MMRBad weather and injuries took its toll on fantasy owners during Championship weekend.

From snow and wind in New England to below freezing temperatures just about everywhere else, Sunday’s weather joined forces with the typical slew of weekly injuries to present the ultimate hurdle to fantasy owners seeking that ever-elusive fantasy championship.

Watching your fantasy players get dominated by the elements is just as bad as watching them get owned by a good defense. Kurt Warner, for example, drew a pretty favorable match up against a suspect New England secondary in week 16. But Mother Nature had other plans for Warner and the Cardinals’ passing game, which struggled mightily in the snow and wind.

The frustration for Warner owners was three-fold: First, he was terrible (6-of-18 for 30 yards). Then he got yanked in the third quarter for Matt Leinart, who went on to throw a bomb touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald despite a few turnovers of his own. And finally, the Patriots passing game was superb in the snow, amassing 343 yards and three scores.

So to sum up, maybe it was not so much about the elements. But it makes for a good excuse for Warner owners.

Tom Brady [QB, Patriots]

From ProFootballTalk:

Taking a cue from coach Bill Belichick, Brady declined to discuss the knee, which has required multiple surgeries after he suffered a torn ACL in Week 1 and subsequently developed an infection.

Nothing of significance here except the fact that the Patriots are starting to put the clamps down on Brady updates, which is standard protocol for New England.

For now, the true health and recovery of Brady will remain a mystery. As it stands, he should be ready for the start of training camp despite the earlier setbacks. That, however, remains far in the future and a lot could change between now and next summer.

Reggie Bush [RB, Saints]

From Deadspin:

Running back Reggie Bush will miss the final two games of the New Orleans Saints’ season. No surgery required.

Just before what would have been a dream match up for Bush’s fantasy owners against Detroit.

The Saints were thinking about next year with this move, hoping that by shutting Bush down now they would avert any further damage to his now-fragile frame. Bush’s last two seasons now have been cut short by injury, and being injury-prone is just another stigma he will battle heading into fantasy drafts next season.

Maurice Jones-Drew [RB, Jaguars]

From NFL.com:

The Jaguars had an injury scare late in Thursday’s loss to the Colts when RB Maurice Jones-Drew appeared to injure his lower left leg. Jones-Drew was injured on the third-to-last play of the game on a first down reception, and had to be helped off the field by trainers.

The good news for MJD owners this week is that the injury came after he had already amassed 162 yards of total offense. Head coach Jack Del Rio said that he should be fine and that it may only be a bone bruise.

Dynasty and keeper owners, as well as those fantasy owners playing until week 17, may want to monitor the situation early next week. Jones-Drew has played extremely well down the stretch for fantasy owners and will be a hot commodity in fantasy drafts next summer.

Frank Gore [RB, 49ers]

From NFL.com:

49ers running back Frank Gore will not play due to his sprained ankle for the second straight week.

Gore had a good season for fantasy owners until the fantasy playoffs. The loss of Gore in lineups likely crippled his owners in the postseason and during Championship weekend, where he drew what would have been a very favorable match up against the Rams.

Gore should be a first round pick in fantasy drafts again next summer, especially now that San Francisco has found its quarterback for next season.

Anquan Boldin [WR, Cardinals]

From RotoWorld:

Anquan Boldin is inactive Sunday against the Patriots.

What seemed like the untimeliest of injuries for fantasy owners in championship games turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Boldin was declared inactive Sunday morning in advance of the Cardinals week 16 game at New England. Not having one of the league’s best fantasy wide receivers hurt his owners, but the weather was so horrific in Foxboro that it gave Boldin owners the opportunity to start someone likely more productive in his stead.

Chad Johnson [WR, Bengals]

From ProFootballTalk:

Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson a/k/a Ocho Cinco a/k/a Whiny Bitch With Athletic Talent won’t play due to a hamstring injury.

Yawn.

Perhaps the drop in fantasy production from Chad Johnson during the last two seasons will elicit a change of attitude in the diva receiver this offseason. Fantasy owners have grown tired of his off-field antics and rampant mouth-running. Johnson will be pretty low on most draft boards next summer.

The MMR will continue to run every Monday morning as scheduled during the regular season. To stay updated on current NFL injuries later in the week keep an eye on Football Jabber’s injury column, The Bedpan.

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