Prime-Time First TD Bets — Monday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information will now begin to flood our social media timelines, leaving us to determine the subsequent fantasy impact. It’s a matter of knowing which information matters, and which should be ignored.
So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2023 NFL regular season.
Cooper Kupp Hurt
One of the NFL’s top wide receivers suffered a hamstring injury Tuesday night, bringing angst to all best ball drafters. Rams All-Prop wideout Cooper Kupp left practice early and did not return.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter updated his status Wednesday morning, saying Kupp underwent an MRI and is likely out at least a “few weeks.” This is certainly concerning for a player that is carrying a 4.1 ADP on Underdog, being drafted as the WR3 and fourth overall player in best ball drafts. He is coming off a 2022 season where he played just eight full games due to an ankle injury.
Calvin Ridley Toe Injury
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson reported Wednesday morning that wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be limited at practice with a toe injury. Ridley was already seen working with trainers early Wednesday morning, a positive sign for a quick recovery.
Reports have, so far, been very impressive on Ridley. The former Falcons wideout has not played in an NFL game since Oct. 24, 2021.
Kenneth Walker RB1 Momentum
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Seattle running back Kenneth Walker has separated himself from rookie Zach Charbonnet. In his recent update, Graziano stated:
“Assuming Walker and Charbonnet get healthy in time for the season, the sense I get is a) Walker would still be the starter and get the bulk of the work and b) Charbonnet would also have a role, perhaps in the two-minute or four-minute offense. People I spoke to here believe they complement each other well, and the team anticipates using them in tandem to some extent. But if Charbonnet has to miss extended time in camp, just the fact that he’s a rookie could change the Seahawks’ plan if they determine he hasn’t had enough development time. Several people I talked to in Seattle mentioned how great an offseason Walker had, and they foresee improvement from him in 2023.”
Both players are out of training camp with injuries, but assuming they are healthy for Week 1 against the Rams, expect Walker to be the clear RB1. Sunday, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll reported that Walker and Charbonnet are dealing with injuries. Walker missed a few practices with a groin injury, while Charbonnet is out “indefinitely” with a shoulder problem.
Josh Jacobs Talks Restarting?
Josina Anderson reported the Raiders are “open” to restarting talks with lead running back, Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs has been absent from camp, joining the list of frustrated running backs not happy with the current state of running back contracts in the NFL.
Buccaneers Quarterback Competition ‘Tightening’
Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales used a Tuesday press conference to classify the starting quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask as “tightening.”
Canales said the Bucs have been impressed with Trask’s arm and ability to get the ball out quickly. Trask was Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in 2021.
Alvin Kamara Meeting with Goodell
Saints RB Alvin Kamara will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell Wednesday to discuss the Las Vegas incident that occurred in February of 2022.
Kamara was arrested and charged with battery after the incident and was indicted by a grand jury in February of this year. He pleaded no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge in July after reaching a plea agreement.
