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.
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Many saw the news of the 49ers placing quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Injured Reserve Saturday as curious. It is. Kaepernick practiced “in full” during the week. So, what happened? Per beat writer Matt Barrows (@MattBarrows) on Twitter Saturday, “Kaepernick went to team docs Friday after practice and said his shoulder was still sore. Team put him on season-ending IR today.” So this explains a little. Then, Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) tweeted that Kaepernick is considering surgery. Interestingly enough, the injury is to Kaepernick's left (non-throwing) shoulder, per Ian Rapoport. So, when the situation is confusing in the NFL, we advise following the money. This is true this time as well. Adam Caplan (@Caplannfl) Tweeted Saturday, “With Kaepernick on IR, date to watch is 4/1, which is when his base salary of $11.9m becomes fully guaranteed.” This helps with context. So did a Tweet of Albert Breer, “No more fully guaranteed money on Kaepernick's deal, so Niners can easily bail. There is about $36 million guaranteed for injury left.” To summarize all of these quotes: Kaepernick was placed on Injured Reserve because he told the team his shoulder still hurts and he should undergo surgery this week. Further, he has guaranteed $36 million left on his contract for injury only and the team wants to get Kaepernick healthy before April 1 so he can be traded or released. The bottom line is the quarterback will not be with the team by the time the NFL Draft rolls around. This is the time to trade for him on the cheap in quarterback-premium dynasty leagues. There will be a hot market for Kaepernick. Teams will see how Harbaugh was able to get good results and think they can, too.
A work of caution for those expecting Philadelphia quarterback Sam Bradford back in the lineup this month. There was a report in NJ.com, citing a source, saying that Bradford will not be ready for the Thanksgiving matchup in Detroit. The short week will hurt his chances of returning from the concussion and shoulder injuries suffered against Miami. The good news is that the source suggested Bradford would be ready to face New England in Week 13. The Sanchez era will last two games this time around.
When it rains it pours for the Ravens. After losing several players to injury this season, including Steve Smith, Joe Flacco tore his ACL in the fourth quarter come-from-behind victory over the Rams. Matt Schaub will take his place. The journeyman is way past his prime. With the nature of the injury, there is a chance that Flacco will not be ready for the start of the 2016 season.
After his benching for Case Keenum, there have been an abundance of stories regarding Foles' future with the Rams. The saga began last March when the Rams acquired Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick, and a 2016 second-round pick from the Eagles for Sam Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round pick. This was viewed as a steal for the Rams getting the draft picks thrown in. The issue was the two-year contract extension with $13.8 million guaranteed given in August. He is due a fully guaranteed $6 million roster bonus in March. While Foles did not play well, he was playing in a very conservative, run-oriented offense. St. Louis (read: Jeff Fisher) only likes to throw the ball when forced to, or it was third down and long. For this reason, we do not like the fantasy prospects of Keenum or any other quarterback thrown into the mix while Fisher is the head coach. Foles could be another quarterback traded this offseason. He is under contract on the cheap. Working against him, two established coaches (Chip Kelly and Fisher) have given up on Foles. Keenum was acquired for a seventh round pick earlier in the year. There is little invested in either quarterback so the Rams will be looking for a new starter this offseason. This is one team we could see embracing Kaepernick.
Before Flacco was last for the season Sunday, running back Justin Forsett broke both of the bones in his forearm against St. Louis. His production went down with the departure of Gary Kubiak. The Ravens do not have much behind Forsett. Keep an eye on newly signed Terrance West to get a chance sooner or later. The local kid could finally put it together. Without Flacco and Forsett, this offense is a disaster.
Keep an eye on running back Robert Turbin,a new signee of the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, he is now on his third team this season, after being released by the Seahawks and Browns. Turbin was waived by Seattle with an injury settlement after suffering a high ankle sprain during the offseason. Then, he struggled to get up to speed in Cleveland. The Cowboys desperately need running back depth after releasing both Joseph Randle and Christine Michael in the last few weeks. There is little behind Darren McFadden on the depth chart.
After his release from Dallas, Christine Michael signed with Washington's practice squad. Michael has yet to flash anything more than potential. The dynasty fantasy world has been through the roller coaster with the 25 year old. We do not expect much from Michael for the remainder of the 2015 season. He will likely get an opportunity next offseason to earn a roster spot and playing time once Alfred Morris move on.
For those wondering why Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns plays every game under the “Questionable” tag, it is because he is trying to play through a sports hernia injury. Hurns is expected to undergo a surgery to remedy the issue in the offseason. In addition, it would not be surprising to see him more limited by the injury as the season progresses. If his production tails off down the stretch, dynasty owners should view it as a buying opportunity.
The Baltimore Ravens, and coach Harbaugh, had become frustrated with rookie receiver Breshad Perriman as the season progressed, culminating in his placement on Injured Reserve last week. Perriman first injured his knee (PCL) in training camp and was on the mend ever since. He looked close to returning, but aggravated the injury before the Week 3 game. Since then, he has undergone knee surgery and languished through a slow recovery. Perriman does not think he will need surgery. He told reporters, "They (doctors) basically told me once it gets back to 100 percent, I'll be good and I should be fine … It could potentially happen again but the odds of that are going to be slim." Let's remember that the rookie was raw coming into the NFL and will need the full summer of work in order to develop. Baltimore desperately needs Perriman on the field, whether Steve Smith returns or not.
The Tennessee Titans placed receiver Justin Hunter on Injured Reserve this past week after fracturing his ankle last Sunday. After showing promise as a rookie, Hunter has faded the past two seasons. He has yet to become consistent as a route runner or show the aggressiveness to attack the ball in air. Hunter is under contract for the 2016 season, earning a meager salary. He will need to show more in order to get a multi-year deal in free agency.
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.
