DFS Alerts
Emmanuel Sanders back at practice
After missing last week, Sanders practiced today – a good sign that he will be able to take the field Sunday in a tough match up against the Patriots. There are better options out there for sure at WR, especially given Sanders current health.
As reported by: Cameron Wolfe on Twitter
Charcandrick West doesn't practice, status uncertain
Head Coach Andy Reid stated that West would not practice today but that his hamstring is not bad and that he’ll fight like crazy to play this weekend. It’s a situation worth monitoring closely as West would be in play in GPP’s across the industry if he is able to play and his back up, Spencer Ware, becomes a value option if he is unable to go.
As reported by: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter Zach Ertz and Ryan Mathews out for Thursday's game
As expected, Ertz and Mathews will both sit out tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day game. Brent Celek immediately becomes a value option at TE against a Lions defense that is bottom ten in the league in adjusted TE DvP. Darren Sproles also will receive more work and is in consideration as a GPP play. This news also eliminated the potential for any Ryan Mathews vultures on red zone carries for DeMarco Murray.
As reported by: Adam Caplan on Twitter Matt Forte says he'll play on Thanksgiving
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte said he expects to play Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers after sitting out three games with a sprained MCL. “I probably could have played last Sunday, but I might not have been able to play coming up this week if something would have happened,” Forte said. “Time heals and stuff. Just a couple of extra days will help. I’m good enough to go.” Forte’s return comes right on the cusp of Jeremy Langford’s breakout, and thus complicates things from a DFS perspective. Forte also noted that he knows he won’t have to play every down with Langford around, but Langford wasn’t stealing nearly enough work from pre-injury Forte to diminish his fantasy value. We’re expecting more work for Langford this time around, and it could even turn into a split backfield if Langford continues to run well. Especially with Forte fresh off an injury, expect his workload to be lightened, making both he and Langford tough to target in cash games. If you’re playing the 3 game Thursday slate, both can be targeted as tournament options, although it’s hard to predict the workloads for each back at this point in the week. If Forte is not put on a snap count, he’ll likely see the bigger workload.
As reported by: Jeff Dickerson on Twitter
Ryan Mathews and Zach Ertz do not practice
Two of the Eagles key offensive players, Ryan Mathews and Zach Ertz, missed practice today and appear to be questionable for Thursday’s game against the Lions. Mathews absence would again boost the usage of DeMarco Murray and Darren Sproles would also gain in increase in snaps as a result. If Ertz were to sit, Brent Celek would get the bulk of the TE targets and would make for a good play in a Turkey Day GPP.
As reported by: Ed Kracze on Twitter Manziel benched, McCown to start for Browns
The troubled Johnny Manziel has been demoted to the #3 QB spot on the Browns depth chart and Josh McCown will get the start Monday night against the Ravens. McCown is a better DFS play than Manziel as he is more consistent and has shown the ability to put up some fantasy points. With a good match up against the Ravens below average pass defense, he makes for an intriguing GPP play. His return also boosts the value of TE Gary Barnidge.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Bears star offensive players limited in practice today
Three of, if not the, biggest threats on the Chicago Bears offense were limited in practice today. Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett are the three in question. Expectations are that the three will play on Thanksgiving night against the Packers but it is a situation that will require close monitoring, especially considering lineups will lock well before the game kicks off. Jeremy Langford would of course be the biggest beneficiary if Forte sits and Marquess Wilson would be the key receiver if Jeffery is unable to go.
As reported by: Bob LeGere on Twitter Eagles QB situation uncertain at this point
Sam Bradford has cleared the NFL concussion protocol but is still dealing with an injured shoulder and is taking a wait and see approach as to whether he will play on Thanksgiving Day. If he can’t go it’ll be Mark Sanchez under center against the Lions in what is expected to be a close, moderate scoring, game. The Lions have been vulnerable at times to the pass but have played much better of late. Regardless, whomever starts will be in play as a moderate value option, especially for those playing the Thanksgiving three-game slates.
As reported by: Ed Kracz on Twitter Keshawn Martin inactive; Amendola, LaFell and Dobson all active
Keshawn Martin will not play tonight against the Bills. Danny Amendola, Brandon LaFell and Aaron Dobson will see almost all of the snaps at WR, with Amendola having the highest floor and ceiling of the group due to his matchup with Nickell Robey, who is the weak spot in the Buffalo secondary. The Pats also attacked the Bills hard in the slot earlier in the year (with success), so they may very well go that route again. LaFell and Dobson will have the tougher matchups with Buffalo’s outside CBs, both of whom have graded out very well in coverage.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport on Twitter Keshawn Martin expected to be inactive
Martin was seen heading to the parking lot during warmups, which seems to indicate that he won’t play tonight. That leaves Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson (his status is also in some doubt) and Chris Harper as the candidates at WR, with Amendola expected to see the most work of the group. Rob Gronkowski should be a big part of the passing game tonight and can be trusted in any format, as can Amendola who is simply too cheap for the workload he’s expected to see.
As reported by: NESN Keshawn Martin could be a sneaky late-swap option
The Patriots have announced that Keshawn Martin is questionable for Monday’s game vs. the Bills. If Martin does suit up, he will likely see a large increase in his recent snap count considering that Julian Edelman is out for at least the next several weeks. Edelman leaves a large void to be filled in the Patriots high-powered offense that will likely be filled by a few different players. Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson (who was added to the injury report today), and Chris Harper will all likely see an increase in snaps along with Martin. Don’t be surprised to see Martin get time in 2-WR sets. Slot receivers have been a weakness for the Bills this season and New England attacked them hard with Julian Edelman in the team’s first meeting, but the outside WRs here still have appeal given how effective the Patriots passing game is. If you are behind and need to make a big splash on MNF, swapping out Amendola for Martin could give you the upside you need to climb the latter.
Brian Hoyer expected to return in Week 12 vs. NO
Hoyer will likely be a popular DFS tournament play against a Saints defense that has been absolutely terrible against the pass all season. The Saints have been gashed by Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota and Eli Manning in their last three games, and Hoyer would be an excellent bet to exceed value against them with the Texans running game weakened by the loss of Arian Foster. Expect big things from DeAndre Hopkins in Week 12, as he continues to roll regardless of the matchup or who is throwing him the ball.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Devonta Freeman "off to a good start" with concussion protocol
Freeman burned many DFS owners yesterday after leaving early in the 1st half of the Falcons game with the Colts, but it appears he has a pretty good shot at returning in Week 12. Atlanta takes on the Vikings at home this week, and while Minnesota is typically thought of as a strong defensive unit, they have been getting beat up by the run in recent weeks and the Falcons rushing attack is as strong as any they’ve faced this year. Tevin Coleman didn’t look particularly good yesterday, consistently missing the running lanes the offensive line was providing and instead opting to run directly downhill into traffic. If Freeman is able to go, he’ll see upwards of 20 touches against the Vikings.
As reported by: Falcons on Twitter Brock Osweiler to start again this week
Team sources state that Brock Osweiler will get the start again this week against the Patriots. This doesn’t come as a surprise after Osweiler was effective in leading his team to victory this past week. He’ll be a GPP play only but does have some potential against a Patriots team that is more vulnerable to the passing game than the running game.
As reported by: Chris Mortensen on Twitter Kendall Wright probably available this week
Titans Head Coach Mike Mularkey said he thinks WR Kendall Wright will be available to play this week against the Raiders. Given the lack of options the Titans have in their receiving corp, this is definitely great news for Marcus Mariota and the team as they take on a below average Raiders pass defense.
As reported by: Terry McCormick on Twitter