Dynasty News, Week 3

Photo: USA Today Sports

Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke like a player who will be back next year. Rodgers said, "Give me the doubts. Give me the timetable. Give me all the things you think can/should/will happen. All I need is that one little extra percent of inspiration. Then watch what I do." He underwent surgery last week to repair his Achilles. At least, mobility is not a Rodgers hallmark. While disappointing, this injury should not limit Rodgers' 2024 fantasy upside. If the Jets can make the playoffs, Rodgers may attempt a return. Ian Rapoport reported that Rodgers underwent an Achilles "speed bridge" on his left leg. This procedure opens up the possibility for a quicker return. However, New York must first make the playoffs, and the 0-2 start will make a postseason run unlikely unless they make a move at quarterback. This will be an interesting situation to watch over the next few weeks as Zach Wilson has shown that he is not capable of leading this talented roster to ten wins.

The Cincinnati Bengals are now 0-2, with both losses coming against division opponents. Making matters worse, star quarterback Joe Burrow aggravated the same calf injury he nursed through training camp. Burrow was visibly limping after the re-injury. Burrow's availability for the next few games is uncertain. Jake Browning is his backup and worth a stash in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. The Bengals have weapons galore, and the Rams, Titans, and Cardinals are next up on the schedule.

In dynasty, we try not to rely on rookie quarterbacks. They require time to develop. The only concerns are health – especially shoulders and concussions – and situation. This year's rookie passers all have a chance to be long-time starters. When we saw C.J. Stroud popped up on Friday's injury report with a shoulder injury, it was worth noting. The injury is to his throwing arm and was more soreness than an event. This occurred before Week 2, and the season is long. He was listed as Questionable on the injury report but played through the soreness … and played well. This is definitely something to monitor. Could be nothing. However, if it is something more than the Texans playing injury-reporting games, shoulder soreness is the result of an underlying issue.

Rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett excelled in training camp and preseason and was slated to back up Matthew Stafford. On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport tweeted, "The #Rams have placed rookie QB Stetson Bennett on the reserve/NFI list, taking him off the active roster. 'Out of respect for him and the situation, I'm going to leave all of those specifics and particulars in-house.'-- coach Sean McVay." The coach told reporters that the move was not related to the shoulder injury that bothered Bennett previously. Brett Rypien was signed to hold the clipboard in Bennett's absence. The timing was interesting as Rypien also had an offer to sign with the New York Jets after the injury to Aaron Rodgers. The Jets wanted Rypien because he played for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Denver. Oddly, Rypien chose the Rams over the Jets. Maybe he knows New York will either stick with Zach Wilson or bring in a bigger name.

Saquon Barkley left the New York Giants win late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. New York overcame a big deficit and was running Barkley to milk the clock. He twisted his ankle in a pile of players and needed to be helped off the field by a bevy of teammates. Barkley had a strong game against the lowly Arizona Cardinals defense and showed flashes of "vintage Barkley". X-rays were negative, and coach Brian Daboll told reporters that the injury is not considered serious. Dr. David J. Chao tweeted, "Hope for mild by video, a high ankle sprain". Even a mild high ankle sprain likely means a couple of missed games. We will know more in the coming days. Expect Barkley to miss multiple games. The injury should vault veteran Matt Breida to start against his old team on Thursday. He becomes a low-ceiling flex play this week.

Nick Chubb was carted off in the second quarter of Monday night's game in Pittsburgh. The injury is likely season-ending and will elevate Jerome Ford to the starting lineup for the remainder of the season. Pierre Strong will be his backup. We expect the Browns to add another back this week.

Veteran running back Cam Akers was a healthy scratch for the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. The news was leaked Sunday morning by Jay Glazer. While Akers played poorly in Week 1, there was no hint that he was this far in the team's doghouse. Glazer reported that Akers "could" be on the trade block this week. He is owed roughly $2 million each of the next two years and has not played well enough to warrant a high pick, especially with Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette available as free agents with cheaper salaries. Akers was replaced by Kyren Williams against the 49ers in Week 2. This is a puzzling situation. During the Fox broadcast, Laura Okmin said Akers 'was not adhering to the culture of the Rams". Sunday afternoon, Akers tweeted, "I'm just as confused as everybody else. I'm blessed though". It is a curious situation that we – in the dynasty community – should see as straightforward: Akers is likely gone and Williams will assume lead-back duties. Sixth-round rookie Zach Evans may get a chance to contribute as well. Williams was the lone tailback to log a carry versus San Francisco.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was carted off the field in Detroit's loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. Coach Dan Campbell categorized the injury as a "thigh bruise", but Montgomery told reporters that he will likely miss a few weeks. In the very next series after Montgomery's departure, it was Craig Reynolds – not rookie Jahmyr Gibbs who was in the game. In the high-scoring affair where the Lions played from behind much of the second half, Gibbs only saw 16 opportunities, 7 carries, and 9 pass targets. Gibbs may be viewed as the change-of-pace back by the coaching staff. It is still too early to know for sure. Most dynasty managers believed coach Dan Campbell when he told reporters after Week 1 that rookie Gibbs would be more involved in the offense. Well, that did not happen in Week 2.

This week, Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that receiver Brandin Cooks suffered a sprained MCL in last Sunday's victory over the New York Giants. He missed practice all week and the game against the New York Jets. Michael Gallup is healthy and filled in nicely for Cooks. Given the team's depth at the position, Dallas would be wise to hold Cooks out until he is fully healthy. It is a long season.

Last Friday, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that he hopes star receiver Cooper Kupp will be able to return in Week 5. McVay said, "I want to be careful to say, but the reason that we put him on IR was so that if it's going to be those four weeks, then we can take him off of the IR and be available for that fifth week." The team is taking it slow with Kupp. While this might be optimistic coach-speak, it is great to hear the coach express hope. Rookie Puka Nacua has filled in nicely - with 25 catches in two weeks. Kupp and Nacua will give Matthew Stafford a strong pair of receivers.

Last week, Patriots beat writer Andrew Callahan gave dynasty managers something to consider about the Patriots receiving corp. JuJu Smith-Schuster was thought to be the team's top pass-catcher after signing a three-year, $25.5 million deal this past offseason. Callahan wrote, "Multiple team sources believe Smith-Schuster is not presently among the team's five most effective pass-catchers." Given that New England signed Smith-Schuster and let Jakobi Meyers walk may not age well. Callahan opened his article by noting how the team – in need of a score late in Week 1 against the Eagles – had rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas on the field instead of the veteran. In his article, Callahan had a quote from wide receivers coach Ross Douglas saying the personnel choice was because the coaches "thought was best to be able to move the ball and score points." Ouch! Make note of this, as the youngsters might see expanded playing time by late in the season. Douglas flashed against Miami Sunday night and should see his role grow over time. Also, the veteran told reporters Friday that his knee is 100%, so injury is not the reason for the poor play.

Last week, beat reporter Pat Leonard gave a discouraging update on New York Giants tight end Darren Waller. In his article, Leonard wrote, "Waller also revealed that his hamstring is the 'same' right hamstring that landed him on injured reserve with the Raiders last season and that this is a slightly different issue. 'I still have people on working me, a team, and it wasn't the same degree of strain as last year,' Waller said. 'It more so has to do with the nerve that was behind it. So it's not really a muscular issue. It was more so a little bit something different, like nerve-wise.'" Waller did play well in the come-from-behind victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Dynasty managers will have to monitor the situation all season. Nerve issues sometimes linger for weeks on weeks. The sciatic nerve runs through the hamstring and will heal through therapy and time. Daniel Bellinger makes a strong stash as we know he is talented and has the faith of quarterback Daniel Jones and coach Brian Daboll. Waller is extremely talented. There is no doubt. Another lens might be to use a slow start as an opportunity to acquire Waller for his late-season production.

We mentioned last week that Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich suffered a serious hamstring injury. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday and will miss at least the next three games. This injury is to the same hamstring that plagued Dulcich last season. His absence opens up a golden opportunity for coach Sean Payton favorite, Adam Trautman. Trautman only saw one target in the loss to Washington and should be considered a desperation fantasy option.

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