Fantasy News

Chris Godwin has a torn ACL and is out for the season.

Further testing revealed bad news for the star wide receiver, as a knee injury that looked very worrisome last night turns out to be a torn ACL, so this is a huge blow to Tampa Bay’s offense. The original hope was a sprained MCL that would have Godwin back for the postseason, but that won’t happen, so the team will need Breshad Perriman, Tyler Johnson, and Scotty Miller to step up behind Mike Evans and Antonio Brown next month. Aside from Tom Brady, this is arguably the most significant loss the Bucs could have had ahead of another hopeful Super Bowl run, and it’s unfortunate timing for Godwin individually, too, as he’s set to be a free agent in the spring after playing 2021 on the franchise tag. It will be interesting to see if Tampa Bay is willing to get creative and extend Godwin with the multi-year deal he’s deserving of, but other teams should still jump at the opportunity to sign the soon-to-be 26-year-old.

12/20/21 - 02:37 PM ET

Austin Ekeler is being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Center Corey Linsley and pass rusher Joey Bosa are also reportedly being placed on the list, as the issues for the Chargers unfortunately continue. The hope was that the NFL/NFLPA changing the protocols might lead to fewer issues, but Los Angeles is still dealing with this recent breakout. Hopefully everyone is feeling OK and can get cleared soon. Ekeler is now in jeopardy of missing Week 16.

Via: Daniel Popper 12/20/21 - 01:19 PM ET

The Dolphins have activated Phillip Lindsay from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Lindsay was the only runner to not be activated for the Dolphins in Week 14, but it ended up being Duke Johnson Jr. dominating touches out of the backfield anyway. A potential full-blown committee—or at least a much larger role for Johnson—leaves Lindsay as the potential No. 4 option, so he won’t be a recommended FLEX next Monday night.

12/20/21 - 01:03 PM ET

Jaylen Waddle is being activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Miami was fortunately able to takedown the Jets to improve to 7-7 without Waddle yesterday, and now they’ll have him back for Week 16. The speedy first-round rookie should be back on the WR2 map against New Orleans next Monday night.

12/20/21 - 01:02 PM ET

Teddy Bridgewater has been released from the hospital.

Bridgewater was kept overnight as a precaution, but he is fortunately OK and will now enter the NFL’s concussion protocol. It would be a major surprise if Bridgewater was able to play in Week 16, and it’s possible he’s out beyond that, too. If so, the team will be relying on Drew Lock to face the Raiders and Chargers on the road over the next two weeks.

12/20/21 - 11:30 AM ET

Chris Godwin (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Godwin fortunately is expected back for the playoffs, but injured reserve is a possibility, so his regular season (and fantasy season) would be over. Tampa Bay will likely take this as good news with Godwin ideally being available when the games really count next month, though the offense will miss the elite wideout as they jockey for playoff positioning. Antonio Brown—returning next week from his three-game suspension (and ankle injury before that)—should be a target hog from Tom Brady, especially if Mike Evans (hamstring) isn’t able to suit up. As for Godwin, his regular season ends with 98 receptions, 1,103 yards, and five touchdowns in 14 games played; he’ll remain a definite WR1 in 2022 if he’s back with the Bucs.

Via: Ian Rapoport 12/20/21 - 10:22 AM ET

Duke Johnson Jr. is being signed to the Dolphins active roster.

Johnson was called up for Sunday with Miami’s backfield getting hit by COVID-19, and he took advantage with 107 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to finish as the overall RB1 of Week 15. The veteran made a case to remain the lead back, so without clarity on the situation, it might be best to avoid both him and Myles Gaskin ahead of next Monday night’s difficult matchup versus New Orleans.

12/20/21 - 09:22 AM ET