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Cardinals’ Tyrann Mathieu Has Torn ACL

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

The Cardinals clinched the NFC West with their victory Sunday night over the Eagles, but that win came at a cost. Head coach Bruce Arians announced today that standout defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will miss the rest of the 2015 season – and postseason – after suffering a torn ACL (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com).

Mathieu, 23, started all 14 games for the Cardinals this season, spending time at both cornerback and safety. Having already established new career highs in tackles (89), interceptions (5), and passes defended (16), the former third-round pick was one of the key players on defense for Arizona, so his loss will be a crushing one for the team.

Pro Football Focus had Mathieu ranked as the top cornerback in the NFL this season, grading him as the best in the league both in coverage and against the run. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher recently told Albert Breer of the NFL Network that he believed Mathieu should receive consideration for the league’s defensive player of the year award.

The Cardinals were also without Rashad Johnson during Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the club add another safety to the 53-man roster this week — Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger could see increased roles, with Mathieu headed to IR.

Bills Notes: Woods, McCoy, Williams, Taylor

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

It appears likely that Robert Woods‘ season will come to an early end. The Bills wide receiver suffered a groin injury, and head coach Rex Ryan told reporters today that it’s “safe to say” it’s a pretty severe one (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW). While the team hasn’t made anything official yet, Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that Woods will be placed on injured reserve.

With Woods out, there’s “probably a good chance” of Dezmin Lewis being promoted from the Bills’ practice squad to their active roster, according to Ryan (Twitter link via Buscaglia). As we wait for a formal announcement from the club on that roster move, let’s round up a few more items out of Buffalo….

  • While Woods’ season is probably done, it sounds like LeSean McCoy may get back on the field sometime in the last two weeks. Per Getlin (Twitter link), there are no plans at this time to shut down the running back. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network adds (via Twitter) that McCoy’s MCL sprain may sideline him for Week 16, but he’s expected to be fine for Week 17.
  • Bills safety Aaron Williams, who is currently on IR with the designation to return due to a neck injury, won’t return to action this season, Ryan said today (link via ESPN’s Mike Rodak). Williams will continue to practice while he remains on IR.
  • Addressing a pair of reports that surfaced over the weekend, Ryan denied any sort of rift between him and general manager Doug Whaley, adding that he has a “great deal of respect” for the Bills’ GM. Ryan also dismissed the idea that anyone within the organization doubted whether Mario Williams was sick last week, suggesting that story was “made up” (all Twitter links via Buscaglia).
  • Ryan was also asked about Williams’ comments from Sunday, in which the defensive end didn’t express any openness to the idea of accepting a pay cut to remain in Buffalo. While the Buffalo head coach said he’d love to have Williams – and everyone else on the team – back next season, he acknowledged that change is a part of the NFL offseason (Twitter link via Buscaglia).
  • Ryan gave Tyrod Taylor another vote of confidence, telling reporters that the team is “pretty sure” of who its quarterback will be heading into 2016 (Twitter link via Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News).
  • Bills outside linebacker Randell Johnson sustained a high ankle sprain, and doesn’t have a great chance to play in Week 16, tweets Buscaglia. Johnson may be a candidate for IR.

Odell Beckham Jr. suspended one game

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

Gaints WR will miss Week 16

Odell Beckham Jr. has been suspended for 1 game. Official statement to follow. (NFL.com)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Beckham repeatedly got into it with Panthers DB Josh Norman yesterday including an obvious helmet to helmet initiated by Beckham. Beckham’s loss is a huge blow to fantasy owners playing for a championship next week. Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris should see increased roles with Beckham out.

LeSean McCoy suffers MCL injury, week to week

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

InjuryLikely out Week 16

Bills RB LeSean McCoy tore his MCL and is considered week to week for final two weeks, per league source. More testing scheduled for today. (Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: The Bills will likely turn to a committee running back approach against Dallas in Week 16 with Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee doing the heavy lifting. The Cowboys are giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs.

Falcons Reach Injury Settlement With Jon Asamoah

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

The Falcons have reached an injury settlement with veteran guard Jon Asamoah, the team announced today in a press release. The transaction will remove Asamoah from Atlanta’s injured reserve list, making him a free agent.

Asamoah, 27, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Chiefs, after being selected by Kansas City in the third round of the 2010 draft. He parlayed 41 starts at right guard for the Chiefs into a five-year, $22.5MM deal with the Falcons in 2014. However, after starting 15 games for Atlanta last season, Asamoah landed on injured reserve this year prior to the start of the 2015 campaign due to a hip issue. He also wasn’t viewed as a fit under the new coaching staff’s zone-blocking scheme.

Asamoah’s contract still featured $3.9MM in dead money after the 2015 season, so the Falcons figure to carry a chunk of money on their 2016 cap for the offensive lineman. But, depending on what the injury settlement looks like, the club should be off the hook for the rest of his contract, including his $3.5MM salary and $500K in roster bonuses for 2016.

The fact that the Falcons had to complete an injury settlement with Asamoah rather than simply release him from IR suggests that he’s not healthy yet, so I wouldn’t expect him to sign with a new club until the offseason.