DFS Alerts
PHI QB Jalen Hurts and RB Miles Sanders returned to practice Wednesday
Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders returned to practice Wednesday ahead of the Eagles first round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jalen Hurts was held out of last game mostly to ensure that he would be ready for the playoffs, so it comes as not surprise that he was able to return to practice today. He should be ready by Sunday and should not be limited in any fashion. Hurts will need to be considered in DFS contests due to his dual threat nature even against a tough Tampa bay defense. Sanders is also expected to be available this weekend and should lead the Philadelphia backfield. Sanders remains in a tough situation due to a hot hand approach at the running back position for the Eagles. Sanders is the most talented back but Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, and possibly even Kenneth Gainwell will be given their touches as well. It will be tough to play any Eagles running back in DFS contests this weekend due to the lack of consistent touches and the difficult matchup.
As reported by: Philadelphia Eagles Other tagged players: Miles Sanders
PIT RB Najee Harris (elbow) DNP Wednesday
Najee Harris (elbow) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of the Steelers first round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Harris is dealing with an elbow injury that caused him to miss most of the first half of last Sunday’s game. Harris was able to return and didn’t seem to be too limited by the injury but he will still get an extra day off this week as the Steelers try to help get him as close to 100% as possible for this weekend’s game. Harris is expected to be able to suit up and should see close to a full workload. Any work that Harris is unable to handle would be picked up by Benny Snell or Kalen Ballage but this would still be nowhere near enough to bring them into DFS consideration. It will be important to monitor Harris’s practice status as the week progresses, but he is expected to be fine come Sunday.
As reported by: Brooke Pryor SFO RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) DNP Wednesday
Elijah Mitchell (knee) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of the 49ers first round matchup with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Mitchell has been given days off in the past to rest his knee (including last Wednesday), so his absence on the first day of practice ahead of a playoff game for San Francisco is not too much of a concern as of yet. 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 tough matchup against the Dallas defense. It will be important to monitor Mitchell’s practice status as the week progresses, but he will most likely make his return tomorrow if he is on the same schedule as last week.
As reported by: Matt Maiocco DAL RB Tony Pollard returned to practice Wednesday
Tony Pollard returned to practice Wednesday ahead of the Cowboys first round playoff matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Pollard should reclaim his role splitting time in the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott limiting both backs upsides. Elliot would be expected to see most of the high leverage touches while Pollard would mix in and play a larger role in the passing game. Both backs can be considered in DFS contests though they draw a tough matchup against the 49ers defense who limited the Los Angeles Rams last week to just 64 yards rushing.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken KCC RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) returned to practice Wednesday
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) returned to practice Wednesday ahead of the Chiefs first round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. It seems as though CEH is trending towards a return just in time for the playoffs. CEH will likely split the backfield work with Darrel Williams (who also practiced today despite suffering a toe injury last game) upon his return hurting both players value. CEH is expected to handle much of the early down work while Williams should handle much of the passing downs and goal line work. Both players are worth considering in DFS contests because of the offense they play in but both will have limited upside due to their time split.
As reported by: Sam McDowell TBB RB Ronald Jones and WR Cyril Grayson considered doubtful for Sunday; RB Leonard Fournette designated for return to practice
Ronald Jones and Cyril Grayson both logged DNPs Wednesday and are considered doubtful for Sunday according to HC Bruce Arians. 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. It will be important to monitor this situation going forward, as whoever is leading the Buccaneers backfield come Sunday will be worthy of consideration in DFS contests.
As reported by: Scott Smith Other tagged players: Cyril Grayson SFO RB Trey Sermon activated to 53-man roster from IR
Trey Sermon has been activated to 53-man roster from IR ahead of the 49ers matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. San Francisco was forced to make this move today or Sermon would have been ineligible to play the rest of the season. Sermon is not expected to play a major role in the 49ers offense and will likely be a candidate to be a healthy scratch come game day. The San Francisco backfield will be led by Elijah Mitchell with Deebo Samuel, Jeff Wilson, and JaMycal Hasty all mixing in. Mitchell can be considered in most formats but Samuel’s continued usage as a running back has cut into Mitchell’s touchdown equity.
As reported by: Matt Maiocco CIN QB Joe Burrow and K Evan McPherson returned to practice Tuesday; WR Stanley Morgan DNP
Joe Burrow and Evan McPherson returned to practice Tuesday ahead of the Bengals first round matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders Saturday. Burrow was able to practice in full Tuesday after resting last game while he deals with a knee injury. Burrow is expected to be close to 100% by Saturday and should not be limited at all. This is great news for the Bengals and DFS players as Burrow can be considered in most formats this weekend. McPherson was also able to log a full practice after missing last game and should be in line to handle the kicking duties for Cincinnati come Saturday. The only surprise on the Bengals practice report was Stanley Morgan who logged a DNP with a hamstring injury. Morgan is only expected to serve as receiver depth for the Bengals so his potential absence would not be DFS relevant.
As reported by: Jay Morrison Other tagged players: Evan McPherson, Stanley Morgan BUF WR Emmanuel Sanders returned to practice Tuesday
Emmanuel Sanders returned to practice Tuesday ahead of the Bills first round matchup against the New England Patriots set for Saturday. Sanders has been dealing with a knee injury that has forced him to miss the last two weeks but seems set to return for the playoffs after logging a full practice today. Sanders should re-enter the the Buffalo passing game though his role is a little up in the air. Sanders could compete with Gabriel Davis for snaps opposite Stefon Diggs with Cole Beasley set to remain in the slot. Hopefully we will get more information as the week progresses, but right now it is tough to know Sanders role in the offense and therefore he becomes a riskier play in DFS.
As reported by: Buffalo Bills LVR TE Nick Bowers inactive Sunday night
Nick Bowers will be inactive Sunday night when the Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Bowers was expected to serve as tight end depth if Darren Waller was unable to play, but with Waller active Bowers will no longer be needed. Waller should instantly slot back in as one of Derek Carr’s top options in the passing game and all other pass-catchers should see their expected production decrease. Waller can be considered in all formats and even in the captain spot as he has the potential to be the highest scoring player on the slate. It is worth noting that it is a possibility that Waller could be limited in his first game action since Thanksgiving.
As reported by: Las Vegas Raiders LAC RB Larry Rountree and FB Gabe Nabers inactive Sunday night
Larry Rountree and Gabe Nabers will be inactive for Sunday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.Rountree and Nabers were both expected to serve as depth in the backfield so their absences are not expected to impact the showdown slate too much. The Chargers backfield will be led by Austin Ekeler with Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley available to back him up. Ekeler is one of the top plays on the slate and can be considered in all formats while Jackson could be used as a contrarian option that has the potential to vulture a touchdown or two.
As reported by: Fernando Ramirez Other tagged players: Gabe Nabers NOS RB Mark Ingram and WR Kenny Stills inactive Sunday
Mark Ingram and Kenny Stills are inactive Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Ingram is still dealing with a knee injury that plagued him earlier this season and will be held out this weekend. With Ingram officially out, Alvin Kamara will play an even bigger role in the Saints backfield and will have Tony Jones Jr. available to back him up. Kamara and Taysom Hill should both be the focal points of the offense this weekend and Ingram’s absence only strengthens their values. Stills was expected to serve as receiver depth in the Saints passing attack and his absence should not be DFS relevant.
As reported by: New Orleans Saints Other tagged players: Kenny Stills ATL WR Frank Darby inactive Sunday
Frank Darby is inactive Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Darby was expected to serve as receiver depth so his absence will not be DFS relevant.
As reported by: Atlanta Falcons MIA WR Preston Williams inactive Sunday
Preston Williams inactive Sunday against the New England Patriots. Williams was expected to serve as receiver depth but his role will be assumed by Albert Wilson. This should have little to no impact in DFS contests.
As reported by: Miami Dolphins SEA TE Will Dissly inactive Sunday
Will Dissly is inactive Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Dissly was expected to back up Gerald Everett but this role will now be played by Colby Parkinson. This should have little to no impact on DFS contests.
As reported by: Brady Henderson