Three things happened when news broke today concerning the season-ending knee injury suffered by Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson. First, every fantasy football player in the world immediately hit the waiver wire and claimed Devontae Booker from the free agent pile. The second was daily fantasy players all looked up Booker’s price on whatever Daily Fantasy website they use (It’s $5,600 on Fanduel, by the way).
The third was that C.J. Anderson denied it. Anderson suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee early in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, but came back into the game later and finished strong, carrying the ball 16 times for 107 yards and touchdown. Booker wasn’t too bad himself, getting 17 carries for 83 yards and a score.
Anderson later deleted his tweets decrying the report as “false” once reality actually set in.
Tweets are deleted I will stay off social can't let ppl get to me
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) October 27, 2016
Anderson will undergo arthroscopic surgery and the Broncos will place him on Injured Reserve.
Down but never out 💯🏈🙏🏾 #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/7J4L4otAnb
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) October 27, 2016
There’s a chance, depending on how long the Broncos can stay alive in the postseason, that Anderson could come back. The fourth-year back, fresh off a new four-year, $18 million contract, was on pace to record his first 1,000 yard season for the Broncos.
Booker and Anderson were almost interchangeable in head coach Gary Kubiak’s scheme, so there might not be much running production drop-off with the rookie out of Utah moving up the depth chart. What you lose with Anderson out is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pass protect. Booker will be thrown in the deep end on that now, with the final half of the season on the line for the Broncos.
Booker has averaged 4.8 yards per carry for the Broncos as hes rolled up 244 yards and a touchdown. He’s caught nine passes for 69 yards.
Tony Romo returns to practice
No need to panic, Dallas Cowboys fans. Tony Romo’s return to the practice field was just that, practice. Romo is still listed as “limited” on the Cowboys’ injury report and will not suit up for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to reports, Romo tossed some passes around in a t-shirt and shorts.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is on the practice field for the first time since training… https://t.co/YZYjbHvtH1 pic.twitter.com/6KHK2VHfvt
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 26, 2016
As he’s not on the official roster, reporters can’t talk to Romo during any media session, but they did manage to ask Dak Prescott how his former No. 1 quarterback performed in the glorified catch game.
“He (Romo) has looked sharp every time he’s out there,” Prescott said. ” (He’s) been doing stuff behind the scenes. That’s a vet that takes care of himself, going to get back healthy. He’s doing all the right things to do that.”
Meanwhile the Cowboys are doing all the right things, though it might frustrate some sports writers and fans. There isn’t a universe in the multiverse, regardless of whatever current version of string theory you prescribe to, that the Cowboys bench a Prescott when Romo is healthy enough to return. Not without a dramatic drop in Prescott’s play or an injury. Jerry Jones knows this. Jason Garrett knows this. Dak Prescott knows this and most importantly, Tony Romo knows this.
4th-round pick.
7 QBs taken before him.
1 opportunity.
How @dak became the NFL's rookie superstar. https://t.co/mheqQDHQn6
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2016
And God bless him. When NFL Films caught him talking to Prescott on the sidelines in their last game, Romo was all about teaching. He was telling Prescott what to be ready for the next time he took the field and offering nothing but his help and expertise. Romo has been a hell of a coach for Prescott and if you think that isn’t a big reason Dak has performed so well, you haven’t watched much football. Romo has been a class act and when he comes back and watches on the sidelines, that won’t change.
Prescott has led the Cowboys to a 5-1 start this season and is on pace to lay down the best rookie quarterback year in NFL history. He’s completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 1,486 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception for a quarterback rating of 103.9. He’s added three touchdowns on the ground.
Aldon Smith applies for reinstatement
It’s become almost an annual occurrence for the one-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker, but Aldon Smith has officially decided to apply for reinstatement to the NFL after his one-year drug ban is over on Nov. 17.
Smith has been arrested three times for driving under the influence and was once detained for making a false bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport.
