Injuries and Waiver Wire week 1 2021

SEE: Waiver Wire Below

WEEK 1 INJURIES:

QUARTERBACKS:

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Hip): Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a hip injury and was ruled out against the Chargers. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the injury is believed to be a hip subluxation. There will be an MRI tomorrow.
Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke took over for Fitzpatrick and completed 11 of 15 passes for 122 yards and 1 touchdown. Heinicke added 3 rushes for 17 yards in the loss vs the Chargers.

RUNNING BACKS:

Raheem Mostert (Knee): San Francisco 49ers Running Back Mostert left the game with a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return. Backup running back Elijah Mitchell ran for 104 yards on 19 attempts and scored a touchdown.

Rashaad Penny (Calf): Penny suffered a left calf injury early in the game vs the Colts. Starting RB Chris Carson had 16 rushing attempts for 91 yards and hauled in 3 receptions for 26 yards in Seattle's win vs the Colts this week.

WIDE RECEIVER:

Michael Gallup (Calf Strain): Gallup suffered a calf injury that will keep him out between three to five weeks. The next receiver up for the Cowboys is likely Cedrick Wilson, who hauled in three receptions for 24 yards in week one.

Jerry Jeudy (Ankle): Jeudy was carted off of the field after suffering a gruesome ankle injury. It has since been reported that Jeudy suffered a high ankle sprain. X-Rays were negative.

Curtis Samuel (Groin) -Washington's Coach Ron Rivera announced Friday that Samuel would be placed on injured reserve due to a groin injury. Samuel will be out for at least three weeks. The Football team believes this is going to be a short-term injured-reserve stint.

TIGHT ENDS:

Josiah Deguara (Concussion): Packers' tight end Deguara suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss vs the Saints.
 

2021 WEEK 1 WAIVER WIRE:

QUARTERBACKS:

Teddy Bridgewater (DEN): Teddy Bridgewater performed well in his week 1 match up vs the New York Giants, passing for 264 yards and two touchdowns. In week 2, Bridgwater's opponent is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. In 2020, Jacksonville allowed the sixth most passing yards per game, and the fifth most passing touchdowns per game (per pro-football-reference). Jacksonville just allowed Tyrod Taylor to put up 20+ fantasy points in week 1 of the 2021 season. I think Bridgewater will have a great opportunity to repeat his week 1 performance in week 2.

Tyrod Taylor (HOU): One of the bigger surprises of week 1 was how well the Houston Texans played vs the Jaguars. Houston scored 37 total points and Tyrod Taylor completed 21 of 33 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and even added 40 yards rushing on four rushing attempts. In week 2, Taylor gets a matchup vs one of his former teams, the Cleveland Browns. I like Taylor because of his rushing ability, and the likelihood that Houston will be playing from behind for most of this game.
Also Consider: Jared Goff (DET)

RUNNING BACKS:

Elijah Mitchell (SFO): Elijah Mitchell should be the top priority on the waiver wire this week, for multiple reasons. First, he beat out rookie Trey Sermon for the backup running back job in San Francisco. Secondly, Raheem Mostert suffered a knee injury in week 1, and as of this writing, it is unclear how much time Mostert will miss. Third, Mitchell performed very well vs the Lions in week 1, gaining 104 yards on 19 attempts. Pick up Mitchell where you can. If Mostert misses any time, Mitchell may have some RB2/flex appeal. San Francisco takes on Philadelphia in week 2.

Latavius Murray (BAL): What is going on in Baltimore this season? First, JK Dobbins goes down with an Achilles injury, then right before week 1, RB Gus Edwards tore his ACL. This leaves Baltimore with Ty'son Williams, Latavius Murray, change of pace back Trenton Cannon, and veterans Le'Veon Bell, and DeVonta Freeman.

Bell and Freeman are currently on the practice squad, but one may be elevated due to necessity. However, investing in the Baltimore run game is a wise move, because the Ravens run the ball more than any other team in the NFL (Baltimore had 555 total rushing attempts, which was 34 more attempts than the next closest team. (TEN, 521) Right now, I expect Williams to be the lead back, as he has the most familiarity with the system. I believe that Murray is the number two, but once Murray gets more comfortable with the playbook, he could take over that starting role. I am not worried about Cannon, Bell, or Freeman at this time.

Also Consider: Mark Ingram (HOU)

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Tim Patrick (DEN) & K.J. Hamler (DEN): One of the more unfortunate situations that happened in week 1 is Jerry Jeudy's high ankle sprain injury. Jeudy is expected to miss some time. Tim Patrick & KJ Hamler are both low-end flex options if needed. The Broncos have a juicy matchup vs the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 2. I have a very slight preference to Patrick because we have seen some consistency out of him. Hamler seems to be more of a boom/bust option.

Dyami Brown (WFT): With Curtis Samuel being placed on short-term injured reserve, it is time for rookie Dyami Brown to step up. Brown did not do much in week 1 vs the Chargers, but better days are ahead for him. The only other receivers behind Brown in this offense are Adam Humphries and Cam Sims. All Brown needs is an opportunity. Perhaps that could come in primetime? In week 2, the Football Team takes on the New York Giants on Thursday night. I think Brown is a speculative add for now, and one to use later in the season.

Anthony Schwartz (CLE): The rookie played a significant role for the Browns in week 1, but that may have been because veteran Odell Beckham Jr did not play. Schwartz hauled in three of his five targets for 69 yards. We have to keep an eye on the Beckham situation, because if Odell plays, that would limit Schwartz' upside. However, for now, Schwartz is someone to keep an eye on. He gets a nice matchup vs the Texans in week two.

Also Consider: Zach Pascal (IND), Van Jefferson (LAR)

TIGHT ENDS:

Dalton Schultz (DAL): With receiver Michael Gallup out three to five weeks with a calf injury, this could lead to more targets for the tight ends in Dallas. Dalton Schultz hauled in six receptions for 45 yards in week 1. Schultz might not be a consistent option, but he's someone you could turn to in deeper leagues.

Adam Trautman (NOS) & Juwan Johnson (NOS): The New Orleans Saints do not have many notable weapons at the wide receiver position, which may force targets to go to the tight ends and running backs. Enter Trautman and Johnson. I have a slight preference to Trautman, as he has the higher pedigree, but it is clear that Winston has a connection with Johnson as well, and that should not be ignored. In week 1, Winston targeted Trautman six times, and Johnson three times. Johnson scored two touchdowns. Trautman only had three catches for 18 yards.

Also Consider: David Njoku (CLE)

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:

DENVER BRONCOS (@ JAX): Trevor Lawrence may be one of the best quarterback prospects we have seen in recent memory, but the team around him is concerning. Jacksonville has a very bad offensive line, and defense. Denver's defense is one of the under-rated ones in the league. This is a great matchup for them in week 2.

NEW YORK GIANTS (@ WFT): This is a play I like only if Ryan Fitzpatrick is out. Simply targeting a backup quarterback on a short week here.
ALSO CONSIDER: CIN, NEP.