The season is here. We move from the dynasty offseason to waivers and trades. In today’s “Dynasty News,” we will examine some of the larger happenings of the week from a dynasty perspective.
Dynasty News: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Star quarterback Joe Burrow stayed down after a seccond-quarter sack Sunday. He did not ride the cart off the field, so there was hope, at least until the extent of his injury was known:
Source: Joe Burrow is believed to have turf toe with torn ligaments.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) September 14, 2025
Tricky timeline on his return, but expectation would be several weeks. #Bengals @FOX19
After the game, beat writter Ben Baby reported that Burrown was in a walking boot and using crutches.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow has a walking boot on his left foot. Currently using crutches to exit the locker room.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 14, 2025
Burrow was replaced by Jake Browning who led the team to victory, though was inconsistent. While Browning may improve with a full week of practice, the 2-0 Bengals face the Vikings, Broncos, Lions, and Packers the next four games. Later Sunday night, Ian Rapoport offered a surgery prognosis:
#Bengals star QB Joe Burrow is feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury, one that would require surgery and put him out at least 3 months, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2025
Burrow is still evaluating options, but the ones that would keep him on the field are dwindling. pic.twitter.com/UqYZejRoLa
Dr. David Chao gave more details on the injury:
Surgery means plantar plate rupture with retraction of sesamoids. Would be huge upset if #JoeBurrow could return this season.
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 15, 2025
For those wondering about Burrow's injury history, Ari Meirov gave a recap:
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow NFL injury history:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2025
•2020: Torn ACL/MCL/PCL/Meniscus (missed rest of season)
•2021: Dislocated pinky
•2022: MCL sprain
•2023: Torn wrist ligament (missed rest of season)
2025: Grade 3 turf toe (out 3 months) https://t.co/zREG9YYSBo
Jake Browning will be the Bengals starter for the remainder of the season, assuming he is not victimized by the porous offensive line like Burrow.
Dynasty News: QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback Brock Purdy played through shoulder and toe injuries in the Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. It was later reported that Purdy was injured. Last week, coach Shanahan told reporters of the toe injury. Then, Ian Rapoport revealed the extent of the toe malady:
From @GMFB: #Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (wrist) is off the injury report, while #49ers QB Brock Purdy is out 2-5 weeks with a turf toe variant, sources say. pic.twitter.com/xQPT3Jm3cS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025
Rapoport then tweeted:
With this timeline for #49ers QB Brock Purdy, he's likely to miss games against the #Saints and #AZCardinals, at least. Then, his availability will be determined by how his rehab goes. https://t.co/6iFh1Bi6mA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025
Missing up to five games could be a big blow for the 49ers. His backup, Mac Jones, played well against the Saints this past weekend. San Francisco also lost George Kittle with a hamstring injury in the season opener. The good news is that the next two games are winnable against the Cardinals and Jaguars. San Francisco will need every star against the Rams and Buccaneers in Weeks 5 and 6.
Dynasty News: RB Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Viewers gasped as fantasy industry favorite, Austin Ekeler, went down with a non-contact injury Thursday night. The team later reported:
RB Austin Ekeler (achilles) is out pic.twitter.com/fQgZEqKmmy
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 12, 2025
Sadly, this could be the end of Ekeler's career. As for Washington, there is no immediate beneficiary as the veteran tailback played a unique passing-down role. Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be given the opportunity for an expanded role.
Dynasty News: RB Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys
Last week, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters that Dallas needs to see more consistency from Jaydon Blue before the coach can make him active on game days. Blue is the most explosive tailback on the roster and the Cowboys will need him on the field as the team seeks a playoff spot.
Dynasty News: WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
It was a painful Thursday night for Packers receiver Jayden Reed and his dynasty managers. In the first quarter, Reed seemed to catch a long touchdown pass, but it was nullified by penalty and Reed got up holding his shoulder like it was injured. Late Thursday night, Ian Rapoport reported:
#Packers WR Jayden Reed, ruled out tonight with a shoulder injury, has suffered a fractured collarbone, coach Matt LaFleur said. He’s headed for Injured Reserve and out for the foreseeable future. They do expect him back this season. pic.twitter.com/RjvVt8vlCG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 202
Rapoport followed up with a recovery timeline:
The hope is that it’s a 6-8 week injury for Jayden Reed, which would bring him back in November. https://t.co/2typ11rIM7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2025
#Packers WR Jayden Reed will have surgery early next week, likely Tuesday, to fix his fractured collarbone. The hope is he returns in November. https://t.co/iwH0cyR2GU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2025
The once-deep Green Bay receiving corps is thinned. Dontayvion Wicks seemed to garner the most snaps after Reed exited. He could have a few good games while Reed is sidelined. Dr. david Chao offered this recovery timeline estimate:
Packers WR Jayden Reed is expected to miss 6–8 weeks with a broken collarbone. There’s a slight chance he could return sooner, but the absence will also allow his foot injury to fully heal. pic.twitter.com/QnRTpd2unN
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 15, 2025
Expect Reed to land on injured reserve to free up a roster spot while he recovers.
Dynasty News: WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hopes were high of an early return for Chris Godwin when the Buccaneers did not place him on injured reserve to start the season. The team hoped that Godwin would be able to begin practice early in the year. So, it was great to see multiple reports of him joining practice last Thursday. For example,
Good news for the #Bucs: Star WR Chris Godwin is expected to practice today for the first time and he’ll be limited. Part of his return to play process, but a very good sign. pic.twitter.com/YBq4HEFGt1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025
Chris Godwin is recovering from a second surgery to fix some hardware in his ankle, a procedure that probably sped up his return. The team is hopefully for a Week 5 debut, though Week 6 is also possible. https://t.co/ZPPCrscXvB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025
Dynasty managers are encouraged to monitor Godwin's practice participation as Week 5 approaches. Dr. Jeff Mueller opined that Godwin may not be fully healthy this season, so dynasty managers must understand that this is a possibility.
Chris Godwin -
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 11, 2025
Jumping off of his left foot, but notably only cutting off of his right in these drills. Probably still has a long ways to go.
Window for his return is likely Week 5-8 or so, but still not expecting him to be near 100% until 2026. https://t.co/YqzbM79Kwj
When healthy, the Tampa Bay offense is great for dynasty. Quarterback Baker Mayfield could have a late season surge again this year.
Dynasty News: WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs receivers have battled injuries and a suspension to start the season. Last week, coach Andy Reid told reporters that Xavier Worthy would not undergo shoulder surgery. The team would have put him on injured reserve if they thought he needed more than a few weeks to recover. Shockingly, Worthy practiced in a limited fashion (with a brace) last Thursday. Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport gave two updates on this injury: Worthy hopes to play this week and he tore his labrum, a more serious injury than was originally reported.
From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Browns RB Quinshon Judkins makes his debut today; Plus, #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy, who is out today, is looking good to play next week with a harness to protect his torn labrum. pic.twitter.com/JJZ6YsXe83
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2025
Worthy will try to play through the injury with the brace but will need surgery, whether that be sooner or later. Kansas City gets Rashee Rice back from suspension in Week 7. This may be Patrick Mahomes II' most talented receiver group when everyone is back. Until then, expect Marquise Brown to continue to get peppered with targets. Kansas City is 0-2 and their next four opponents are the Giants, Ravens, Jaguars, and Lions. It might be difficult for the Chiefs to have a winning record by the time Rice gets back against the Raiders.
Dynasty News: WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Dynasty managers are still trying to figure out the Packers wide receivers' pecking order. With the strong play of Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden, many dynasty managers wondered how Green Bay felt about the speedy Christian Watson. Watson was slated to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, but the team signed him to a one-year contract extension last week. Ace beat reporter Tom Silverstein reported, "Set to become a free agent after this year, Watson agreed to a one-year, $13.25 million extension that would move his free agent year to after the 2026 season, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. ESPN was first to report the deal through his agent. Watson is on the physically unable to perform list while he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in his right knee in the season finale against the Chicago Bears last year. The earliest Watson would be available to play would be Oct. 12 against Cincinnati in Week 6 based on PUP rules." The reported contract number is likely an inflated "up to" amount distributed by the agent, as Silverstein suggests. The Reed injury could accelerate Watson's return. When healthy, the Packers have a deep roster at wide receiver and Watson will be hit and miss as a "what-the-heck flex" play most weeks, unless more of Watson's teammates get injured.
Dynasty News: WR Ja'Lynn Polk, New Orleans Saints
Saturday morning, the news broke of the Saints trading for Ja'Lynn Polk, who was on the Patriots injured reserve.
TRADE: The Patriots are trading WR Ja’Lynn Polk and a 2028 7th-round pick to the Saints for a 2027 6th-round pick, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 13, 2025
Polk is currently on season-ending IR recovering from a shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/o5ypHugs5K
Unlike the Devaughn Vele trade, New Orleans gets a great deal on another depth receiver. The team also added Brandin Cooks this past offseason. Coach Kellen Moore is assembling pieces for the Saints' next quarterback, coming in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dynasty News: TE Harrison Bryant, Houston Texans
Journeyman Harrison Bryant has played well in spots throughout his career. He came to the Texans in the John Metchie III trade. Now that starter Cade Stover is on injured reserve with a broken foot, Bryant could be a viable desperation option at the tight end position. He was initially placed on the taxi squad before Stover's injury and was signed to a contract last week.
#Texans are signing veteran tight end Harrison Bryant to 53-man roster from practice squad, per a league source. Deal includes a minimum salary, plus $500,000 in incentives, per a source. @KPRC2 https://t.co/1TlcdHDcve
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 10, 2025