DFS Alerts
Allen Hurns not practicing today
The Jaguars #2 WR is still going through the league concussion protocol and will not practice today. His status is definitely up in the air for this weekends game against the Titans. Bryan Walters would probably be the biggest beneficiary if Hurns can’t go but probably doesn’t warrant more than a GPP dart throw or two.
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter
Ben Roethlisberger will practice today
Not a shock given how durable Big Ben is, but him practicing today is a good sign he will play this weekend in what is a very plus match up against the Colts.
As reported by: Mark Kaboly on Twitter Chris Johnson placed on IR/designated to return list
Chris Johnson has been placed on IR/return, which effectively ends his season. He could return if the Cardinals were to play in the Super Bowl. With Andre Ellington also expected to sit this week, David Johnson becomes a prime value target as the new lead back in Arizona. He’ll be spelled by Stepfan Taylor and the Cardinals are likely to add another back to the active roster (potentially Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad), so it won’t be all Johnson’s show. Regardless, David Johnson has been a factor in the red-zone and now that he’s expected to see a relatively heavy workload, he’s in a great spot to succeed from a DFS perspective. He’s going to be a tough fade in cash games this week since he’s still very cheap across the industry, but he is a very interesting GPP fade if you’re willing to bank on him having a down outing. The matchup with St. Louis isn’t ideal, but it helps that Johnson can contribute as a receiver which should keep him involved regardless of game-flow.
As reported by: Mike Jurecki on Twitter
Josh McCown likely done for the season
It appears that the Browns QB is done for the year with a broken collarbone. What the Browns do moving forward will be an interesting decision. Will they give Manziel another chance or will Austin Davis continue to get the starting nod? Manziel has more DFS upside (and downside if we’re being honest) but neither QB is much of an option and the loss of McCown is a hit to the value of TE Gary Barnidge who had a great connection with McCown.
As reported by: Mary Kay Cabot Ryan Mathews practicing
It looks as if Mathews is progressing through dealing with his concussion as he practiced today. The Eagles have a tough match up against the Patriots this weekend and Mathews isn’t much of a DFS option. He does negatively impact slightly the value of DeMarco Murray as Chip Kelly has shown a tendency to split the red zone work between the two backs.
As reported by: Tim McManus on Twitter Marlon Brown inactive for Ravens
The Ravens passing game is an absolute mess right now, but Brown wouldn’t have helped matters anyway. Kamar Aiken and Chris Givens will act as the top two WRs for Matt Schaub, but there is not much appeal in targeting any member of the Ravens passing game. Aiken, Givens and even Crockett Gillmore are viable options if you need to play catch up and use a contrarian late-swap option. Javorius Allen is the top target on this offense.
As reported by: Jamison Hensley on Twitter Gabriel, Hawkins inactive for Browns
Neither Taylor Gabriel or Andrew Hawkins will play tonight against the Ravens. Both had been ruled out prior to tonight, but we now have official confirmation. Brian Hartline remains a sneaky GPP target on late-swap sites, while Travis Benjamin should see ample work as the top option among the WRs.
As reported by: Jamison Hensley on Twitter Gronk expected to miss multiple weeks
While it’s still good news that his injury isn’t severe, Gronk is not expected to play this week and will likely miss time beyond Week 13. Scott Chandler will provide really solid value at the TE spot this week as the top pass catching TE on the roster, with Brandon LaFell also likely to see an uptick in targets. LaFell will run his routes against the Eagles outside CBs, who have been roasted over the past month.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Shaun Draughn plays 100% of the snaps at RB
He’s the first player at his position to do it all year, something no one in the universe would have guessed would be the case. With Carlos Hyde very likely to sit again next week, Draughn won’t have any competition for work against a Bears defense that hasn’t been strong against the run. His prices across the industry for Week 13 shouldn’t jump much based on his performance yesterday.
As reported by: @LateRoundQB David Johnson expected to start in Week 13
With both Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington going down on the same drive yesterday, David Johnson is now likely to lead the Cardinals backfield Sunday in St. Louis. It’s not an ideal spot for him and Stepfan Taylor may end up stealing early down work, so Johnson isn’t necessarily a plug-and-play option. He certainly possesses a high ceiling given that the Cardinals like to give him the ball in the red-zone, so the GPP appeal is there. He’d likely see somewhere in the range of 14-20 touches against the Rams.
As reported by: azcardinals.com Rishard Matthews questionable to play this week
Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews is questionable to play this week according to Head Coach Dan Campbell. If he is unable to go, DeVante Parker becomes a great value option at WR. He played over over 75% of the snaps this past Sunday and was the clear #2 option behind Jarvis Landry.
As reported by: Armando Salguero on Twitter Rob Gronkowski's injury not severe
Patriots fans can rejoice as their star TE’s injury is not severe. He might miss this weeks game but there is also a chance he will play. If Gronk does miss this week, Scott Chandler becomes an elite value play at the TE position. Brandon LaFell also sees a nice uptick in value with Gronk out, as he’ll be running routes against the Eagles burnable outside CBs.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport on Twitter Ahmad Bradshaw placed on season ending IR
The oft-injured Bradshaw has had bad luck hit him again as he has been placed on IR for the third consecutive season. The recently signed Boom Herron will be the handcuff to Frank Gore and only has DFS value if Gore were to also get injured.
As reported by: Stephen Holder on Twitter Arizona RB's day-to-day
The two lead backs for the Arizona Cardinals, Chris Johnson (knee) and Andre Ellington (toe), are scheduled to undergo MRI’s today and are at this time considered day-to-day. If one, or either, were to miss this week’s game it’d be a big boost for David Johnson. The Cardinals take on the Rams in St. Louis this coming week, so the assignment won’t be easy regardless of who is healthy. David Johnson would still be a viable value target if both Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington were to sit, but Stepfan Taylor also may be in line to steal some early down work.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Ben Roethlisberger in NFL's concussion protocol
If any of you were wondering why Big Ben left the game late in the 4th quarter yesterday well we now have the answer. He took himself out after having concussion-like symptoms. He is now in the league’s concussion protocol and his status for this weekend is uncertain at this time. Landry Jones would get the start but it’ll take a lot to keep Roethlisberger from playing as he’s proven time and time again that he’s one of the more durable quarterbacks in the league.
As reported by: Burt Lauten on Twitter