DFS Alerts
T.J. Yates has torn ACL
Yates season is over as the Texans have reported that he tore his ACL in yesterday’s win against the Colts. Brian Hoyer should be able to return to his starting role if he is able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol. If Hoyer can’t go then it’ll be Cowboys castoff Brandon Weeden who would likely get the nod. We’ll update the Texans QB situation later this week as the situation becomes more clear.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Robert Woods likely done for season
Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan stated that WR Robert Woods suffered a severe groin injury and is likely done for the season. Sammy Watkins is still the primary receiving threat and the only one of the receivers on the Bills you would want to target for DFS purposes. Chris Hogan would likely take Woods spot at WR2.
As reported by: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter Steven Jackson to sign with the Patriots
After a lackluster performance from both Joey Iosefa (14 carries for 51 yards) and Brandon Bolden (10 carries for 36 yards), the New England Patriots have decided to sign Steven Jackson. It’s unclear how soon Jackson, who has not played at all this season, will be ready to go but if he’s anything like his former self, even at his “old” age, he’s an upgrade worthy of DFS consideration in the Patriots high-powered offense.
As reported by: Josina Anderson on Twitter Golden Tate makes for a good late swap pivot
While a lot of people will be on Calvin Johnson in Monday’s showdown, his counterpart Golden Tate makes for an interesting pick as well. The Lions get the lucky draw this week as it is their turn to take a shot at the horrible Saints passing defense. Over the last four weeks Tate has been targeted 39 times and Johnson has been targeted 36, yet Tate is $1,400 less on DraftKings. Both Johnson and Tate are good options, but if you are looking for a late swap for either of the night games Tate is a great option. A Stafford/Tate/Johnson stack is viable if you have the availability as Stafford has been trending up as well after his 38-point performance on Thanksgiving Day vs. the Eagles. It is also worth noting that Johnson has been banged up all week and while it is still looking like he will play Monday, it obviously never helps when a player is hurt during the week. Look for both to likely have a good game vs. the bad Saints’ defense but you may benefit from saving $1,400 and rolling with Tate.
Rishard Matthews ruled out for Week 15
Rishard Matthews (ribs) has been ruled out for Week 15, as expected. This will give DeVante Parker another start and he should be on the field for most of the Dolphins’ two-receiver sets. The Chargers come in ranked #8 against WR’s in DvP and have been tough against the pass all season with Jason Verrett leading the way, who is rated as PFF’s #5 in coverage. Verrett lines up outside most of the time as does DeVanter Parker, making Parker more of a GPP play than a cash game play due to Verrett’s ability to shut down opposing WR’s.
As reported by: Dolphins Inactives Other tagged players: DeVante Parker
Alshon Jeffery active for Week 15
As expected, Alshon Jeffery (calf & illness) is active for Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings. There was some concern after Jeffery popped up on the injury report with another calf injury, but he was never expected to miss today’s game. The Vikings come into this Week 15 game ranked #14 against WR’s and Jeffery dominated Minnesota in Week 8 with 10 catches on 15 targets for 116 yards and 1 touchdown. In games that Jeffery has been active this season, his targets have been consistent with only one game under 9 all season – 11, 11, 15, 16, 4, 11, 12 & 9.
As reported by: Rich Campbell Spencer Ware active for Week 15
Spencer Ware will be active for the Chiefs’ Week 15 match up against the Baltimore Ravens. While Ware is active, Chris Mortensen is still reporting that the Chiefs view Ware as an emergency option and prefer not to use him.
As reported by: Evan Silva per Chris Mortensen Other tagged players: Charcandrick West Spencer Ware to be an emergency back Week 15?
According to Chris Mortensen’s report, Spencer Ware is likely to be used as an emergency back by the Chiefs today against the Ravens being quoted as saying “are gonna try not to play him.” This would be great news for Charcandrick West in a tough match up against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are ranked #7 DvP against RB’s, but this is a game the Chiefs should be able to run the ball in with the Ravens injured and struggling down the stretch.
As reported by: Evan Silva per Chris Mortensen Other tagged players: Charcandrick West T.J. Yeldon officially out this week
Adam Schefter is reporting that T.J. Yeldon will officially be out today against the Atlanta Falcons. This was expected as Yeldon missed practice time this week and is said to be dealing with a sprained MCL. This is good news for Denard Robinson, who has shown he can perform when given the work. In part-time action last week, Robinson had 75 rushes for 1 TD and 1 reception for 12 yards on 2 targets. Last year he showed that he can handle a larger work-load, at least for short periods of time. The Atlanta Falcons come in ranked 31st against RB’s in DvP and Robinson comes in averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Denard Robinson Greg Olsen expected to be active Week 15
Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen (knee) has said he felt “fine” while warming up today and that he will be a “full go” against the New York Giants today. Cam Newton’s most reliable target comes in with a nice match up against the Giants who come in ranked #30 against the TE in DvP. Olsen has been steadily receiving targets with 12, 7, 8, 6, 9, 12, & 4 in his last game where he was injured and sat out with the Panthers nursing a lead.
As reported by: Britt McHenry Alshon Jeffery expected to play Week 15
Alshon Jeffery (calf & illness) is listed as questionable for his Week 15 match up against the Minnesota Vikings, though Ian Rapoport is reporting that Jeffery is expected to play. The Vikings come into this Week 15 game ranked #14 against WR’s and Jeffery torched Minnesota in Week 8 catching 10 balls on 15 targets for 116 yards and 1 TD. In games that Jeffery has been active, his targets have been consistent this year with only one game under 9 all season – 11, 11, 15, 16, 4, 11, 12 & 9.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Spencer Ware expected to play Week 15
Spencer Ware is said to be dealing with separated cartilage in his ribs and has been listed as questionable ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 15 match up against the Baltimore Ravens. Ware got in some practice time this week and his ability to play is coming down to pain tolerance according to team officials and reporters. Ian Rapoport is reporting that Ware is likely to suit up today for the Chiefs, which may limit the upside and touches for both Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. The Ravens pose a tough task, coming in ranked 7th against the RB in DvP, however, West has shown that he can be a viable RB1 if given all the touches in the Kansas City backfield. In games where both West and Ware have been active, Ware has gotten more Red Zone and goal line touches, which limits West’s upside further if Ware is indeed active and receives a normal workload. If Ware is active, he may not see his full compliment of snaps, which would still give West 20-plus touch upside in a game they should be able to hold a lead in.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Charcandrick West Andre Ellington expected to sit Week 15
Andre Ellington (turf toe) is listed as questionable and “will not play” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. David Johnson will once again be in line for a solid workload against an Eagles defense coming in ranked #18 in DvP. Johnson has finished each of the last 2 games with over 90 yards rushing and has recorded 24 touches in each of the last 2 games, putting up 120 total yards or more in both.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Andre Ellington Julian Edelman ruled out for Week 15
Julian Edelman (foot) was never expected to play this week, even though he got in some limited practice time this week. The Patriots will hope to have Edelman back Week 16. Edelman will miss a nice match up against the Titans who come in ranked 24th against WR’s, 25th against QB’s and 28th against TE’s in DvP. With Edelman out, look for Danny Amendola to handle most of the short passing game work while Keshawn Martin pitches in as well. In the last 4 games, Amendola has targets of 11, 12, 13 and 8, while Martin has had 8 and 4 targets in his past 2 games for the Patriots. Brady will also look to get Rob Gronkowski involved after he looked good in his return last week from his knee injury where he caught all 4 of his targets for 87 yards and a touchdown.
As reported by: Jeff Howe Other tagged players: Danny Amendola, Keshawn Martin, Rob Gronkowski Calvin Johnson listed as questionable for Week 15
While we may not have official word on Calvin Johnson’s status until Monday, beat writers for the Lions have expressed no concern over Johnson’s (ankle) availability for Monday Night’s game against the Saints in New Orleans. The Saints come into Week 15 ranked #23 DvP against WR’s, presenting a solid match up for Megatron on Monday night. Recency bias may keep Calvin’s ownership numbers down this week after his dud last week, posting 1-16-0 on 5 targets with his lone catch coming late in the 4th quarter, though the match up against the Saints is certain to draw attention his way. As reported earlier, Eric Ebron missed practice today also (illness) and is listed as questionable. Ebron is expected to play Monday night as well against the Saints who rank 32nd in DvP.
As reported by: Michael Rothstein - ESPN Other tagged players: Eric Ebron