DFS Alerts
Tyler Eifert will play vs. Baltimore
Tyler Eifert has been cleared and will take the field in Week 17 against the Ravens. He’s missed the Bengals last two contests but appears ready to get back on the field and shake any rust off before the Bengals head into the playoffs. With A.J. McCarron likely at the helm, Eifert isn’t a recommended DFS target, and his outlook would only get worse if McCarron isn’t able to play. Tyler Kroft will go back to a complementary role, and A.J. Green’s red-zone usage may drop slightly.
As reported by: Geoff Hobson
Marcus Mariota ruled out for Week 17
Marcus Mariota will not play in the Titans season finale against the Colts. It leaves Zach Mettenberger as the starter once again, who looked awful in the Titans Week 16 contest with Houston. He needed 51 passing attempts to cross the 230 yard mark and threw for just one touchdown while being picked off twice. He’s not a DFS option against the Colts and Delanie Walker remains the only trustworthy option on the Tennessee side. The Colts D/ST unit is a very attractive target given the low price tag and home match-up against Mettenberger.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Other tagged players: Zach Mettenberger Marshawn Lynch officially ruled out for Week 17
Marshawn Lynch will not play in Week 17 against the Cardinals, so his next shot to return will come in the playoffs. The match-up isn’t a good one for the Seahawks committee of RBs, as the Cardinals have allowed the 5th fewest FPPG to RBs this season. Christine Michael still appears to have the slight lead in the committee, but Bryce Brown has been seeing similar usage which makes both backs unplayable in Week 17. Derrick Coleman also remains in the fold which only further complicates things. Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin remain the two top targets on the Seattle side, but there neither are core plays.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Other tagged players: Christine Michael, Bryce Brown Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley split first team reps on Wednesday
With Andrew Luck ruled out, Matt Hasselbeck banged up and Charlie Whitehurst on IR, the Colts are deciding between a trio of Josh Freeman, Ryan Lindley and Stephen Morris to start in Week 17. It appears the decision is coming down to Freeman and Lindley, who split first team reps on Wednesday. It’s unclear what role Morris played in practice, and it’s also surprising he’s not getting a long look considering he’s been with the team the longest. Josh Freeman would seemingly have the highest ceiling of this group, but none of them will be recommended DFS targets this week (they may not be available on most DFS sites anyway). We’ll update this situation as it unfolds throughout the week. All of the Colts skill position players have very low floors due to the QB situation here.
As reported by: Mike Chappell on Twitter Other tagged players: Ryan Lindley Uncertainty rules the day for Colts QB situation
Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano is not sure who will be taking the field as his starting QB on Sunday and said that it might not be decided until Sunday morning. One thing that is certain is that it won’t be Andrew Luck as he has ruled him out. The Colts offense is a situation to avoid outside of maybe Frank Gore and the Titans defense is worth a look as a cheap GPP option.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen on Twitter
Brian Hoyer likely to start
The Texans QB is practicing and feeling fine and is on track to start this week against the Jaguars. It’s a great match up for the Texans as the Jaguars are 27th in QB DvP. It’s also great for DeAndre Hopkins who will be one of the elite plays of the week. Don’t look past Nate Washington either as he has produced great whenever Cecil Shorts is out (as he is expected to be this week) and is an excellent punt option at the WR position. The one concern, however, is that the Texans have nothing to play for and might pull their starters – so be wary of that when making your roster decisions involving this group of players.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson on Twitter Johnny Manziel reports to practice with concussion-like symptoms
The troubled Browns QB reported to practice today with concussion-like symptoms and is being evaluated by the team. If he can’t go, Austin Davis would be the starter in what is a plus match up for the team against a Steelers defense that is 26th in QB DvP and 32nd in WR DvP. Davis starting would be a downgrade for Browns receivers. We’ll update Manziel’s status throughout the week as his situation becomes more defined.
As reported by: Fred Greetham on Twitter Vincent Jackson placed on injured reserve
He hasn’t played in a couple of weeks and now the team has officially ended their veteran WR’s season by placing him on injured reserve. The Bucs have a tough match up against the Carolina Panthers this weekend which makes target monster Mike Evans (especially if Josh Norman covers him) nothing more than a GPP dart throw.
As reported by: Roy Cummings on Twitter Dez Bryant placed on injured reserve
The Cowboys have announced that they have placed Dez Bryant on injured reserve. With the entire team decimated by injuries it’s hard to find any value in Cowboys players, especially with Kellen Moore at the helm. The one thing the Cowboys do have going for them, however, is the Redskins will likely be resting their key starters which puts the likes of Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley on the radar as GPP punt plays.
As reported by: Josina Anderson on Twitter LeSean McCoy doubtful to play this week
Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan stated it is unlikely that McCoy will play this week against the Jets. Not a surprise and Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee will again split the work out of the Bills back field. It’s a tough match up as the Jets are 5th in RB DvP but Williams and Gillislee are cheap enough to be in consideration for GPP’s.
As reported by: Mike Rodak on Twitter Alshon Jeffery placed on IR
Jeffery wasn’t expected to play this week and the team made it official by placing him on injured reserve. Eddie Royal will be the #1 WR for the Bears and should see a number of balls thrown his way but the real benefactors are probably the RB’s, Forte and Langford, and the TE, Zach Miller. Langford and Miller are the preferred plays as the team has been giving Langford a hard look of late and Miller has been Cutler’s favorite target with Jeffery ailing.
As reported by: Kevin Fishbain on Twitter Bishop Sankey expected to see at least 30 snaps in Week 17
The Titans backfield is very much in flux with Sankey, David Cobb and Antonio Andrews all trying to make an impact heading into next season. Tennesee doesn’t have anything on the line and after Sankey found himself in the doghouse under Ken Whisenhunt, he’ll have another chance to prove himself in Week 17 against the Colts. Cobb and Andrews are likely to handle most of the early down work, but Sankey figures to handle passing down duties and if the Colts are able to get out to a lead, those opportunities could be more plentiful. With the Colts QB situation in shambles, it’s possible this could end up being a very low scoring game.
As reported by: @Titans Other tagged players: David Cobb, Antonio Andrews Colts sign Josh Freeman, another sign Andrew Luck won't return this year
The Colts have signed Josh Freeman on Tuesday and there is a real possibility he starts on Sunday. The Colts could have interest in him as a potential back-up down the road, and the only other healthy QB on the roster is UDFA Stephen Morris, who has been cut twice already this year. This further solidifies that Andrew Luck won’t play again this season, and the Colts would seem to have no interest in rolling out an injured Matt Hasselbeck. Freeman wouldn’t be a strong DFS target, but the match-up with Tennessee does put him on the map if it turns out he starts.
As reported by: Albert Breer Other tagged players: Josh Freeman Kubiak confirms Osweiler as Week 17 starter
This is not a surprise after Osweiler was basically named the starter for the rest of the season even before last night’s victory over the Bengals. The Broncos offense still has it’s share of struggles under Osweiler, but he gives them a better chance to win at this point and last night’s game (which featured several nice late-game drives by Osweiler) only further entrenches him as the starter. It was nice to see him have some success moving the ball in the second half after the Broncos had struggled mightily to put points on the board in 3rd and 4th quarters over their past handful of games. Osweiler is still a GPP-only DFS target, and the Broncos Week 17 draw sets up better for the RBs, as San Diego has been dreadful against the run this year and Denver will be favored at home.
As reported by: Around the NFL Jonathan Stewart could practice on Wednesday
Stewart is still dealing with a sprained foot, but he reportedly ran well on a treadmill and is a candidate to practice tomorrow. If Stewart is able to take the field tomorrow and doesn’t suffer any setbacks during the week, it’s looking like he’ll have a shot to suit up on Sunday and shake some of the rust off before the Panther’s playoff run gets underway. Fozzy Whittaker won’t play Sunday, so the Panthers would be down to Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert in the backfield if Stewart can’t go. Artis-Payne would be the much stronger play of the two, but he’d still carry plenty of risk against a Tampa Bay defense that is much tougher to beat on the ground.
As reported by: Ed Werder Other tagged players: Cameron Artis-Payne