Fantasy Football News

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is "looking at about a 4-week return to play" from his injury, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said Tuesday. "Could potentially be a little bit sooner than that," Garafolo adds, who later said the timeline is "right in line with a couple of weeks." It was a loose report from Garafolo, but it was more pessimistic than the last report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Darnold would likely miss just a couple of games. He's dealing with a unique glute injury, so his timetable for return still seems uncertain. Expect QB Drew Lock to start Weeks 2 and 3. We'll see about Darnold's availability beyond that.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold has a glute injury, rather than the previously reported hip, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport confirms that Darnold will miss Week 2's meeting with the Cardinals and will "probably" miss a couple of games. Seattle plays at Washington in Week 3 before returning home to face the Chargers in Week 4. Week 5 is a big divisional home game vs. the 49ers. It sounds like Darnold should at least be back for that one, if not sooner.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold injured his hip at the end of his first drive in last night’s game against the New England Patriots, but HC Mike Macdonald said the team got “really, really good news” on the injury. Darnold is still expected to miss next week’s game against the Cardinals, though it sounds like he’ll be back sooner than expected.

The Seahawks believe QB Sam Darnold "dodged a bullet" with his hip injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Darnold is still expected to miss time, Schefter adds, but the docs are reviewing the MRI results to determine exactly how long he'll be out. We'll continue to keep you updated on Darnold's status, but it'll be QB Drew Lock at the controls for the foreseeable future.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold suffered an apparent right hip injury at the end of a sack on the first possession of Thursday night's opener vs. the Patriots. He headed back to the locker room with trainers and is officially questionable to return. QB Drew Lock has replaced Darnold. We'll update his status when we know more.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is listed as questionable for Saturday night's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers with an oblique injury. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and officially limited in practice. Darnold said afterward that he felt something in his left side near the start of practice. “In routes on air felt a little something in my oblique and didn’t want to push it. Wasn’t the day to push it,” he said. “That was it. Came inside, got some rehab and feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.” We'll keep you updated on Darnold's status and get Seattle's inactives around 6:30 pm ET on Saturday. QB Drew Lock would get the call if Darnold is unable to play.

Vikings QB Sam Darnold threw for 268 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's victory over the 49ers. Darnold added 32 rushing yards and sits third among Week 2 fantasy QBs heading into the Monday night game. The biggest strike came on a 97-yard TD to WR Justin Jefferson that found Darnold hitting his WR in stride about 50 yards down the field.

Niners HC Kyle Shanahan says the team expects to have QB Brock Purdy back from his right elbow injury by training camp, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Purdy has reportedly "been making throwing motions with a towel," though there's no word on his accuracy in hitting the hamper. He's expected to begin throwing footballs in June. We'll see whether Purdy's return to action pushes a Trey Lance trade.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan stated on Tuesday that he anticipates having QBs Trey Lance and Sam Darnold split first-team reps in practice this offseason, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. This comment comes on the heels of reports that QB Brock Purdy is the "leader of the clubhouse" in San Francisco, suggesting that Lance's standing on the depth chart is in serious jeopardy. Dynasty managers who roster Lance probably aren't feeling too great right now. There was always a level of understanding that Lance would be a developmental project, especially coming into the NFL with little starting experience at an FCS-level college program at North Dakota State. But now, two years into his career, Lance has four starts under his belt, a severe ankle injury on the mend, and Purdy seems poised to be the starter once he recovers from the elbow injury he sustained in the NFC title game vs. the Eagles. So it wouldn't be fair to characterize Lance as a bust. We don't have enough evidence to suggest he can't be a starter for an NFL team. What we do know, however, is that the odds of that team being the 49ers are beginning to dwindle. Those who feel confident in Lance's potential are looking at a solid buy-low window right now, but it would be best not to be super aggressive in trying to acquire him. We're into some pretty muddy waters with this situation. We'll be sure to keep an eye on this storyline as the spring and summer unfold.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the 49ers have reached a one-year deal with QB Sam Darnold. The quick signing tells us that San Francisco isn't sure QB Brock Purdy will be ready for the regular season. If the 49ers did expect Purdy's repaired right arm to be all good, then there would seem little reason for them to prioritize a third QB on the open market and little reason for Darnold to sign so quickly. Why settle for a locked-in No. 3 role on the first day of "legal tampering" rather than wait to see what other QB-needier teams might say. Of course, we're betting Trey Lance will open the year as the starter. The fact that Lance remains unproven heading into his third year -- and is coming off his own serious injury -- enhances the upside for Darnold. In addition to Purdy, HC Kyle Shanahan's offense has helped QBs Jimmy Garoppolo, C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens generate good efficiency. Darnold would be interesting for fantasy if pressed into duty. That makes him stashable in deeper dynasty leagues.

Panthers HC Steve Wilks said Monday he hasn't decided yet who will start at QB for Sunday's game against the Broncos. he added that he'll make the decision ahead of Wednesday's practice. Baker Mayfield stunk (again) in the Week 11 loss to Baltimore. P.J. Walker is coming off a groin injury that kept him out of that game. Sam Darnold has yet to play this year after opening the season on IR. This decision might not really matter for fantasy football purposes outside of determining whether Mayfield will stick around and continue to silence WR D.J. Moore.

An ankle injury for QB P.J. Walker pressed Panthers QB Baker Mayfield back into the starting lineup for Sunday's game in Baltimore. And Mayfield delivered more of what got Carolina's offense started so slowly this season. He threw for just 196 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs on 21-of-33 passing. WR Terrace Marshall was the only Panther to tally more than 26 receiving yards. He caught 3 balls or 76 on a team-high 6 targets. D.J. Moore managed just 3 catches for 24 yards on 5 targets. Bet on Mayfield bowing back out of the lineup as soon as someone else is ready.

Panthers interim HC Steve Wilks said Monday that QB P.J. Walker will start this weekend's game vs. the Falcons, even if QBs Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are ready to return from their ankle injuries. Walker was efficient in Sunday's shocking win over the Bucs, completing 16 of 22 passes (73%) for 177 yards (8.1 YPA), 2 TDs and 0 INTs. Most importantly, he got WR D.J. Moore going. The pair connected on 7 of 10 targets for 69 yards and 1 score. Walker remains a bottom-barrel fantasy option, but Moore is back in the WR3 mix for Week 8.

Panthers HC Steve Wilks said Wednesday that QB P.J. Walker will start Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Walker threw for just 60 yards before leading the Week 6 loss with a neck issue. It doesn't sound like the team is concerned about that injury. The Panthers also designated QB Sam Darnold to return from IR Wednesday, though we'll see if he's ready for a spot on the active roster this week. Jacob Eason served as Walker's backup in Week 6.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold suffered a nasty looking left ankle injury in Friday night's preseason game vs. the Bills. He was quickly ruled out for the game. We'll pass along an update on Darnold when we get one, but this had the look of a long-term injury. Darnold, of course, had already lost the starting job to QB Baker Mayfield.

Update: It's a high-ankle sprain, per multiple reports.

The Browns are trading QB Baker Mayfield to the Panthers for a conditional 5th-round pick in 2024, NFL Network reports. The 2 teams "split the financials to make it happen," according to Ian Rapoport, so Carolina is presumably picking up about half of Mayfield's nearly $19 million 2022 cap hit. Mayfield is coming off a disappointing, injury-riddled 2021 season but played well the previous year, finishing 10th among 32 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' passing grades. In fact, Mayfield earned higher PFF passing grades in each of his first 3 NFL seasons than QB Sam Darnold has managed in any of his 4 NFL seasons. So Mayfield is a tangible upgrade for D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Terrace Marshall and Christian McCaffrey. Mayfield himself looks like just a middling QB2, although those weapons give him some weekly upside. Check out the updated projections for the Panthers offense.

Update: Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Mayfield agreed to shave about $3.5 million off his 2022 salary. The Browns will pay him $10.5 million this year; the Panthers around $5 million.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold (shoulder) will be placed on IR and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, HC Matt Rhule said Wednesday. Darnold's injury is not believed to be season-ending, Rhule added, but he can be dropped in all 1-QB fantasy leagues. QB P.J. Walker is slated to start while Darnold is out, with QB Matt Barkley backing him up.