in a game in a week’s time? Slim.
The Nick Chubb injury could be devastating for the Browns and fantasy teams. Beat writer Nate Ulrich tweeted an update Monday morning, “#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on NFL Network reporting Nick Chubb is expected to miss six weeks: I really don't know. We're looking at several weeks. I know Nick Chubb, so I wouldn't put a time frame on it just yet.” These six weeks include the bye week so there is a chance he misses “only five” games. This aggressive timetable puts his return after Thanksgiving. Chubb exited Sunday’s game after getting rolled up from behind. He was playing well at the time of the injury with 6 carries for 43 yards. The workload will likely go to Kareem Hunt as long as his groin injury permits. Hunt played well in the victory over Dallas Sunday. He was spelled by DErnest Johnson. Johnson looked great, totaling 95 rushing yards on 13 carries. The Cleveland offense runs well if the running game is performing at a high level. It sets up Baker Mayfield and the passing game to take shots off play-action. This is where Mayfield is at his best.
Another top fantasy tailback suffered a major injury Sunday. Adam Schefter tweeted an update late Sunday, “Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler was spotted postgame with crutches and a brace to help him with the hyperextended knee and hamstring injury he is thought to have suffered today, per source. Ekeler will have an MRI on Monday but he is expected to miss multiple weeks.” Ekeler carted off the field and to the locker room in the first quarter of the Week 4 loss to the Bucs. Monday morning, Ian Rapoport tweeted an update on Ekeler, “#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler suffered what is considered a serious hamstring injury and while no firm decision will be made until all the analysis is done, Injured Reserve is the likely landing spot with hope of returning later in the season.” This is a huge blow for the Chargers. Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson will get the touches in Ekeler’s stead but neither offers the explosiveness of the starter. As for a timeline, Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday, “Following his MRI, #Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has a Grade 2 hamstring strain, source said. So, several weeks.” Adam Schefter followed it up with, “Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee, per source. Ekeler now seeking a second opinion on his injuries and timeline.”
Seattle beat reporter Gregg Bell tweeted a great quote from Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, “Coach Brian Flores says former #UWHuskies RB Myles Gaskin, now Miami's leading rusher after mostly inactive as a rookie, ‘is everything we look for in a Dolphin. He's smart. He's competitive, a great teammate.’ Says Gaskin was asking him this morning ‘what can I do to get better.’” Many in the dynasty community were debating whether Jordan Howard or Matt Breida would emerge as the team’s starting tailback … and it was Gaskin who seized the role. Sunday’s game against the Seahawks was a homecoming of sorts as Gaskin faced Seattle.
Last week, Jeremy Fowler reported LeVeon Bell is targeting a Week 5 return. He has been on injured reserve with a hamstring injury but is eligible to return this week. After the putrid showing by the New York offense, getting Bell back in the lineup can only help. His upside is quite limited, though. The negative game scripts will inhibit much fantasy production. After the loss to the Broncos, beat writer Rich Cimini tweeted, “One positive stat: Sam Darnold set the Jets franchise record for rushing yards in a single game by a QB (84). Incredibly, that's only 3 yards shy of Le'Veon Bell's best game as a Jet. #Jets.” Ouch. We do feel for Darnold as he was running for his football life all game.
After the training camp buzz, Washington tailback Bryce Love has fizzled, not sizzled. On Friday, his 2020 season may have come to a merciful end as Love was placed on injured reserve. He was inactive the first three weeks of the season and is now dealing with knee swelling. Sure, Love might return from injured reserve, but he has yet to regain his Stanford form.
After the Tarik Cohen injury, the Chicago Bears have been examining options to provide depth at the running back position. Currently, only Cordarrelle Patterson is a viable option behind starter David Montgomery. This is why it was of no surprise that the team signed Lamar Miller to the practice squad. The move is a solid one as the team has Miller in the fold on an ultra-cheap practice squad deal as insurance.
With a questionable tag coming into the game, he left the Monday night loss to Green Bay in the first half. He was quickly ruled out for the game. The injury is to his hamstring and could keep him out for a few weeks.
The ankle sprain for Bryan Edwards is much more severe than most realize. He was ruled out of Sunday’s game first thing Wednesday morning. Mario Pilato tweeted, “#Raiders WR Bryan Edwards has been ruled out for Week 4. @RapSheet reports Edwards being week-to-week. I believe he suffered a high ankle sprain. Prediction: returns Week 7 after their bye.” He will miss several weeks with the injury. The Raiders have few weapons for Derek Carr to target.
Last Thursday, the news started leaking about Allen Lazard’s injury. Ace beat reporter Rob Demovsky tweeted, “Noted core muscle specialist Dr. William Meyers will look at Allen Lazard's scans and will determine the next course of action (surgery or recovery) for the Packers WR, sources said. Obviously not a good sign for Lazard coming off his career-best game.” Then, Adam Schefter followed it up with, “Packers' WR Allen Lazard underwent core muscle surgery this week and is out indefinitely, per source. Lazard is coming off the best game of his NFL career, a six-catch, 146-yard performance against the Saints.” Just a word of warning: core injuries can take months to recover. Lazard might not be back to full strength until late in the season. It was of no surprise that he was placed on injured reserve Saturday night.
After showing some talent, Michael Pittman was placed on injured reserve this past weekend. He is out for a few weeks with a calf injury. In a corresponding move, tight end Trey Burton was activated from injured reserve. The targets will be there for Pittman when he returns. T.Y. Hilton has not shown the big-play ability he had a couple of years ago.
After placing Dallas Goedert on injured reserve with an ankle injury, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Hakeem Butler off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. He was signed as a tight end. Goedert hopes to be back in a few weeks. The tight end position is made up of many backgrounds, including basketball players and conversions from other positions, so there is a chance this works out. Butler slipped in the 2019 NFL Draft until the top of the fourth round where he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. He spent last season on injured reserve with a finger injury. It was curious that Butler could not even make the Cardinals practice squad. Given the nuance of the tight end position and the time it takes for collegiate players at the position to transition to the NFL, dynasty players should see this as a long-term move.
On Saturday, Adam Schefter tweeted an update on Noah Fant, “Broncos’ TE Noah Fant has a sprained ankle that is expected to sideline him for Denver’s next scheduled game against the Patriots, but he will be considered week to week, per source.” With Lock likely out this week, too, we do not recommend chasing Fant’s replacement unless the injury lingers.
Full of athleticism and potential, O.J. Howard came into the NFL brimming with upside. His Achilles injury in the Buccaneers victory over the Chargers was startling as the cart was needed. Achilles injuries are easy to diagnose so the team knew immediately. Coach Bruce Arians told reporters the extent of the injury in his post-game press conference. Howard was injured in the fourth quarter so fantasy managers will have to read the tea leaves as to how things will shake out, but Rob Gronkowski only managed one catch on the day. Tom Brady attempted 46 passes, with just three going to his long-time teammate. Cameron Brate makes a great pickup as Gronkowski’s target share is unlikely to increase.
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