Fantasy Football Players Mourn The Loss Of Justin Jefferson & De'Von Achane

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Everything was finally coming together. I drafted Justin Jefferson with the first-overall pick in a big-money, 14-team fantasy football league. I used my second pick to select Cooper Kupp, happy to wait out his IR stint thanks to his incredible upside. Plus, I spent almost my entire FAAB to acquire star rookie De'Von Achane.

Sunday morning arrived. Cooper Kupp and Justin Jefferson both in my fantasy football lineup for the first time this season. I looked around at the teams of my league mates. No one can compete with my 1-2 punch. Throw in also taking Josh Allen, and my team looks great. First place, here I come!

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (pictured) and Dolphins RB De'Von Achane both suffered injuries in Week 5 and fantasy football players are sad.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (pictured) and Dolphins RB De'Von Achane both suffered injuries in Week 5 and fantasy football players are sad. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Less than 24 hours, reality strikes. Fantasy football gods have a sick sense of humor. As soon as you think that you've cracked the code, they remind you that no one really knows anything.

Fantasy football success is largely based on luck, despite what that guy in your league -- who took a defense in the 7th round and still managed to win a championship in 2008 -- keeps saying. He's an expert, even though he hasn't made the playoffs since that fortunate title run 15 years ago.

Sure, you can put yourself in a better position to succeed than those around you. But, at the end of the day, football is a violent game and there are injuries. There are strange coaching decisions. Sometimes, there's nothing you can do.

For me, when this happens, I like to go to social media. Misery loves company, as they say. I know I'm not the only one lying on my bedroom floor in a heap whispering to myself "It's OK, it's only four weeks and Justin Jefferson will be back and better than ever."

I took a break from sobbing to write this article.

I'm going back to sobbing now.

I ask for privacy while I deal with this personal matter. Thanks in advance.

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.