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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
David Dorey

Tunnel Vision – Injuries, free agents and Sunday stars

 

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass-Rush TD
Kirk Cousins 509-0 4
Joe Burrow 392-2 5
Lamar Jackson 348-55 4
Joe Flacco 359-22 3
Kyler Murray 195-82 2
Running Backs Yards TD
Tank Bigsby 13-101
1-28
2
D’Andre Swift 21-73
2-47
1
Chuba Hubbard 13-97
4-(-2)
1
R. Stevenson 12-89
4-3
1
Rico Dowdle 20-87
2-27
1
Wide Receivers Yards TD
Ja’Marr Chase 10-193 2
Drake London 12-154 1
Darnell Mooney 9-105 2
Tee Higgins 9-83 2
Garrett Wilson 13-101 1
Tight Ends Yards TD
Tucker Kraft 4-88 2
Brock Bowers 8-97 1
George Kittle 8-64 1
Isaiah Likely 3-13 2
Kyle Pitts 7-88 0
Placekickers XP FG
Cam Little 4 3
Younghoe Koo 3 3
Chase McLaughlin 3 3
Greg Joseph 2 3
Ka’imi Fairbairn 2 3
Defense Sack – TO TD
Giants 7-1 1
Broncos 3-3 1
Vikings 3-3 0
Bears 4-3 0
Seahawks 3-1 1

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

QB Aaron Rodgers – Ankle
QB Josh Allen – Concussion
RB Aaron Jones – Hip
RB De’Von Achane – Concussion
RB R. Stevenson – Ankle
RB Zack Moss – Ankle
WR Nico Collins – Hamstring
WR Jordan Whittington – Shoulder
PK Jake Moody – High Ankle Sprain

Chasing Ambulances

QB Aaron Rodgers – Was bruised and battered often in the loss to the Vikings and most notably suffered what he called a “low-ankle sprain.” He continued to play, albeit with a limp, but pending something surprising, he should be okay to face the Bills this week.

QB Josh Allen – Was tackled and went down hard with his helmet bouncing off the turf. His diagnosis wasn’t official on Sunday, so he will be further evaluated, and more should be known by Monday. The Bills need him healthy to play at the Jets next week.

RB Aaron Jones – Was rushing well against the Jets in London but suffered a hip injury and left the game. He spent the rest of the game on the sideline and did not appear to be in pain. The injury is believed to be “short-term,” and the Vikings head onto their bye, so he’ll have two weeks to heal up in time to face the Lions in Week 7.

RB De’Von Achane – Left the win over the Patriots in the first quarter and was diagnosed with a concussion. He heads onto his bye this week, so he’ll have two full weeks to pass the concussion protocol.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson – He was not allowed to start, which meant nothing in reality, but he did suffer an ankle injury.  It was later reported not to be serious and that he would not miss any time when they host the Texans this week.

WR Nico Collins – He was en route to yet another monster performance when he left the win over the Bills after catching two passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Collins injured his hamstring and did not return. His status for this week’s game in New England will be determined later in the week.

WR Jordan Whittington – The Rams’ sixth-round wideout played a minimal role for the first three weeks, but with both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp out, the rookie saw six catches for 62 yards in Week 4 and then led the team with seven catches for 89 yards in the loss to the Packers. But he injured his shoulder and left the game with his arm in a sling.

Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

RB Ty Chandler – Aaron Jones left with an injured hip, and Chandler stepped in with 14 carries for 30 yards and caught two passes for nine yards against a stout Jets defense. Jones should be healthy after their bye, but it is a reminder to get his backup for the Jones owners.

RB Tyrone Tracey – With Devin Singletary out, the Giants turned to the rookie Tracey to lead the backfield and he gained 129 yards on 18 rushes (7.2 YPC). He was only used for one catch for one yard. That came in the road win at the Seahawks, though it could have been a trap game, with Seattle caught thinking ahead of facing the 49ers this week.

RB Breece Hall – One of life’s mysteries has to be about the running back formerly known as Breece Hall. Against the Broncos in Week 4, he ran for four yards on ten carries. Versus the Vikings in Week 5, he gained 23 yards on nine rushes. Through the first five games of 2023, he gained 387 rushing yards on 54 carries (7.2 YPC) and this year, he totaled 197 yards on 65 carries (3.0 YPC). An improved passing game should help the rushing effort, not strip it of fantasy value.

RB Chuba Hubbard – That boost that Andy Dalton brought to the offense went away in Chicago, but Chuba Hubbard (13-97, TD) added four catches for his third straight 100-total-yard effort. Hard to believe but whenever Jonathan Brooks shows up, he’ll get a slow introduction because Hubbard’s 2024 season is dramatically better than his three previous years.

Ravens Tight Ends – Lamar Jackson used his tight ends to a total of ten catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns. That breaks down to Isaiah Likely (3-13, 2 TD), Mark Andrews (4-55) and the lead tight end Charlie Kovar (3-64, TD). Well. Do you feel lucky?

RB Dare Ogunbowale – With Joe Mixon missing his third game, Cam Akers was expected to handle the primary duties and he did score once on his nine rushes for 42 yards. But Ogunbowale only had four carries on the season entering that game but ended up as the busiest back with 15 rushes for 30 yards and a season-high six catches for 57 yards. Mixon should be back for the matchup with the Patriots this week, but Ogunbowale has carved out a role.

WR Darius Slayton – With the rookie Malik Nabers out, it was assumed that Wan’Dale Robinson (6-36, TD) would see more work but it didn’t happen. Slayton replaced Nabers and led the team with eight catches of 122 yards and a touchdown. That’s notable next week if Nabers is still out, and the Giants play the Ravens, who just gave up 276 yards and four touchdowns to the Bengals’ starting wideouts.

RB Trey Sermon – With Jonathan Taylor out with an ankle sprain, the Colts turned to Trey Sermon (10-38, TD) but also Tyler Goodson (5-26). Sermon ended with six catches for 25 yards in the loss to the Jaguars, and Goodson also gained 31 yards on three receptions. The backfield is a true split whenever Taylor is out, but at least Sermon handled the most touches. Goodson totaled only one catch and no rushes prior to Sunday.

RB Tank Bigsby – The role of Travis Etienne is nothing like it was in 2023 when he was a top fantasy running back. For reasons unknown, Etienne has not been effective when rushing, and it is not just the opposing defenses because Bigsby has been the better half of the backfield.  While Etienne ran for 17 yards on six carries against the Colts, Bigsby ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 13 rushes. On the year, Etienne totaled 53 runs for 231 yards (4.3 YPC) while Bigsby turned in 34 carries for 273 yards (8.0 YPC).  That was influenced by Bigsby’s 65-yard run this week and his 58-yard run in Week 4. That’s the point. Bigsby can break long gainers while Etienne continues to fade in usage and effectiveness.

TE Tucker Kraft – After logging just two short catches per week for the first three games, the Packers tight end caught six passes for 53 yards and scored a touchdown in Week 4. He followed that with a team-high 88 yards on four catches and two more scores as the top receiver for theWeek 5 game.

RB Jaylen Wright – After De’Von Achane left the game with a concussion, Wright assumed his role in the win over the Patriots. He ran for 86 yards on 13 carries but was never used as a receiver. The Fins head onto their bye, so Achane should be healed, but Wright looked sharp when given the chance. Raheem Mostert returned from his two-game absence and was reliable with 80 yards on 19 rushes and two catches for 18 yards. It’s a plus to see success from the backfield, even though the passing offense remains a problem.

WR Brandon Aiyuk – While it took five games, Aiyuk finally showed up for more than a sub-50-yard performance when he caught eight passes for 147 yards in the loss to the Cardinals. Maybe if that mountain-o-money came along with an actual touchdown, the niners might win more.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson – After fumbling in each of the first four games, Stevenson was disciplined by handing over the starting duties to Antonio Gibson. Ends up that was just the first carry in the game. Stevenson had the next one, and then the third carry in the game was Stevenson’s 33-yard touchdown run. He ended with 12 runs for 89 yards and the score, while Gibson only handled six rushes and gained 52 yards. But – Stevenson did not fumble. It’s all about that first carry, apparently

RB Brian Robinson – He only managed one limited practice on Friday, was questionable to play and a game-time decision. He only gained 18 yards on seven rushes but ran in two touchdowns to limit what the more effective rushers of Austin Ekeler (6-67) and even Jeremy McNichols (7-44, TD) offered as fantasy starts.

TE Brock Bowers – He led the Raiders with eight catches for 97 yards and a score in their loss to the Broncos. And he is currently the No. 1 fantasy tight end. He is everything that Sam LaPorta was, back when Sam LaPorta was Sam LaPorta and not the player formerly known as Sam LaPorta.  If Davante Adams is traded, Bowers could become even bigger.

Huddle player of the week

Syndication: The Enquirer

WR Ja’Marr Chase  –  Maybe he did not land that contract upgrade he wanted last summer, but he may not be as willing to concede anything in the future. He already scored three times and averaged 101 yards over the two previous games, and he upped that to an NFL best ten catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Ravens.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to  cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Joe Flacco 359-22 3 QB Josh Allen 131-54 1
RB Tank Bigsby 13-101
1-28
2 RB De’Von Achane 3-18
1-(-1)
0
RB Chuba Hubbard 13-97
4-(-2)
1 RB Aaron Jones 7-29
1-24
0
WR Darnell Mooney 9-105 1 WR Deebo Samuel 1-11 0
WR Darius Slayton 8-122 1 WR Marvin Harrison 2-36 0
WR Alec Pierce 3-134 1 WR Jordan Addison 3-36 0
TE Tucker Kraft 4-88 2 TE Dalton Kincaid 2-34 0
PK Cam Little 4  XP   3 FG PK Joshua Karty  1  XP
Huddle Fantasy Points = 191 Huddle Fantasy Points = 43

Now get back to work…

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