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 are not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters last week that suspended quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the first game he is eligible on December 4 against the Houston Texans. That day is coming quickly. Jacoby Brissett has played passably, keeping the Browns in the playoff chase. Barring any new legal issues, expect to see Watson in uniform in three weeks against his former team. The theater of Watson returning to Houston for his first game back should garner plenty of attention. Watson did not play well in the preseason, which is concerning, but he has had ample time to learn coach Stefanski’s scheme over the past two months. We are interested to see if the Cleveland offense will be as run-heavy with Watson as it is with Brissett.
Thursday afternoon, news broke of New Orleans Saints star receiver Michael Thomas going on injured reserve with a toe injury. He will undergo surgery on the troublesome tow. Thomas turns 30 years of age in March and has missed a lot of time the past few years. Mike Clay tweeted an interesting stat on the situation, “In 2019, Michael Thomas set an NFL record with 149 receptions. Assuming he misses the rest of 2022, he will have appeared in 10 regular season games in 3 seasons since that point. Tough injury luck for one of the greats.” In fact, Thomas has played in just 10 of the last 50 New Orleans games. Coach Dennis Allen told reporters that the injury was a dislocated second toe. With Chris Olave playing well, it is no sure thing that Thomas is back in New Orleans in 2023. Many may remember how Thomas’ 2021 season ended abruptly as well. Luke Johnson tweeted context, “Nov. 3, 2021: Michael Thomas announces he will have season-ending surgery on his ankle. Nov. 3, 2022: The Saints announce Michael Thomas will have season-ending surgery on his toe. Having missed so much time the past three seasons will test dynasty managers’ convictions on Thomas. He is talented. No doubt. But how much is he worth in trade? If cheap enough, Thomas does make a viable “buy-low” option. He may have more fantasy upside on another team, and the Saints may have had enough.
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