Fantasy Football News

WR Courtland Sutton (knee) is running passing routes while rehabbing from a torn ACL. (Source: Zac Stevens on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Sutton initially tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee on September 20th. He’s progressing well in his recovery and could be all systems go barring any setbacks by training camp. Sutton is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will be joining a crowded Broncos wideout corps, which includes Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick. The 25-year-old is currently 31st among all WRs in the latest expert consensus rankings. Sutton could be a late-round steal if he’s able to stay healthy and replicate or come close to his breakout 2019 campaign.

Washington Football Team WR Terry McLaurin played through two high-ankle sprains in 2020. (Source: Nicki Jhabvala on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McLaurin told Jim Rome on Thursday that he dealt with not one, but “two high-ankle sprains” last season. “I didn’t really use that as an excuse. I had plenty of examples around my building to not use certain things or ailments as an excuse,” said McLaurin. Despite playing with two-high ankle sprains last season, McLaurin eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career. The 25-year-old is one of the best WRs in football and is excepted to be fully recovered by the time training camp starts. McLaurin hauled in 87 receptions on 134 targets for 1,118 yards and four touchdowns across 15 games in 2020. He’s currently 14th among all wideouts in the latest expert consensus draft rankings, but that could number could rise if Washington is able to improve their QB situation.

Jadeveon Clowney is expected to fully cleared in his recovery from his torn meniscus surgery in April. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This recovery time could delay Clowney from signing with a team in free agency for a couple of weeks while he returns to full health.

Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery to address a nagging toe injury on Feb. 10. (Source: James Palmer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: General manager Brett Veach expects Mahomes to be ready for training camp, and he could even be good to go by the time mandatory minicamp comes around. This is unsurprising news, but it certainly delivers a sigh of relief for Chiefs fans. Mahomes, a perennial Pro Bowler and MVP candidate, led Kansas City to their second straight Super Bowl appearance this year. In 15 starts, he completed 390 passes for 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He added 62 carries for 308 yards and two scores on the ground. The Texas Tech product averaged more fantasy points per game (minimum six games) than any other player. He currently checks in as the QB1 in the latest expert consensus rankings.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that Patriots WR Julian Edelman (knee) is unsure if he’ll be healthy for the 2021 season. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Edelman wants to play in 2021, but is “still trying to see if he’s healthy enough to be out there for the 2021 season,” said Rapoport. He’s still rehabbing and recovering from a knee injury that limited him to just six games in 2020. “No decision has been made yet about whether his knee injury will allow him to play in 2021,” Rapoport added. Edelman hauled in 21 receptions on 39 targets for 315 yards and no touchdowns across six games last season. If Edelman is healthy enough to suit up, the 34-year-old WR is set to make $2.8 million in base salary for 2021.

New York Giants tackle Nate Solder intends to play in 2021 "as long as the situation is right," he told sources at ESPN last week. He opted out last season as both he and his son have battled cancer in the past and he was considered a high-risk with COVID-19. (Source: ESPN.com)

Fantasy Impact: Solder is 32-year-old and is scheduled to make $10 million in 2021 while costing $16.5 million against the salary cap this season. The Giants now have a decision to make if they are going to move forward with Solder. They drafted T Andrew Thomas from Georgia with the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft. Thomas struggled early on but improved throughout the season. The Giants would save $6 million against the salary cap if they released Solder and $10 million if they cut him after June 1st. New York is expected to meet with him after the official salary-cap number for the 2021 season is released in the league new year. They could potentially rework his deal but time will tell.

Steelers LB Devin Bush is on schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL. (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Fantasy Impact: “I’m feeling stronger week by week, and I’m just trying to get ready physically for next year — especially for camp," he said. Bush tore his ACL back in Week 6 and it proved to be a significant blow to Pittsburgh's defense. The No. 10 overall pick from 2019 should be ready to go for training camp if he can avoid setbacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is reportedly away from team facilities after being diagnosed with COVID-19. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: A Steelers spokesperson told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that a few members of the coaching and personnel staff were sent home following positive COVID-19 tests last week. Prayers up to Mike Tomlin and the rest of the staff as they step away from the team facilities to quarantine and recover.

Ronald Jones II, who had surgery to repair a broken pinky finger in December, will undergo another surgery on Tuesday to remove the pin that was put in. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Jones saw his role as the Buccaneers' primary ball carrier quickly diminish once the playoffs started. That could be due to his injury, Leonard Fournette's veteran status, or simply Bruce Arians' penchant for feeding the hot hand. Either way, the 2018 second-round pick is getting the pin removed from his finger and should have the injury completely in his rearview mirror before the next season kicks off. Right now, the Buccaneers' backfield is surrounded by question marks. With Fournette's contract done and second-year Ke'Shawn Vaughn hoping to expand his role, Jones's volume and role are tough to project heading into 2021. Some clarity should develop after the team addresses needs in the draft and free agency over the next few months.

Dak Prescott underwent another surgery on his injured ankle, months after the initial surgery. (Source: Fox News Dallas)

Fantasy Impact: This news was kept quiet until it leaked very recently. Reports are that the surgery is unrelated to the injury that he suffered in Week 5 of 2020. The surgery was reportedly meant to strengthen the deltoid ligament, clean out the ankle, and make it more structurally sound. Although it appears minor, this is something that should be monitored throughout the season, along with Prescott's contract situation.

Tom Brady, who played all 16 regular season games and a full run through the playoffs, will undergo a minor surgical procedure on his knee that head coach Bruce Arians has described as "a clean up." (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: At 43 years old, Brady showed no signs of limitations this season so this news shouldn't be too alarming. Brady suffered a gruesome ACL tear in 2007 and although it hasn't been confirmed, it's likely that they will be "cleaning up" that knee. As of now, all signs point to Brady returning to Tampa Bay for a 22nd season and a possible eighth Super Bowl ring.

Washington Football Team QB Kyle Allen (ankle) is progressing through rehab and is expected to be fully recovered by April, as reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Allen completed 60-of-87 pass attempts for four touchdowns and an interception, including an additional seven-yard rushing touchdown in four games as the starter for Washington before suffering a dislocated ankle in November. With Alex Smith expected to return and Taylor Heinicke having just signed a two-year, $8.75 million contract extension with the organization on Wednesday, Washington seems to have plenty of competition in their quarterback room. As it stands, fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a quarterback in 2021 redraft leagues due to the current sub-par state of the team's offensive line and receiving corps.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (ACL) will resume running next week. (Source: Cincinnati Enquirer)

Fantasy Impact: 10 weeks removed from his ACL surgery, Burrow has been cleared for light running as he enters the next phase of his rehab. The No. 1 overall pick from last year's draft remains on pace for Week 1 if he can avoid setbacks throughout the offseason.

Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown is officially active for Super Bowl 55 against the Kansas City Chiefs despite being listed as questionable with a knee injury. (Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Brown missed the NFC Championship Game and was listed as questionable, but he was able to practice this week and was expected to play. He should return to his usual role as third fiddle behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the Tampa Bay offense after catching 45 of his 62 targets for 483 yards and four touchdowns during eight regular season games.

Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (calf) is officially active for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Bucs. (Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is Watkins' first appearance since Week 16 against the Falcons. He'll likely be on a snap count but should be out there in critical three-wide sets. The health concerns make him a risky DFS play.

Bucs TE Cameron Brate (back) is officially active for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Chiefs. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Brate was expected to play despite popping up on Thursday's injury report with the back injury. The 29-year-old might be at less than full strength, but he'll be out there against Kansas City today.

Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead is playing through a fully torn labrum in Sunday's Super Bowl against the Chiefs. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Whitehead was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday but practiced in full on Friday. Even at less than full strength, Whitehead's presence will help Tampa Bay's secondary.

Consensus #1 overall selection Trevor Lawrence will throw in front of NFL teams on February 12, 2021, after which he will have surgery to repair his left labrum in his shoulder. Lawrence has ruled out throwing at Clemson’s pro day in March. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Doctors are confident that Lawrence will be fully healthy for the start of training camp, so there is not much reason for concern at this point in time. Nevertheless, dynasty owners will be keen to keep an eye on him as we head towards the NFL Draft on April 29th.

Chiefs WR Demarcus Robinson has been cleared to resume practicing Friday. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Robinson was considered a close contact and placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. He’s tested negative for COVID-19 everyday since being placed on the list. Robinson is expected to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list soon and trending in the right direction towards suiting up for the Super Bowl. The 26-year-old WR hauled in 45 receptions for 466 yards and three touchdowns across 16 games in 2020.