DFS Alerts
Steve Smith misses practice again
The veteran Ravens WR missed another practice. He continues to remain doubtful for the their game this week against the Redskins. Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, and Kamar Aiken should all see more looks if Smith can’t go.
As reported by: Jamison Hensley on Twitter
Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart both practicing for Panthers today
As expected, the starting QB and RB of the Panthers are practicing today – a positive sign that they are good to go for their great match up with the New Orleans Saints. Newton is one of the top QB options and Stewart could be a somewhat sneaky option at RB given the high over/under of the game and potential inside the red zone opportunities.
As reported by: Joe Person on Twitter Other tagged players: Jonathan Stewart Patrick Peterson expected to shadow Brandon Marshall Monday night
Peterson ranks 6th among all corners by Pro Football Focus, so Marshall will have a tough challenge when the Jets visit the Cardinals. Overall, the Cardinals rank in the top six in all major statistical categories against the pass (and in pass DVOA). At home, they haven’t allowed a receiver more than seven receptions or 82 yards. Either way, the Jets are going to target Marshall all night. In the two games Decker missed, Marshall averaged 13.5 targets, 101.5 yards, and a touchdown (he’s had one in each game). Last season, Decker caught 12 touchdown passes and was Fitzpatrick’s favorite red zone receiver — ten of his touchdowns were from inside the 20-yard line and he was second in the league in red zone targets (28). Against the Cardinals, Marshall will be the guy Fitzpatrick looks to when they’re in striking distance. The issue will be whether the Jets can get their offense down the field to provide Marshall his touchdown opportunities. New York’s offense has really struggled the past three weeks, failing to top 17 points in any game. Based on the matchup, Marshall will get a big downgrade from last week. However, he will still be a target monster and is always a multi-td threat with Decker out, keeping his ceiling high. He’s an interesting contrarian GPP option as Peterson and the Cardnials will scare people away.
James Starks misses practice Wednesday, Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy both limited
Earlier reports indicated both Cobb and Lacy would miss practice, but they ended up being listed as limited on the Packers injury report as they did some individual work. We noted yesterday that coach Mike McCarthy said he thought Randall Cobb was “fine.” Cobb did pass concussion protocol after taking an awkward hit to the head and neck, which was a positive sign. There is a good chance this is simply rest for Cobb to deal with some soreness. Lacy hurt his ankle against the Giants on Sunday night and he’s questionable to play this week. His backup, James Starks, missed practice entirely with a knee injury. We’ll know more about the situation in Green Bay when they practice tomorrow.
As reported by: Wes Hodkiewicz Other tagged players: Eddie Lacy, James Starks Charcandrick West returned to full practice Wednesday
It looks like the Chiefs will have their top three running backs fully healthy for the first time all season. West missed their Week 4 game against the Steelers due to an ankle injury, which forced Jamaal Charles into the lineup. Charles got just two touches in his season debut, but said he’s back to 100% for their Week 6 matchup with the Raiders. We’re expecting some type of time share between Charles and Spencer Ware. Ware had been carving out more and more snaps over West prior to West’s ankle injury. It doesn’t seem like Charcandrick will have a significant role going forward unless Charles or Ware get injured.
As reported by: BJ Kissel Other tagged players: Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware Ladarius Green plans to play in Week 7
As if the Steelers didn’t have enough weapons on offense already, Green plans to get back on the field against the Patriots in Week 7. Pittsburgh signed Green in the offseason to replace the now-retired Heath Miller. Last year he was the Chargers’ second tight end behind Antonio Gates. In the five games Gates missed, Green had 20 receptions for 246 yards and three touchdowns. He’s been on the PUP list since the start of training camp with an ankle injury, although some reports have come out stating he’s been in the concussion protocol as well (the Steelers have denied this). When he’s healthy, he will a viable fantasy option in a dynamic offense.
As reported by: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Richard Sherman expected to shadow Julio Jones in Week 6
Seahawks beat Sheil Kapadia expects Richard Sherman to follow Julio Jones around the field on Sunday. Sherman has shadowed the likes of Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant and Brandon Marshall dating back to last season and without a clear-cut compliment to Jones that provides a real threat, the Seahawks will clearly make it a point to try to slow him down. The Atlanta running game will also be a key point of emphasis given that the Falcons have been able to pull out wins even in games that Julio has struggled. This will be one of Jones’ toughest tests of the season, so he’s not a viable cash game play, but he’s going to have legitimate GPP upside any given week.
As reported by: Sheil Kapadia
Gronk, Edelman, and Bennett all limited in practice Wednesday
It doesn’t seem like any of the three are in danger of missing their upcoming game with the Bengals. Now that Tom Brady is back, they’re all excellent options each week. Chris Hogan is also going to be an intriguing GPP play every weekend. The primary concern is that Brady and Belichick may have a different favorite target each game, making it difficult to choose among the Patriots’ skill players. For example, Martellus Bennett scored three touchdowns last weekend. Over the course of the season, Edelman and Gronk should lead the team in most receiving stats, making them the most reliable options of the bunch. In terms of their next game, Football Outsiders ranks Cincinnati 3rd in DVOA against WR1s, which could hurt Edelman’s line. They’re just 16th in the stat against tight ends though, so we could be in for a monster Gronk week.
As reported by: Ben Volin Other tagged players: Julian Edelman, Martellus Bennett Jonathan Stewart has a limited practice Wednesday
Stewart has missed the Panthers past three games, but appears set to make his return against the Saints on Sunday. If he’s able to log practices (even in a limited capacity) over the next two days, he’ll almost surely suit up in what sets up as one of the best match-ups of the weekend. The Saints haven’t been as bad in the run defense category as they were last season, but it was honestly tough for them to get any worse. Still, this game is one of the most enticing to target from a DFS perspective, and if you aren’t all-in on the Panthers passing game, you’ll want some exposure to Stewart in GPPs given that his price has dropped. If he’s active on Sunday, Cameron Artis-Payne wouldn’t be viable.
As reported by: Joe Person Other tagged players: Cameron Artis-Payne Latavius Murray misses practice Wednesday
On Monday coach Jack Del Rio said he was hopeful Latavius could suit up against the Chiefs this weekend, but this isn’t a good sign. Latavius is dealing with turf toe, an injury that tends to linger for at least a couple of weeks. If Murray sits out again, the Raiders will rely on DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard in the backfield. They combined for 28 touches last week, each getting exactly 14. It seems like a true split among the two, with the Raiders favoring the hot hand at any given moment. Choosing one of these backs is risky as it’s going to be difficult to predict which one will do better, or if either will get enough volume. Plus, Oakland likes to use Jamize Olawale at the goal line, who vultured a touchdown in Week 5. It’s not a great situation for fantasy players to target unless we get information from the Raiders’ camp indicating they’ve chosen a favorite among the two.
As reported by: Paul Gutierrez Other tagged players: DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard Eric Ebron misses practice Wednesday
Ebron is considered questionable to play the Rams this weekend after missing Detroit’s Week 5 game against the Eagles. In his absence Stafford distributed the ball pretty evenly to Marvin Jones, Anquan Boldin, Golden Tate, and Theo Riddick, completely ignoring Ebron’s backup Cole Wick. If Ebron can’t play, his normal target share will still be distributed to the same players as last week, Wick is not a fantasy option.
As reported by: Tim Twentyman Theo Riddick misses practice Wednesday
Riddick’s ankle issue doesn’t seem to be anything major, and he’s still expected to suit up against the Rams. Dwayne Washington also missed practice, but he’s also currently on the right side of the questionable tag. With Justin Forsett joining the fold, it’ll be a crowded backfield when everyone is healthy, but almost all of the Detroit backs have dealt with ailments already this year. Assuming both Riddick and Washington suit up, this is probably a situation to avoid in terms of DFS.
As reported by: Tim Twentyman CB Troy Hill expected to start in place of Trumaine Johnson
This is a big upgrade to Detroit receivers, specifically Marvin Jones. Trumaine Johnson is an excellent cornerback while Troy Hill ranks as the third-worst CB this year by Pro Football Focus. If Hill fills the same role as Johnson, in terms of positioning, Jones will lineup opposite him on roughly half of his snaps. Stafford and the Lions are likely to pick on Hill as the other corners, Lamarcus Joyner and E.J. Gaines, have both played very well.
As reported by: LA Times Other tagged players: Marvin Jones Will Fuller has limited practice Wednesday
Fuller is dealing a minor hamstring injury. He should be all set to play this weekend in a very appealing matchup. Houston plays a very bad Indianapolis defense Sunday that’s allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (301). The Colts were able to limit the Bears’ number one receiver, Alshon Jeffery, to five receptions and 77 yards, but let their other outside receiver, Cameron Meredith, go off for a 9/130/1 line. If they follow a similar game plan, attempting to shut down the number one option first, Fuller could see a higher number of targets than DeAndre Hopkins. In the two games this season that Fuller had more looks than Hopkins he’s scored a touchdown and had at least 80 yards receiving. It will be a good bounce-back spot for the Texans’ offense that couldn’t get anything going against Minnesota in Week 5.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: DeAndre Hopkins Austin Seferian-Jenkins misses practice Wednesday
He has an apparent ankle injury, the details of which were not immediately clear. He had two receptions for 17 yards against the Steelers in Week 5, his first game with the Jets. New York normally avoids utilizing the tight end, but with Eric Decker out for the season, this could change. ASF is a legitimate receiving option, which is why they signed him, so it would make sense for the Jets to start targeting him. However, it’s still a wait-and-see approach with ASF. The Jets visit the Cardinals on Monday, a team that ranks fifth in pass DVOA, per Football Outsiders.
As reported by: Connor Hughes