DFS Alerts
Andrew Luck will not play this weekend
While Luck practiced today giving hope that he might play this weekend, Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano told reporters that he would not play this weekend against the Texans. With Matt Hasselbeck also questionable, it could be Charlie Whitehurst who takes the field as the Colts starting QB. He’s not a DFS option and it downgrades receiving threats like T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief while upgrading the Houston Texans D/ST.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Spencer Ware did not practice today
Ware has injured ribs and did not practice today. He’s considered questionable for the Chiefs game this week against the Ravens. While the Ravens are very soft against the pass, they have been tough against the run all season long (3rd in RB DvP and 1st over the last three weeks) and it favors a pass catching back like Charcandrick West more than Ware. If Ware is gone then West should get 20+ touches and is a great GPP target at the RB position.
As reported by: Adam Teicher on Twitter T.J. Yeldon has sprained MCL, questionable to play this week
Yeldon is in a knee brace and has a sprained MCL. He’s questionable to play this week against the Atlanta Falcons. Denard Robinson is an elite option going against the team that is second worst in the league in terms of fantasy points per game allowed to RB’s and is worst in the league over the last three weeks (allowing an average of over 30 FanDuel fantast points per game).
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter DeSean Jackson not practicing
The Redskins speedy wideout missed practice but has insisted that he’ll play this weekend in their game against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson does have big play ability and the Bills are bottom 10 in the league in terms of WR DvP but he has yet to put up one of those monster games that will win a GPP for you. He’s not in play at all on FanDuel where his price tag is $6,400 – he has yet to top three times value this season at that price point. However, he is in play on DraftKings where his price is a very affordable $4,500. At that price he’s topped 3x three of the last four games and 4x two of the last four games.
As reported by: John Keim on Twitter Andrew Luck practicing today
Matt Hasselbeck is not practicing but Andrew Luck is today for the banged up Indianapolis Colts as they head into their game with the Houston Texans. This pushes up the chances that Luck will return to the field after missing the better part of two months due to injury. The Texans are 19th in QB DvP but have been slightly better of late. Luck’s price is still a bit high though and there are better options out there at his price point.
As reported by: Zak Keefer on Twitter Jonathan Stewart very questionable for this week
The Panthers appear as if they are going to be very cautious with Jonathan Stewart making his status for this week very questionable. Fozzy Whitaker, Cameron Artis-Payne, and Mike Tolbert should split the work. Tolbert has always been a red zone threat for the Panthers but Artis-Payne probably has the most upside of the three in a soft match up against a not so good New York Giants defense.
As reported by: Britt McHenry Peyton Manning set to practice this week, but Osweiler will start vs. PIT
While Peyton Manning will be back to practicing at some point this week, Brock Osweiler will still get the nod as the starter in Week 15 against Pittsburgh. The Broncos offense has been a shell of itself since Peyton’s struggles began, and that hasn’t changed under Osweiler. After a nice game to start his career, Osweiler has taken steps back in recent weeks and does not appear to be a long term option for Denver. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have struggled relative to what we typically expect as far as fantasy production, with Sanders being impacted the most, as he’s totaled just 5 catches for 36 yards combined over the past two games, while Thomas has corralled 16 receptions for 156 yards and a TD over that same span. Thomas is a nice GPP target this week against a Pittsburgh defense that is much easier to beat through the air, and they especially struggle to contain outside WRs. The entire Broncos offense is out of play in cash games.
As reported by: Denver Post Other tagged players: Peyton Manning
LeGarrette Blount done for the year
The hits keep on coming for the Patriots. Blount will miss the rest of the season, which leaves the Patriots backfield to James White and Brandon Bolden. New England could choose to add another back to the active roster, but at this point they’ve yet to do so. It’s possible that James White takes on more early down work as a result of Blount’s injury, but those touches will likely go to Brandon Bolden. Bolden wasn’t able to find much running room against Houston (he finished with 51 yards on 16 carries), but a lot of his work came late in the game when it was obvious the Patriots were going to run the ball relentlessly. He should have more room to operate this week against a Titans defense that ranks 24th in DVOA against the RB position.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Seahawks waive DuJuan Harris, Bryce Brown in line to start
DuJuan Harris has been waived by the Seahawks. It’s a surprising move considering Thomas Rawls’ injury and Marshawn Lynch’s uncertain return, but for now it’ll be Bryce Brown heading up the Seattle backfield. The unfortunate thing here is that Brown is not in either the FanDuel or DraftKings player pool for Week 15, so we won’t be able to take advantage of this situation at all. DFS players will have to get by with the likes of Tim Hightower, David Johnson (if Ellington is out) and Denard Robinson (if Yeldon is out) if punting a RB spot.
As reported by: Field Yates Other tagged players: Bryce Brown Cowboys won't shut down Dez Bryant
When asked if there was a chance the Cowboys would shut Dez Bryant down for the season with the Cowboys having no shot at a playoff berth, Jerry Jones stated “No, not at all. We go balls out with Dez.” That’s quite a statement from Jones, whose team has completely tanked without Tony Romo under center which has prevented Bryant from posting numbers even somewhat resembling his 2014-2015 season. Dez will continue to be a non-factor in DFS, as Matt Cassel keeps both his floor and ceiling too low given his price. The Cowboys offense isn’t in play in Week 15 against a tough Jets defense. Dez has found the end-zone just twice this year and has been held to under 50 yards in six of his eight games this season.
As reported by: Jon Machota Andre Ellington misses Tuesday's practice
Bruce Arians had said that he expected Ellington to return this week, but the fact that he’s not practicing early in the week isn’t a great sign. More will be known regarding his status by Friday, but at this point we’d still lean towards David Johnson getting the start as the Cardinals offense has been humming along without Ellington and Chris Johnson. They’ll want Ellington healthy for a playoff run, so giving him an extra week to recuperate isn’t out of the question. If Johnson has the backfield to himself again, he’d be an elite $/point target against an Eagles defense that has softened against the run since the beginning of the season. Johnson’s workload gives him an extremely high floor given his price.
As reported by: Darren Urban on Twitter Other tagged players: David Johnson Matt Schaub may be able to return this week
There was a chance that Baltimore was going to place Schaub on season-ending IR, but it now looks like he may actually have a chance to play in Week 15. Regardless of whether it’s Schaub or Jimmy Clausen under center, the Ravens offense will be best avoided against a Chiefs defense that has come on strong over the past month. Kamar Aiken’s outlook would be slightly improved by Schaub’s presence, but he’s nothing more than a GPP dart throw either way. Javorius Allen is the only Raven worth an extended look in Week 15.
As reported by: Ed Werder Greg Olsen expected to play in Week 15
Olsen is expected to be limited in practice this week, but he hasn’t missed a game since his rookie season and it appears very unlikely that this ailment keeps him out of action. The dangerous thing here is that with the Panthers coasting into the playoffs, they can limit Olsen’s snaps if they choose to, but there isn’t any indication at this point that it’s being considered. Olsen will remain a top TE target this week against the Giants, but this injury does add a slight level of risk to using him in cash games. On the off chance Olsen doesn’t play, Ed Dickson would become a very intriguing punt play at TE.
As reported by: Joe Person Jaguars sign Jonas Gray off Dolphins practice squad
This isn’t a good sign for T.J. Yeldon and his knee injury as the Jaguars are obviously concerned enough to sign some RB depth. Denard Robinson stepped up for Yeldon last week and put up 75 yards and a TD on just 14 carries. The Jaguars have a very positive match up against the Falcons this week and if Yeldon is unable to go, Robinson will be a great option at his price tag across the industry. Atlanta has surrendered the 2nd most FPPG to RBs this season, and Jonas Gray wouldn’t be expected to take on much of a role in his first game with the Jags. If Yeldon sits, expect 5-8 touches for Gray with Robinson handling the bulk of the work.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter LeGarrette Blount on crutches after injuring hip Sunday
It’s not a good sign for the Patriots starting RB as he was seen on crutches today after injuring his hip on Sunday. Brandon Bolden would likely get the every down work with James White playing on passing downs. Neither are extremely viable DFS cash game options as White is inconsistent and Bolden only had 51 yards on 16 carries after Blount left Sunday’s game. Game flow would presumably benefit Bolden, as the Patriots are expected to route the 3-10 Titans, but White will certainly have his opportunities in the passing game, and he was used near the goal-line on a handful of plays on Sunday night. White has the higher ceiling in this match-up, but both backs would be intriguing GPP options.
As reported by: Mike Reiss on Twitter