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.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a painful victory against the Houston Texans Sunday. In addition to losing linebacker DeMeco Ryans for the season, quarterback Nick Foles cracked his left (non-throwing) collarbone. He was replaced by Mark Sanchez in the game. Foles will likely be back no earlier than Week 16. The good news for the Eagles receivers is Sanchez played well and threw the ball down the field.
It is easy to spot the signs of low expectations. The Jacksonville Jaguars took quarterback Blake Bortles with a Top 5 pick in last May's NFL Draft. However, offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said, "I think we would consider that a win" if the rookie can limit his interceptions to one per game over the last half of the season. While that still sounds like a lot of picks, it is less than half from the pace Bortles is currently on. Considering the team's record, so much of the future is dependent on the rookie developing.
Last Friday, beat writer Michael Gehlken tweeted that San Diego tailback Ryan Mathews returned to practice, albeit in a limited capacity. While we really like the potential for undrafted rookie Branden Oliver, the Chargers are anxious to get Mathews back in the lineup. With San Diego off on bye this week, we expect Mathews back in Week 11. For dynasty teams needing help at running back, make a deal for Mathews before news spreads about his impending return from the MCL sprain.
Last week, New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings said he hopes to return for the team's Week 10 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. Even if he plays, it might not be in full starter's mode. Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers seems more likely for fantasy owners to insert the journeyman into fantasy lineups. Players looking to return quickly from MCL sprains many times find it difficult to regain the lateral agility at first.
San Francisco tailback Marcus Lattimore began practicing last Wednesday, which was a good sign. But, it was concerning when Lattimore was unable to practice Friday with soreness in his surgically-repaired right knee after just two practices. Beat writer Matt Maiocco tweeted, “Marcus Lattimore’s future remains up in air, after going thru 2 practices last wk, looking unlikely can return this yr.” this weekend so we expect an a retirement announcement soon.
Dynasty owners took notice last Thursday when Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said he wanted to get rookie receiver Donte Moncrief as many touches as possible going forward. Moncrief was very young (20 years of age) when entering the NFL and is still on a developmental trajectory so all positive buzz from the coaching staff is great to hear. This statement should be viewed as negative news for Hakeem Nicks, who has failed to impress. With Moncrief and T.Y. Hilton locked up for a few more years, the Colts have given quarterback Andrew Luck great weapons.
Just as he was beginning to take command of the St. Louis WR1 job, Brian Quick dislocated his shoulder and tore his rotator cuff in Week 8. A few days later, Head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed Quick needs season-ending surgery. If looking for a dynasty player to acquire, Quick makes a great target. This injury will not impede his speed or explosion. In addition, the Rams should upgrade the quarterback position this offseason.
Another player to monitor this week is Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquess Wilson, who will begin practicing this week. Wilson broke his collarbone and was stashed on the team's “Injured Reserve/Designated for Return” list. He is eligible to return to practice this week and we expect him to slowly begin to eat into the playing time of Santonio Holmes as the WR3 for the Bears. Wilson has very high ceiling, but will need to continue to develop in order to just secure the starting WR3 job.
For those wanting an update on Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, the Baltimore Sun reported last week that doctors still do not know yet if Pitta will play football again after undergoing hip surgery. The article said something should be known “in a few months.” It is likely a sad ending to Pitta's career.
Even though tight end Clay Harbor has filled in nicely while replacing Marcedes Lewis for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harbor is a better receiver than Lewis, but a much poorer blocker. For this reason, a Florida Times-Union article last week suggested that the Jaguars utilize more two-tight end formations once Lewis is back in the lineup after returning from an ankle injury. He is expected back in a couple of weeks. If we accept the article's prediction, it should lead dynasty owners to pick up Harbor off the waiver wire with the notion he will keep his pass-catching role even when Lewis returns.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said (in a Seattle Times article) that tight end Zach Miller will be out indefinitely with an ankle injury. This was after he saw an ankle specialist. Since Seattle does not regularly utilize the tight end position in the pass offense, this is hardly earth-shattering news. However, it helps dynasty owners take a closer look at Cooper Helfet.
Injuries to monitor
Nick Foles: Collarbone
Robert Griffin III III: Ankle
Matt Cassel: Foot
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Montee Ball: Groin
Ryan Mathews: Knee
Stevan Ridley: Knee
Andre Ellington: Foot
Rashad Jennings: Knee
C.J. Spiller: Collarbone
Fred Jackson: Groin
Danny Woodhead: Ankle
Victor Cruz: Knee
Cecil Shorts: Hamstring
Marvin Jones: Foot/Ankle
Marqise Lee: Hamstring
Jimmy Graham: Shoulder
Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
Tyler Eifert: Elbow
Owen Daniels: Knee
Jordan Reed: Hamstring
Kyle Rudolph: Groin/ Sports Hernia
Marcedes Lewis: Ankle
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