DFS Alerts
CAR WR Brandon Zylstra has been placed on the COVID list, WR CJ Saunders has been elevated as his replacement
Brandon Zylstra has been placed on the COVID list and C.J. Saunders has been elevated as his replacement. Zylstra was not expected to play a major role in the Carolina offense today so his absence will not be DFS relevant. Saunders should serve as receiver depth.
As reported by: Joe Person Other tagged players: C.J. Saunders
KCC TE Travis Kelce did not clear COVID protocols, will be out Sunday
Travis Kelce did not clear COVID protocols and will miss Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Kelce out, Noah Gray and Blake Bell should split snaps at the tight end position with Gray expected to see more of the workload. Noah Gray can be considered as a value option at the tight end position. The big winners here are the receivers and the backs, as they should see a healthier share of targets. Tyreek Hill becomes an even more elite play and should see all of the targets he can handle. Hill can be considered in all formats.
As reported by: Adam Schefter CAR QB Sam Darnold is "expected to play today and likely play a lot" per Ian Rapoport
Sam Darnold is “expected to play today and likely play a lot” per Ian Rapoport. The quarterback situation in Carolina continues to get more and more interesting as HC Matt Rhule will seem to go with a hot-hand approach at the position. Cam Newton is expected to start the game but Sam Darnold is expected to play at some points. It sounds like game script could be a factor here as well as performance. Until this situation becomes more clear it will be best to stay away from both quarterbacks as the presence of the one will severely limit the upside of the other.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport HOU RB David Johnson in not expected to play Sunday
David Johnson in not expected to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. With Johnson likely out, Rex Burkhead will lead the backfield with Royce Freeman and Jaylen Samuels available to back him up. The Chargers have a poor run defense but the Texans are likely to be playing from too far behind to take advantage of this. Still, Burkhead could be considered strictly from an expected volume standpoint and has the chance to fall into the endzone.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport NYG WR Kadarius Toney "has a good chance to play" Sunday
Kadarius Toney “has a good chance to play” Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Toney will try to make his return today and would likely be somewhat limited after dealing with COVID as well as an oblique injury. In this case, Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton could play larger roles in the New York passing game. Jake Fromm is expected to make his first NFL start today and it will difficult to trust any pieces of the Giants offense. It might be worth taking a flier on a couple pass-catchers in GPPs but for the most part this situation should be avoided.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport CAR WR D.J. Moore expected to play Sunday
D.J. Moore is expected to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Moore should once again be able to suit up despite dealing with an injury and should remain the top target for whatever combination of Cam Newton and Sam Darnold HC Matt Rhule decides to go with. Moore should see a healthy target share from both quarterbacks but it is intriguing that Darnold is making his return as Moore and Darnold seemed to form a connection earlier in the year. Moore could be an interesting play today in a matchup where the Carolina Panthers should be forced to throw the ball.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport NEP RB Damien Harris expected to play Sunday
Damien Harris is expected to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Harris should lead the backfield and could see some extra work with Rhamondre Stevenson being placed on the COVID list earlier in the week. Harris should be expected to handle the bulk of the carries for the Patriots with Brandon Bolden contributing in the passing game. It is also likely that J.J. Taylor is active and mixes in to compliment both backs. Last time these two teams faced off the Patriots ran the ball every single play outside of three (under severe weather conditions) so the New England backs should remain busy today.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport WAS RB Antonio Gibson considered a game-time decision Sunday but there is optimism he plays; WR Curtis Samuel is also a GTD but there is less optimism for him
Antonio Gibson is considered a game-time decision Sunday but there is optimism he plays against the Dallas Cowboys. Gibson is dealing with a toe injury but is expected to give it a go in a crucial matchup against the Cowboys. Gibson should continue to lead the backfield but could be somewhat limited leading to more opportunities for Jaret Patterson and Wendell Smallwood, who will also be available. Patterson would be expected to mix in during more of the early downs while Smallwood would be expected to see more work in the passing game. Curtis Samuel is also expected to be a game-time decision, but there is less optimism that he will be able to suit up. If Samuel were to be ruled out Terry McLaurin would remain the top pass-catching option with DeAndre Carter and Adam Humphries expected to play larger roles. It will be important to check Gibson and Samuel’s status when inactives are released as their availability could drastically alter the showdown slate.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Curtis Samuel MIN WR Adam Thielen expected to play Sunday
Adam Thielen is expected to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Thielen has been trending in the right direction this entire week after logging a practice every day, and should give it a go. With Thielen set to return K.J. Osborn and Tyler Conklin will likely see their target share decrease. Thielen should slot back in as the number two option behind Justin Jefferson and will be Kirk Cousins’s top red zone target.
As reported by: Tom Pelissero IND RB Marlon Mack and WR Mike Strachan inactive Saturday
Marlon Mack and Mike Strachan have been listed inactive for Saturday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Mack remains the odd man out in the Indianapolis backfield due to his inability to play special teams. The Colts will go with Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, and Deon Jackson as the active running backs. Strachan will be inactive, even with Zach Pascal a last minute addition to the COVID list. This shows just how far down the depth chart Strachan really is.
As reported by: Indianapolis Colts Other tagged players: Mike Strachan ARI RB James Conner and WR Rondale Moore both INACTIVE Saturday
James Conner and Rondale Moore will both be inactive Saturday night against the Indianapolis Colts. With James Conner out, Chase Edmonds will lead the backfield with Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward available to back him up. Eno Benjamin should take on the bulk of the James Conner work with Ward mixing in. Benjamin could be an interesting contrarian option in GPPs with the ability to vulture a touchdown or two. With Rondale Moore out, Christian Kirk and A.J. Green will take on an even bigger role in the passing game for the Cardinals as Kyler Murray’s top options. Antoine Wesley will also need to step u and could be an interesting option on the showdown slate based on expected volume.
As reported by: Arizona Cardinals Other tagged players: Rondale Moore SEA WR Cody Thompson and TE Tyler Mabry elevated from practice squad
Cody Thompson and Tyler Mabry have been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. Thompson is expected to serve as receiver depth and is not expected to be DFS relevant at this time. Mabry is expected to serve as tight end depth and is not worth consideration in DFS contests.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Tyler Mabry CHI WR Nsimba Webster and WR Dazz Newsome elevated from practice squad
Nsimba Webster and Dazz Newsome have been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. NSimba Webster will likely play a role on special teams with pro bowl returner Jakeem Grant ruled out. Newsome should serve as receiver depth and is not expected to see enough work to be considered DFS relevant at this time.
As reported by: Chicago Bears Other tagged players: Dazz Newsome NEP WR Kristian Wilkerson elevated from practice squad
Kristian Wilkerson has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Wilkerson should serve as the 4th receiver for the Patriots but will likely not see enough work to be considered in DFS contests.
As reported by: Doug Kyed LVR WR Tyron Johnson elevated from practice squad
Tyron Johnson has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Johnson is expected to continue to serve in his depth role at wide receiver and is not worth consideration in DFS contests.
As reported by: Paul Gutierrez