The Cleveland Browns and fantasy managers were dealt a devastating blow when Nick Chubb went down following a gruesome hit on Monday night.
The superstar running back has been ruled out for the season and could be headed for multiple surgeries given the severity of the injury. It’s safe to say that everyone is hoping for a full recovery and eventual return to the field for one of the best in the game at his position.
And it’s exactly the fact that Chubb has played so well and been such an integral part of the Browns’ offence that has the team and fantasy managers who likely used their top pick on Chubb in such a bind.
Cleveland is unlikely to have Jerome Ford take on such a heavy workload like Chubb had, so it’s hard to project what kind of fantasy output he will put up.
The Browns also brought back Kareem Hunt earlier this week to ease that burden. Hunt, who couldn’t find a team over the summer, had played the previous four years in Cleveland so he knows the system well. It should be noted that his production took a dive last season from 60.1 total yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry to 39.9 and 3.8, respectively. Whether the vet can return to his more efficient form remains to be seen.
The schedule makers did the Browns no favours, either. They are facing a Tennessee Titans defence that has allowed an average of just 2.9 yards per carry over the past 17 games. After that, it’s another tough test against division rival Baltimore.
If either Ford or Hunt remains on your waiver wire, they need to be picked up ASAP. As for starting either of them, Ford should be in the RB2/FLEX range while Hunt still needs to get up to speed.
SAQUON DOWN
After initial reports that Saquon Barkley had suffered just a “common” ankle sprain, the Giants star later confirmed that it was a dreaded high ankle sprain.
While playing Thursday night’s game against 49ers was always in doubt, when exactly he will return and how effective he will be is now up in the air.
Barkley suffered a similar injury in 2019 and missed a month. When he returned, he was fairly ineffective for the next several weeks.
Against San Francisco, it was Matt Breida – as expected – that got the lion’s share of snaps over Gary Brightwell by a 41-9 count. Neither was effective, though, but that’s easy to chalk up to a banged-up offensive line going up against a top-five defence.
Breida looks to be the Giants RB to have right now until Barkley returns and softer matchups against Seattle and Miami could lead to some decent returns.
FEELING MINNY-MAL
Two RBs who were thought to be in for some solid seasons as the lead backs on their teams will now be fighting each for work.
With the Rams essentially giving away Cam Akers – the full trade is Akers plus a conditional seventh-rounder for a conditional sixth-rounder – to the Vikings, it shows not only what L.A. thought of Akers and what Minnesota thinks of Alexander Mattison.
Akers was a healthy scratch in Week 2 after starting the opener and had been hyped up as a solid RB2 option this off-season after finishing 2022 on fire.
Mattison was also set for big things after the Vikes let Dalvin Cook walk and anointed the former handcuff as the new lead back.
Instead, we’re likely looking at a two-headed purple monster that downgrades both RBs to matchup-dependant options.
Kyren Williams in L.A., on the other hand, becomes a must-start every week now.
SIT/START
Start Kirk Cousins, QB, MIN vs. LAC
He has already thrown for six TDs this season and faces a Chargers defence that hasn’t been up to snuff.
Sit Justin Fields, QB, CHI at KC
The Bears, for some reason, don’t design runs for an excellent running QB and now face a top defence.
Start Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA vs. DEN
Has been excelling in a feature role in one of the league’s most dynamic offences.
Sit AJ Dillon, RB, GB vs. NO
With Aaron Jones returning to practice and a tough matchup on tap, Dillon belongs on your bench.
Start Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV vs. PIT
Out of concussion protocol and looking to repeat his stellar Raiders debut in which he scored two TDs.
Sit Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, NE at NYJ
With just 61 yards in two games, ranks fifth on the Pats and reportedly is falling out of favour fast.
Start Sam LaPorta, TE, DET vs. ATL
He has the most catches by a rookie tight end through his first two games since 2009 with 10.
STAT CORNER
Since the Eagles bye in 2022, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have and identical 130 targets over 16 games.
ADD OF THE WEEK
Josh Reynolds, WR, DET
If you were to guess that a Detroit Lion was among the top 10 WRs in fantasy, you would’ve guessed it was Amon-Ra St. Brown. But, nope, it’s Reynolds, who has 146 yards and TDs on the season.
DROP OF THE WEEK
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, BAL
In his first two games as a Raven, OBJ did not live up to his big contract. Now he’s out for at least this week with an ankle injury and can be ditched in fantasy.
WAIVER WIRE DEFENCE
Jacksonville Jaguars DEF
The Jags have created three turnovers in each of their first two games and held the Chiefs a respectable 17 points. They’ve got a struggled Houston team up next.