Zach Zenner placed on IR

Oct 19, 2015

Zach Zenner's rookie season is over after suffering a gruesome series of chest injuries in Sunday's win against the Chicago Bears.

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell said the tailback was hospitalized Sunday night with multiple cracked ribs and a partially collapsed lung. He'll be placed on injured reserve, which ends his season.

Zenner suffered the injury on a second-quarter run in the 37-34 overtime win against Chicago. He was examined at length on the field, then again on the sideline, before returning to the locker room.

Zenner, an undrafted rookie out of South Dakota State, captured the imagination of fans during a breakout training camp. He won over the Lions, too, once he led the NFL in rushing during the preseason.

Fantasy Impact:

The Lions running game isn't in great shape with Joique Bell injured and Ameer Abdullah strugging. Theo Riddick got some more snaps this week and had a big play in the passing game.

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.