DFS Alerts
Julio Jones limited in practice Wednesday
He was listed on the injury report for issues with his knee and shin. This is new as he had been dealing with injuries to his calf and ankle earlier in the season. Jones is still expected to play against the Seahawks this weekend. Seattle’s secondary has been as good as ever this year, allowing the fewest passing yards of any team (735) and just one touchdown through the air (also best in the NFL). In terms of DVOA, Seattle’s pass defense ranks first, according to Football Outsiders. On the other side of the ball, Atlanta’s pass offense ranks second. The Falcons’ have put up the most passing yards (1,667) and second most touchdowns (12). Vegas favors Seattle in this one. They’re currently 6.5-point favorites and Atlanta’s implied team total is just 19.5 points.
As reported by: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Sammie Coates misses Wednesday's practice; Eli Rogers practices in full
Coates is dealing with a hand laceration, and his practice status over the next two days will go a long way in determining his availability for Sunday’s game with the Dolphins. He’s coming off of a monster 6-139-2 (11 targets) game against the Jets and actually has more targets (19) than Antonio Brown (16) over the last two weeks, so his absence would create added opportunity for Eli Rogers and Markus Wheaton. Coates apparently is still sporting a soft cast, so he’ll need to shed that over the next few days. As for Rogers, he returned to practice in full this afternoon and is expected to suit up on Sunday – his absence has afforded more looks to Coates, so those hoping for a duplicate performance from the Steelers deep threat may want to temper expectations.
As reported by: Dale Lolley Other tagged players: Eli Rogers
A.J. Green misses practice Wednesday
The Bengals are likely just being cautious with their star receiver, so this isn’t a big cause for concern. If he ends up sitting out of practice again tomorrow, it’ll be a situation to closely monitor as we get closer to Sunday. Green has seen at least eight targets in each game this season and is far and away the Bengals best outlet to move the ball, so he’ll remain on the GPP radar even in a relatively tough match-up with the Patriots. We’ll update Green’s practice status again tomorrow.
As reported by: Kevin Duffy Brandon Flowers ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos
He hasn’t been able to play since suffering a concussion in Week 3. San Diego got worked by Amari Cooper last week, he posted a 6/138/1 line. Emmanuel Sanders appears to be Siemian’s favorite receiver as he has 50% more targets than Thomas. Sanders is second in the league in red zone targets with ten, doubling Thomas’ total of five. However, Thomas has the same number of touchdowns (three), more yards (381 to 373), and has twice as many 20-yard plays (four to two). The Chargers looked vulnerable to big plays, Cooper alone had three catches go for over 20 yards in Week 5, including a 64-yard touchdown. This bodes well for Thomas as the Broncos use him further down the field. He’s also on a bit of a hot streak, scoring a touchdown in three straight games.
As reported by: Pro Football Talk Other tagged players: Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas Gary Barnidge (forearm/hip) limited in practice Wednesday
He hadn’t been on the injury report previously so this a new issue. The details weren’t immediately available, but it doesn’t seem like anything too serious. Barnidge has had at least five receptions and 50 yards for three straight weeks. Surprisingly, he hasn’t had a single red zone target yet this year, but it’s only a matter of time before he scores as the Browns don’t have many other options. Of course, the Browns need to make it to the red zone to begin with. They’ve run just 26 plays inside the 20-yard line this season, the second fewest in the NFL. The Titans have a pretty solid pass defense, allowing only four touchdowns through five games. Football Outsiders ranks them 8th in pass DVOA. With all of the great options at tight end this week, it isn’t the best time to target Barnidge, even if he’s healthy.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich Jordan Reed being evaluated for a concussion
Reed missed practice Wednesday after experiencing concussion-like symtpons on Tuesday. He has a history of concussions dating back to his college years. As of now, there is a decent chance he misses their upcoming game against the Eagles. Vernon Davis would become the primary receiving tight end if Reed can’t go. Davis has only had two games with more than one reception this season; in Week 2 he caught five passes for 51 yards and last week he had three catches for 15 yards.
As reported by: Brian McNally Virgil Green not on injury report for Broncos today
He was close to playing last week and after not being listed on the team injury report, Green should return to action for the first time in over a month when the Broncos take on the Chargers this Thursday night. The Chargers rank 21st in TE DVOA but Green is probably best avoided in most DFS contests with the exception of perhaps some Monday-Thursday lineups.
As reported by: Mike Klis on Twitter
Cam Newton returns to practice
As expected, the reigning league MVP has returned to practice and is expected to play this weekend against the Saints. It’s a great match up against a team that is 26th in DVOA and 26th in pass DVOA. Newton makes for one of the top QB plays of the week even at one of the highest prices at his position. If anything changes regarding his status, we’ll let you know.
As reported by: David Newton on Twitter Jamaal Charles will never be this cheap again
Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles made a token appearance in the teams last game against the Steelers but says now that the training wheels have come off and that he’s just as fast as he was before. There is plenty to like about Charles this week as his price tag is the lowest it’s ever been at just $7,100 on FanDuel and $5,100 on DraftKings facing a Raiders defense that is bottom five in pass DVOA and 21st in RB Rush DVOA. He’s too talented a player, and has as much upside as anyone, to ignore at this price and even with Spencer Ware dipping into his touches is worth a look in GPP’s.
As reported by: BJ Kissel on Twitter Jordan Cameron continues to remain out due to concussion
The Dolphins TE did not practice today and appears extremely unlikely to play this week against the Steelers. Dion Sims will continue to work as the main TE passing threat for the team but is not a viable DFS option going against a Pittsburgh team that is 6th in TE DVOA.
As reported by: Adam Beasley on Twitter Other tagged players: Dion Sims Jeremy Hill practices for Bengals today
Hill practiced today as he continues to battle a shoulder/pec injury. He’s not a viable DFS option as he’s too reliant on TDs for his production and it’s a tough match up against a Patriots team that is top 10 in RB Rush DVOA. Giovani Bernard has some value, especially given the probable game flow and Hill’s limitations due to the injury.
As reported by: Katherine Terrell on Twitter Other tagged players: Giovani Bernard Tyler Eifert not practicing still
It doesn’t seem as if the Bengals TE is ever going to take the field for a game as he continues to miss practice. His status is again in doubt for the Bengals game against New England. It’s a relatively good match up for whatever TE takes the field for the Bengals as the Patriots are 25th in TE DVOA and 27th in Pass DVOA. If Eifert can’t go, look for C.J. Uzomah to get the bulk of the TE passing down work.
As reported by: Paul Dehner on Twitter Other tagged players: C.J. Uzomah Eddie Lacy will not practice; will work on rehabbing injured ankle
Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stated this morning that his starting RB would be going through the rehab program today and that they would evaluate further later today. He’s considered questionable for this weeks game against the Cowboys. James Starks would get the start if he can’t go and would be a viable DFS option despite not performing well this season given the likely workload he would get. We’ll keep you updated on Lacy’s status throughout the remainder of the week.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky on Twitter Other tagged players: James Starks Arian Foster expected to play this week against Steelers
The Dolphins RB was limited in practice last week but is expected to ramp up his participation this week in anticipation of playing this Sunday against Pittsburgh. He’s not a viable DFS option coming off an injury and facing a Steelers defense that is more vulnerable to the pass than they are the run. It also hurts any value (if he had any) that Jay Ajayi has. It’s a situation to avoid for at least this week but if Foster can return to the form he showed before getting hurt he could have some viability down the road.
As reported by: Armando Salguero on Twitter Other tagged players: Jay Ajayi Sammie Coates has sizeable cast on his hand; status uncertain for this week
Coates is limited in practice thus far this week with a sizeable cast on his hand after suffering a cut to his left hand. He’s considered day-to-day and his status for this week is uncertain. If he can’t go, Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey could see an increased role going against a bad Dolphins defense. We’ll keep you updated on Coates status throughout the week as his presence is a difference maker for the Steelers passing attack.
As reported by: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter Other tagged players: Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey