DFS Alerts
Randall Cobb a game-time decision for Sunday; Ty Montgomery looking good
Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy seems uncertain that WR Randall Cobb will be able to play as he stated that he would be a game-time decision. He is more optimistic about Montgomery as he stated “Ty’s looking good.” Montgomery is a top play on DraftKings given the number of touches he is likely to get against an anemic Colts defense and would be even more elite if Cobb is unable to go.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky on espn.com Other tagged players: Ty Montgomery
Tevin Coleman and Jacob Tamme officially inactive, as expected
No surprises here, both players were ruled out earlier in the week. Devonta Freeman will take on the workhorse role once again. Austin Hooper will step up as the leading tight end. He caught all five of his targets for 41 yards last week, with most of his production coming after Tamme went down. He’s an interesting tournament flier; the game has a high total of 50.5 points, and he’s going up against a poor pass defense. Tampa Bay is allowing 8.2 receptions and 54.7 yards per game to opposing tight ends.
As reported by: Vaughn McClure Other tagged players: Jacob Tamme, Austin Hooper, Devonta Freeman
Russell Shepard OUT for Buccaneers, Peyton Barber will start at RB
Tampa Bay has announced that Barber will start over Antone Smith, but they’re still expected to use a committee with those two and Mike James. Shepard won’t play tonight, which is a boost to Mike Evans, Cameron Brate, and Adam Humphries. Shepard had a touchdown in consecutive games, so his absence should provide more red zone looks for Evans and Brate. Evans has a tougher matchup as Desmond Trufant is expected to shadow him. Meanwhile, Brate has a great spot as the Falcons ranks 18th in TE DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, and they’ve allowed the third most receptions to the position (8.6 per game).
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Russell Shepard, Mike Evans, Cameron Brate, Adam Humphries James Starks not expected to play Sunday
Despite returning to practice, James Starks is “unlikely” to play this weekend, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This would leave running back duties to Ty Montgomery, if he can play. The whole Green Bay situation is up in the air, and it’s something that needs to be monitored closely until lock on Sunday.
As reported by: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Update: Carlos Hyde dealing with sprained AC joint
We now have more details surrounding Hyde’s injury; he’s been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint. Despite having a bye in Week 8, he may not be ready to play Sunday. Hyde himself doesn’t know if he’ll be able to suit up, and neither does Chip Kelly. Stay away from the 49ers backfield if you’re playing slates that lock tonight.
As reported by: Ed Branch Update: Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams both have limited practices Thursday
Both receiver missed the early session today, but were limited participants in the afternoon. Benjamin is dealing with a PCL sprain, and he’s a risk to roster if he plays this weekend. Williams is in better shape and should continue to pick up targets from Benjamin. If Hunter Henry ends up missing the game, Williams will should see another small bump to his volume.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken Other tagged players: Tyrell Williams Sammie Coates is "back in form"
Beat writer Ed Bouchette is reporting Coates’ hand is fine and that he’ll only wear a glove this weekend. As we reported earlier, Big Ben is expected to return, which is good for their whole offense. Coates will be back on the tournament radar with Roethlisberger in the lineup as they love connecting on big plays. Coates is second in the league with 21.3 yards per reception.
As reported by: Ed Bouchette Austin Seferian-Jenkins has another full practice Thursday
ASJ is on track to play this weekend against the Dolphins. He’s only played one game with the Jets so far. Against the Steelers, he had two receptions for 17 yards. The Jets haven’t really utilized tight ends in their offense over the past two seasons, but they likely brought Seferian-Jenkins in to help with their thinned out receiving corps. Regardless, he won’t really have fantasy value until proven otherwise.
As reported by: Armando Salguero Update: Steve Smith ends up having a limited practice Thursday
Earlier reports indicated Smith wasn’t going to practice today, but he ended up participating in a limited fashion. He’s considered questionable for this weekend against the Steelers. If he can’t go, Kamar Aiken would start. Aiken has averaged 3.5 receptions and 59.5 yards per game during Smith’s absence. Meanwhile, Mike Wallace has averaged 11 targets over the same span. When Smith plays, that number drops to 7.6. It would seem Wallace benefits the most when Smith sits, because he becomes the de facto number one receiver. If Smith is back in the lineup, Wallace will take a downgrade and Aiken won’t have much value at all.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Mike Wallace, Kamar Aiken Ben Roethlisberger "on track to start" Sunday
All signs are pointing to Big Ben playing the Ravens this weekend. It will be a big bump to their other offensive weapons, Antonio Brown in particular. Brown had double-digit targets in all but two games with Roethlisberger at quarterback this season. However, Ben has struggled when playing in Baltimore the past two seasons, averaging 218.5 yards, 0.0 touchdowns, and 1.5 interceptions over two games. Vegas is expecting a low scoring affair; the game total is currently just 43 points.
As reported by: Ed Bouchette Other tagged players: Antonio Brown Jonathan Stewart doesn't practice Thursday
It appears it was a rest day for Stewart, so his Week 9 status isn’t in doubt. Carolina visits the Rams this weekend, which will be a tough matchup for him. Los Angeles ranks 8th in rush DVOA, and their defensive line ranks 5th in adjusted line yards per carry (3.16), according to Football Outsiders.
As reported by: Steve Reed Jeremy Maclin doesn't practice Thursday
Maclin (groin) was a new addition to the Chief’s injury report today, meaning he was injured yesterday in practice. His ability to practice tomorrow will go a long way in determining his status for Week 9. Maclin will have Nick Foles throwing to him this weekend instead of Alex Smith, which may be a good thing for his fantasy value. This past weekend, Foles threw Maclin his first touchdown since Week 1. If he can suit up, Maclin will take on the Jaguars Sunday. Surprisingly, Jacksonville has allowed the fewest yards per game to opposing WR1s in the NFL (48.4).
As reported by: Terez A. Paylor Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery both practice Thursday
Green Bay is one of the most important teams to follow this week. In addition to Cobb and Montgomery, both James Starks and Jared Cook returned to practice Thursday, and all four players are considered questionable. On the other side of their matchup, Vontae Davis returned to practice for the Colts. Although he remains in the concussion protocol, there’s a chance he suits up Sunday. If he does, he’ll shadow Jordy Nelson. Davante Adams will be impacted a lot by which Green Bay players can go, and whether Jordy will draw a tough matchup with Davis. We’ll continue to get a clearer picture as the week progresses into the weekend, which makes it a tough situation to target for Thursday-lock lineups.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky Other tagged players: Ty Montgomery, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers Delanie Walker has limited practice Thursday
Walker experience some groin tightness today, which kept him limited. We’re still expecting him to play this weekend, but it will depend on how he looks at tomorrow’s practice. Walker has averaged 4.0 receptions, 57.9 yards, and 0.43 touchdowns per game this season. With DeMarco Murray a bit banged up, Walker get see a small bump to his volume. Assuming he can play on Sunday, he’ll face a Chargers’ defense that ranks 21st in TE DVOA.
As reported by: Terry McCormick Chargers receivers missing practice
A trio of San Diego skill players missed practice today as Hunter Henry, Travis Benjamin, and Tyrell Williams all sat out as the team prepared for their game with the Titans this weekend. Williams looks like the only one who has a shot to play although this is his second day of practice in a row that he is missed so there is some concern. Antonio Gates, Dontrelle Inman, and Melvin Gordon could be in line for a significant number of targets, but they aren’t in a particularly good spot against a respectable Titans defense. With that said, Tennessee has struggled more against the pass this year and they’ve had some issues in the secondary, so the volume puts those three in play.
As reported by: Tom Krasovic on Twitter Other tagged players: Tyrell Williams, Hunter Henry