DFS Alerts
TBB RB Ronald Jones and WR Cyril Grayson ruled out for Sunday; RB Leonard Fournette considered questionable per HC Bruce Arians
Ronald Jones and Cyril Grayson have been ruled out for Sunday’s playoff matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, while Leonard Fournette is considered questionable per HC Bruce Arians. It seems like Fournette has a good shot to return this week and instantly regain his role as the lead back in the Tampa Bay offense. Backing him up would be Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Gio Bernard (if officially activated), and Le’Veon Bell. Vaughn would be expected to play a change of pace role while Bernard and Bell would mix in during passing downs. If Fournette were unable to play this week, Vaughn would be the Tampa Bay back to roster. With Grayson unable to play this week, Tyler Johnson and Breshad Perriman could play a larger role in the passing game behind Mike Evans. It will be important to monitor the running back situation going forward, as whoever is leading the Buccaneers backfield come Sunday will be worthy of consideration in DFS contests.
As reported by: Greg Auman Other tagged players: Cyril Grayson, Leonard Fournette
PIT WR JuJu Smith-Schuster trending towards playing Sunday, likely on a snap count
JuJu Smith-Schuster is trending towards playing Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, though he will likely be on a snap count. Smith Schuster was designated to return to practice yesterday and already looks to have a good shot of suiting up this week. His likely return will impact all Steelers pass-catchers, though not as severely with him being on a snap count. It will be important to ensure Smith-Schuster is activated from IR to the 53-man roster tomorrow by the 4pm ET deadline.
As reported by: Dale Lolley SFO RB Elijah Mitchell returned to practice Thursday
Elijah Mitchell returned to practice Thursday ahead of the 49ers first round matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Mitchell seems to be following the same practice schedule as last week and was given an extra day to rest his knee yesterday. Mitchell should be set to lead the 49ers backfield this weekend and see his normal workload. If he were to be ruled out however, Jeff Wilson would lead the backfield with Deebo Samuel and JaMycal Hasty also expected to mix in. Wilson would need to be considered based on expected volume, even in a tougher matchup against the Dallas defense. It will be important to check Mitchell’s final listing on the injury report released tomorrow but all signs point to him being good to go.
As reported by: Nick Wagoner LAR RB Buddy Howell (hamstring) DNP Thursday
Buddy Howell (hamstring) logged a DNP Thursday ahead of the Rams Monday night matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Howell is expected to serve as running back depth and his absence would not be DFS relevant even on the showdown slate. The Rams backfield should be led by Sony Michel with Cam Akers (who is still working himself back into game shape) mixing in.
As reported by: Darren Urban ARI RB James Conner (ribs) and RB Jonathan Ward (knee) DNP Thursday; RB Chase Edmonds, WR Rondale Moore, and TE Demetrius Harris returned to practice
James Conner (ribs) and Jonathan Ward (knee) both logged DNP Thursday, while Chase Edmonds, Rondale Moore, and Demetrius Harris all returned to practice ahead of their Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. It’s not surprising that both Conner and Ward were held out after HC Kliff Kingsbury stated that he expects both backs to be game-time decisions on Monday. Conner would be expected to split time with Chase Edmonds if he is available, limiting both players upside. If Conner were to be ruled out, Chase Edmonds would see most of the running back snaps with Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward (if available) backing him up. Edmonds would be one of the top plays on the showdown slate as he has proven to be a capable lead back when Conner has missed time, even in a tougher matchup against the Rams defense. Rondale Moore seems to be trending towards a return and could slot back in as one of the top three receivers for the Cardinals, possibly sending Antoine Wesley down the depth chart. Moore’s return should also impact the target share of Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, and Zach Ertz lowering their expected production. Demetrius Harris should back up Zach Ertz and doesn’t project to be DFS relevant at this time. It will be important to monitor the practice status of Conner as the week progresses but we will likely not know anything certain until inactives are released Monday night.
As reported by: Darren Urban Other tagged players: Jonathan Ward, Chase Edmonds, Rondale Moore, Demetrius Harris TBB RB Ronald Jones (ankle) and WR Cyril Grayson (hamstring) DNP Thursday
Ronald Jones (ankle) and Cyril Grayson (hamstring) both logged DNPs Thursday ahead of the Buccaneers first round matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. It is worth noting that both Leonard Fournette and Gio Bernard have been designated to return to practice meaning their return from IR could be this week. It seems like Fournette has a good shot to return this week and instantly regain his role as the lead back in the Tampa Bay offense. Backing him up would be Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Gio Bernard (if officially activated), and Le’Veon Bell. Vaughn would be expected to play a change of pace role while Bernard and Bell would mix in during passing downs. If Fournette were for some reason unable to be activated this week, Vaughn would be the Tampa Bay back to roster. If Grayson were unable to play this week, Tyler Johnson and Breshad Perriman could play a larger role in the passing game behind Mike Evans. It will be important to monitor the running back situation going forward, as whoever is leading the Buccaneers backfield come Sunday will be worthy of consideration in DFS contests.
As reported by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Other tagged players: Cyril Grayson PIT RB Najee Harris (elbow) DNP Thursday; expected to practice Friday before status for Sunday determined
Najee Harris (elbow) logged a DNP Thursday but is expected to practice Friday before his status is determined for Sunday’s first round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers are likely being extra cautious with their rookie back as he tries to manage his elbow injury and play in his first playoff game. Right now, the hope is that Harris will be able to play this weekend and see his full workload, but how he feels in tomorrow’s practice should be the deciding factor. If he is unable to go, Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage will likely split the backfield work with Anthony McFarland also available to mix in. Snell would be expected to see the majority of the work and would be considered the better DFS play strictly from an expected volume perspective. It will be important to check the injury designation given to Harris when the official injury report is released tomorrow.
As reported by: Ryan Fittipaldo NEP RB Damien Harris (hamstring) and WR Jakobi Meyers (thigh) listed questionable for Saturday
Damien Harris (hamstring) and Jakobi Meyers (thigh) have been listed as questionable for Saturday’s first round matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Throughout the season the Patriots routinely listed players on the injury report without any real concern of them missing the game, this is expected to be the case once again. If for some reason Harris were to be ruled out, Rhamondre Stevenson would lead the backfield with Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor also mixing in. Stevenson would need to be considered in DFS contests as he has had some monster performances with Harris out. If Meyers were to be ruled out, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor would play a larger role in the New England passing attack and could be considered in DFS contests. Although there is little concern over Harris and Meyers being available this weekend, it will be worth checking inactives Saturday when they are released 90 minutes before kickoff.
As reported by: New England Patriots Other tagged players: Jakobi Meyers CIN WR Stanley Morgan (hamstring) listed questionable for Saturday
Stanley Morgan (hamstring) has been listed as questionable for Saturday’s first round matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Morgan is expected to serve as receiver depth for the Bengals so his potential absence would not be DFS relevant.
As reported by: Paul Dehner Jr. KCC RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) DNP Thursday
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) logged a DNP Thursday ahead of the Chiefs first round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. This could be seen as a setback for CEH after practicing yesterday, calling his status into serious question for this weekend’s game. If CEH were to be ruled out, Darrel Williams would once again lead the backfield and would need to be considered in DFS contests. Williams is dealing with a toe injury but seems to be trending in the right direction to play this week and has impressed in previous weeks when given the opportunity to lead the backfield for the Chiefs. Williams would be backed up by Derrick Gore and Jerrick McKinnon but neither would be expected to play a large enough role to be worth considering in DFS. It will be important to check what sort of injury designation CEH has on the injury report released tomorrow.
As reported by: Adam Teicher ARI RB James Conner and RB Jonathan Ward likely to be game-time decisions Monday per HC Kliff Kingsbury
James Conner and Jonathan Ward are likely to be game-time decisions for Monday’s first round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams per HC Kliff Kingsbury. James Conner is dealing with both a heel injury as well as a rib injury and is obviously the bigger concern of the two players. Conner would be expected to split time with Chase Edmonds if he is available, limiting both players upside. If Conner were to be ruled out, Chase Edmonds would see most of the running back snaps with Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward (if available) backing him up. Edmonds would be one of the top plays on the showdown slate as he has proven to be a capable lead back when Conner has missed time, even in a tougher matchup against the Rams defense.
As reported by: Josh Weinfuss Other tagged players: Jonathan Ward PIT WR James Washington activated from COVID list
James Washington has been activated from COVID list ahead of Sunday’s first round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Washington should slot back in as the fourth receiver for the Steelers behind Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Ray-Ray McCloud. It is also worth noting that JuJu Smith-Schuster has been designated to return to practice and could be activated by Saturday which would push Washington down even further on the depth chart. At this point, Washington is not expected to see enough snaps or targets to be considered a good DFS target.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson CIN WR Tee Higgins will play Saturday per HC Zac Taylor
Tee Higgins will play Saturday in the Bengals first round matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders per HC Zac Taylor. There was never really much of a concern over Higgins’s status but Zac Taylor confirmed that he will play and should not be limited despite missing last weekend’s game. Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd will be Joe Burrow’s top weapons in the passing game this weekend and can all be considered for DFS contests at their respective price points.
As reported by: Jay Morrison CORRECTION: Derek Carr not placed on COVID list
CORRECTION: Derek Carr not placed on COVID list. A false report was picked up by a beat reporter who has since deleted his tweet. Carr should be in line to start for the Raiders on Saturday and all Las Vegas pass-catchers should see their normal volume.
CIN WR Stanley Morgan returned to practice Wednesday
Stanley Morgan returned to practice Wednesday ahead of the Bengals first round matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. After missing yesterday’s practice with a hamstring injury Morgan was able to return to practice and looks to be trending in the right direction to suit up this weekend. Morgan is expected to serve as receiver depth and should not be considered DFS relevant at this time.
As reported by: Jay Morrison