DeMarco Murray, Jordan Matthews' Fantasy Outlook After Sam Bradford Injury

Given the way his career has played out so far, the likelihood that quarterback Sam Bradford would remain healthy all the way through his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles seemed slim. Those fantasy football owners who drafted DeMarco Murray and/or Jordan Matthews knew the risk they were assuming.

Bradford exited Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins with not one but two injuries. According to ESPN.com's James Walker, X-rays on his shoulder came back negative, but the Eagles also announced he was diagnosed with a concussion.

You'd think replacing Bradford would have a significant impact on Philadelphia's offense, but the difference between he and Mark Sanchez based on Sanchez's 2014 numbers and Bradford's production entering Week 10:

If anything, Sanchez starting at quarterback might result in a slight fantasy boost for some of the Eagles' top playmakers. Right tackle Lane Johnson foresees a more high-octane unit without Bradford under center, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advance Media.

Both Matthews and Murray have been fantasy disappointments to varying degrees in 2015.

Matthews has only taken a marginal step forward in Year 2 after a promising rookie campaign. He has just two touchdowns through nine games, and his yards per reception have fallen from where they were a year ago from 13.0 to 11.1.

Meanwhile, few stars have underwhelmed as much as Murray. Some regression was to be expected after he ran for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014. But he has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground just once this year.

Keeping that in mind for both players, expecting a transformation for either Matthews or Murray would be unrealistic should Sanchez replace Bradford at quarterback.

Player	Starts	Comp.	Att.	Yards	Yards./Att.	TD	INT
Bradford	8	195	310	2,061	6.6	10	10
Sanchez	8	198	309	2,418	7.8	14	11

Whether it's Bradford or Sanchez starting for the Eagles, continue thinking of Matthews as a WR2 at the most, with WR3 or the flex as a safer position for him in your lineup depending on your roster rules.

Murray is creeping up into RB1 territory, which is both in part to his own ability and also due to injuries to other stars like Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles and Le'Veon Bell throughout the year.

According to Football Outsiders, Philadelphia averaged 21.95 seconds a play last year, a figure which is up to 22.59 seconds in 2015.

Should the Eagles play a little quicker under Sanchez, it wouldn't be to the extent that it markedly increases Matthews' or Murray's numbers going forward.

Then again, the slimmest of margins can mean defeat and victory, and with the playoffs rapidly approaching, owners will appreciate any edge they can get.