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 major stories and are not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick left the game Sunday with a hip injury. The injury occurred in the second quarter when a Chargers defensive lineman fell on him. The veteran passer tried to walk off the field but just collapsed onto the field. It was an ugly scene. He was soon declared out for the remainder of the game. On Monday, the team placed Fitzpatrick on injured reserve with a dislocated hip. He will miss at least three games. He was replaced in the lineup by Taylor Heinicke, who played well in the loss to Los Angeles. After coming on in relief, Heinicke completed 11 of 15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Washington plays the New York Giants this week, and Heinicke will be under center. After seeing Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos carve up the Giants defense, Heinicke makes for a solid QB2 option in SuperFlex or 2QB leagues. Kyle Allen is his backup. Coach Ron Rivera told reporters Monday that the team would not be adding another quarterback at this time. Many are connecting the dots to Cam Newton, who played for Rivera for many years in Carolina. If Rivera thought Newton was superior to Heinicke, he would have been on the Football Team’s roster before the game and subsequent Fitzpatrick injury.
The Baltimore Ravens running back corps has been ravaged by injury. Not long after losing emerging star J.K. Dobbins to a knee injury, Gus Edwards went down to a knee injury himself. This presents a huge blow to the Baltimore offense. Third-string Justice Hill would be in the mix, but he hurt his Achilles a few weeks ago. If not for bad luck, the Ravens would have no luck at all. This leaves second-year rookie free agent TySon Williams in the catbird seat. The team added LeVeon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Latavius Murray to add depth behind the youngster. It is uncertain how the situation will play out, but fantasy managers know there is fantasy upside in whomever the team trots onto the field. We like Murray most of the veterans, even though he is a couple of years older than the other two. It is interesting that the New Orleans Saints recently released both Freeman and Murray. After he was signed, coach Harbaugh was glowing about Murray’s signing. He called him a “great fit.” Harbaugh went on to say, “His style fits what we do. You’ve seen our offense. I think you can picture him pretty easily in that offense." Murray should be used similar to Mark Ingram a few years ago. As for Edwards, he is fortunate to have signed a contract extension a few weeks ago. He is now under contract through the 2023 season. For now, Williams is the guy to target, and the other three are speculative plays, with Murray the best bet of the group.
Raheem Mostert left Sunday’s game against Detroit with a knee injury. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time. This injury, combined with rookie Trey Sermon being a healthy scratch, elevated Elijah Mitchell to fantasy stardom. The Sermon scratch was a surprise and should be a valuable data point for the near future. Mitchell, a sixth-round rookie, rushed 19 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. This situation appears to be dynamic and will change weekly. To this point, ace beat reporter Matt Barrows reported Monday that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan “said there would be no firm hierarchy in the team's backfield this season.” As if the situation was not complex enough, keep an eye on JaMychal Hasty, who has flashed when given the opportunity. The benching of the much-promoted Sermon was a shock. He was expected to have a big part in the backfield. As a third-round pick, the rookie will get his chance. From a dynasty perspective, we recommend trying to pick up Mitchell and trading for Sermon. One thing is for certain. The lead back is a fantasy starter in most leagues. Coach Shanahan told reports late Monday that Mostert chipped a piece of his knee cartilage (OUCH!) and will miss at least eight weeks.
Our favorite New England Patriots beat reporter, Mike Reiss, said Monday that the Patriots could "reduce" tailback Damien Harris' role after he lost of fumble late in the loss to Miami. It was a game New England should have won if not for the fumble. Rookie Rhamondre Stevenson also fumbled, putting him in the double-occupancy doghouse with Harris. We trust Reiss implicitly. He went on to suggest that J.J. Taylor could replace Stevenson in Week 2. Harris had a strong game against a quality defense, so we have difficulty believing he will go to the bench. James White will also be in the mix. This situation could be like Baltimore and San Francisco in the week-to-week volatility. We always believe in chasing the cheaper options in these situations as the upside is all the same. Taylor could be a standout in the near term.
Jerry Jeudy was carted off the field in the victory over the New York Giants. Tom Pelissero reported that Jeudy suffered a high-ankle sprain. Monday, Adam Schefter tweeted, “Broncos’ HC Vic Fangio confirmed today that WR Jerry Jeudy suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Giants. The injury is expected to sideline Jeudy four to six weeks, per source.” We love Tim Patrick’s chances for fantasy viability in Jeudy’s stead. Also, the speedy K.J. Hamler may see increased targets. The lack of involvement may be problematic for Courtland Sutton. We expected him to step up after Jeudy left the game. But, it was Patrick, catching all four targets for 39 yards and a score, who emerged. The positive for the Denver offense was the strong showing by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. His veteran presence was apparent.
The Dallas Cowboys offense looked great on Thursday night against a great defense. Unheralded receiver, Michael Gallup, left the game early with a calf strain. He will miss the next 3-5 weeks. Cedrick Wilson stepped up after Gallup departed. He played 34 snaps against the Buccaneers, 24 of them in the slot, with 3 targets. Slot usage should improve his fantasy floor. Wilson makes a great waiver wire pick-up as the Cowboys offense is prolific. He has flex appeal. The matchups only get easier from here for the Dallas offense.
Last Wednesday, Washington receiver Curtis Samuel pulled up on a route in practice and was officially placed on injured reserve on Friday with a groin injury. This should result in more targets for Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas. Rookie Dyami Brown will provide a deep-threat presence, and Adam Humphries solid in the slot. Neither was able to get going against the Chargers Sunday. The Fitzpatrick injury only muddies the waters for the receivers not named Terry McLaurin. Samuel makes a great buy-low candidate for fantasy managers.
As though the New Orleans Saints offense was not short-handed enough with Michael Thomas out for the first half of the season, starting receiver TreQuan Smith was placed on injured reserve last Friday. Without Thomas, the Saints offense will have to lean on Alvin Kamara and Marquez Callaway. Jameis Winston played at a high level in the victory over Green Bay. It might have been the best game of Winston’s career. Further, the lack of involvement from Taysom Hill showed the faith the coaches have in Winston.
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