DFS Alerts
Julio Jones (knee) will play Thursday
Jones had his knee examined Monday. Fortunately, it checked out fine, and he’ll be all set to play the Buccaneers on Thursday. Jones has had a roller coaster 2016 season. After posting back to back games with at least seven receptions and 139 yards, he had a 3/29/0 line against the Packers in Week 8. He’ll be in a nice bounce back spot against Tampa. Jones will line up across from cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, who got worked by Amari Cooper yesterday. Cooper had a monster 12-reception game against Hargreaves and the Bucs, piling up 173 yards and a touchdown.
As reported by: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Tevin Coleman misses practice Monday
Coleman isn’t expected to play Thursday night against Tampa Bay. Devonta Freeman will once again be the workhorse back. Tampa Bay allows 115.3 rushing yards, 1.0 rushing touchdowns, and 46.7 receiving yards to opposing running backs. The game has a high total of 51.5 points, and the Falcons are 3.5-point favorites. It should be a nice spot for Freeman.
As reported by: D. Orlando Ledbetter Other tagged players: Devonta Freeman Jacob Tamme out for Week 9
Tamme injured his shoulder against the Packers, which forced him to leave the game. Atlanta has a short week as they’re playing Tampa Bay on Thursday night, and it won’t be enough time for Tamme to heal. Austin Hooper will be the primary receiving tight end. He caught five balls for 41 yards against the Packers. Tampa Bay has a weak pass defense, and they’re allowing 7.5 receptions and 51.4 yards per game to opposing tight ends.
As reported by: D. Orlando Ledbetter Other tagged players: Austin Hooper Bills hopeful LeSean McCoy practices Thursday
McCoy didn’t play the Patriots in Week 8, and there’s a good chance he misses Buffalo’s matchup with Seattle. Buffalo has a bye in Week 10, so he’d have an extra week of rest if he sat out their next game. Coach Rex Ryan said McCoy was “progressing” and that he’s hopefully going to practice Thursday. Mike Gillislee will get the start against the Seahawks if McCoy can’t play. He picked up 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against the Patriots.
As reported by: Buffalo Bills Other tagged players: Mike Gillislee Vontae Davis is in concussion protocol
Davis suffered a concussion while playing the Chiefs Sunday. Even with Davis, who has been excellent this season, the Colts have had a terrible defense. Football Outsiders ranks them 29th in pass DVOA and dead last in rush DVOA. If Davis can’t play, both Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers would benefit substantially.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Aaron Rodgers Travis Benjamin dealing with PCL sprain, getting second opinion
Benjamin has been dealing with the PCL issue for a couple weeks now. It hasn’t progressed the way he’d like, so he’ll be getting a second opinion on the injury. Benjamin hasn’t had more than four receptions over the past three games. If he can’t play in Week 9, Tyrell Williams will be the Chargers’ number one receiver against the Titans.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Tyrell Williams Ty Montgomery's illness related to sickle cell trait
Montgomery is still hopeful he can play in Week 9. Green Bay must feel good about his chances to suit up as they released Knile Davis Monday. Since becoming the de facto starting running back for the Packers, he’s piled up 230 all-purpose yards on 32 touches. If he can play he’ll this week, he’ll get an excellent matchup with the Colts.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky Knile Davis released by Packers
Even though the Packers have a serious lack of depth at running back they felt it best to part ways with Davis. Since joining Green Bay, he’s accumulated nine total yards on seven touches. His release could mean James Starks is almost ready to play again.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: James Starks Devontae Booker considered day-to-day
Booker injured his shoulder against the Chargers Sunday, which forced him to exit the game. He managed to get back on the field, and ended with a solid fantasy day. However, he was sore today and will undergo some tests. He should be fine to play the Raiders Sunday night though. We’ll know more Wednesday.
As reported by: Mike Klis J.J. Nelson will start for Cardinals going forward
Nelson has taken advantage of his extra playing time the past two weeks, exceeding 75 yards in both games. He had a monster game in Week 8 against the Panthers. Nelson turned 12 targets into eight receptions, 79 yards, and two touchdowns. Coach Bruce Arians told reporters today that he has officially replaced Michael Floyd in three-wide sets. It’s worth keeping an eye on his price across the industry after their Week 9 bye; if it remains low, he’ll be an excellent (and chalky) value play against the 49ers in Week 10.
As reported by: Mike Jurecki Other tagged players: Michael Floyd Jacquizz Rodgers not expected to play Thursday
He was spotted in a walking boot today, and isn’t going to suit up Thursday night against the Falcons. In his place, Tampa will likely start Atone Smith, but he’ll probably be in a committee with Peyton Barber, and to a lesser extent, Mike James. Smith has 72 total yards on eight touches this season. He’s only had 35 carries in his entire seven-year career, so he can’t be depended on to produce a lot of fantasy points. Look for Jameis Winston to throw a ton against a Falcons’ defense that struggles against the pass. Winston, Mike Evans, Cameron Brate, and Adam Humphries benefit the most from Rodgers’ injury.
As reported by: Greg Auman Other tagged players: Mike Evans, Antone Smith, Peyton Barber, Adam Humphries, Cameron Brate, Jameis Winston DeMarco Murray's MRI considered "good for the most part"
Murray exited their game with the Jaguars after injuring his toe, but got back on the field. Afterwards, his MRI came back negative. Coach Mike Mularkey added that the results were “good for the most part.” They’re going to limit his reps in practice this week, but he’s expected to play the Chargers in Week 9. If he suffers a setback and can’t go, Derrick Henry would become an excellent play.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Derrick Henry Cody Kessler cleared from concussion protocol
Coach Hue Jackson refused to say whether he or McCown would start in Week 9 against the Cowboys. It would seem Kessler is more likely to get the nod. McCown started Week 8’s game well with an opening drive touchdown, but he collapsed in the second half. At the break, he had a 99.0 passer rating, but was 9-for-22 in the second half, threw two interceptions, and had a passer rating of 34.8. Kessler, on the other hand, has posted a 94.4 rating this season, and he’s received praise from Hue Jackson. Given the Browns are 0-8, it would make sense for Jackson to give Kessler the rest of the season so he can get as many game reps as possible. After all, he’s their future, not McCown.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Josh McCown Ben Roethlisberger returns to practice; could play this week
Things look up for the Steelers offense as their starting QB practiced today. He’s in line to play this Sunday against the Ravens and is an obvious boost to the value of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. We’ll keep an eye on Big Ben’s status and update you as the week progresses.
As reported by: Dale Lolley on Twitter
Corey Coleman to start catching balls; should play this week
The Browns star rookie WR has been cleared to catch balls and should be able to play this week against the Cowboys. Terrelle Pryor’s looks should drop a bit but him, Coleman, and Barnidge are the clear threats in the Browns passing game and are all viable DFS options in the right match ups. That might not be this week, however, as they face a slow paced Cowboys defense at home. That said, the game script could lead to the Browns throwing often so there is merit into a few McCown Browns receivers game stacks.
As reported by: Scott Petrak on Twitter