Because Monday night’s game went exactly as we all thought, right? The Washington (enter name here) football team defeated the first-place Dallas Cowboys in primetime. And yes, at one point in the night, Cleveland fans rejoiced (or puked) when both Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden were in the game. So with McCoy’s performance over the past two weeks — he leads all quarterbacks in completion percentage over that stretch — what does this mean for Robert Griffin III? Washington head coach Jay Gruden said that McCoy’s stellar play won’t have any impact on Griffin, as he’s the starter as soon as he’s healthy. On Tuesday, Gruden said that Griffin is “very, very, very close” to returning. With six teams on bye this week, fantasy managers are scrambling to the waiver wire to replace Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Kyle Orton, Matt Ryan and Zach Mettenberger. OKAY, maybe not Mettenberger, but you get the picture. Can Griffin be that guy this week for you? Chances are slim, to be honest. Yes, he could probably go out there against Minnesota on Sunday, but with a Week 10 bye week, it makes more sense to sit him until Week 11.
Alex Smith, Kansas City — Alex Smith suffered what is being called a shoulder strain on Sunday. The good news is that Smith hurt it in the first half, and he continued to play in a blowout win over the St. Louis Rams. With the Jets next on the schedule, Smith should be OK to go, and he should be considered a low-end QB1 streaming option.
Tony Romo, Dallas — As of print, there’s no update on Romo’s back injury that forced him to leave the game against the Washington professional football team on Monday night. Romo did return to the game, and he was to undergo a MRI on Tuesday. His status is up in the air, but if he is able to play on Sunday, he’s a safe play against the Arizona Cardinals. If he isn’t able to go, don’t play Weeden. Dear god, just don’t play Weeden.
Brian Quick, St. Louis — Brian Quick dislocated his shoulder and tore his rotator cuff against the Chiefs on Sunday. On Monday, Jeff Fisher confirmed that the Rams’ go-to receiver will need season-ending surgery. Needless to say, he’s safe to drop in all non-keeper leagues. Kenny Britt becomes somewhat relevant, but is a wait-and-see stash at best.
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay — The best thing that could have happened for Martin owners was for him to get traded on Tuesday. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Now, Martin, who injured his ankle on Sunday, is irrelevant in fantasy football for the foreseeable future. Rookie Charles Sims (ankle) is expected to be activated for the first time this season against the Browns on Sunday. The current regime has no ties to Martin, but they are high on Sims. It’s a backfield to sit back and watch to see what happens. Martin is droppable in all leagues, as Sims and Bobby Rainey are expected to get the majority of the work going forward. Plus, it’s not like Martin was producing anyway.
Jordan Cameron, Cleveland — Stop me if you’ve heard this one before; Jordan Cameron has a concussion. I feel bad for the guy, but the fact is that he wasn’t producing even when he has been healthy. Last year’s first-half darling was barely startable in 12-team leagues prior to getting injured, as he found the end zone just once this year. With another concussion, and with the Browns wanting to run the ball despite not having Alex Mack, Cameron is safe to drop despite his uncertain status.