The Dynasty Aftermath: Running Back Careers Cut Short
Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This staple article is our longest running signature piece as we have a little fun after a tough week at the Dynasty League Football office. You’ll find this article will review the week’s happenings in a variety of ways and help set you up for the coming weeks as we spin around the league in the way we know best. Expect it each and every week. I’ve written this column for the past eighteen years (I cannot believe I just typed that) and I love it . I enjoy combing through the stats of the week on Monday night, putting together ridiculous lineups, picking MVPs/LVPs and discussing things to worry about.
That’s not all. I also really love sharing observations, little bits of entertainment or some stories with the community of DLF and picking a theme for this column each week. You really never know what you’re going to get.
When Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL for the second time this week, it was simply heartbreaking. Dynasty managers who have been playing this game for any length of time know these things happen and can seriously derail careers. While Brooks should make a full recovery, this is still going to be a major concern amongst dynasty managers.
I decided to a research project over the past couple of days to compile a list of running backs whose careers were cut short by injuries. I was stunned when I actually started compiling it. Here’s the list:
Barry Foster, Brian Westbrook, Robert Edwards, Ickey Woods, Ki-Jana Carter, William Andrews, Bo Jackson, Cadillac Williams, Billy Sims, Priest Holmes, Gale Sayers, Terrell Davis, Christian Okoye, Jamaal Anderson, Curt Warner, Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew, Garrison Hearst, Larry Johnson, Robert Smith, Earl Campbell
…and those are just the ones I listed. There are some brutal ones on there. The three that stand out to me are Terrell Davis, Robert Edwards, and Bo Jackson. Davis was one of the greatest steals of all-time and even posted a 2,000-yard rushing season for the Broncos before his body gave out. Jackson is widely regarded as perhaps the greatest athlete of all-time, but a hip injury ended his career before he could really show us all what he could do. Edwards’ injury was heartbreaking as his knee was shredded in a beach flag football game at the Pro Bowl where he tore three ligaments and dislocated his knee on a fall. It was an unnecessary injury that ended a career before it could start.
The good thing is Brooks has had two relatively “simple” injuries and nothing that seems catastrophic. Still, the memories we have as dynasty managers are unrelenting and this opened a fresh wound.
Let’s get to it…
Fantasy MVP of the Week
When you have 82 rushing yards and three touchdowns, you’re likely going to win MVP of the week. When you’re a quarterback and you add 342 passing yards and three more scores, you’ve had yourself a week for the ages. Josh Allen was an absolute monster this week and has solidified himself as a top-three quarterback in fantasy and reality despite losing many weapons in the off-season. This week was unreal.
Fantasy LVP of the Week
I hate to pile on, but Jonathon Brooks had one carry for -3 yards and a torn ACL this week, making him a pretty good candidate for the award. It’s really unfortunate to see this happen to him, but anyone who started him this week in hopes he’d break out have to be even more disappointed.
The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
QB Josh Allen BUF = 342 passing yards, 82 rushing yards, six total touchdowns
RB Zach Charbonnet SEA = 134 rushing yards, seven catches, 59 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Isaac Guerendo SF = 78 rushing yards, two catches, 50 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Rachaad White TB = 90 rushing yards, two catches, 19 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Ja’Marr Chase CIN = 14 catches, 177 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Puka Nacua LAR = 12 catches, 162 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Jordan Addison MIN = Eight catches, 133 receiving yards, three touchdowns
TE George Kittle SF = Six catches, 151 receiving yards
The Underdog Lineup of the Week
QB Sam Darnold MIN = 347 passing yards, five touchdowns
RB Tyrone Tracy NYG = 45 rushing yards, five catches, 38 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Isaiah Davis NYJ = 40 rushing yards, three catches, 27 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Rico Dowdle DAL = 131 rushing yards, one catch, ten receiving yards
WR Jalen McMillan TB = Four catches, 59 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Tim Patrick DET = Six catches, 43 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Khalil Shakir BUF = Five catches, 106 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Juwan Johnson NO = Four catches, 50 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
QB Kirk Cousins ATL = 344 passing yards, two interceptions
RB Bucky Irving TB = Three rushing yards, one catch, 15 receiving yards
RB Jonathon Brooks CAR = -3 rushing yards
RB Kareem Hunt KC = 16 rushing yards, one catch, 13 receiving yards
WR Demarcus Robinson LAR = No catches
WR Tyler Lockett SEA = No catches
WR Calvin Austin PIT Â = One catch, four receiving yards
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders CAR = No catches
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I was still underestimating Baker Mayfield.
I’d be worried if I missed out on Trey McBride.
I’d be worried if I thought Jonnu Smith was going to cool off.
I’d be worried if I thought Cooper Kupp was still the Rams WR1.
I’d be worried if I thought Davante Adams was washed up.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t seriously considering moving Travis Kelce this off-seaosn.
I’d be worried if I was playing against Ja’Marr Chase.
I’d be worried if I gave up on Tony Pollard.
I’d be worried if I was relying too much on George Pickens.
I’d be worried if I thought Kenneth Walker was way better than Zach Charbonnet.
I’d be worried if I thought Gus Edwards was going to be a playoff factor.
I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Miles Sanders.
I’d be worried if I thought the Dolphins offense was going to just dry up.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t impressed with Brian Thomas Jr.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking to buy low on Rome Odunze this off-season.
I’d be worried if I thought I knew where Tee Higgins would end up next year.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t investing in Noah Gray.
I’d be worried if I thought Terry McLaurin wasn’t going to be a factor here towards the end.
I’d be worried if I just now realized I wasn’t a playoff contender.
I’d be worried if I didn’t still have some questions about Quentin Johnston.
I’d be worried if I gave up on Adam Thielen.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t a little impressed with Bryce Young lately.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t very interested in what the Bengals do at running back next season.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t thinking the same with Denver.
I’d be worried if I thought Sam Darnold wasn’t going to be starting somewhere next year.
Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Always check our latest rankings to see the updates throughout the week. These rankings are simply my own.
1.) Brock Bowers, TE LV
Off week, but who cares.
2.) Marvin Harrison Jr WR ARI
Still good, but Nabers has more talent…
3.) Malik Nabers, WR NYG
…just no quarterback.
4.) Brian Thomas, WR JAX
Love his consistency.
5.) Jayden Daniels, QB WAS
QB1 long-term
6.) Rome Odunze, WR CHI
Solid game this week but we need to see more.
7.) Ladd McConkey WR LAC
Solid first rounder in the end.
8.) Bo Nix, QB DEN
He’s been so much better than expected most of the season.
9.) Bucky Irving, WR TB
Tough injury this week, but he stays here.
10.) Tyrone Tracy, RB NYG
With the injury to Brooks, it’s hard to keep him out.
AI Question of the Week
See you next week for the Dynasty Aftermath.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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