RADIO
The Baltimore Ravens are having the most disappointing season in the NFL. Despite being a consistent playoff participant for years, Baltimore is nowhere near contention this season and has a 3-7 record. The Ravens have suffered heartbreaking defeats to opposing teams but the biggest losses have come in the form of injuries. Rookie Breshad Perriman and star wide receiver Steve Smith were both already ruled out for the season but things became worse for the offense on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
Baltimore won their third game of the season but it was a terrible day for the franchise. Starting quarterback Joe Flacco and starting running back Justin Forsett both suffered injuries that will force them to miss the remainder of the season. Flacco tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. The expectations are Flacco will be ready by the time the 2016 regular season begins but has a long road to recovery ahead of him. Forsett broke both bones in his forearm and is also not expected to make a return this season. Flacco and Forsett were the only two fantasy relevant players left on the team and both of them are now officially off the board unless you’re in a keeper or dynasty league.
With injuries come the questions of what replacements will step up and the hope of new talent on the waiver wire becoming fantasy assets. Javorius Allen is expected to replace Forsett as the every down running back. Following Forsett’s injury, Allen rushed twenty-two times for 67 yards and added five catches for another 48 yards. The 115 total yards was very impressive against a good St. Louis defense. Allen may have potential for fantasy value going forward. The running back depth is weak and Allen will be worth picking up if you have an extra roster spot.
Veteran Matt Schaub is expected to take over at quarterback but it’s hard to get excited about his potential. Kamar Aiken and Crockett Gillmore going to be his best weapons and it’s nearly impossible to envision a scenario in which Schaub can become a quarterback worth starting in fantasy. Flacco is significantly better than Schaub and it was already a tough task to start him unless he was involved in a great matchup. Aside from rare scenarios like an extremely deep two-quarterback league, it will be best to stay far away from Schaub. The injuries won’t benefit anyone on the Ravens aside from Javorius Allen.
