Week 16 Outlook
Availability
The Seahawks released Baldwin with a failed physical designation.
Fantasy Impact
Baldwin's NFL career could be over after the veteran wide receiver underwent three surgeries to repair shoulder, knee and sports hernia injuries. The diminutive 30-year-old put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2015-16 but was limited to 50 catches for 718 yards and five scores in 13 games last season.
Seahawks GM John Schneider says Doug Baldwin is expected to make a decision on his future within "weeks".
Fantasy Impact
Baldwin is considering retirement following multiple surgeries this off-season. He was banged up for most of 2018 and might prefer to hang it up for good. It's also fair to wonder how effective he would be coming off all these injuries. The Seahawks took three receivers in this weekend's draft, including using a second-round pick on DK Metcalf.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports Doug Baldwin might have already played his last NFL down.
Fantasy Impact
Schefter points to the cumulative effect of multiple injuries as to why Baldwin might be forced into early retirement. The 30-year-old receiver has undergone three surgeries so far this off-season and might not have much left in the tank. Baldwin has hampered for most of the 2018 season and tried to play through it at times, totaling just 50 catches through 13 games. He is one of the most popular Seahawks players of all time and his absence would be a huge loss to the Seattle offense.
Seahawks GM John Schneider says the team has no timetable for Doug Baldwin's return from sports hernia surgery.
Fantasy Impact
Baldwin was originally projected to miss 6-8 weeks with the issue. This was his third surgery of the off-season so Seattle likely doesn't want to rush things. The 30-year-old is aiming to be ready for the start of training camp.
Doug Baldwin will have sports hernia surgery April 4. Head coach Pete Carroll did not provide an ETA for when his No. 1 receiver will be healthy again.
Fantasy Impact
Baldwin's fall in fantasy has been precipitated by a handful of nagging injuries. After having knee and shoulder surgeries following Seattle's playoff loss, he told former teammate Cliff Avril recently that he has more surgeries on the way before training camp. After missing three games last season, his recent injury history should give pause for concern when drafting him in 2019. It'll be worth monitoring how he feels during preseason.
