Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez Won't Play Against Bills

Dec 25, 2010

The New England Patriots need a victory against the Buffalo Bills tomorrow to secure the AFC East title and home-field in the playoffs, but that task may be a little bit tougher.

The Patriots have announced that tight end Aaron Hernandez (hip), linebacker/defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (calf), defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (shoulder/flu) and offensive lineman Dan Connolly (concussion) will not play tomorrow.

Defensive linemen Myron Pryor (back) and Mike Wright (concusion), who have missed a few games already, also will be out.

It means another game with a thin defensive line for the Patriots with Deaderick joining Pryor and Wright as unable to play. In the Patriots' final injury report of the week on Friday, defensive lineman Ron Brace (concussion) was listed as questionable after being limited at practice all week.

The other players who remain questionable for tomorrow are linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (groin) and safety James Sanders (flu).

Fantasy Impact:

The loss of Hernandez upgrades Rob Gronkowski's outlook considerably. Gronkowski and Hernandez have been taking turns as New England's most productive tight end, and now Gronkowski will get extra looks and he should be able to take advantage of them.

yesterday

Chargers to sign RB J.K. Dobbins on one-year deal

Tom Pelissero

yesterday · 7:45 PM EDT

Former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is planning to sign with the #Chargers on a one-year deal. Electric when healthy, Dobbins — who averages 5.8 yards per carry in his career — reunites with OC Greg Roman and can hit the market again in March.

Related Players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has had poor injury luck in his career, but has only managed 234 total rushes since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Chargers and might give them a runway to wait a little longer in the '24 Draft before they address the position.

Apr 16

Cowboys sign RB Royce Freeman

Todd Archer

Apr 16 · 8:15 PM EDT

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

Apr 15

Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year extension

Ian Rapoport

Apr 15 · 10:45 AM EDT

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Fantasy Impact:

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.