DFS Alerts
LeSean McCoy ruled out for Sunday, Karlos Williams in line to start
LeSean McCoy has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with the Cowboys, and Karlos Williams figures to draw the start in his absence. While Mike Gillislee saw more total touches than Williams last week, Williams was reportedly only available in any emergency situation, and LeSean McCoy’s injury clearly qualified as such for the Bills. Williams saw all four of his touches after McCoys’s injury, and now that Williams has had an extra week to heal, he’s going to be a very strong value play across the industry. Gillislee is a nice tournament flier for those that aren’t on Williams.
As reported by: Vic Carucci Other tagged players: LeSean McCoy, Mike Gillislee
Charles Clay ruled out against Dallas
Charles Clay will not play this week against the Cowboys. With Robert Woods also on the shelf, Sammy Watkins becomes a much safer option and his ceiling only rises without Clay in the picture. Chris Gragg and Nick O’Leary figure to fill in, but neither of them are viable DFS options this week. Watkins is best used in GPPs due to his general boom-or-bust nature, but his floor is higher than normal this week.
As reported by: Vic Carucci Shaun Draughn ruled out for Sunday
Shaun Draughn will not take the field Sunday against the Lions. With Travis Cadet being cut this past week, the 49ers will roll out a backfield of Kendall Gaskins, newly signed DuJuan Harris and Bruce Miller. Gaskins figures to lead the backfield in touches and is actually an interesting punt play given the match-up, but he’s only viable as a GPP dart-throw. Harris was just signed this week and is probably a better runner then Gaskins, but Gaskins figures to benefit the most from Draughn’s absence.
As reported by: @49ers on Twitter Other tagged players: Kendall Gaskins Julian Edelman doubtful; Danny Amendola, Brandon LaFell questionable in Week 16
Julian Edelman is not expected to play in the Patriots Week 16 tilt with the Jets, while Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell are both listed as questionable. Edelman isn’t going to suit up this week and may still be able to return in Week 17 even if it’s in a limited fashion. As for Amendola, he appears to be more likely than not to sit, but we’ll have confirmation on his status early Sunday morning. LaFell appears likely to suit up and would be in a good spot if he ends up running most of his routes against Antonio Cromartie, but he may also end up seeing a fair amount of Darrelle Revis depending on who the other active Patriots WRs are. Rob Gronkowski is the unquestioned top option in this passing game against New York and he can be targeted confidently in any format.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Other tagged players: Danny Amendola, Brandon LaFell Alshon Jeffery doubtful to face Tampa Bay
Alshon Jeffery is not expected to play Sunday against the Bucs. With Chicago now out of the playoff picture, they won’t push Jeffery in a game that only serves to determine their draft spot. Zach Miller now becomes a very intriguing punt play at tight end, as he’ll likely see 7-8 targets and has been a factor towards the goal-line over the last 4-6 weeks. If you are looking for a low-owned, low-priced play, Miller is a great option. Eddie Royal is also a potential GPP punt play since he’ll likely act as the #1 WR with Josh Bellamy and Marc Mariani also helping to fill Jeffery’s void.
As reported by: Jeff Dickerson on Twitter Dez Bryant doubtful for Week 16
Dez Bryant did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game with the Bills. Due to the Cowboys ineptitude at QB since Tony Romo’s injury, Bryant hasn’t been nearly the same type of asset in DFS terms as he was at any point last season. Jason Witten does figure to benefit in terms of targets, but he’s the only pass-catcher on the Dallas side of the ball that is even remotely in play. With Kellen Moore under center, it’s hard to imagine Terrence Williams posting a productive stat line.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Adrian Peterson practices Friday, probable for Sunday
Adrian Peterson should be a full go Sunday night against the Giants. There aren’t any inklings that he’ll be limited, and without many other appealing high-end options at the RB position, Peterson is squarely in play in all formats in Week 16. He’s somewhat of a tough sell in cash games due to his price and various ailments, but he has the highest ceiling of any RB taking the field this week. Odell Beckham’s absence only helps Peterson’s outlook as the Vikings are now 6.5 point favorites.
As reported by: Matt Vensel Jonathan Stewart out this week
No surprise here but Jonathan Stewart has been ruled out this week. Cameron Artis-Payne received the majority of the work last week and is the RB to use if you are going to use someone from Carolina against a Falcons team that is dead last in RB DvP. Mike Tolbert will probably be the back inside the five yard line so Artis-Payne’s TD upside is limited.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Rishard Matthews practices for second straight day
After missing nearly a month due to injury, the Dolphins WR appears on track to play this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins offense has been woeful of late so it’s hard to take too many chances on their skill position players but there is some merit to taking a shot or two on Matthews in GPP’s as the Colts are 26th in WR DvP.
As reported by: Omar Kelly on Twitter Charles Clay misses practice again
The Bills TE continues to miss practice and seems questionable at best to play this week. Chris Gragg would get the start again if Clay can’t go but is not a viable DFS option against a Cowboys team that is 3rd in TE DvP.
As reported by: Mike Rodak on Twitter Tyler Eifert still not practicing
Eifert was seen at the Bengals practice in sweats as he continues to go through the NFL concussion protocol. He seems doubtful to play this week and with the team playing on Monday Night, he’s a risky proposition to roster, even on sites with late swap as the Monday Night game is not filled with much fantasy goodness. Tyler Kroft would get the start for the Bengals if Eifert doesn’t go but is not a viable DFS option. We’ll continue to monitor and update Eifert’s status as the week progresses.
As reported by: Jay Morrison on Twitter Matt Hasselbeck practices, probable for this week
Hasselbeck continues to battle through injuries but practiced today and appears on track to play this weekend against the Dolphins who are 22nd in QB DvP and 27th in WR DvP. Hasselbeck could be an intriguing GPP play but the worries of him being able to finish game make it hard to roster him.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen on Twitter Dwayne Harris limited at practice
Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin said that their #3 WR, Dwayne Harris, will be limited in practice today but the hope is that he’ll be able to play Sunday. While Harris would likely see an increase in targets with Odell Beckham out and could be an intriguing dart throw in GPP’s, Rueben Randle and Will Tye are the preferred Giants passing game targets.
As reported by: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter Brees' status not likely to be known before Sunday
It appears that we’ll have to wait until Sunday morning for Sean Payton to unveil whether or not Drew Brees will be the starting quarterback on Sunday. Brees is apparently in “horrible pain” due to a plantar fascia injury he suffered on Monday night, and it’s tough to gauge how effective he’d be as the starter. He’ll be a GPP-only option if he suits up. Matt Flynn would presumably draw the start in his place, and he’d be an interesting punt play at minimum price. Jacksonville has allowed the 6th most FPPG to QBs this season.
As reported by: Nick Underhill Other tagged players: Matt Flynn NFL upholds Beckham's suspension
The NFL upheld Odell Beckham’s suspension on Wednesday, so he’ll miss this Sunday’s game with the Vikings. There were some mixed reports throughout the day as to whether or not Beckham’s suspension would be overturned, but this now sets up Rueben Randle to see an increased target count. He’ll run most of his routes against Xavier Rhodes, who has disappointed for the most part this season (he’s PFF’s 15th lowest rated corner) after a fairly strong rookie campaign. Will Tye also figures to benefit from Beckham’s absence, as he’s more or less acted as the third option behind Beckham and Randle over the last few weeks. Shane Vereen’s value also spikes, but he’s still fairly dependent on game flow and isn’t a recommended option outside of GPPs.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter