The New England Patriots came into the season with their biggest offensive weapon injured in Rob Gronkowski and now that wideout Danny Amendola is injured and not likely to play Thursday against the Jets, Julian Edelman becomes a number one option in fantasy football.
Amendola has had injury issues in the past and after suffering a groin injury on Sunday in the victory over the Bills, ESPN.com is reporting that he will not play on Thursday against the Jets due to the quick turnaround from Week 1's game. The Patriots have a number of players dealing with injuries, including running back Shane Vereen, who will be out for a few weeks after having wrist surgery, as well as Gronkowski, who is unlikely to be back for Thursday's game.
Amendol showed that he could replace departed WR Wes Welker by making 10 catches in the game for 104 yards against the Bills, but after hurting his groin in the middle of the game and then returning, he now will not play against the Jets. ESPN.com is reporting that while the news is not official, Amendola will not be able to play, boosting the fantasy value of Kenbrell Thompkins as well as Julian Edelman, who had two touchdown catches in the game against Buffalo with 79 yards total.
Edelman is a must pick up in all leagues and it is likely he is already gone, while Thompkins has also been looked at as a sleeper as an undrafted rookie and he should be picked up as well. Amendola was targeted 14 times in the game and Edelman was targeted nine times and the absence of Amendola could also boost whoever plays tight end, although that remains a question as well after Zach Sudfeld was injured against the Bills and he did not make a catch in the game.
Brady came through when he needed to the most at the end of the game against the Bills and now the Patriots have lost just three times over their last 27 games against Buffalo, according to ESPN.com stats. Brady had two touchdown passes to Edelman as well as 288 yards passing and against the Jets he should be able to put up some nice numbers, as the team is starting a rookie at corner.
The Patriots will also be looking at some issues in the running game, as Stevan Ridley was benched last week after fumbling and now Shane Vereen will be out for a few weeks after dealing with a wrist issue. The team will likely get Ridley back in action with Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount taking some of the carries until he is back. Updates for injuries will come as the game gets closer, but for fantasy owners, Edelman is a big pickup for anyone that has Amendola.