DFS Alerts
Tyler Eifert unlikely to play this week
Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis stated that despite the recently suffered injury by his start TE being “nothing serious” that it was unlikely he would play this weekend against the Cowboys. C.J. Uzomah makes for an intriguing GPP option at TE going against a Cowboys team that is 31st in TE DVOA.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Other tagged players: C.J. Uzomah
Stefon Diggs does not practice again; appears unlikely to play Sunday
The talented Vikings WR has not practice all week and local media is speculating that he will likely not play due Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s reluctance to utilize players that did not practice. If he is unable to go, Kyle Rudolph should see an even bigger increase in usage with WR’s Cordarelle Patterson, Charles Johnson, and Adam Thielen all having to step up. It’s hard to predict which will emerge though and it’s shaping up as a Jerick McKinnon type of game so it’s a situation probably best avoided (especially since Rudolph is going up against the #1 team in TE DVOA in the Texans). We’ll update you on Diggs when more info becomes available.
As reported by: Matt Vensel on Twitter Other tagged players: Kyle Rudolph LeSean McCoy listed as questionable with hand injury suffered in practice
The Bills workhorse RB suffered a hand injury in practice and the team has listed him as questionable for this weeks game against the Rams. Head Coach Rex Ryan was non-committal when asked if McCoy would play this weekend. Regardless of whether he goes it’s a tough match up against the Rams who are 7th in Defensive DVOA. Mike Gillislee and Reggie Bush would get the RB work if McCoy can’t go but neither are viable DFS options. We’ll update you if we learn anything new on Shady.
As reported by: Mike Rodak on Twitter Other tagged players: Mike Gillislee, Reggie Bush Eric Decker does not practice again; Quincy Enunwa in line for big game
Jets Head Coach Todd Bowles stated that he would have to see Decker practice this week in order to feel comfortable playing him, something the veteran Jets WR was unable to accomplish this week as he missed practice again today. Quincy Enunwa is in line for a big game lining up against Steelers CB Sean Davis out of the slot. Pro Football Focus has it rated as the fourth best match up of the week as Davis is their worst graded CB currently.
As reported by: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter Other tagged players: Quincy Enunwa Crowell and West attractive pivots off of the two chalk RB plays this week on DraftKings
Everyone and their brother (and mother, and sister, and cousin) is going to be all over Jerick McKinnon and DeAndre Washington this week in DFS and rightfully so as the two have great prices, high expected usage, and great match ups. McKinnon is $4000 on DraftKings, playing as a solid (-6) home favorite, and facing a team in the Texans that is 30th in RB (Rush) DVOA. Washington (assuming Latavius Murray doesn’t play) is just $3400, playing at home as a -3.5 favorite, and facing a Chargers team that is 21st in RB (Rush) DVOA. Both are expected to be highly owned by RotoGrinders.com’s Chris Gimino as he sees McKinnon at 24% and Washington at 32%. That high of ownership means there is merit into having reduced ownership or fading the two. Two RB’s who are attractive pivot options and reasonably priced at under $5000 on DraftKings are Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. West has the better match up on paper of the two as a -3.5 home favorite against a Redskins team that is dead last in RB (Rush) DVOA but Gimino also projects him to be somewhat highly owned at 9.5%. The worst match up by far of the four goes to Crowell as he plays for a Browns team that is a huge (-10.5) home underdog to the Patriots (who are a middle of the pack 18th in RB (Rush) DVOA). However, Crowell has proven to be somewhat matchup proof thus far this season having garnered at least 14 touches in each of the teams first four games while getting at least 15 DK fpts in three of those four games. He’s a much higher risk option than the other three obviously but at a projected 3.5% ownership, the potential reward at his price point is intriguing.
Other tagged players: Isaiah Crowell, Jerick McKinnon, DeAndre Washington Jonathan Stewart continues to not practice; unlikely to play this week
While getting closer to a return to action, the fact that Stewart hasn’t practiced yet this week makes it unlikely that he will play on Monday night against Tampa Bay. Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker will continue to split the workload at the RB position for the Panthers. Tampa is a tough run defense (7th in RB Rush DVOA) so Artis-Payne is an unattractive option. Whittaker does have some appeal on PPR sites but there are better options out there near his price point.
As reported by: Joe Person on Twitter Other tagged players: Cameron Artis-Payne, Fozzy Whittaker Cam Newton does not practice
Adding to our previous report – the Panthers QB did not practice today making it even more likely that he will not play Monday. If anything changes we’ll update you as soon as we hear of it.
As reported by: David Newton on Twitter Cam Newton expected to miss this weeks game
Local media out of Charlotte is reporting that Cam Newton is expected to miss this weeks Monday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Derek Anderson will get the start and looked promising in mop up time last week against Atlanta. Anderson is definitely in play as a GPP option going against a Bucs team that is 27th in DVOA against the pass. He loved looking Greg Olsen’s way last week as well so pairing the two together makes for a strong stack.
As reported by: Will Brinson on Twitter Other tagged players: Derek Anderson, Greg Olsen Carson Palmer, Darren Fells officially inactive
No surprises here. Drew Stanton will start for Carson Palmer, but should be avoided in Thursday leagues. The Arizona receivers also get a big bump down with Stanton under center as opposed to Palmer. Jermaine Gresham should eat up more time at the TE spot with Fells inactive.
As reported by: @AZCardinals Other tagged players: Darren Fells, Drew Stanton, Jermaine Gresham
Vance McDonald, Glenn Dorsey, Jimmie Ward, DeForest Buckner all inactive Thursday
With McDonald inactive, Garrett Celek will draw the start at TE, but isn’t a recommended option outside of prime-time slates. With the 49ers missing a few defensive lineman, this situation sets up very nicely for David Johnson.
As reported by: @49ers Vance McDonald unlikely to play Thursday night
McDonald was seen warming up with the 49ers typical inactives, which seems to suggest that he’s going to sit this one out. Garrett Celek would draw the start at TE, and while he’d be a decent bet for 5-6 targets, Blaine Gabbert’s shortcomings make all of the 49ers pass-catchers tough to target. If you are playing in TNF contests, avoid this game if possible. David Johnson is the one option here that stands out.
As reported by: Matt Barrows Other tagged players: Garrett Celek Dez Bryant unlikely to play Sunday
This has been the sentiment most of the week, but the Cowboys haven’t been divulging much information. Brice Butler figures to start on the outside yet again, with Jason Witten, Cole Beasley and Terrence Williams also likely to see an uptick in targets. Butler is the most intriguing play as far as the WRs go, as he saw nine targets last week and was also utilized a few times in the red-zone. Jason Witten saw an increased target total as well, but his looks have been all over the map since a huge effort in Week 1. Witten is still third among TEs in percentage of workload, so there is GPP appeal.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Brice Butler, Jason Witten Matt Forte practices fully Thursday
He’s fully expected to play this weekend against the Steelers despite taking it easy in practice earlier in the week. He had an X-ray on an injured rib after Week 4, but it doesn’t appear to be anything that will limit him in games. Forte has seen fewer than 20 touches in each of the past two games after blowing that total out of the water in the first two weeks, but he should normalize somewhere in the middle against Pittsburgh.
As reported by: ESPN Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers misses another practice
He missed last week’s matchup with the Chargers after suffering a concussion Week 3. With Jason Verrett done for the season, the Chargers are looking very weak in the secondary. Fortunately for San Diego, Casey Hayward is the highest graded corner this season, scoring an 88.4 by PFF. Heyward essentially splits time between the left and right sides. Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree move around between the right, left and slot, although they spend over 50% of their snaps on the left and right side respectively. Cooper and Crabtree should take turns in plus matchups with Chargers backups throughout the game and both should be able to eat. So far Crabtree has four touchdowns to Cooper’s zero (surprisingly, Seth Roberts has three touchdowns on the season and leads the team in red zone targets) and he seems to be Carr’s favorite receiver. In addition to touchdowns, Crabtree leads the team in targets and receptions. Derek Carr should have a field day no matter who he throws to.
As reported by: Eric Williams Other tagged players: Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts, Amari Cooper
Ka'Deem Carey has another limited practice Thursday
Carey didn’t play last week when Jordan Howard went off for 132 yards on 26 touches. Although he’s on track to play Sunday, Howard will be Chicago’s lead back. Carey will be used to spell Howard on a few snaps, but don’t expect much more. With Kevin White on the IR, Alshon Jeffery less than 100%, and Eddie Royal questionable to play, Howard should get as much volume as he can handle. The Colts rank 26th in rushing DVOA and 30th against receiving running backs. It’s worth noting Detroit, their opponent last week, hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown all year while the Colts give up 1.25 per game. It should be another great matchup for Howard, who remains very affordable across the industry.
As reported by: Bob LeGere Other tagged players: Jordan Howard