DFS Alerts
Jonathan Stewart out this weekend
No surprise here as the Carolina Panthers have opted to give Jonathan Stewart the weekend off. Fozzy Whittaker will start with Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert all getting work for the Carolina backfield in a plus match up against the New York Giants who are #23 in RB DvP. It’s hard to trust any of the three for purposes of DFS. Whittaker and Artis-Payne will likely split the bulk of the early down work with Tolbert taking over on passing downs and inside the five yard line. There’s value somewhere there, but figuring out exactly where is difficult and with other more clearly defined options out there it’s a situation that is probably best avoided.
As reported by: Joe Person on Twitter
Charles Clay officially out this week
The Buffalo Bills have announced that Charles Clay is out for this weekend’s game against the Washington Redskins. This news is not unexpected and it will likely be Chris Gragg who steps in for Clay. Gragg is not a DFS option but expect some of Clay’s targets to be funneled to Robert Woods who is an intriguing value option at WR against a Redskins defense that is #25 in WR DvP. Sammy Watkins is also a strong option against a Redskins pass defense that has had trouble with big plays this season (they’ve allowed 10 TD passes of 20+ yards this year).
As reported by: Buffalo Bills official Twitter feed Greg Olsen practices, looks probable for Sunday
The Panthers star TE practiced again today and looks likely to play on Sunday against a New York Giants defense that is #30 in TE DvP. Olsen, while a bit pricey, is one of the elite options at the position this weekend.
As reported by: Joe Person on Twitter T.J. Yeldon doubtful
Nothing surprising here as it’s been expected all week that T.J. Yeldon would not be able to play this weekend. He’s doubtful for this week and Denard Robinson is a great value option across the industry as the Jaguars take on the Falcons who are #31 in RB DvP. Robinson is playable in any format assuming Yeldon sits out.
As reported by: Hays Carlyon on Twitter Tim Hightower is a solid value play Sunday
With Mark Ingram out for the year with a shoulder injury, we didn’t really know what to expect last week from the New Orleans Saints backfield vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It appears that Tim Hightower has slid right into Ingram’s spot and passed up CJ Spiller as the feature back for the Saints. Hightower sits at only $3,900 on DraftKings and to find a feature back at that price is extreme value no matter the matchup. The Saints get a Lions defense that is average against the run, but regardless Hightower should be plugged into your lineups if you are looking to pay up for some studs this weekend. He has a high floor for his price and has some decent upside as well.
Stevie Johnson still not practicing
It’s looking more like Stevie Johnson won’t suit up against the Dolphins. The Chargers receiving corps have been decimated by injury this season, and Malcom Floyd will likely act as the #1 WR against Miami. It’s a nice match-up for Floyd, who will run most of his routes against the undersized Brent Grimes, who has been roasted in recent weeks. The Dolphins have been very susceptible to the run this season, but San Diego has had very little success on the ground, so expect Floyd to see a nice number of targets. He’s not a cash game play, but he’s a nice upside target given his price.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken on Twitter Other tagged players: Malcom Floyd
Donte Moncrief sheds walking boot, but still not practicing
While Moncrief wasn’t in a walking boot today, he still was unable to practice and his status for Sunday is very much in doubt. With some questions regarding the Colts QB situation (there is some thought that Matt Hasselbeck may not be able to play), Moncrief wouldn’t be a viable DFS option regardless. If he sits out, T.Y. Hilton should garner an extra handful of targets with Andre Johnson and Philip Dorsett filling in behind him. Hilton is a nice contrarian GPP target if Moncrief sits out, but the entire Colts offense has a very low floor given the QB situation.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen Julian Edelman may return against the Titans
It’s still unclear whether Edelman will be active on Sunday, but his participation in Thursday’s practice is a good sign that he’ll play, even if it’s in a limited role. Given how badly the Patriots have been bitten by the injury bug, they may choose to take it easy on Edelman to ensure he’s healthy for the playoffs. We’ll have confirmation on Edelman’s status a few hours before kickoff since this is a 1PM game, but we wouldn’t recommend him as anything more than a GPP dart throw at this point. He’ll likely be on a snap count if he suits up. His presence makes Danny Amendola tougher to target in Week 15 – if Edelman is active, Amendola isn’t a viable cash game play.
As reported by: Dan Phillips Greg Olsen back to practice on Thursday
Greg Olsen was back to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session. He’s going to suit up on Sunday and remains a high-end option despite the Panthers not having much to play for besides the undefeated season. Olsen likely won’t be limited and can be targeted confidently in any format. He’s a better play on FanDuel where’s he’s closer in price to guys like Delanie Walker, Jordan Reed, Julius Thomas and Travis Kelce. He’s nearly $7K on DraftKings where there are several options in the 4-5K range that are suitable replacements.
As reported by: Joe Person Jarvis Landry misses Thursday's practice
It doesn’t appear that his Week 15 status is in any doubt, but Landry missed Thursday’s practice and it’s possible he suffered a setback. At this point it’s still safe to assume he’s going to play, and he’ll draw the best match-up among the Dolphins WRs assuming San Diego doesn’t move either Jason Verrett or Patrick Robinson into the slot. Landry was a target monster last week (he saw 18 total) and would likely see upwards of 10 looks again on Sunday. He’s an option in any format, but Landry is better utilized in tournaments. While he’s scored just 5 offensive TDs this year, Landry is among the league leaders at the WR position (he’s 2nd behind only Eric Decker) in terms of percentage of workload in the red-zone.
As reported by: Adam Beasley Alshon Jeffery (illness/calf) misses Thursday's practice
Jeffery’s absence from Thursday’s practice was reportedly only a function of his illness, not his calf injury. He was limited in yesterday’s practice and it’s no surprise that the Bears are taking it easy on Jeffery given his numerous ailments that have come up over the course of the season. We’d be very surprised if Jeffery didn’t suit up on Sunday, and he’ll be a viable target in any format against Minnesota. He’ll likely see a combination of Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes, neither of whom have graded out well in coverage per PFF.
As reported by: Rich Campbell on Twitter Tyler Eifert misses Thursday's practice, not likely to play Sunday
Tyler Eifert missed practice again on Thursday and it’s looking very much like he’s going to sit out against the 49ers. The Bengals offense will be very hard to target with A.J. McCarron under center, but A.J. Green’s outlook does improve with Eifert out of the lineup. Green is still an option in tournaments, but he’s not at all viable in cash games. Rookie Tyler Kroft will likely draw the start at TE, but he’s not a DFS option regardless. If you had Eifert penciled into any lineup already, look to pivot to Jordan Reed, Delanie Walker or even Gary Barnidge as a contriarian option.
As reported by: Geoff Hobson Panthers expected to use committee approach without Stewart
Panthers coach Ron Rivera stated that the team will likely use a committee approach with Jonathan Stewart out against the Giants. Fozzy Whittaker will presumably draw the start, but Mike Tolbert will see an uptick in touches (especially in the red-zone) while rookie Cameron Artis-Payne is expected to see the field for the first time since late October. We’re tentatively expecting Whittaker to lead the backfield in touches, but Artis-Payne could see upwards of 10 touches if he’s able to run well with his first handful of opportunities. Whittaker has the highest ceiling of the group with Tolbert not far behind given how the Panthers like to use him towards the goal line.
As reported by: Joe Person Other tagged players: Mike Tolbert, Cameron Artis-Payne "Too soon" to rule out Yeldon for Sunday
Per Michael DiRocco, Jags coach Gus Bradley expressed some optimism that T.J. Yeldon would be able to play against the Falcons, saying it’s “too soon” to rule him out and noting that he’s made progress throughout the week. It still looks more than likely that Yeldon ends up sitting out, but whether or not he’s able to practice tomorrow will go a long way in determining his status. If Yeldon sits, Denard Robinson becomes one of the premier value targets of Week 15 at any position. Atlanta has allowed the 2nd most FPPG to RBs this season. We’ll update Yeldon’s status again tomorrow.
As reported by: Michael DiRocco on Twitter Other tagged players: Denard Robinson Matt Schaub practices, but looks uncomfortable doing so
Schaub practiced for the second straight day but reports came in that the QB didn’t look comfortable doing so. No word on whether he’ll give it a go this weekend. If he can’t go then it’ll be Jimmy Clausen again making the start. It doesn’t really matter whom it is for DFS purposes as essentially no one in the Ravens passing game (including Kamar Aiken) is a viable DFS target in their game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
As reported by: Jeff Zrebiac on Twitter