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.
Beat reporter Cam Inman captured a quote on the San Francisco quarterbacks from coach Kyle Shanahan’s Friday press conference, “#49ers Kyle Shanahan on Jimmy Garoppolo: Good news from doctors is none of them recommending surgery right now. Will rest him the next four to six weeks. Hopefully he'll heal up, be good to go then and not need surgery.” The coach also told reporters Thursday that Nick Mullens still was the starter, even after the lacking performance on Thursday night.
After Kyle Allen exited the loss to the Giants, and Alex Smith entered the game, Allen’s gruesome injury was thought to be a season-ender. Jeremy Fowler confirmed as much with a Monday morning tweet, “Washington QB Kyle Allen is expected to undergo surgery in the coming weeks on his dislocated ankle and small fracture, according to sources, jeopardizing his season and paving the way for Alex Smith to potentially start the remainder of the way, according to sources.” Ian Rapoport had an update Monday afternoon, “Kyle Allen’s season is over and he’ll get surgery soon. The Washington QB is looking at a likely 4 month full recovery, source said. Not as bad as feared. Fine for 2021.” Smith threw three picks after entering the game. The hope is that he can improve after shaking off the rust, but Washington may have to turn back to Dwayne Haskins. Still, with a chance at the playoffs, and Smith’s shot at a monster comeback, we are rooting for the former first overall pick. This is a team that will be seeking a quarterback next offseason.
On Sunday morning’s news roundup before the slate of games, Rapoport tweeted an update on Nick Chubb, “Speaking of the #Browns, star RB Nick Chubb, out more than a month with an MCL sprain, is expected back at practice this week and the team is hopeful that he’ll play Sunday, source said. That would help an already stout run game.” He was designated for return from injured reserve on Monday. Chubb played great before ceding to injury. His return might be enough to propel Cleveland through a tough few division games down the stretch.
Rapoport had another positive report on an injured tailback Sunday morning. This time it was Miles Sanders. Rapoport tweeted, “The #Browns aren’t the only team with reinforcements on the way. Source said the #Eagles will have RB Miles Sanders (knee) back at practice after the bye weekend, and WR Alshon Jeffery (calf) should be a full participant. Getting healthy at the right time.” Getting these two back in the lineup should greatly increase Philadelphia’s playoff hopes. The schedule gets tough in a couple of weeks so they will need the added offense firepower.
Beat reporter Barry Jackson was the first to report on Myles Gaskin’s injury. On Tuesday, he tweeted, “Per source, reason Dolphins acquired RB today is Myles Gaskin has sprained MCL and expected to miss three games.” He was later placed on injured reserve, guaranteeing at least a three-game absence. This represents almost half of the remaining games. Matt Breida is also nicked up. These injuries are probably what led the Dolphins to acquire veteran tailback DeAndre Washington via trade from the Chiefs. Miami gave a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for Washington’s services. Washington was no longer needed in Kansas City after the team traded for LeVeon Bell. The group of Jordan Howard, Washington, and Breida – when healthy, leaves much to be desired for a team with playoff aspirations.
On Thursday night, the Packers had their way with the 49ers. With the iffy status of Aaron Jones coming into the contest, Dexter Williams was promoted from the practice squad but left the game early Rapoport tweeted an update Saturday morning, “#Packers RB Dexter Williams, elevated from the practice squad on Thursday following COVID-19 issues, is out at least three weeks with an MCL sprain, source said following his MRI. That makes him a candidate for Injured Reserve.” Green Bay is notoriously conservative regarding rushing players back from injury so this may be the last we har from Williams unless another back is injured for the playoffs.
One player who has a bright future but still has failed to live up to 2020 fantasy expectations is Dolphins receiver Preston Williams. He left Sunday’s game early. Rapoport tweeted an update Sunday night, #Dolphins WR Preston Williams, ruled out with a foot injury, had X-Rays that were negative, source said. So, looking like a sprain at this point.” These are multi-week injuries. This should leave more targets for DeVante Parker for a few weeks.
In the fantasy community, we usually laud the trades made by the Patriots. But, when we consider the wide receiver trades in recent years, there are more misses than hits. At the NFL trade deadline, New England acquired Isaiah Ford from Miami for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2022. Ford is a big receiver who played in the slot while with the Dolphins. It remains to be seen how the Patriots will use him. For Miami, the move opens up snaps for Malcolm Perry and Lynn Bowden, two Swiss-army-knife types. But, Williams’ injury – see above – will create a hole in the Miami playoff hopes with such little depth at the position. The Dolphins want to evaluate players, so the team knows which positions need addressing in next year’s draft but are conflicted with the 5-3 record and a shot at the playoffs.
Inman shared a George Kittle update on Twitter, “#49ers George Kittle’s CT scan showed foot fracture is to the cuboid bone and not a Jones fracture, GM John Lynch told Greg Papa (on @KNBR) and recovery timeline TBA but still sounds like season over.” With the foot fracture confirmed, we should not expect the star tight end to return this season.
Cleveland tight end Austin Hooper returned to practice last Wednesday and should play this coming week. The bye came at a great time for the veteran tight end to get healthy. Hooper had battled an abdomen injury for a few weeks. His return should push rookie Harrison Bryant back to a reduced role.
After Noah Fant left the game in Denver’s loss to Atlanta, many hoped rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam would finally emerge. He was the college teammate of quarterback Drew Lock and has loads of potential. But, the youngster left the game early, too. Ace beat reporter Mike Klis tweeted an update on Okwuegbunam on Monday, “Per source, Broncos rookie TE Albert Okwuegbunam is done for the year with torn ACL. Yes, every team has injuries. Broncos have strong case for having way more than most. Total IR at 13 players, now nearing $45 million. #9sports.” The Broncos have been hit hard by injuries. That is for sure. Klis followed that tweet up with, “ Albert O hurt right knee after making 7-yard catch to convert 3rd-and-6 with 5:13 left in 3Q. He was huge vs. Chargers last week in comeback win with 9-yd TD catch and drawing two PIs in final, game-winning drive. Hate to see a rookie who was just coming on go down. #9sports.” This is a young team playing hard every week. Denver has some talent to build on if the organization can groom Lock into a franchise quarterback.
Last Tuesday, little-used rookie tight end Devin Asiasi was placed on injured reserve. He and fellow rookie, Dalton Keene, have failed to emerge and could be pushed for competition next offseason. Each was expected to contribute in year one but that has yet to transpire.
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