DFS Alerts
Arian Foster returns to practice
This news comes as a mild surprise as many figured the Dolphins RB would not return until next week at the earliest. This doesn’t mean he’ll play this week of course but it’s a step towards that happening. Dolphins Head Coach Adam Gase has talked recently about moving away from the shared RB approach so keep an eye on Foster’s status the rest of this week to see if he’s playing.
As reported by: Joe Schad on Twitter
Tyler Eifert misses practice; status uncertain for this week
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert has been eyeing a return this week but missed practice today after noticeably limping yesterday. No word on his official status yet but these are definitely signs that he might not be playing this week. We’ll keep an eye on his status throughout the week and update you as we learn more.
As reported by: Katherine Terrell on Twitter Kevin White placed on injured reserve
Updating our previous report, Bears WR Kevin White has been placed on the injured reserve list. He’ll be eligible to return in eight weeks. For now, Eddie Royal and Cameron Meredith will see their roles increase and both are viable value DFS options this week.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Dez Bryant will not practice today
It remains to be seen whether or not the star Cowboys WR will play this week but he certainly appeared to be getting close at the end of last week as he traveled with the team. In a expected move, he will sit out today’s practice. If Bryant can’t go, Brice Butler will get another opportunity after impressing the DFS world last week. He’d be a viable DFS option if Bryant sits.
As reported by: Todd Archer on espn.com Cam Newton doesn't practice; Jonathan Stewart running on sidelines
Media has reported that the Panthers star QB was not present at the beginning of practice as he continues to go through the NFL concussion protocol. It’s hard to know whether he’ll be cleared to play in time for their game on Monday night against the Buccaneers. If he is unable to go, Derek Anderson would get the start and would have some appeal as a value option on those playing slates including the MNF game. In other practice news for the team, RB Jonathan Stewart was seen running on the sidelines – an indication he’s making progress towards returning to game action. We’ll keep you updated on both Newton and Stewart’s status as the week progresses.
As reported by: Joe Person on Twitter Other tagged players: Jonathan Stewart Ryan Mathews is healthy; will retain starting role
Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson stated the RB Ryan Mathews is healthy coming off of the team’s bye and will start at RB this week when they take on the Lions. Despite that proclamation, Mathews is likely going to share the workload with Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood and only Sproles in PPR formats is a viable DFS option at this time.
As reported by: Zach Berman on Twitter Other tagged players: Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood Kevin White expected to be out extended period of time with ankle injury
Sources have told the media that Bears WR Kevin White is expected to miss an extended period of time with the ankle injury he suffered this past weekend. Eddie Royal becomes a viable value option at WR going against the Colts this weekend. Cameron Meredith will also receive more run and as the most targeted WR after White’s injury Sunday has some sleeper appeal.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Other tagged players: Eddie Royal, Cameron Meredith Odell Beckham unhappy, but in a prime breakout spot on Sunday night
Beckham will be the ‘squeaky wheel’ against GB, and given that his performance has been basically the same as last year minus the TDs (24/307/2 in 2015, 22/303/0 in 2016), he’s due for a breakout. Beckham is still on pace for 156 targets and is eating up 25.7% of the team’s looks. GB has given up some big games to opposing #1 WRs this year, including monster stat lines by Stefon Diggs (9-182-1) and Marvin Jones (6-205-2). It’ll be very surprising to see the Giants best playmaker – and one of the league’s most dangerous weapons – struggle for much longer, so make sure to have some GPP exposure to Beckham in Week 5. His price has slowly started to drop across the DFS industry, but that downturn won’t continue for long.
Tyrann Mathieu expected to be back at nickel corner this week
Mathieu has been lobbying for more time in the slot, and with Tyvon Branch now injured, it looks very much like he’ll be back in that position for a majority of the Week 5 game with the 49ers. It’s not good news for Jeremy Kerley, who leads the 49ers in targets but will have a very tough test on Thursday night assuming he’s lined up against Mathieu. The 49ers offense is probably best left untouched for DFS purposes, although Kerley and Carlos Hyde are potential options for those playing in Mon-Thurs contests.
As reported by: Kent Somers Trevor Siemian believes he'll play against Falcons
Coach Gary Kubiak said the Broncos’ starting quarterback was day to day yesterday. Today Siemian said he’s healing well, although he’s still sore, and that he wants to play Sunday. It’s worth noting that Kubiak said he could play even if he doesn’t practice all week. Siemian came alive agaist the Bengals Week 4, tossing four touchdowns while racking up over 300 yards. The young quarterback hasn’t had a game with a completion rate under 65%, and he’s really beginning to click with his receivers — particularly Emmanuel Sanders, who has a very high 34% target share. Atlanta has a terrible defense, ranking 31st in passing DVOA. Depending on Siemian’s progress, C.J. Anderson may be the safest play on the Broncos; Atlanta ranks 29th in rushing DVOA and the Broncos are 5.5-point favorites at home.
As reported by: Pro Football Talk Other tagged players: C.J. Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders
Cordarrelle Patterson emerging as potential #2 WR in Minnesota
Patterson finally contributed as a receiver after being limited to special teams work for most of his time with the Vikings, despite being a first-round pick just a few years ago. He ran 24 routes to Charles Johnson’s 10, finishing with six targets, which he turned into five catches for 38 yards. Johnson finished with four targets (2-70-0) while Adam Thielen saw just marginally more time on the field than Patterson (2-21-0 on three targets). With Stefon Diggs clearly cemented as the top option in this passing game, the Vikings are going to need someone to step up to take some pressure off him. Patterson certainly has a nice ceiling, but he’s been unable to figure out the WR position at the NFL level to this point. Hopefully he’s turned a corner.
As reported by: Mike Clay Other tagged players: Charles Johnson, Adam Thielen Dolphins have no timetable for Jordan Cameron's return
Cameron is now dealing with his fourth concussion, and the team had reached out to him to suggest that he see a concussion specialist. They haven’t provided a timetable for his return, but he’s all but ruled out for Week 5 and will likely miss at least a week or two beyond that given his history. Dion Sims will take the reins at TE until Cameron is able to take the field, but Sims unfortunately doesn’t provide any real DFS value of his own. He was targeted just twice in this past Thursday’s game with the Bengals.
As reported by: Adam Beasley Other tagged players: Dion Sims Julius Thomas expected to play Week 6
He missed last game against the Colts with an elbow injury and will use the Jaguars’ Week 5 bye to rehab. Thomas averaged six targets per game over the first three weeks as the primary passing tight end. He’ll return to face a weak Bears defense. They rank 28th in DVOA against his position, but opposing tight ends are averaging just four receptions per game. This suggests they are vulnerable to tight ends; opposing teams just haven’t fully exploited it yet. If Jacksonville decides to attack using Thomas they should find success.
As reported by: Jacksonville Jaguars Rob Gronkowski "still not right" despite being active last two weeks
Given his lack of production in the two games for which he’s been active, this news isn’t all that eye-opening. Gronk has recorded just one catch on three targets over those contests and hasn’t played the majority of the snaps. Martellus Bennett has looked like the much better option and may still receive the lion’s share of the work this Sunday against a vulnerable Browns defense. Gronk should be back to full strength soon and Tom Brady’s presence will also help matters for him and the entire receiving core, but he’s probably best left untouched for DFS purposes in Week 5.
As reported by: Chris Wesseling Other tagged players: Martellus Bennett Jeremy Kerley limited in Tuesday's practice
Kerley sat out of yesterday’s walk-through and was limited again in Tuesday’s practice, although he’s still believed to be on track to play Thursday. It’s not an easy draw by any means, but Kerley has been the 49ers most oft-used receivers out of the slot, as Blaine Gabbert has plenty of trouble throwing the ball downfield. Assuming he’s active, Kerley should be in line for another 6-8 targets, making him a viable play for those taking part in Prime Time contests. The 49ers have one of the lowest team totals of the weekend on the road in Arizona.
As reported by: Matt Barrows