DFS Alerts

Alshon Jeffery does not practice today

The Bears WR did not practice last week either and still played so this is probably more of the same. Regardless it’s a situation we’ll keep you updated on heading into their game with the Cowboys.

Virgil Green misses practice again for the Broncos

The Broncos starting TE missed practice again putting his status in doubt for playing this weekend against the Bengals. John Phillips would get the start if Green can’t go and is not a viable DFS option given the Broncos run-heavy, slow-paced tendencies and better value options like Trey Burton out there.

Antonio Gates misses practice again; status uncertain for Sunday

The Chargers veteran TE is battling a hamstring injury and there is some question as to whether he’ll be able to play this weekend for the Chargers in their game against the Colts. If he is unable to go, it’d be more targets for the young San Diego WR’s and Hunter Henry would likely get the start and has some value as a cheap TE. We’ll keep a close eye on this situation and update you as soon as any news comes in.

Rex Ryan concerned Sammy Watkins may miss this week's game

The Bills star WR missed practice again today and Head Coach Rex Ryan stated he is concerned that he might miss this weekends game against the Cardinals. It would be a big blow to the Bills offense and any DFS viability for Tyrod Taylor. Robert Woods would become the #1 WR but he has limited upside. Marquise Goodwin would get more looks his way and is intriguing as long as Patrick Peterson is not covering him. We’ll keep you updated on Watkins’ status leading up to Sunday.

Three RBs you can use to pivot off the chalk options this weekend

There are definitely going to be some popular options at the RB position this weekend with DeAngelo Williams and Melvin Gordon leading the way due to their projected workloads and match ups. We have his projected ownership at 25%. Other RB’s with projected high ownership are David Johnson, Charles Sims, Theo Riddick, and C.J. Anderson (all projected to hit double digit ownership %). All these RBs are certainly in play but there are some options we can look at if we want to move away from the masses. Here are a few for you to consider:

Matt Forte, Jets – it’s not the best match up as the Chiefs are 9th in run DVOA but Forte is going to get the ball (OC Chan Gailey said he was not worried about his current workload) and is an three-down back. He’s just $400 more than Gordon on FanDuel and has a proven fantasy track record (Gordon’s success is limited to just the first two games of this season).

DeMarco Murray, Titans – the Raiders are also top 10 in run DVOA but like Forte, Murray has been significantly involved in the pass game and there should be some red zone opportunities with the Raiders ranking 22nd in overall DVOA. He’s similarly priced to Forte ($200 more on FanDuel).

LeSean McCoy, Bills – perhaps the sneakiest option this weekend is McCoy who faces a Cardinals defense that has struggled somewhat against the run thus far (22nd in run DVOA). McCoy is cheaper than all the chalk backs with the exception of Sims and Riddick and is priced less than $500 over those two on FanDuel. Like Forte and Michael, he’s a three down back with TD upside.

Update: Jimmy Garoppolo will not be in uniform tonight according to sources

Reports came in earlier that Jimmy Garoppolo would suit up tonight to serve as Jacoby Brissett’s emergency backup but that is now being refuted by other sources who state that he will not be in uniform tonight. That leaves WR Julian Edelman as the emergency backup QB – obviously a situation the Patriots hope to avoid. If anything changes between now and kickoff, we’ll update you as soon as we hear of it.

With Zach Ertz most likely out, Trey Burton is a great value option at TE

It appears that Eagles TE Zach Ertz will sit out this weeks game against the Steelers making Trey Burton a great value option at TE. He’s developed a rapport with QB Carson Wentz and it was evident this past Monday as the two hooked up for a TD and Wentz looked his way often. Burton won’t be overlooked by the DFS community this week so expect a bump in his ownership but at his price and going against a Steelers defense that is middle of the pack against TE’s he’s a very viable option. Brent Celek will also receive some playing time at TE but he had a 0 fpt outing last week and is not a viable option.

Brandon Marshall at practice without helmet; still questionable for Sunday

The Jets announced via social media that their star WR is at today’s practice without a helmet meaning he will either miss it or be limited. He’s missed practice all week and while he should be able to play this weekend is a player you should keep a close eye on before utilizing. If he is unable to go, Quincy Enunwa should receive a boost in targets and becomes an even more viable DFS option. Eric Decker would also receive a boost as he wouldn’t have to share red zone looks with Marshall. We’ll update Marshall’s status as we learn more.

Jacoby Brissett to start at QB; Garoppolo active as backup

Sources have told media that Jacoby Brissett will get the start for the Patriots tonight in their game against the Texans. Jimmy Garoppolo will be active, but as a backup to Brissett. It’s a murky situation for certain – we definitely can’t roster Brissett going against a tough Texans defense and the team will likely avoid using Garoppolo unless it’s an emergency situation. The Texans DST is an intriguing option with Brissett at QB for those playing Thursday night slates.

Thomas Rawls reportedly did not practice Wednesday, was initially listed as a limited participant

Rawls was listed as a limited practice participant earlier, but it’s now being reported that he did not practice. It makes this is a situation to watch more closely, although Pete Carroll did state that he expects Rawls to suit up on Sunday. If he’s not able to practice before the end of the week, Christine Michael may be looking at a full complement of touches. C.J. Prosise may see a handful of touches if Rawls sits, but not the type of workload that would put him into DFS consideration.

Corey Coleman breaks hand in practice Wednesday

We still don’t have any kind of timetable for his return, but it’s highly unlikely that he plays this week. Terrelle Pryor should receive even more attention in Week 3, although he’s already been involved a bunch – he leads the team with 17 targets. Pryor is a fine GPP play this week and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he sees a few pass attempts with the Browns current QB situation being a complete mess. Assuming Coleman misses multiple weeks, Josh Gordon will get a nice bump in value when he returns.

Cameron Artis-Payne expected to head the backfield Sunday

Artis-Payne was a healthy scratch for each of the Panther’s first two games, but figures to play a major role with Jonathan Stewart on the shelf. He’ll have to compete with Fozzy Whitaker and Mike Tolbert and is likely to lose goal-line work to Cam Newton, so his floor is very low, but at $4,800 on FanDuel and $3,000 on DraftKings, he’s not worth writing off. He should still see somewhere between 10-15 touches and considering that running backs playing at home as touchdown favorites are typically strong targets, Artis-Payne is in a good spot. Minnesota’s defense is strong, but touches generally breed production.

Braxton Miller ruled out for Thursday

Miller has seen three targets in each of the Texans first two games, and those looks are likely to be eaten up by a combination of DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, with Jaelen Strong the likely candidate to replace Miller as the third receiver. Fuller is probably the only option here worthy of DFS consideration in Thu-Sun/Mon contests, as he’s still underpriced across the industry.

Rob Gronkowski questionable for Thursday, Garoppolo doubtful

Gronk is reportedly feeling better but he’s still very much questionable heading into Thursday’s game with the Texans. He’d get an extended rest period for the Week 4 contest if he does sit, although with the Patriots down to Jacoby Brissett under center, they’re going to need their full arsenal of playmakers. The New England pass catchers are worthwhile fades in Thu-Sun/Mon contests, but LeGarrette Blount does hold some value as a punt/mid-range play given that he’s likely to approach 20 touches once again. If Gronk does sit, expect Martellus Bennett to see added looks, but he’s still going to utilized heavily as a blocker. Garoppolo’s status is no surprise, as it was a near certainty that he wouldn’t be able to play on a short week.

Jamaal Charles looking unlikely for Week 3

Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated that Charles could play “today or tomorrow”, but added that “another week is going to help him.” At this point, we should assume that Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West will split the backfield duties with Ware seeing a bigger slice of the pie, although that does make both RBs fairly risky DFS targets. The Jets boast one of the league’s better run-stopping units which also doesn’t help matters for either back, although both have been utilized regularly in the passing game with the Chiefs lacking much depth behind Maclin and Kelce.