You kind of wish it were April Fools. But it isn't. Emerging superstar, fantasy and otherwise, Deshaun Watson tore his ACL in practice today. He's out for the year. Division and playoff hopes of the Texans just went out the window, too. And it's kind of disappointing for a whole lot of fantasy teams, too.
I check the wire every couple of hours, and had seen a report a little while ago that Watson was "limited" in practice with a sore knee. Seemed pretty innocuous, and I didn't think much about it, beyond mulling needing to add another QB in leagues where I have Watson and a bye quarterback like Rivers or Roethlisberger.
But instead, he's out for the year. From an injury in practice (cue up the Allen Iverson memes). And we won't see him on the field again until 2018.
So the Texans are left with Tom Savage as their starting quarterback, and the linked article says they're working to sign former Raider Matt McGloin. Maybe they'll explore some other veteran option who's unemployed.
As with the Packers losing Aaron Rodgers, the fantasy value of pretty much every player on the roster takes a hit. Receivers Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins won't be as productive with Savage at quarterback. Lamar Miller and the running game won't see as favorable looks from defenses. The fringe receivers on the team also aren't as appealing, although maybe C.J. Fiederowicz -- who may be able to return in Week 10 -- will get a few more targets from Savage than he would have with Watson, who was more effective throwing downfield than Savage would have been.
Those who have lost Watson should immediately scour the waiver wire for other quarterback options; maybe somebody ranked respectably in the recent ReDrafter will be available. Has to be somebody out there better than Savage, anyway.
From an NFL fan's perspective, and that of a fantasy player, a real bummer. It's been a year.
--Andy Richardson