Seriously, this can’t be how the fantasy playoffs end..

In today’s Fantasy Life Newsletter presented by AMP:

• Jalen Hurts' Week 16 in jeopardy 
• Sam's Waiver Wire Diving: Week 16 pickups
• Buy/Sell/Hold: League punishments rock
• Jonathan Taylor likely out for the season
• It's 12/20. Take it away, Kendall Valenzuela...

I wish we were starting our Tuesday off better, but unfortunately we received bad news for our fantasy football QB1...

🚑 Jalen Hurts has a sprained shoulder

Yup, you read that right. According to multiple reports, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a sprain to his right shoulder in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears. His availability for Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys is now in question.

*takes deep breath*

The shoulder sprain seems to have happened in the third quarter on Sunday, but Hurts was able to continue playing. It’s an injury to his throwing shoulder — something the quarterback and his agent, Nicole Lynn, don’t believe is a long-term injury.

#Eagles LT Jordan Mailata on QB Jalen Hurts taking hits and popping up, except for the one it took a little longer on:

“The one that scared me he just laid there. I ran over and said, ‘Stay down.’ And he said, ‘Pick me the fuck up.’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir.’”

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane)
Dec 18, 2022

Fantasy implications aside, injuries this late to a quarterback who has had an incredible season is a brutal blow. If Hurts is unable to play on Saturday, the Eagles will turn to backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. 

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has said the team is preparing for both Hurts and Minshew. In two games for Philadelphia last season, he went 1-1 with four touchdowns and one interception.

Things could be worse? Luckily, Minshew has weapons in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and (hopefully) a healthy Dallas Goedert to help him.

Gardner Minshew is Brock Purdy but WAY WAY better. If you just lost Hurts for the playoffs…This is the way.

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB)
Dec 19, 2022

The Eagles only need one win in their final three games to lock up the division and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Maybe Minshew Mania will bring us some magic in Week 16…

Oh yeah, one last piece of brutal news (because the day wasn’t bad enough).

🚑 Jonathan Taylor (ankle) likely done for the season

Colts superstar running back Jonathan Taylor suffered a high ankle sprain against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.

It’s unlikely Taylor will return this season, with the team sitting at a 4-9-1 record with barely anything to play for. He will end his 2022 season with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Continue reading for the best waiver wire names to target if either of these injuries affect your fantasy team…

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Fantasy playoffs have begun and we’re on to round 2. With the season’s end looming in sight, let’s talk league etiquette from a buy/sell perspective. Take it away, Cooterdoodle..

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🛒 BUY

😈 League Punishments are a Necessary Evil

Look, no one wants to eat hot wings covered in a fiery paste that can bring grown men to tears. And no one wants to spend 15 hours inside of a Waffle House. But a fulfilled league punishment is a treasure that should be applauded by all who witness it. 

Ask anyone who has played fantasy football for a long period of time which league is their favorite and I can guarantee their answer will have nothing to do with their win-loss record. It’s all about camaraderie

Little known fact, but ‘camaraderie’ is French for ‘one man’s pain can bring all together.’ Well, it’s a loose interpretation anyway…

Keeping your leaguemates engaged year long isn’t easy, but league punishments get the job done. 

1. Punishments build trust amongst all members. They have to agree and commit to abide by the designated penance. 
2. Punishments give everyone closure. All but one league mate wins, leaving the rest unsatisfied. A fulfilled punishment can absolutely heal that hurt.
3. Punishments shift the competitive focus away from the individual towards a more collective, group perspective. Everyone loves to come together to ridicule a loser. 

If you’re still against league punishments after reading, well, that tells me all I need to know about your fantasy team.

🛒 Sell

🙄 Commissioner Rules All

With great power comes great headaches. While a fantasy football commissioner is often called upon to lay down the law, this game isn’t a dictatorship and should not be governed as such. If you’ve ever commissioned a league, you know the hardships of keeping everyone happy and playing fair. But the weight of the league doesn’t all have to reside on one person’s shoulders.

League voting goes a long way to keep a league honest and prevent turnover amongst managers.

Time and time again, small mishaps or unpredictable circumstances can cause a rift between leaguemates, which spreads below the surface. Like a crack on a windshield, catch it early before too much damage is done. 

With the offseason approaching, now is a great time to reflect on the squabbles of this year and begin to plan for next season. Offer a deadline for the rest of your league to propose their own ideas. Your league will appreciate a chance to air their grievances and offer up solutions to prevent future conflict. 

Sure, commissioners are vital, but everyone should be involved in decisions that affect the league. Need some ideas? Ask your league how they feel about abolishing trade vetoes, adding FAAB for waiver bidding, or even adding a league punishment. (A wise woman once said that league punishments are a necessary evil, and I believe her.)

🤕 There’s a category we don’t want any elite quarterback involved with. Unfortunately, Jalen Hurts is top-3.

❤️️ Stefon Diggs gave a fan one of the most special Christmas gifts. Who's cutting onions?!

🔥 Joe Burrow is already breaking franchise records for the Bengals in his third season. Here’s to many more, Joe. 

Could time be a flat circle for Baker Mayfield? He needs some facial hair work, for sure. 

😂 Sorry, Matt Ryan, not even your wife’s hilarious tweet will make us forget about Saturday.

❌ A potential dome for the Buffalo Bills? Not on Josh Allen’s watch.

⏳ It's crunch time in the fantasy playoffs. Get ready for the stretch run. 

Waivers are a crucial component of fantasy football, and nabbing the next league winner ahead of your leaguemates can help you edge out that title. Each Tuesday, Sam Wallace will highlight players to target in your redraft leagues. 

➕ Zay Jones

• Available in 45% of leagues

Let’s get this out of the way.

WR Zay Jones should not be on waivers in any league, regardless of size or format. Here are his per game averages since Week 10.

• 10.2 targets
• 7.0 receptions
• 83 receiving yards
• 20.5 fantasy points

This isn't an accident. He’s earning targets at an elite clip and it’s paying massive dividends for both the Jaguars and fantasy managers. Get Jones on your squad as you prepare for the semi finals of the fantasy playoffs.

FAAB: 75%

➕ Donovan Peoples-Jones

• Available in 36% of leagues

There aren’t many players who offer the blend of floor & upside at this price point.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones fits the bill perfectly.

First, the floor. He has 10 games with 10+ fantasy points this season. Consistent production can be challenging to come by, especially in the fantasy playoffs. Next, the upside. The return of QB Deshaun Watson unlocks the ceiling of this offense. We just need Watson to get back into football shape.

Peoples-Jones has the athletic profile to go nuclear anytime. He has both a TD and a 100+ yard receiving game in the last two weeks. Pairing that tantalizing upside with someone like Watson could be the key your fantasy team needs.

FAAB: 40%

➕ K.J. Osborn

• Available in 95% of leagues

It’s incredible to get a breakout, career-best performance in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. But it’s tough to know if it was an anomaly or the start of something new.

WR K.J. Osborn racked up a 30% target share and a 34% receiving yards share during the Vikings historic 33-point comeback. Understandably, the team was pass-oriented the entire second half as QB Kirk Cousins set season-high marks in passing attempts, completions, yards, and TDs.

We have seen flashes of brilliance from Osborn. Last season, he scored five TDs in his final six games. However, WR Adam Thielen missed four of those games and barely played in the other two. Osborn has also been quiet this season, scoring double-digit fantasy points in just two games entering Week 15.

Looking to Week 16, I don’t mind taking the shot on Osborn. Now is the time to go for it and load up your roster for the final push.

FAAB: 35%

My Herbert/Jacobs/Cook/Mixon/Adams/Tyreek/Kittle dynasty team got bumped from the playoffs.

I'm not taking it well. Good morning.

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL)
Dec 20, 2022