🏈 CMC, you're breaking my heart

Good morning. Especially to those suffering after Thursday night’s game. Not only was the first half horrible, but we also lost the best fantasy player in the NFL.

Let’s slowly dip in…

Worst Tweet of the Day

I’ll be honest, it’s my fault. I should’ve warned you I was trading the farm for Christian McCaffrey in my dynasty league. Maybe it’s life knocking me down a peg, maybe it’s just sh*t luck. Whatever it is, the fantasy gods decided CMC would injure his hamstring last night.

A few takeaways:

• If you want to watch the video of the injury, you’re a sicko. But we got you. Click here. You can see McCaffrey's leg twitch in, causing the running back to take a false step. Hopefully, it’s just his hamstring.

• While we haven’t received an update on his injury yet, he was ruled out after only 10 minutes in the blue tent. That’s not common, and never a good sign.

• Chubba Hubbard becomes the highest priority waiver pickup and an RB2, as the Panthers notoriously use one workhorse RB. Remember Mike Davis? He finished as an RB1 in games CMC missed last season, despite being completely washed.

• Hubbard played in all situations this preseason, including short-down-distance, long-down-distance and the two-minute offense. There’s no reason to think this will be a committee.

NOTE: AS I WROTE THIS, CHUBBA PLAYED HORRIBLY BEFORE MY EYES (but improved as the game wore on)

• Remember Royce Freeman? He’s now the third-string Panthers RB and should be picked up in deeper leagues. Chubba should’ve dominated this backfield, but if the rookie stumbles (which is looking likely), Royce is the next man up.

• Royce didn’t look bad last night

Keep an eye on these players

Bengals WR Tee Higgins is “on pace” to sit Week 3 against the Steelers. He’s missed back-to-back practices, and no news is bad news. If Higgins sits, Ja’Marr Chase becomes a top-15 option and Tyler Boyd should be fired up everywhere. We’ll check in tomorrow.

Speaking of the Steelers, Diontae Johnson also missed practice on Thursday. Mike Tomlin said that Johnson was looking better, but we’ll need to see him practice Friday or Saturday. JuJu would be the biggest beneficiary of additional targets if Diontae misses time.

Jamison Crowder also didn’t practice Thursday. If it’s a PPR league, grab our Deep Dive Braxton Berrios.

The 49ers Backfield Report

In what’s become the most interesting part of the newsletter, we’re keeping you updated on the 49ers backfield:

• Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) was absent for the start of 49ers practice. Two straight DNPs, unlikely he plays Sunday. 

• Trey Sermon (concussion) practiced again on Thursday in a no-contact jersey. 50/50 chance he plays.

• JaMycal Hasty (ankle) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice. Unlikely he plays.

• Trenton Cannon (washed up) remained healthy but isn’t good at football. And that’s coming from someone who scored 2 TDs in Junior High.

Jacques Patrick (not injured!!!) was the 4th highest ranked RB coming out of high school. At Florida State, Patrick spent his first two seasons as the backup to Dalvin Cook, and the following two years he split No. 1 ball-carrying duties with Cam Akers. He’s finally getting his chance. Grab him where you can…

Here’s a Jacques Patrick preseason highlight video.

Tweet Thread of the Day

Evan Silva is my #1 fantasy analyst of all time. He’s the goat. Here are his Week 2 takeaways:

Thank you all. Have a legendary day.

- Jake

The Morning Huddle: an (almost) daily newsletter full of fantasy football news, memes, and stats - giving you the edge to win titles and the laughs to enjoy every minute of it.

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