This may not seem like huge news to some of you, but if you play fantasy football of any variety, the Los Angeles Rams sending Greg Zuerlein to Injured Reserve is downright devastating. Zuerlein has been the best kicker in the NFL this season and part of the league’s best special teams unit. In fact, all three of the key guys, Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker and punt/kick returner Pharoh Cooper all were voted to the Pro Bowl.
The Pro Bowl (and probably All-Pro) kicker suffered a herniated disc.
Surprise setback for Super Bowl contender: Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein – aka “Legatron” – is being placed on IR with a back injury and team is signing former Penn St kicker Sam Ficken, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2017
Zeurlein delivered double-digit fantasy points nearly every single week. He leads the league in field goals (38) and extra points (44). He missed two field goals all year and one of those was from beyond 50, finishing 6-of-7 from there and a perfect 12-for-12 from 40-49.
Zuerlein was a consistent producer not only for the Rams in their playoff run, but in my own fantasy run. There are plenty of you out there right along with me. If you play Daily Fantasy, Zuerlein was a no-brainer every single week, regardless of where Draft Kings or Fanduel priced him.
Now, we’re all dangling in the wind and, if you’re like me, this is the championship week in your fantasy league. The Rams brought in former Penn State kicker Sam Ficken to replace Young G-Z and so I did the same, adding him to both my teams. Ficken was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions. His senior season he was a perfect 28-of-28 on extra points and 24-of-29 on field goals. Needless to say, the former undrafted kicker is a step down from a guy with the nickname “Leg-a-tron.”
Losing Greg Zuerlein for the season is a huge blow to the Rams. He made 38-of-40 field goals, 44-46 extra points. Was pretty much a sure-thing when Rams needed him.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 20, 2017
Head coach Sean McVay always had a field goal in his pocket any time the Rams crossed the 40, so this could even alter some of the playcalling too. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when the Rams travel to the Tennessee Titans Sunday and how willing McVay is to send “Kickin'” Ficken out there with the game on the line.
This is exactly the time of year where a clutch kicker like Zuerlein is at his most valuable to a team. While the Rams should still be able to clinch a playoff spot and an NFC crown with a single victory over their last two games, this injury could really show up in the playoffs. Especially since the Rams would have to likely play two games on the road to make the Super Bowl.
https://twitter.com/360FFB/status/943629690744528896
OTHER NFL NEWS
The New York Giants have already started the interview process for a new general manager. According to the NFL Network, Dave Gettleman met with the team for the open job Wednesday. Gettleman was recently fired as GM of the Carolina Panthers back in July after serving in that position from 2012.
GM Search Update: #NYGiants interview Dave Gettleman, former Panthers GM and former NYG Pro Personnel executive.
DETAILS: https://t.co/x33CtkORBF pic.twitter.com/0lRb9Oen2c
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 20, 2017
Speaking of fantasy impact, some key players enter Week 16 banged up. The Jacksonville Jaguars sat Marqise Lee and Mercedes Lewis Wednesday. The Atlanta Falcons gave wide receiver Julio Jones the day off with an ankle injury. For the Dallas Cowboys, Tyron Smith, Anthony Hitchens, La’el Collins and David Irving all stayed off the practice field.
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