DFS Alerts
Martavis Bryant (illness) questionable for Sunday
Martavis Bryant is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with the Browns due to an illness. Bryant has practiced which is a good sign, but him being listed as questionable seems to indicate the Steelers do have some doubt about his availability. We’re still expecting him to suit up at this point and he’ll still be a solid GPP target if active, but his absence would make Markus Wheaton a much more viable play. Antonio Brown is an elite target with or without Bryant in the lineup, but he’d figure to benefit as well.
As reported by: Steelers.com Other tagged players: Markus Wheaton
Bilal Powell hasn't practiced all week, unlikely to play Sunday
Bilal Powell has not practiced all week and appears highly unlikely to play on Sunday. He’s actually outproduced starter Chris Ivory in the last four games and it’s turned into a true platoon when both backs are healthy, but Ivory should see a big workload in the regular season finale. His touch totals with Powell out this season are 19, 18, 26 and 20, and he draws a match-up with a Bills defense that is ranked 31st in DVOA against RBs. Ivory gained 135 yards in the meeting between these teams earlier in the season and appears to be a good candidate to finish somewhere around that number again in Week 17. Fire him up in any format.
As reported by: Rich Cimini on Twitter Other tagged players: Bilal Powell Todd Gurley in a walking boot, very iffy for Sunday
Todd Gurley was in a walking boot as of Thursday night and it’s looking like he’s going to miss the final game of his rookie season. His absence would be a big blow to an offense that isn’t able to do much through the air, but it would lead to added opportunity for a combination of Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham. It’s likely that Mason would see the lions share of the work and he has a good draw against a San Francisco defense that has been burned by opposing RBs this year – it’s been two weeks since they were gashed for 145 yards on 20 carries by Isaiah Crowell (which accounts for about 22% of Crowell’s production on the year), and the Browns as a team combined for 230 yards on the ground. Cunningham would likely receive passing down work and would spell Mason on early downs occasionally.
As reported by: Nick Wagoner Ted Ginn doubtful for Week 17
With Jonathan Stewart already ruled out and Ginn unlikely to suit up, the Panthers offense will be very shorthanded on Sunday. Assuming Ginn sits, Philly Brown, Devin Funchess and Jerricho Cotchery should all see ample playing time, with Funchess having the highest ceiling of the group. Philly Brown is also a viable GPP target as he should presumably take over the #1 WR duties. This could be a game where Greg Olsen sees a lot of looks, so he’ll be an elite target in Week 17, especially with Jordan Reed being basically untargetable due to the Redskins having nothing to play for.
As reported by: Max Henson Rishard Matthews likely to sit in Week 17
Rishard Matthews is not expected to play in the Dolphins season finale on Sunday. He’s still dealing with cracked ribs and hasn’t played in a game since late November, so this isn’t at all surprising. His injury has given DeVante Parker a chance to see a consistent workload and the rookie has excelled in games where the Dolphins have had any remote success through the air, but the overall lack of production from the Miami offense has kept his production fairly mild. Jarvis Landry is still the top target in the passing game and that doesn’t figure to change against the Patriots.
As reported by: Barry Jackson Jonathan Stewart and Fozzy Whittaker officially out this week
There was the possibility that Stewart might play but the team has decided to err on the side of caution and he’s been ruled out alongside Fozzy Whittaker for this week’s game. With home field advantage still on the line, Cameron Artis-Payne is in line for the majority of the work against a somewhat stingy Tampa Bay run defense. He’s very much in play, however, given his price tag and expected workload.
As reported by: Carolina Panthers official Twitter feed
LeSean McCoy officially ruled out
Not a surprise but LeSean McCoy has been ruled out for their game against the Jets. Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee will carry the load for the Bills in what is a tough match up against a Jets defense that is 5th in RB DvP and with a game script that will probably lead to the Bills having to pass more than they run.
As reported by: Manish Mehta on Twitter Julian Edelman doesn't travel with team, out for Sunday
Any speculation that Edelman would play this week is gone as he did not travel with the team for their game with the Dolphins. If Amendola plays he’s a great option at WR. If Amendola sits, Keshawn Martin will again be a viable DFS target after putting up a decent game last week with those two out.
As reported by: Mike Giardi on Twitter Bilal Powell not practicing Thursday
Bilal Powell missed another practice on Thursday, but it’s still not looking like his Week 17 status is in serious doubt. If he misses practice again tomorrow, it’ll be time to start thinking about Chris Ivory as a stronger play against the Bills. Powell has eaten into Ivory’s workload in a big way over the past month and has actually outscored him in each of the past four weeks, and he could very well make it five straight if he suits up Sunday. If Powell sits, Ivory becomes a very nice GPP target in the mid-range of the RB pool.
As reported by: Connor Hughes Other tagged players: Chris Ivory Redskins starters may play limited snaps vs. Dallas
With the Redskins having nothing to play for in Week 17, Jay Gruden has stated that the starters may be limited in an effort to keep them fresh heading into the postseason. It seems very likely that the starters will at least see the field, but for how long is still the main question. “I have a good feel for it, so we just have to make that determination,” Gruden said. “Number one, it’s the health of our football team with these injured guys who are legitimately injured and can’t play. Then, from there, we’ll have to figure out the able bodies that we have — personnel groupings will be adjusted — and then throughout the course of the game, we’ll make adjustments depending on the situation.” It’s going to be impossible to target any of the Redskins starters with confidence, and it’ll also be tough to peg any of the back-ups/role players for a specific amount of work since it’s unclear how long the starters may stay on the field. This is a situation to avoid in Week 17.
As reported by: Washington Post Other tagged players: Kirk Cousins, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Alfred Morris Matt Forte limited on Thursday
It’s a good sign for Forte’s availability that he’s practicing at all, and it seems unlikely that he’ll miss what will probably be his last game as a Bear. With Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey also stealing work, Forte isn’t a recommended DFS target but he does have some contrarian appeal with Alshon Jeffery likely to sit. If Forte were to end up missing the contest, Jeremy Langford would become one of the top value targets of the weekend, but that still seems unlikely.
As reported by: Rich Campbell on Twitter Kendall Wright misses Thursday's practice, looks unlikely to play Sunday
Kendall Wright is still not practicing on Thursday and if he’s unable to practice again tomorrow, he’ll be all but ruled out. His absence would lend more targets to Dorial Green-Beckham, Harry Douglas and Delanie Walker, but Walker is the only one of the three that has much DFS intrigue. DGB is a potential tournament dart-throw but with Zach Mettenberger at the helm, value is going to be hard to come by as far as the Titans pass-catchers go.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt on Twitter T.J. Yeldon doesn't practice, unlikely to play this week
Nothing surprising here as it’s been assumed that Yeldon would not play this week and that Denard Robinson would continue to see the bulk of the work for the Jaguars. Robinson was somewhat disappointing last week with only 20 rushing yards but he did make up for that slightly with 5 receptions for 51 yards. He’s not a must play by any means against a Texans team that is middle of the pack in terms of RB DvP (18th) but is worth considering in a lineup or two if you are building multiple GPP lineups, especially on full PPR sites.
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter Johnny Manziel officially out for this week
Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine stated that Johnny Manziel is out for this week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Austin Davis will get the start in what appears to be a very favorable match up as the Steelers are 26th in QB DvP and dead last in WR DvP. However, Davis has shown little to nothing in his limited time on the field this season and this puts the Steelers defense on the map as a DFS target.
As reported by: Tom Withers on Twitter Johnny Manziel dealing with a concussion, not likely to play vs. Pittsburgh
Johnny Manziel has been diagnosed with a concussion and is not expected to take the field in Cleveland’s Week 17 finale. This only further diminishes the value of the Browns skill-position players, as Austin Davis will presumably take over as the starter against the Steelers. Pittsburgh has some holes in the secondary, but they aren’t big enough for Davis to be able to exploit. The Browns offense as a whole is worth avoiding.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Other tagged players: Austin Davis