Dynasty News, Week 2

Photo: Ken Blaze, USA Today Sports

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, superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many major stories but are not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.

Dak Prescott exited the Sunday night game with a right thumb injury. After the game, coach Mike McCarthy told reporters, “It’s a significant hand injury. We’ll know more in the morning … It’s on his hand in the thumb area. It’s a significant injury.” Beat reporter Todd Archer tweeted, “Dak Prescott is expected to have surgery Monday on a right thumb injury and miss 6-8 weeks, according to multiple sources. He will meet with the team’s hand specialist on Monday, but sources said he will have a pin and plate inserted to stabilize the joint ... He will likely be placed on injured reserve but will be eligible to return later in the year. If he follows the 6-8 week timeframe, he could return as soon as Oct. 30 vs. Chicago or Nov. 13 at Green Bay following the bye.” For now, Cooper Rush will start for the Cowboys. The offense looked putrid and will now rely heavily on Ezekiel Elliott and the running game. With an expected losing record, Dallas is not expected to rush Prescott back. For now, we should downgrade the short-term outlooks for the Cowboys' skill-position players.

Early Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport reported, "Tom Brady is beginning what is expected to be his final season." This should be no surprise after the 45-year-old quarterback took a few days off from training camp. Brady may be the best player to ever play in the NFL, and his presence will be missed on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have no heir apparent as Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask are obviously not the answer.

Sunday morning, Adam Schefter broke some interesting news on Twitter, “Had the San Francisco 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo been unable to agree to a restructured contract this summer, the rival Los Angeles Rams were lurking as a possible destination for the veteran quarterback.” While many will see this news as no big deal, it speaks volumes to the team’s confidence in Matthew Stafford’s balky elbow. With the poor play by Trey Lance and the Prescott injury, Garoppolo may be on the field sooner than later.

Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin plans to "sit Kenny Pickett all season long." This is quite surprising after the rookie played well in preseason. Glazer’s report gave the impression that a Mitchell Trubisky injury would give Mason Rudolph – not Pickett – the start. While we do not believe Rudolph would hold the job more than a game, Tomlin’s strong opinion on Pickett sitting and learning may offer an opportunity to acquire Pickett midseason in two-quarterback or SuperFlex leagues.

The Las Angeles Rams looked putrid Thursday night, especially in the running game. Darrell Henderson started and looked the best of the Rams' trio of backs. Cam Akers seemed a step or three slow and did not look confident in his surgically-repaired Achilles. Rookie Kyren Williams was injured on the opening kickoff. He suffered a high-ankle sprain. Williams excels in pass protection and might have played over Akers in the second half. The veteran played THAT poorly. The rookie had surgery late last week and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. On Friday, coach Sean McVay commented on Akers’ play, “(Akers) has to maximize his opportunities when he gets into the game … There were some instances where there were some positive things and some things that he can do better, but we want to see just an increased level of urgency and accountability snap in and snap out from him.” McVay is rarely this harsh, so fantasy managers should take this as an indictment on Akers’ play after the coaching staff watched the game tape. Going forward, we should expect Henderson to be the main fantasy back. He is a good receiver, catching five passes in the loss to Buffalo. The schedule sets up nicely for a rebound game with the Rams hosting the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. This game should see ample rushing attempts for Henderson and an opportunity for Akers to bounce back. As fellow managers get impatient, Williams is definitely worth a stash as he will play a lot down the stretch unless Akers turns it around.