DFS Alerts
Davante Adams will not play against Arizona
Adams will miss the Packers Divisional Round game in Arizona. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Jared Abbrederis who now becomes a viable GPP punt play that should go under-owned with Jeff Janis also a potential candidate to see some snaps at WR. With Randall Cobb expected to tangle with Patrick Peterson, Abbrederis and James Jones should see plenty of work on the outside. Jones is the preferred play of the group but the entire Packers passing game is a risky target.
As reported by: Josh Weinfuss Other tagged players: Jared Abbrederis
Ben Roethlisberger practices fully Friday, looks 'the same as usual'
Big Ben was able to put in a full practice Friday and according to multiple reports from teammates it did not appear that Roethlisberger was limited in terms of the throws he could make. Martavis Bryant said he looked “the same as usual” and fullback Will Johnson stated that he was able to complete “pretty much the whole route tree” which is a great sign for his DFS value. It’s still a tough spot for Ben against one of the league’s best pass defenses, and Antonio Brown’s absence will likely be felt in a big way. Roethlisberger is still only viable as a GPP option.
As reported by: Chris Adamski Spencer Ware officially questionable for Saturday
Ware didn’t practice Tuesday or Wednesday but got in some work on Thursday which seems to indicate that he’ll play against New England. He was the more oft-used back against Houston, but most of that was due to game-flow and it’s still a toss up as to who will see more work this week. Ware remains the favorite for short-yardage/goal-line work while West is the better bet for passing down duties, but the two should continue to rotate on early downs. Neither back is a core play but both are viable tournament options. If by some chance Ware is ruled out, West would become a strong value play.
As reported by: Ben Volin Other tagged players: Charcandrick West Marshawn Lynch officially listed as probable vs. Carolina
Lynch was listed as questionable last week when he was surprisingly ruled out, and the expectation is that he’s going to play this week. He isn’t in a great spot, but Lynch should be very involved assuming he’s active and he’s got a higher ceiling than any other RB on this slate not named David Johnson. While Jonathan Stewart is the preferred cash game play due to price, Lynch is a nice option to pivot to since his ownership percentage should be a little lower. Beast Mode posted 17-54-1 against the Panthers earlier this year and a similar stat line seems like a fair projection in this spot. There isn’t anything suggesting that Lynch will be limited at all in terms of workload.
As reported by: Sheil Kapadia DeAngelo Williams officially OUT for this week
As expected, Williams will miss this weeks game joining WR Antonio Brown on the sidelines. Fitzgerald Toussaint will likely get the start and while it’s not the best match up going against a tough Broncos defense, he’s definitely in play on this playoff slate, especially on PPR sites like DraftKings where his value increases due to his usage in the passing game (especially with Big Ben banged up and likely having to dump off often). Jordan Todman should also continue to see some snaps but Toussaint is the preferred option.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Other tagged players: Fitzgerald Toussaint, Jordan Todman
Jeremy Maclin officially questionable for this weekend
The Chiefs have officially listed Maclin as questionable for their game against the Patriots. If he is unable to go, Albert Wilson and Chris Conley would be the primary targets for QB Alex Smith along with TE Travis Kelce and all three would be viable options on this small four-game playoff slate. Conley has more big play potential and is a better play on a site like FanDuel while Wilson would likely see more targets and be a good play on a PPR site like DraftKings. Kelce is coming off a big game and will likely be higher owned but it’s a tough match up against the Patriots and if Maclin doesn’t go, they will likely focus on shutting him down.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Antonio Brown ruled OUT for this weekend
This was what many feared (and expected), but the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that their All-Pro WR Antonio Brown will miss this weekend’s game against the Denver Broncos with a concussion he suffered at the end of the Steelers-Bengals game last weekend. The timing couldn’t come at a worse time for the Steelers as they face the staunch Broncos defense (one that the Steelers lit up thanks to the help of Brown a month or so ago). Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton will take on the bulk of the work at WR and should receive enough targets to be viable DFS options this weekend. Darrius Heyward-Bey will likely move to the #3 spot but Wheaton is the better play if you’re looking to save at WR. This could also open up more looks for TE Heath Miller if you are looking to pivot off of one of the big three (Gronk, Olsen, Kelce). Generally speaking though, fading the Steelers pass game would not be a terrible option, especially with a banged up Roethlisberger.
As reported by: Tom Withers on Twitter Other tagged players: Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller, Ben Roethlisberger Antonio Brown misses Thursday's practice; Big Ben 'very' limited
Ben Roethlisberger was able to get in some practice work on Thursday, but reports are that he was very limited in what he could do. He’s going to start against the Broncos, but it’s a mystery as to how healthy he’ll be, and that makes him a GPP-only play heading into the Divisional Round weekend. He’ll be even less appealing if Antonio Brown isn’t able to play – Brown missed another practice today and is looking questionable at best to play on Sunday. Brown torched this defense earlier in the year but his ceiling is capped due to Roethlisberger’s health if he’s able to play. Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton will benefit in terms of volume if Brown is inactive.
As reported by: Mark Kaboly Other tagged players: Ben Roethlisberger Rob Gronkowski misses Thursday's practice
We’d be shocked if Gronkowski wasn’t able to play this weekend, but back-to-back days without full practices is a little concerning since the Pats play on Saturday. At this point there isn’t any real reason to think Gronk won’t suit up, and he’ll be a nice upside target even in a tough match-up assuming he’s able to play. New England’s passing game should get going now that Brady’s weapons are all healthy for the most part. Gronk, Edelman and Brady are all very strong Divisional Round targets against the Chiefs.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Jonathan Stewart, Ted Ginn practice in full on Thursday
There is little to no doubt that these two will suit up on Sunday. Stewart is actually one of the premier plays at the RB spot this week, as his price has dropped on some outlets (most notably FanDuel) and the position is predictably thin again this weekend. Pairing him up with David Johnson seems like the safest bet for cash games. As for Ginn, he isn’t cash game playable but he does have a nice ceiling given his role as the deep threat in this offense. He should be a full go on Sunday but does run into a tough match-up. Ginn recorded just one catch when these teams met earlier in the year.
As reported by: David Newton Other tagged players: Ted Ginn Marshawn Lynch practices in full Wednesday
He also practiced fully last week and still sat, so it’s hard to definitively say he’s going to suit up. He’s looking pretty likely to suit up but doesn’t have a particularly good draw on the road against Carolina. He posted 17-54-1 during the regular season meeting between these teams and probably isn’t an ideal cash game option given that the expected game flow isn’t in his favor coupled with injury issues. With that said, Lynch does have a GPP winning ceiling, but he’s less appealing from a $/point perspective compared to David Johnson or Jonathan Stewart. If he ends up sitting for another week, Christine Michael will once again lead the backfield.
As reported by: Seattle Times Jeremy Maclin, Spencer Ware miss Wednesday's practice
Maclin is dealing with a ‘mild’ high ankle sprain while Ware is also dealing with an ankle sprain, but Ware’s seems to be much less serious. Even having Maclin as a decoy would be nice for the Chiefs, but his status for Saturday is still very much up in the air. If he’s unable to go, Albert Wilson and Chris Conley will see plenty of action. Ware should be good to go on Saturday and out-touched Charcandrick West last weekend, but most of that was game-flow aided as the Texans offense couldn’t muster up anything. If Ware surprisingly ends up inactive, West would be a premier play at the RB spot.
As reported by: Kevin Duffy Other tagged players: Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West Jonathan Stewart on track to play this week after practicing today
The Panthers have been cautious in their approach with RB Jonathan Stewart but after practicing today he appears as if he will return to the field in their playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s a tough match up for Stewart but the pickings are slim at the RB position which puts him in play on this four game playoff slate.
As reported by: Joe Person on Twitter Ted Ginn expected to practice Wednesday, should play this weekend
Ted Ginn is set to practice tomorrow and should be a go for the Panthers Divisional Round game against the Seahawks. He doesn’t draw a plus match-up, but Ginn is Cam Newton’s favorite target among the WRs, but Greg Olsen should continue to be the most heavily targeted pass-catcher in this match-up. Ginn remains a nice upside target in tournaments, but he’s a bit too volatile to trust in cash games.
As reported by: Bryan Strickland Jeremy Maclin dealing with a 'mild' high ankle sprain, status still uncertain for Divisional Round
Jeremy Maclin is dealing with a mild high ankle sprain and Andy Reid believes he may be able to practice later in the week. This is great news for Maclin and the Chiefs, who would be extremely thin at WR if Maclin weren’t able to suit up. Even if he just acts as a decoy, he’d help the Chiefs chance at pulling off the upset. Travis Kelce would benefit from Maclin being limited at all, while Albert Wilson and Chris Conley also stand to potentially see more work. We’ll update Maclin’s status throughout the week.
As reported by: Bob Holtzman