DFS Alerts
Doug Martin primed to bounce back in Week 10
Martin was a total disaster last week against the Giants, but he should fare quite a bit better this week against another NFC East opponent. Expect very low ownership levels on Martin after he carried the ball just 11 times and lost a fumble last week, which is something you can exploit in tournaments. Martin is seeing workhorse-type usage over the course of the season; starting with Week 2, here are his rush attempt totals excluding last week: 21, 14, 20, 24, 19, and 23. He’ll also give you a handful of receptions and receives the majority of his team’s red-zone carries, giving him a nice ceiling considering the $6,700 price tag. Charles Sims also lost a fumble last week, so there’s no reason to think Martin will remain in the doghouse following Week 9. Tampa plays at home this week and are two-point favorites as of this writing. After being bludgeoned by both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews last week, the Cowboys now lead the league in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs. The loss of Sean Lee as the anchor of the defense certainly won’t help Dallas’ cause.
James Jones shows up on Thursday's injury report
James Jones was added to the Packers’ injury report on Thursday with a quad issue, getting in a limited practice. He should be considered questionable to play on Sunday, but unless we hear something suggesting he’s in danger of sitting, we’re considering him closer to probable. In the event that he can’t play, expect a higher snap count for Ty Montgomery (if he’s able to play, currently listed as questionable). Adams has already been playing basically all of the Packers offensive snaps, but he’s produced very little this season. Randall Cobb is a great Week 10 target with or without Jones in the lineup, as he’s primed to breakout after a relatively slow past few weeks.
As reported by: Rotoworld Latavius Murray "symptom free" after Week 9 concussion
Latavius Murray has said that he’s symptom free after suffering a concussion last week against the Steelers. Murray missed Wednesday’s practice and wouldn’t commit to participating in Thursday afternoons practice, but the fact that he’s feeling good leaves open optimism that he suits up on Sunday. “I can’t make the call on what their plans are, but I know I feel good,” Murray said Thursday. “I’ve been progressing great through the week. It’s just a matter of that’s a decision not up to me.” It’s worth noting that this is Murray’s second concussion within a calendar year, so the Raiders may want to play it safe with their RB of the future. We’ll update Murray’s status as the week moves along. In the event that he can’t play, Roy Helu, Taiwan Jones and Marcel Reece would fill the void at RB, although it’d be tough to peg who would lead the backfield in touches. Jones would likely act as the early down option with Helu and Reece taking third down/passing down duties.
As reported by: Jimmy Durkin Matt Forte "limited" in practice once again
It’s still surprising that Forte is even on the practice field, and there is really no way of knowing whether he’s capable of suiting up on Sunday due to John Fox’s propensity to play it close to the chest with injury news. Even if he does play, Forte isn’t a strong DFS option against a very tough Rams front seven. Jeremy Langford will fill in for Forte if he’s unable to play, and he’d also be relegated to GPP only given the matchup.
As reported by: Brad Biggs on Twitter Alshon Jeffery misses Thursday's practice
Jeffery apparently “tweaked” his groin in Wednesday’s session, and spent Thursday getting treatment. Jeffery has rarely been at 100 percent this year, but he’s continued to act as the Bears top option in the passing game, exceeding double-digit targets in each game he’s played in. Expect another day of heavy usage this week against the Rams, who boast one of the league’s best overall defenses. St. Louis has been stingy against WRs this year, but this may be a spot where talent trumps matchup. Jeffery isn’t cash game viable but he’s a nice tournament target that may go underowoned this week. Jeffery should be considered questionable following the hamstring tweak, although we’re still expecting him to play at this point.
As reported by: Brad Biggs on Twitter Brandon LaFell looks to have great match up Sunday
Prince Amukamara is not expected to play Sunday which means Brandon LaFell will square off against Jayron Hosley who rates as one of the worst CB’s in the NFL. LaFell makes for a great GPP play this weekend as a result. The New England/New York game has the highest total of the weekend with the Pats as 7-point favorites, so there should be plenty of scoring to go around amongst the Patriots skill position players. LaFell is still underpriced given what he showed in this offense last year.
As reported by: Jordan Raanan on Twitter
Ben Roethlisberger ahead of schedule to return
While it’s still unlikely that he will play this weekend, sources have said that Roethlisberger is progressing ahead of schedule and with the tough-as-nails QB you never know. It’s a situation to monitor heading into Sunday. Landry Jones will get the start otherwise and has some value as a punt in a soft match up against the Browns.
As reported by: Adam Schefter on Twitter Chris Givens listed as starting WR for Ravens
Givens has jumped up the depth chart and now is starting along with Kamar Aiken. He is coming off his best game as a Raven where he had 3 catches for 57 yards. At minimum price on FanDuel and near minimum on DraftKings, he could make for an intriguing punt option this weekend against the Jaguars.
As reported by: Jamison Hensley on Twitter Allen Hurns misses another practice
The Jaguars wideout continues to not be able to practice with a foot injury and his status for this weekends game is very much uncertain. Allen Robinson would likely get even more targets than he already does with Bryan Walters stepping up as the other starter and making for a very intriguing value play in a plus match up against a terrible Ravens pass defense.
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter Emmanuel Sanders misses Wednesday's practice
Emmanuel Sanders missed Wednesday’s practice due to a sprained left ankle. It’s still unlikely that this ailment causes him to sit, but in the event that it does, Demaryius Thomas will see a nice boost in DFS value, with Bennie Fowler also entering the equation as a deep GPP punt. We’ll update Sanders status as the week progresses.
As reported by: Mike Klis on Twitter Jay Ajayi has "earned" more carries after strong debut
Dan Campbell has said that rookie RB Jay Ajayi has earned more work after a strong debut against the Bills in Week 9. Ajayi carried the ball 5 times for 41 yards, compared to zero combined touches for Damien Williams and Jonas Gray. The rookie has clearly supplanted them both as the direct back-up to Lamar Miller, although Ajayi isn’t a threat to Miller’s workload for the time being. Expect somewhere between 5-10 touches for Ajayi against the Eagles this week.
As reported by: Andrew Abramson on Twitter Matt Forte "limited" practice participant
It’s not worth reading much into this right now, as John Fox has a history of manipulating injury/practice reports, so we’re still considering Forte very doubtful for Week 10. Either way, it’ll be hard to justify rostering any Bears RB this week against a Rams defense that has been tough on opposing RBs this season. Jeremy Langford will draw another start assuming Forte is unable to play.
As reported by: Rich Campbell on Twitter Vincent Jackson still not practicing
The Bucs desperately need him back in the lineup, but it’s still unclear whether or not he’ll be healthy enough to suit up against Dallas. Mike Evans has been seeing heavy usage (19 targets last week), but the lack of depth at WR is making it easier for defenses to key in on him. If Jackson is able to return this week, bump Evans down slightly. Jackson himself would be an interesting tournament play at what will be a very low ownership percentage.
As reported by: Greg Auman on Twitter Allen Hurns does not practice Wednesday
Hurns’ status is very much up in the air this week. He was in a walking boot on Monday which is almost always a bad sign, especially for wide receivers. In the event that Hurns can’t go, Allen Robinson would continue to see a huge volume of targets (likely with extra defensive attention), and Bryan Walters would be expected to pick up some extra playing time.
As reported by: John Oehser LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins listed as probable for TNF
McCoy’s strained shoulder apparently won’t keep him out of action this week, as he’s expected to play and there’s no indication that he’ll be limited in any way. Karlos Williams would have been a viable value play had McCoy sat, but the match-up with the Jets defense doesn’t bode well for either runner. McCoy is better used as a GPP play, but keep in mind that since he plays on Thursday, his ownership percentage in GPPs will likely be higher than it should be, making him a good fade. Sammy Watkins is also listed as probable and while he’s coming off his best game of the season, he’ll now have to do battle with Darrelle Revis. He’s also a good tournament fade for Thursday contests.
As reported by: Rotoworld