Dynasty News, Week 9

Photo: USA Today Sports

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.

Last week, the Indianapolis Colts announced that they are benching quarterback Matt Ryan for non-injury reasons. The local media has reported that the call came from owner Jim Irsay who is growing tired of the team trying to field a competing team with end-of-career passers. After the surprise retirement of Andrew Luck, the Colts have started Jacoby Brissett (Luck’s backup), Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and now Ryan. Sam Ehlinger started Sunday against the Commanders. He did not play well. Ehlinger was never that prolific of a passer at Texas but does offer mobility. He was not a coveted player coming into the NFL as Ehlinger was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Nick Foles will serve as Ehlinger’s backup. Some have hypothesized that the move is to avoid injury guarantees in Ryan’s contract for 2023 and beyond. He has battled a shoulder injury and the team wants him to be healthy enough to cut or trade next offseason. While he is far past his prime, Ryan at least peppered Michael Pittman with targets. Ehlinger’s presence might limit the fantasy upside of the receivers for the remainder of the season. But, a change was needed. The team will need to identify a long-term solution in the 2023 draft. Paying aging veterans has a two-fold negative effect: paying top salaries for declining play and no continuity from year to year.

Thursday afternoon, Adam Schefter shocked the fantasy world with a tweet on the injury status of Cincinnati receiver JaMarr Chase, “Bengals’ WR Ja’Marr Chase is dealing with a hip injury that is expected to sideline him 4-6 weeks and makes him a prime candidate for injured reserve, per sources. Chase visited with a hip specialist Wednesday and is seeking more answers about his injury.” Friday afternoon, Jordan Schultz tweeted, “Breaking: JaMarr Chase is NOT going on IR, a source tells @theScore. Injury specifics: I’m told the #Bengals’ All-Pro WR sustained a hairline hip fracture and torn labrum. This is great news. It means that Chase should miss four or fewer games. Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Hayden Hurst get a boost as long as Chase is out of the lineup. Chase is a top-end receiver in the NFL, and his presence will be missed both by fantasy managers and television viewers.

Speaking last Monday, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters that receiver Mike Williams (ankle) will miss "weeks not days." Yuck! Beat reporter Daniel Popper followed up with, “#Chargers are expecting Mike Williams to miss a minimum of four weeks.” This even includes a bye week in Week 8. The Chargers had the bye for Keenan Allen and the other receivers to get healthy. It might be now or never time for Josh Palmer, who has struggled to make the impact expected coming into the season. DeAndre Carter should be considered a weekly what-the-heck flex play with his speed.

Last Monday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters that rookie receiver Jameson Williams will miss "at least probably another month." Campbell added that he still “hopes” Williams can return this season from his ACL injury. The lions took the already-injured receiver with the twelfth pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Given the Lions’ record and the draft capital used, we do not expect Detroit to rush the speedy receiver back.