We’re quickly approaching the halfway point of the 2021 NFL season. Contenders are separating themselves from the pack (Cardinals, Rams), pretenders are coming back down to earth after hot starts (Broncos, Panthers) and then there’s the Jets, Jags, Lions, and Texans doing whatever it is they do… Here’s what’s making news around the NFL in week 8:
- Former DPOY and all round great guy JJ Watt could be done for the season. Arizona revealed that their star Defensive End suffered a shoulder injury in last week’s game against the Texans, but played through it. No date has currently been set for the procedure, however barring a deep playoff run the Cardinals aren’t expecting to get Watt back this year. In an unrelated move, Chandler Jones has been activated after missing the previous two games due to COVID protocols.
- Mark Ingram is headed back to where it all began for him following news that the Saints had acquired the veteran RB in exchange for late round pick swaps with the Texans. New Orleans clearly has Houston on speed dial, completing their 2nd trade with the Texans since week 1. The move is purely a depth play as the Saints were thin at the running back position after releasing Latavius Murray (now with the Ravens) and losing backup Tony Jones Jr. to injury. In a weird way, the trade likely boosts Ingram’s fantasy value even though he’s going from a starting role to a clear #2 in New Orleans. That’s how poor the Texans run game has been of late.
- Maybe it’s smoke and mirrors, maybe it’s the truth, but the Carolina Panthers are reportedly now OUT of Deshaun Watson trade talks. Rumours were swirling following Sam Darnold’s benching against the Giants that the organization would be making a significant offer for the embattled QB’s services. However head coach Matt Rhule and owner David Tepper did their best to squash the notion that they’d be engaging in trade talks for the Texans quarterback on Wednesday. Barring a dark horse candidate entering the fray at the 11th hour, Watson seems to be either headed to Miami or will remain on the sidelines for the remainder of the 2021 season.
- Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis has joined the calls to have the findings of the WFT probe released. Former WFT staffers had been requesting access to the findings following the conclusion of the NFL’s investigation into organizational conduct. Over 650,000 emails were reviewed as part of the investigation, yet apparently Jon Gruden was the only one to have said or done anything inflammatory (something the public and former WFT staffers have a hard time believing). The move is surprising in the sense that until now, NFL owners had largely circled the wagons and refused to break rank with regards to the probe.
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is officially “questionable” for his team’s tilt with the Minnesota Vikings this weekend. Dak suffered a calf strain late in the Cowboys’ OT win over New England and appears to still be hindered by the injury. Prescott largely did individual drills on Wednesday, while head coach Mike McCarthy indicated that there was a “threshold” he still needed to pass in order to be cleared to play. Fantasy players are wise to have a backup plan in place, however if we were to venture a guess, we’d say he likely suits up on Sunday.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner