Fantasy football buzz: McCaffrey out Sunday, Niners mull IR stint

Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.

Key links: Draft Guide | Cheat Sheet Central | Fantasy depth charts

Sept. 13: 49ers rule out Christian McCaffrey, mull IR stint

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Friday that star running back Christian McCaffrey would miss the team’s game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and even suggested an IR stint could be in the works.

On Monday night, backup Jordan Mason stepped into McCaffrey’s role and rushed for 147 yards and a score. Mason is the 11th-ranked running back in our ESPN Fantasy rankings, and is currently available in 13.6% of leagues.

On Fantasy Focus, Mike Clay speculated that Mason could lead all running backs in fantasy points with the opportunity he has in front of him,

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Why Jordan Mason could lead RBs in fantasy points in Week 2

Mike Clay explains why Jordan Mason has a strong chance to lead the 49ers’ running backs in fantasy points in Week 2.

Sept. 13: Hollywood Brown to miss “months”, other injury notes

The Kansas City Chiefs will place wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown on IR as he undergoes surgery for a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason. Head coach Andy Reid said Brown’s recovery would take months.

With Brown out for an extended stretch, Xavier Worthy is further cemented as the Chiefs’ No. 2 wideout behind Rashee Rice.

Other wide receiver injury notes:

Sept. 11: McCaffrey status uncertain for Week 2

Christian McCaffrey was held out of the San Francisco 49ers‘ season opener in Week 1 with lingering Calf and Achilles injuries. He is listed as day-to-day as the 49ers prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, but it seems like the issue might take longer to fully heal than expected. While this would certainly be disappointing for McCaffrey’s fantasy managers, it would propel Jordan Mason into the lead role. Mason is currently ranked inside the top 20 running backs in our Week 2 rankings, signaling a potential big week for the 49ers’ backfield.

Sept. 11: Njoku out for Browns, Akins to start

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that David Njoku (ankle) will be out Sunday against the Jaguars. While Jordan Akins will get the extra snaps at tight end for Cleveland, Liz Loza says in her Week 2 Facts vs. Feelings column that New Orleans Saints‘ tight end Juwan Johnson is a better streaming consideration for those who need a fill-in.

Sept 11: Mostert out for Dolphins, Achane questionable for Thursday

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that RB Raheem Mostert (chest) is ruled out for Thursday’s AFC East matchup against the Buffalo Bills, while De’Von Achane is listed as questionable. Achane is ranked as a top 15 running back in our Week 2 running back rankings with third string back Jaylen Wright outside the top 50 for everyone but Eric Moody, who has Wright at RB31.

Sept. 10: Higgins could sit again; Are other Bengals WRs worth considering?

Daniel Dopp: Tee Higgins sat out the Cincinnati Bengals‘ opener with a hamstring injury. So will we see him in Week 2?

“I’m going to predict to you right now, on Tuesday, Tee Higgins isn’t going to play this week either,” Adam Schefter said on The Adam Schefter Podcast. Schefter made it very clear this offseason that Higgins was unhappy with the approach Bengals ownership took toward his contract and insinuated that Higgins could choose to play it safe and not risk further injury, knowing he’s getting paid whether he plays or not while on the franchise tag. It’s only Tuesday, but when Schefter makes a strongly worded statement like that, I pay attention and adjust accordingly. Fantasy managers, make sure you have another route at the WR/Flex spot in case we’re without Higgins for a second consecutive week.

After an abysmal Week 1 outing against the New England Patriots, the only Bengals wide receiver I’d consider starting in Week 2 is Ja’Marr Chase. With the position being the deepest in fantasy, there’s no reason to throw a dart at Andrei Iosivas or Trenton Irwin. The Bengals take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and I’m expecting them to be playing from behind all game. Despite that, Joe Burrow doesn’t inspire much confidence after his Week 1 performance and lands outside my top 10 at the QB position, given his lack of passing game options.

Running backs Zack Moss and Chase Brown are low-end flex plays at best, as we assumed Brown would handle third down and pass-catching duties after a strong offseason, but neither impressed against New England and both could be game planned out of this Week 2 showdown from a ground game perspective. I have Moss as RB29 and Brown outside my top 40 in Week 2.

Sept 10: Miami RBs banged up; Ferguson avoids serious injury

Stephania Bell: Both Miami Dolphins backs were listed on the injury report Monday as non-participants due to injuries sustained during Sunday’s game. Miami did not actually practice, so these were projected absences. Raheem Mostert was listed with a chest injury, and De’Von Achane, who was seen limping off the field late in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville, was listed with an ankle injury. The Dolphins play Thursday night, making this a tight turnaround for player recovery.

Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had an awkward landing in Sunday’s game, and it looked as if he could have suffered a serious injury. However, an ACL injury was quickly ruled out and subsequent testing revealed a bone bruise and a “minor” MCL sprain, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. A minor sprain suggests no structural compromise and can then be treated as a pain-limiting issue, meaning if pain does not compromise performance, the athlete can play. Bone bruising, while important to monitor, is often managed similarly. Coach Mike McCarthy has already said Ferguson will work with the Return to Play group Wednesday and they’ll go from there, leaving the door open for him to possibly return as soon as this weekend.

The news wasn’t as good for Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who was placed on IR with a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) sprain, meaning he will miss at least four games. A common mechanism of injury is a fall directly on the front of the knee forcing the lower leg (tibia) in a backward direction relative to the thigh bone (femur) and stressing the ligament. The key is allowing enough healing time to restore stability so that the player can function without feeling like the knee is constantly slipping. Healing and return to play time depend on the severity, and it’s possible Nacua’s absence could extend beyond four weeks.

Sept. 9: Top options to replace McCaffrey

Tristan H. Cockcroft: Christian McCaffrey, fantasy football’s No. 1 overall player, will sit out the San Francisco 49ers‘ Week 1 contest on Monday night against the New York Jets due to the calf strain that also cost him the entirety of the preseason. The news heightens concerns about his availability in-season, considering his past injury history that includes 24 missed games combined in 2020-21, though he did put in limited practice during the week that offers hope he’ll be ready for Week 2.

In McCaffrey’s absence, Jordan Mason gets a golden opportunity as the 49ers’ go-to running back, though Patrick Taylor Jr. and Isaac Guerendo are also active for the contest.

Mason’s positive preseason reports and greater experience should align him for a double-digit carry total, especially as Guerendo is likely slated to return kicks. Frankly, the team might lean more on Deebo Samuel Sr. in the running game, a boon to the wide receiver in fantasy terms. Consider Mason a mid-range flex option, and one fantasy managers almost certainly now must use if they were waiting on a McCaffrey decision, as it’s a tough matchup. Samuel is arguably the best fantasy play from the entire 49ers’ offense as a result of the news, a near-WR1.

Sept. 9: Puka Nacua to go on IR, miss at least four games

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that star receiver Puka Nacua has a sprained PCL (knee) and will be placed on the IR, ruling him out for at least four games.

Nacua sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday night’s season opener against Detroit, and according to McVay, it is a new and more significant injury to the same ligament the wide receiver injured in training camp during a joint practice.

Fantasy managers tasked with replacing Nacua are in a difficult spot as there is no way to fully replicate his type of production with a pickup, but here are Eric Moody’s top widely available receivers to consider as streamers and fill-ins until Nacua returns.