NFL coaches and players are constantly on camera, even when they’re not on the field. Frequent press conferences with the media provide NFL fans with a steady stream of quotes about their favorite teams and players. These quotes can actually be used to make informed decisions about our fantasy teams.
The vast majority of these quotes will be sourced from the interviews that beat reporters conduct with players and coaches throughout the week. The Coachspeak Index (CSI) does a phenomenal job of listening to these interviews and picking out the key nuggets. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at quotes (from CSI and other sources) and analyzing their fantasy impact. Some may be more serious than others, but it’s all about getting a feel for coaches and players from information that may not show up in the box score.
These useful quotes can pertain to injury outlooks, player usage, overall offensive tendencies and philosophy, and more. The key is to know which quotes are actionable, and which ones are just fluff that can be ignored.
Injury Updates: What to Know for Your Fantasy Lineup
Dak Prescott is an injured reserve candidate
Dak Prescott left in the 4th quarter last week after suffering a hamstring injury. This injury wasn’t just a minor tweak and appears to be something that will lead to an extended absence for Prescott. Head coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Prescott hitting IR if tests do not deliver positive results.
Key Fantasy Takeaway: At this point, the only consistent fantasy starters in Dallas were CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. This is a rather crushing blow for both of them. The Cowboys’ offense was already struggling to stay afloat with Prescott under center, and there’s no knowing what it will look like with Cooper Rush taking over. If you roster either Lamb or Ferguson, be prepared for some rocky weeks ahead.
A.J. Brown avoids serious injury
A.J. Brown missed the second half of last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Thankfully, as reported, Brown did not suffer any structural damage and has a chance to play this week against the Cowboys. Head coach Nick Sirianni added that Brown is in good spirits but he hasn’t met with the medical staff yet, so couldn’t provide exact updates on his timeline for return.
Key Fantasy Takeaway: Brown may miss this week, but the lack of an extended absence is critical for fantasy managers. Brown has a favorable upcoming schedule with teams like the Rams, Ravens, and Panthers coming up in the next month. He should be back to his dominant self as soon as he returns to the field. However, fantasy managers with Brown on rosters should consider making a move on waivers in case he’s unable to suit up.
Coaching Decisions Impacting Fantasy Prospects
The Bears won’t change their playcaller
The Bears’ offense has not quite found its groove with all of the new faces in Chicago. They were able to beat up on the Panthers and Jaguars, two of the worst defenses in the league, but have mightily struggled in other weeks. Chicago is coming off a game against Arizona where they had just 241 yards of offense. Despite the recent struggles, head coach Matt Eberflus announced that they’ll be sticking with Shane Waldron as their offensive coordinator.
Key Fantasy Takeaway: Anyone who watched the Seahawks last year or the Bears this season knows that Waldron is in over his head as an offensive playcaller. For two straight seasons, he has failed to accentuate the talent on his team’s roster. Is the blame entirely on Waldron? Absolutely not, but he is certainly not putting this team in the best position to succeed. Unless Chicago is in a premium matchup, it’s hard to feel confident starting anyone in this offense.
Shane Steichen provides an update on the Colts’ quarterback situation
After weeks of cryptic comments surrounding the Colts’ quarterback situation, it appears we finally have some clarity on the matter. Head coach Shane Steichen indicated that Joe Flacco will be the Colts’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. As it stands, former first-rounder Anthony Richardson will be his backup for the foreseeable future.
Key Fantasy Takeaway: After nine games, neither Colts quarterback has been a viable fantasy option. The biggest impact here falls on the shoulders of the Colts’ pass catchers. Joe Flacco is quite clearly the best option for Michael Pittman and Josh Downs. Richardson’s 44.4-percent completion percentage and 16.3 catchable targets per game both ranked dead last among quarterbacks. If Downs or Pittman are on your roster, this announcement should put a smile on your face.
Fantasy Football Coachspeak Highlights: What are coaches saying about key players?
Zack Moss will be out indefinitely
In an interview with the media on Monday morning, Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor said that running back Zack Moss will be out indefinitely with a neck injury. He went on to say that the team is hopeful to have more info on the severity of the injury at some point this week. Taylor also expressed that the team will “explore all possible options” to add to the running back room without Moss in the picture.
Key Fantasy Takeaway: The biggest fantasy impact of this announcement applies to second-year running back Chase Brown. He was a bell cow back in Week 9 without Moss, playing 80 percent of the snaps. He should hold onto this role until Moss returns or the Bengals make a meaningful move at running back. He is a borderline RB1 option without anyone else competing for touches in the Cincinnati backfield.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Rankings
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
As we navigate through the ups and downs of the NFL season, staying informed about player statuses and coaching strategies is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on these updates, as they can make all the difference in your lineup decisions!
