DFS Alerts
Jeremy Maclin has limited practice Thursday
Maclin (groin) was limited yesterday as well. It’s possible he returns to action this weekend, but he’s still very questionable. If he plays, Maclin won’t be a great target coming off an injury that’s kept him out for an entire month. He could potentially cut into the target shares of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce though. Their game with the Falcons has an appealing 49-point total, the Chiefs are 4.5-point underdogs, and Atlanta ranks 21st in pass DVOA, so both Hill and Kelce will still be strong options this weekend either way.
As reported by: B.J. Kissel Other tagged players: Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce
Marquise Goodwin leaves practice early after suffering wrist injury Thursday
The extent of the injury was not immediately clear, but we do know he wasn’t able to finish practice. Buffalo is a mess at receiver right now. Watkins is going to be limited and neither Harvin or Woods are expected to play this week. Justin Hunter and Brandon Tate would be the next receivers up. We’ll know more when the Bills practice tomorrow.
As reported by: ESPN Brady, Edelman, Hogan, and Bennett practice Thursday
True to form, New England listed all of them as limited participants. They’ll be good to go on Sunday against the Rams though. Los Angeles ranks 16th in pass DVOA and they’ve allowed the 9th-most passing touchdowns (20). Vegas favors the Patriots by 13, giving them an implied total of 28.5 points (44-point over/under). Although there are game flow concerns, the Patriots are usually big favorites every week and Brady has thrown for at least two touchdowns in every game they’ve won. Edelman has led the team in targets the past two weeks with Gronk out. He should continue that trend in Week 13, although he’ll have a tough matchup in the slot with Lamarcus Joyner, who has a solid 79.2 PFF grade on the year. Malcolm Mitchell will line up with E.J. Gaines quite a bit. Gaines has a terrible 38 PFF score and was torn apart by Michael Thomas last week (9/108/2). Mitchell has scored three touchdowns over the past two games; he’s an exciting tournament option this week.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Other tagged players: Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Martellus Bennett, Malcolm Mitchell Tyrann Mathieu doesn't practice, Patrick Peterson limited Thursday
Mathieu (shoulder) was limited yesterday, so this downgrade isn’t a great sign. It could just be a rest day; his status tomorrow will be important. Pat P. (knee) is expected to play and shadow DeSean Jackson. Even though he’s banged up, Peterson’s coverage presents a very bad fantasy outlook for Jackson. Crowder will draw Mathieu in the slot, so if Mathieu can’t go, it’ll be a nice bump for Crowder. If both cornerbacks play for the Cardinals, Pierre Garcon will have the best matchup with Marcus Cooper, who has a poor 44.6 PFF grade.
As reported by: Kent Somers Other tagged players: DeSean Jackson, Jamison Crowder, Pierre Garcon John Brown and Michael Floyd limited Thursday
Brown (illness) is looking doubtful for Sunday, but this is a positive sign. He hasn’t had more than four targets in any of the past four games, so he won’t be a great fantasy target if he suits up. Floyd (hamstring) is expected to play. After putting up a solid 5/101/0 line against the 49ers three weeks ago, he’s been held to 31 yards or less over the past two outings. He’ll have to deal with Josh Norman on the outside on about a third of his routes. Larry Fitzgerald remains the best receiving option; he’ll avoid Norman in the slot, instead matching up with Kendall Fuller, who has a below-average 50.8 PFF grade this season.
As reported by: Kent Somers Other tagged players: Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald Chris Ivory "unlikely" to play Sunday
This isn’t too surprising as he’s missed practice all week. T.J. Yeldon is on track to play and start, but he’s also banged up. Should Yeldon also miss the game, Denard Robinson would be the lead back for the Jaguars against the Broncos. He rushed for 39 yards on 13 carries against the Bills. Denver ranks 24th in rush DVOA, but it’ll still be hard to trust Yeldon or Robinson to put up big numbers.
As reported by: Mark Long Other tagged players: T.J. Yeldon, Denard Robinson Marvin Jones and Theo Riddick both limited again Thursday
Jones (thigh) and Riddick (ankle) were both listed as limited participants yesterday as well. Both are still expected to play this weekend against the Saints. New Orleans ranks 25th in pass DVOA and dead last against receiving running backs in particular, which creates a good spot for both players. It’s also nice that the game has the highest total on the board at 53.5 points. Jones has been very quiet since Week 3, but he piled up 11 targets against the Vikings. With Detroit 6-point underdogs in a game primed for a shootout, they should be throwing quite a bit and looking for big plays. Jones certainly offers the deep threat while Golden Tate is used in the short game. With Jones’ recent price drop, he’s worth consideration as a sneaky tournament play in a great bounce-back spot.
As reported by: Dave Birkett Other tagged players: Theo Riddick Brandon Marshall doesn't practice Thursday
Marshall (knee, foot) was likely getting a rest day, he should be fine for Monday night. He hasn’t had double-digit targets since Week 5, but he could get back up there this week against the Colts. The game has a two-point spread (Colts favored) and a 49-point total. Indianapolis has a worse pass defense than the Jets, and they’re particularly bad against WR1s, ranking 31st defending the position. This one could easily turn into a shootout. Marshall will be shadowed by Vontae Davis, but that isn’t as bad as it sounds. Davis was smoked by Antonio Brown last week as he’s essentially playing on one leg due to injury. He was limited in Thursday’s practice, and is expected to play Monday, but he’s really hobbled up. Marshall should be able to win his individual matchup, which puts him in an excellent spot for a big game.
As reported by: New York Jets T.Y. Hilton doesn't practice, Andrew Luck limited Thursday
Hilton (back) practiced yesterday and has gotten Thursdays off in the past. He’s still expected to play Monday night in New York against the Jets. New York has struggled against the pass, ranking 29th in DVOA, but they’ve had some success defending the WR1 position, ranking 13th. Hilton has only caught one touchdown since Donte Moncrief has returned to the lineup. Moncrief has caught four in that stretch, exactly one in each game. New York ranks 31st in WR2 DVOA, which sets up a better matchup for Moncrief. Andrew Luck (concussion) was limited today, but is expected to clear the concussion protocol in time to play. Given the game total of 49 points and matchup with a poor pass defense, Luck is in a great quarterback option this week.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen Other tagged players: Andrew Luck, Donte Moncrief Trevor Siemian still wearing walking boot Thursday
We probably won’t know whether he’ll play until the weekend, but it’s looking doubtful that Siemian will be able to suit up against the Jaguars. It would be a downgrade to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas if Paxton Lynch gets the start. Vegas has taken notice of the situation, dropping the total to 40 points (from 43). Jacksonvilles’ pass defense has been pretty solid all season. They rank 23rd in rush DVOA though, which sets up a Devontae Booker game. Booker would be the safest Bronco to target as he’s established himself as their workhorse; he’s received 25 or more touches in back-to-back games.
As reported by: Nick Jhabvala Other tagged players: Devontae Booker, Paxton Lynch, Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas Sammy Watkins practices Thursday, will remain limited Sunday
Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn didn’t sound very optimistic when discussing Sammy Watkins today. He told reporters Watkins is still dealing with a broken bone in his foot and that he isn’t 100 percent. Watkins wasn’t able to practice yesterday due to pain from the injury. When asked about Watkins ability to play on Sunday, Lynn said he wasn’t sure whether he’s “going to play one play or 20 plays.” Despite a favorable matchup with the Raiders this week, Watkins shouldn’t be considered a reliable fantasy option. We should get some more clarity on Watkins’ health from Rex Ryan tomorrow.
As reported by: WKBW Mark Ingram doesn't practice Thursday
Ingram (toe) missed practice yesterday as well. If he doesn’t get back to the field tomorrow, he most likely won’t be able to play on Sunday. If he sits, Tim Hightower would be the Saints lead back against a very poor Detroit defense that ranks 28th in rush DVOA. The Saints are favored by six points, so game flow should be on his side. Even in a timeshare, he’s managed to exceed 100 yards in back-to-back weeks. He would be a very solid, and probably chalky, running back play if Ingram is out.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Tim Hightower Update: T.J. Yeldon has limited practice Thursday
Yeldon (ankle) ended up participating in practice Thursday, which means he should be able to play Sunday against the Broncos. He ended up playing in their last game after Chris Ivory was injured, but only picked up 20 yards on seven touches. While Denver ranks 24th in rush DVOA, they did an excellent job shutting down the Chiefs’ running backs on Sunday night. Spencer Ware led the team with 64 yards on 17 carries (3.8 ypc). Even if Ivory ends up sitting this one out, Yeldon won’t be a strong option at running back.
As reported by: ESPN Jay Cutler will have season ending surgery
We weren’t expecting Cutler back anytime soon and now we know for certain that it won’t be anytime in the 2016 season as the team has announced he will undergo surgery. Matt Barkley will be the starting QB for the Bears moving forward.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Other tagged players: Matt Barkley
Tyrell Williams not at practice again for Chargers
While he’s still expected to play, Williams has missed two straight practices with a shoulder injury so there is some cause for concern. Dontrelle Inman would receive the biggest bump in a decent match up against a Tampa Bay defense that is more vulnerable to the pass than the run. We’ll look for Williams participation in tomorrow’s practice and report back then.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken on Twitter