Dynasty News, Week 6

Photo: USA Today Sports

Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was playing well before leaving Sunday's game against the Titans after landing hard on his throwing shoulder. After the game, Adam Schefter tweeted an update, "Colts QB Anthony Richardson is undergoing an MRI on his shoulder today but the initial belief is it's a sprained AC joint, pending further testing, per source. Ian Rapoport had already reported that x-rays were negative on Richardson's shoulder. The talented youngster was diagnosed with a Grade 3 AC joint sprain which will likely sideline him for a few weeks. We may not see Richardson again until after the Colts' Week 11 bye. Gardner Minshew will lead the Colts against the Jaguars next Sunday in a big divisional matchup.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones left Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins with a neck injury. Tyrod Taylor replaced Jones after the fourth-quarter injury and played well, completing 9-of-12 passes for 86 yards. Taylor makes a decent spot starter next week as the Giants travel to Buffalo for the game on Sunday Night Football. After the game, Jones told reporters that the neck soreness felt similar to how it felt when suffering the season-ending neck injury in 2021, so this is a situation that could land Jones on injured reserve. On Monday morning, Ian Rapoport reported that there is "optimism" that the injury is not severe. Later Monday, coach Daboll told reporters that the injury may not be very serious and Jones has a chance to play this week. We will continue to monitor the situation. The New York offense is a mess, and the quarterback change might give a boost to the Giants receivers, especially with Saquon Barkly expected back soon.

With two potential high first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals will need to decide whether they will stay the course with quarterback Kyler Williams or pursue Caleb Williams or another rookie passer. This is a huge decision for the next decade of the franchise. Dan Graziano said, "I do not believe the Cardinals have decided what they will do with Murray after this season….He's still not healthy enough to play, they don't know when he will be." Murray is not expected to be healthy for a few more weeks, at the minimum, from the ACL injury. Kyle Odegard tweeted, "I've reported this in the past and I'll reiterate it today: Kyler Murray and the Cardinals' new decision-makers have jelled really well. Both sides envision a bright future together." So, how should dynasty managers decode these reports? It is a good sign that the Arizona brass is still open to Murray being their long-term face of the franchise. He has endeared himself to the new regime, which is a good sign. Murray signed a new contract roughly a year ago and would be difficult to trade until at least 2025. The Cardinals are a team devoid of talent and may need the picks to fill other positions.

The Indianapolis Colts activated star running back Jonathan Taylor on Saturday. Earlier in the week, Taylor spoke to reporters this week for the first time in months. He said, "It feels really good to be healthy … If somebody wasn't committed, they wouldn't be here. … Like I said, I'm here right now … And my No. 1 thing is to take care of my teammates. A lot of people worry about what I want, what I want. It doesn't matter what necessarily I want. What matters is what this team needs, what this team wants, what this city wants and what this city needs. This city needs a championship, and while I'm here, that's what I'm gonna work my tail off to do." Taylor practiced all week and played Sunday. Late last week, coach Shane Steichen gave an update on Taylor, "When you have an explosive player like him in the backfield that can hit the home runs, obviously you might get heavier boxes obviously with him running the football. Then it leaves some shots down the field depending on how defenses are playing it. But, it definitely adds a huge element to our offense." Saturday afternoon, Adam Schefter tweeted, "Sources to ESPN: Jonathan Taylor and the Colts reached agreement on a three-year, $42 million contract extension, including $26.5M guaranteed, that makes him one of the league's highest-paid RBs and clears him to make his season debut Sunday vs. Titans. Taylor becomes the first RB to land a long-term deal worth $10 million or more per year since Nick Chubb in 2021 — almost 800 days ago. After months of animosity, Colts owner Jim Irsay, GM Chris Ballard, exec Mike Bluem and Taylor's representatives Malki Kawa and Ethan Lock finally came together and successfully negotiated a contract extension. Each side gets what it wants." This is great news for dynasty managers. We have resolution. The Colts offense with Taylor, Anthony Richardson, and Michael Pittman will be formidable once Taylor gets back into game shape. Zack Moss is carving out a complementary role and will continue to see touches even when Taylor is fully back. After the Taylor signing, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard are the remaining running back free agents but there is hope that the Taylor contract extension could help those players in their contract discussions.