Nothing has gone right in Seattle this year. It started with an epidemic of receiver injuries in the preseason. Now, the once stout defense has sucked, the pro bowl QB is hurt, and the receivers can't stay healthy. I, however, am using foresight to say that in fantasy football you should own Matt Hasselbeck. He's in a tenuous enough spot health-wise that you shouldn't trade anyone of value for him, but he's worth a waiver wire add -- or keeping on your roster, should you currently be holding onto him -- so you can enjoy him later in the season.
We enter Week 8 hearing that Hasselbeck might play this weekend against the Niners, but he might not. Okay, let's just assume he doesn't go. Hell, let's be conservative and assume he's not back until Week 10. Starting then, he will really help you get into the playoffs with matchups against the Dolphins (27th against the pass) in that week, Cardinals (20th) the following week, and the Cowboys (16th, with major injury issues in secondary) in Week 13. In Weeks 15 and 16, the traditional fantasy playoffs, the Seahawks face the Rams (25th) and Jets (24th).
We're talking about a guy who has thrown for 3000 yards five times, and twice he nearly hit the 4000 yard mark. He's gone over 20 TD passes four times and 25+ twice. His career highs in both figures were achieved last year, and he's only 33 ... which is by no means old for a quarterback. In addition to Hasselbeck, I'm also figuring Deion Branch and Bobby Engram to be completely healthy by Week 10 as well.
Now, we're taking a leap of faith here that Hasselbeck's going to completely heal. He currently has disc issues in his back, and that disc is rubbing a nerve that runs down into his injured knee. I don't understand the implications of the injury moving forward, but I do understand that it's not a huge leap if you only have to own him as your QB3. He's a free agent in many leagues. Drop a backup RB and just roster him. If history is any indication, you won't be sorry.
To answer the title of this entry, no, it's definitely not time to cut your losses on Matt Hasselbeck. Not yet.
