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 of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
Andrew Luck’s injured calf is not getting much press but is a situation to monitor. Beat reporter, Zak Keefer tweeted last week, “At this juncture, I'd be surprised if Andrew Luck plays in the preseason. He's still got time to get ready for Week 1, but this calf strain – an injury the Colts initially said was minor – has now lingered for three and a half months. Odd. Really odd” and “Time to panic? No. It’s not. If Luck returns to work the week before the Bears, he’s fine. He’s making progress, per Reich. And remember: He’s calling the shots on this, and won’t return until he’s 100% pain free. Wants the calf in the rearview mirror.” George Bremer chimed in, “Reich said Andrew Luck continues to gain strength in the calf, but still is experiencing pain at a level he’s not comfortable with. QB is not likely to practice in the next three days before the next break Tuesday. Will re-assess then. #Colts.” There is a legitimate chance that Jacoby Brissett starts the opener. It is troubling that Luck has been sidelined for such a long time.
Much ink was spilled on Tom Brady’s new contract. Contract expert, Joel Corry tweeted on the topic, “In trying to figure out missing components of Tom Brady's new deal paying $23M this year while lowering his 2019 salary cap number by $5.5M, I get $20.25M as signing bonus & $2.75M in salary. Hopefully, Brady had his $1M of 46-man per-game roster bonuses converted to base salary” and “Tom Brady's $36.75M & $38.75M salary cap numbers for 2020 & 2021 aren't real. The $30M & $32M base salaries are gone when the contract voids on the last day of 2019 league year (3/18/20). There will have to be a negotiation of a real 2020 contract year before then to prevent voiding.” Field Yates offered context, “To further this: the two years of Brady’s extension are void years, per source. This deal is about 2019: Brady gets a raise, while the void years allow the team to create cap space this season.” Beat reporter Mark Daniels added, “Brady’s ‘extension’ was simply a placeholder for the 2019 season that gives the QB a raise and the Patriots more cap space.” Ian Rapoport offered an important detail that was not discussed much, “Sources: #Patriots QB Tom Brady’s new deal includes a provision that does not allow NE to franchise or transition tag him for the 2020 season. The final two years automatically void on the last day of the 2019 league year, but he cannot be tagged. Brady will be a free agent.” So, the extension is just to give the player more money and the team more cap flexibility in the short term, plus the star quarterback cannot be slapped with the Franchise Tag. Nick Underhill tweeted a breakdown of the contract, “Here’s how Tom Brady’s contract breaks down:
- Base: $1.75 million (fully guaranteed)
- Signing bonus prorated: $6.75M
- Renegotiated signing bonuses: $7M and $5M
- Roster bonus: $62.5K per game active
- Cap number: $21.5M
The 2020 and 2021 seasons automatically void on last day of 2019 league year.” This “extension” is more about 2019 than about future years.
Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock improved in his second game. Beat writer Mike Klis tweeted out a quote by his head coach, “Fangio put Drew Lock in context: ‘One thing you got to remember about him he hardly has ever been under center in his life. He’s hardly ever had to call a play in his life—a formation and checks. Once he gets through that the other stuff will come easier and quicker.’ #9sports.” We expect the youngster to start games in the second half of the season, if not before.
Philadelphia Eagles fans have been spoiled by having a solid backup quarterback behind Carson Wentz. The new QB2 is Nate Sudfeld after Foles signed for big money in Jacksonville. Sudfeld promptly got hurt but the news was not catastrophic. Adam Schefter tweeted, “After undergoing surgery this morning for a broken bone above his left wrist, Eagles’ backup QB Nate Sudfeld is expected to return in six weeks, per source. The best-case scenario for Philly.” Sudfeld will be back early in the season. Expect the team to sign a stopgap to hold the clipboard until then.
Last Sunday morning, the Houston Texans surprisingly waived DOnta Foreman. Foreman was getting positive press for working back from his Achilles tear in 2017. Rumors soon arose that the coaching staff was less than pleased with Foreman’s practice habits. Foreman was not on the street long. He landed in Indianapolis. The Colts running back corps is loaded with Foreman, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, and Jonathan Williams behind Marlon Mack. In a related story, Spencer Ware is reported to be seeking an injury settlement after undergoing surgery on his ankle and getting moved to the team's reserve/PUP list. This move results in Ware missing at least the first six weeks of the season. Ware’s progress is worth monitoring as there are several tailback-needy teams who could use his services.
Last week, Adam Schefter broke the news that Jerick McKinnon was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. A few days later, ace beat reporter, Matt Maiocco, tweeted, “#49ers RB Jerick McKinnon’s knee was not feeling good after working the past two days. He’ll be shut down for a while. He can’t go back on PUP. If he’s slow to recover, the only option would be to start the season on IR and come back later in the season.” McKinnon has yet to gain a yard since signing for huge money last offseason and he appears behind the eight-ball for 2019.
Another running back on the move last week was Duke Johnson Jr. Tom Pelissero broke the news, “The #Texans traded a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft that can become a third-rounder to the #Browns for Duke Johnson Jr, source said.” Veteran beat writer John McClain offered context to the compensation the Browns will receive, “If Duke Johnson Jr is active for 10 games, Texans will give Browns a third-round pick.” Lastly, for those wondering how a team without a general manager – the Houston Texans – pulled off the trade, Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Duke Johnson Jr trade was done by #Browns GM John Dorsey and #Texans coach Bill O’Brien, I’m told. Without a GM, Houston has several qualified personnel people assuming different roles, but it was O’Brien on the phone with Dorsey.” For those dynasty players who are excited about Johnson’s outlook in Houston, former Footballguy Heath Cummings tweeted, “13.5% of Deshaun Watson's targets went to RBs last year, nobody threw to their backs less. 16.7% of Deshaun Watson's targets went RBs in his rookie year.” Lamar Miller should still see his same role. While Johnson is talented, the coaching staff will need to alter the offense if Johnson is to meet expectations. Add in a poor offensive line and it is easy to recommend those in Dynasty Land to not get too wrapped up in Johnson’s hysteria.
As expected, the Denver Broncos signed Theo Riddick last week. Klis tweeted out the contract specifics, “Details on RB Theo Riddick's 1-year, $2.5 million contract ($1 million fully guaranteed) with Broncos:
- Signing Bonus: $250,000
- Salary: $2 million ($750,000 fully guaranteed)
Per game 46-man roster bonus: $15,625 per game. Total: $250,000.” The ex-Lion should be considered an upside play without much near-term value unless Phillip Lindsay is injured. But, Riddick himself was injured in the preseason game against Seattle. Klis broke the news once again, "More tough news: Broncos RB Theo Riddick suffered slight fracture in shoulder during preseason game Thursday at Seattle, per sources. Out 6-8 weeks. Good news: No surgery. Should return after 2-4 regular season games. In case you wondering about Devontae Booker's role. #9sports." So, Riddick will be back soon enough. He should have a limited role unless Lindsay is injured.
Troy Pollard is generating buzz in training camp. Cowboys beat writer David Moore tweeted a quote by quarterback Dak Prescott on the rookie, “Dak Prescott on rookie RB Tony Pollard: ‘One of the most exciting players, to me, of this training camp. The things he’s been able to do running the ball, catching the ball out of the backfield. He’s making plays and he’s really an intelligent dude.’” With the Ezekiel Elliott situation far from certain, Pollard is a player to watch in preseason.
For those wondering why Antonio Calloway was established far behind Rashard Higgins in the Browns receiver pecking order, Ian Rapoport tweeted out why: “Sources: #Browns WR Antonio Callaway is being suspended 4 games for a violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He had been appealing this ruling. This may partly explain why he’s been running with the reserves.” Mike Garafolo chimed in with, “On #Browns WR Antonio Callaway's suspension: Sources say it is for a separate violation of the substance abuse policy, unrelated to his citation for marijuana possession last year.” So, he failed or missed a test. There is a very real chance that the team moves on from the talented youngster. His off-field issues were the reason for the draft-day fall. This news offers confirmation for the teams who passed on Calloway. Higgins is now entrenched as the WR3 in Cleveland.
Another injury not receiving much ado is the sports-hernia surgery for Trey Burton. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune said that the veteran tight end is unlikely to play in the preseason. Coach Nagy was quoted, "It's not a setback … It's, more of, for us, I'm trying to protect him a little bit. I need him and we need him 100 percent for Week 1." We are less certain than the coach as core injuries can take much longer to heal than expected.
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