I don't remember a Week 14 Monday Night Football game impacted so significantly by multiple injuries. Some of you surely won or lost because of them. It's part of the sport, and it's a shame. It is what it is.
For Kyler Murray, the latest reports suggest a possible ACL tear. Presumably he could be back or the start of next season. The Cardinals gave him a huge contract this summer. He's no going anywhere (barring a trade down the road) until after the 2027 or 2028 season, at the earliest.
More concerning is the future of a franchise that started last year 7-0. They're 8-15 since. Murray dealt with some bad publicity this season, including from ex-teammate Patrick Peterson. There was also a "study clause" (later removed after a public backlash) in Murray's contract that would have required him to study several hours of game tape every week.
Add to that the advancing age of DeAndre Hopkins--along with Zach Ertz--and the big payday for the aging and injury-prone James Conner (along with a sub-par defense), and we have to wonder if management is a year or less away from blowing up this team and rebuilding around . . . well, Murray. Because they don't have a choice.
What does this mean for fantasy? Clearly too soon to know. But Rondale Moore will be buried as the #4 or #5 offensive option if everyone's healthy to start next season, while Ertz's days as a top-14 TE might be coming to an end, assuming the talented Trey McBride gets more run in 2023. And we might have to wait 'til 2024 for Murray to return to his dual-threat ways--a byproduct of his ACL recovery (if it turns out to be an ACL tear).
And if you're competing in the fantasy playoffs, all bets are off on whether Hopkins, Marquise Brown, or even James Conner play out the season. Hopkins would be a fringe streamer next week in Denver, while Brown might be unstartable. The same in Week 18 in San Francisco, if your championship runs to the end of the season. And a Week 16 home game againt the Bucs might be a struggle. Colt McCoy is entirely adequate, but in the postseason, it's hard to rely on anyone he's throwing to.
For the Patriots, Rhamondre Stevenson's early departure opened the door for rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong, who seized the moment--particularly Strong. I tend not to overreact to sudden production from recently inactive players. But when it come to New England, we have to take notice. Bill Belichick operates based on meritocracy. If you're good enough, there's probably a role for you.
In the preseason, Strong flopped. Clearly he used this time to develop his game, and he was ready when the opportunity hit. If you're leaning on Stevenson for the postseason, there's some cause for concern. I don't think Strong and Harris will both return to the bench next weekend.
Finally, congratulations to Mike Vanacore, the closest-score competition winner. Mike predicted a 27-16 Pats victory. This is his first victory of the season. Congrats Mike! And congrats to everyone who got the fantasy W.
For Kyler Murray, the latest reports suggest a possible ACL tear. Presumably he could be back or the start of next season. The Cardinals gave him a huge contract this summer. He's no going anywhere (barring a trade down the road) until after the 2027 or 2028 season, at the earliest.
More concerning is the future of a franchise that started last year 7-0. They're 8-15 since. Murray dealt with some bad publicity this season, including from ex-teammate Patrick Peterson. There was also a "study clause" (later removed after a public backlash) in Murray's contract that would have required him to study several hours of game tape every week.
Add to that the advancing age of DeAndre Hopkins--along with Zach Ertz--and the big payday for the aging and injury-prone James Conner (along with a sub-par defense), and we have to wonder if management is a year or less away from blowing up this team and rebuilding around . . . well, Murray. Because they don't have a choice.
What does this mean for fantasy? Clearly too soon to know. But Rondale Moore will be buried as the #4 or #5 offensive option if everyone's healthy to start next season, while Ertz's days as a top-14 TE might be coming to an end, assuming the talented Trey McBride gets more run in 2023. And we might have to wait 'til 2024 for Murray to return to his dual-threat ways--a byproduct of his ACL recovery (if it turns out to be an ACL tear).
And if you're competing in the fantasy playoffs, all bets are off on whether Hopkins, Marquise Brown, or even James Conner play out the season. Hopkins would be a fringe streamer next week in Denver, while Brown might be unstartable. The same in Week 18 in San Francisco, if your championship runs to the end of the season. And a Week 16 home game againt the Bucs might be a struggle. Colt McCoy is entirely adequate, but in the postseason, it's hard to rely on anyone he's throwing to.
For the Patriots, Rhamondre Stevenson's early departure opened the door for rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong, who seized the moment--particularly Strong. I tend not to overreact to sudden production from recently inactive players. But when it come to New England, we have to take notice. Bill Belichick operates based on meritocracy. If you're good enough, there's probably a role for you.
In the preseason, Strong flopped. Clearly he used this time to develop his game, and he was ready when the opportunity hit. If you're leaning on Stevenson for the postseason, there's some cause for concern. I don't think Strong and Harris will both return to the bench next weekend.
Finally, congratulations to Mike Vanacore, the closest-score competition winner. Mike predicted a 27-16 Pats victory. This is his first victory of the season. Congrats Mike! And congrats to everyone who got the fantasy W.