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.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is one of the more polarizing players in the NFL. He is a player some love and some love to root against. But, the veteran passer has been unlucky this season. In his second game back from the broken clavicle, Romo re-fractured the same collarbone against the Panthers on Thanksgiving. As one might expect, this seals the end of the Cowboys playoff chances for the 2015 season. What a tumultuous season it has been. Between the antics and release of Joseph Randle, Romo injuries, signing of Greg Hardy, and the way owner Jerry Jones has handled things, it has been a rough season for the perennial playoff contender. No, we do not have hopes of Matt Cassel keeping the 3-7 Cowboys in the playoff race. Making things more dicey, this is a team void of young talent. Maybe the high first round draft pick will help upgrade one position, preferably in the secondary or a pass rusher.
One of the other players who cannot stay out of the news – and for all of the wrong reasons – is Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. After gaining the starting gig, and playing relatively well, Manziel and his Cleveland teammates had their bye in Week 11. Before the time off, the coaches talked to the former first round pick and explained how his starting role included the responsibility to quit being a distraction off the field. So, after a video emerged of Manziel partying, and then a subsequent denial to the coaches, Manziel was sent back to the bench. This is why Josh McCown started Monday night. Coach Mike Pettine gave candid comments to the press after the benching. Pettine said, "His decisions led us to much disappointment and frustration … and … (he) violated (the team's) trust.” Pettine went on to say, "We told him yesterday, 'This isn't a dead end, this is a hurdle … Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a few forward.' This is a heavy dose of adversity. We will see how he handles it." Let's remember that Manziel has been given multiple chances by this coaching staff. If Pettine is back for 2016, we do not expect Manziel to be with the team. Until he is willing to put his teammates first, it will not matter.
Another quarterback we expect to be playing with another team next year, Colin Kaepernick, had surgery on his left shoulder last Tuesday. The recovery timetable is four-to-six months. According to beat writer Matt Maiocco, the operation was to repair an extensive tear to Kaepernick's labrum. The play of Blaine Gabbert could leave San Francisco with a decision after the season. He has played passably, but not well enough to give up the chance to get local product Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch. Under the direction of coach Harbaugh, Kaepernick led the 49ers deep into the playoffs more than once. Many Kaepernick dynasty owners are pining for a trade to Philadelphia. We are not so sure that would be a good marriage. Playing for offensive coordinator Chan Gailey with the New York Jets makes more sense. Gailey has proven success getting the most out of his quarterbacks.
Even though there was much debate about the prognosis of Seattle star running back Marshawn Lynch, he underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia last Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport. The reports of him coming back in two weeks can be thrown out the window. Further, we do not believe reports which have the bruising back returning in a month. Week 17 might be optimistic. A sports hernia for a running back is a tough injury to quickly recover. Rookie Thomas Rawls will carry the load for the playoff stretch.
On Monday, Jay Glazer reported that Cardinals tailback Chris Johnson fractured his tibia in the game against the 49ers. Johnson has been a consistent performer during his rebirth in the desert. We do not expect the fracture to heal before the season's end. Add in the turf toe injury to Andre Ellington, and rookie David Johnson vaults to viability for fantasy owners. Likely, this just means more passing attempts for quarterback Carson Palmer.
Those watching the Packers play the Bears on Thanksgiving night were treated to a good football game. But, the one player who stuck out as struggling was Green Bay receiver Davante Adams. His poor play was evident to all watching at home, and especially the coaching staff. When coach Mike McCarthy was asked about Adams' performance, he responded, “(Adams) didn’t have a very good day today … The consistency we’re getting in certain areas needs to pick up." McCarthy even blamed Adams' route for Aaron Rodgers' interception in the contest. On another play, Adams dropped what could have been a 47-yard touchdown. It was surprising to see Rodgers continue to go back to a struggling Adams during the game instead of targeting James Jones. In the last four games, Adams has been targeted a whopping 47 times. He has caught 22 of those passes for 222 yards and no touchdowns. Adams was injured earlier in the season and only has been healthy these past four games. Getting called out by the coach should get the youngster's attention.
Seattle tight end Jimmy Graham suffered a gruesome torn right patella tendon on Sunday afternoon. He was placed on Injured Reserve Monday. The injury happened just as he was starting to get into a groove with quarterback Russell Wilson. For those not familiar with torn patella injuries, it is possibly the worst injury for a player to endure, which comes with a long recovery. Per Dr. David Chao (@ProfootballDoc) on Twitter, “6-9 months recovery timeline for patella tendon repair. Similar to Victor Cruz last season.” We all know how much Cruz has struggled to get back on the field this year. Even when he does return, few players are able to maintain the level of burst as per-injury. Injury expert Stephania Bell (@Stephania_ESPN) tweeted, “Cruz had calf injury, complicated his return. JG should recover fully but regaining power/explosiveness challenging.” Graham is not a lock to be in the lineup Week 1 of the 2016 season.
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