Every little thing that occurs within the NFL has some further context when seen from a fantasy football perspective. From place battles to accidents and a lot extra, the information cycle will consistently have an effect on participant values in fantasy soccer.
Our fantasy soccer buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN Fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, goals to supply fantasy managers with the intel they want as information breaks across the NFL.
Key hyperlinks: Draft Guide | Cheat Sheet Central | Fantasy depth charts
Aug. 7: Josh Downs, Rondale Moore endure leg accidents
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Josh Downs left Wednesday’s observe with an ankle injury, with some worry current that it may a excessive ankle sprain, an harm sort that sometimes carries a multiple-week absence. It diminishes the second-year receiver’s possibilities at being prepared to soak up the slot-receiver/No. 2-target function for the Indianapolis Colts on the season’s onset, on the heels of a productive rookie marketing campaign (157.1 PPR fantasy factors).
Curiously sufficient, Downs was going later in drafts on common than rookie Adonai Mitchell, one in all two high choices more likely to obtain a lift in targets if Downs misses regular-season time (Alec Pierce being the opposite). Mitchell’s preseason studies and efficiency now warrant cautious monitoring, and he’ll be a extra attention-grabbing late-round flier if he takes maintain of the expanded alternative. Downs, whose upside was restricted in a slot function anyway, is now not a consideration in any respect in commonplace (10-team) leagues.
A fantasy disappointment in his three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Rondale Moore suffered a leg harm at Atlanta Falcons camp on Wednesday, with the likelihood it’d lead to an prolonged absence. He wasn’t more likely to be far more than a rotational or slot receiver along with his new crew, pushing Ray-Ray McCloud III extra firmly into that function. Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and Bijan Robinson needs to be the crew’s high 4 receiving choices, and fewer competitors for these solely additional solidifies their goal shares.
Aug. 6: Christian McCaffrey to overlook preseason with calf harm
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Any information that surrounds the consensus No. 1 total participant in fantasy soccer, Christian McCaffrey, sends waves by our recreation, so Tuesday’s admission by San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan that his star operating again will miss a few weeks of observe and is unlikely to seem in any preseason video games has the potential to ship us right into a state of panic. For all of McCaffrey’s successes, together with scoring the second-most PPR fantasy factors in a season in historical past (2019) whereas simply main his place within the class in 2023, he does have an in depth harm historical past, having missed a mixed 24 video games in 2020-21. Nonetheless, this harm timetable offers loads of time for him to be prepared for Week 1 practices with full readiness for mentioned season opener, and it is vital to notice that McCaffrey has appeared in just one preseason recreation prior to now three seasons mixed (and relatively sparingly in it), as he is among the few gamers who would not want preseason recreation motion to arrange for video games that depend. This makes Elijah Mitchell a extra vital insurance coverage coverage within the later rounds, should you’re fortunate sufficient to attract the No. 1 draft place, however this is not a setback that ought to take McCaffrey out of that coveted high spot.
Aug. 5: Puka Nacua “week-to-week” with proper knee harm
Stephania Bell: Nacua left observe early on Aug. 4 however returned to the sidelines to look at with ice on his knee (per Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic). ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday Nacua is considered week-to-week, however the harm is just not thought-about severe. At this level within the preseason, week-to-week probably displays the idea of bringing a participant again slowly, even from one thing minor. Nacua performed in all 17 video games in his rookie season, at totally different factors taking part in by an AC sprain and a hip ailment, and the crew would little question wish to have him match that availability this fall.
Aug. 2: DeAndre Hopkins sliding into WR5 vary
Eric Karabell: Hopkins injured his left knee throughout a current observe and the Titans imagine he’ll miss 4-to-6 weeks, definitely jeopardizing his participation for early weeks of the common season. Hopkins, a borderline WR2 producer in PPR leagues throughout his first season with the Titans, grew to become seen as a relative sleeper by many since his present ADP has him slotted as a late WR4, primarily due to the crew’s addition of youthful wideout Calvin Ridley. Nevertheless, this harm information erases optimism, as Hopkins will probably miss September as he recovers, and fantasy managers are reminded that he missed 15 video games through the 2021 and 2022 seasons, although some attributable to suspension. Regardless, Hopkins, a five-time Professional Bowler, figures to fall to WR5 vary now.
Eric Karabell: Herbert will put on a boot on his proper foot for not less than two weeks, and whereas the Chargers declare optimism he will probably be prepared for Week 1 of the common season (roughly 5 weeks away), fantasy managers needs to be suspicious of this timeline. Herbert, among the many high fantasy quarterbacks in 2021 however not since then, already comes at a draft-day low cost (ADP of QB16), attributable to new coach Jim Harbaugh planning a run-heavy offense and a dearth of confirmed receiving expertise. The worry of this harm affecting Herbert’s potential (as my colleague Stephania Bell particulars beneath) and September participation is actual, in addition to danger of lingering points. A case for the gifted Herbert as a borderline QB1 choice for deeper leagues was affordable previous to this information, however definitely not now as he slips to late QB vary.
Stephania Bell: Plantar fascia accidents are extraordinarily painful. It’s an harm to the fibrous band that helps the arch of the foot and with each step, that band is positioned beneath pressure … so think about tugging on one thing that’s infected or torn once you bear weight, and the extra you do, the more severe it will get.
A boot elevates the heel, lowering the pressure on the plantar fascia, and that hopefully will enable the tissue to start therapeutic. However these accidents can take months to completely recuperate from, particularly if intense exercise is resumed earlier than the therapeutic is full. So the query turns into how will it affect him? It is his plant leg, which helps drive the ball when he throws and it may doubtlessly make any of his motion more difficult. That mentioned, Herbert has confirmed himself to be extremely stoic, taking part in by painful circumstances and performing nicely prior to now.
Aug. 2: Geno Smith working by a number of accidents
Eric Karabell: Smith got positive news after present process testing for hip and knee points, and a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Smith “should not miss any time.” The stunning No. 5 fantasy quarterback scorer from the 2022 season took a predictable step again statistically final season, rating among the many greatest fantasy quarterback disappointments, and there appears to be little momentum for him in ESPN ADP, as he typically goes undrafted. Actually, some fantasy managers — and absolutely Seahawks followers — could choose offseason acquisition Sam Howell, who performed nicely in spurts for Washington final season. Howell, who has a stronger arm and is 10 years youthful than Smith, awaits one other alternative.
