DFS Alerts
LAR RB Cam Akers and RB Buddy Howell activated from IR to 53-man roster; WR Brandon Powell elevated from practice squad for Sunday; RB Mekhi Sargent waived
Cam Akers and Buddy Howell have been activated from IR to 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Though kers has made a miraculous recovery from a torn ACL he suffered in July he will not travel with the team this weekend. Howell will serve as the third running back behind Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson. Brandon Powell has been elevated from the practice squad for and should continue in his role on special teams and serve as receiver depth. With Jake Funk making his return last week and Howell and Akers set to make their returns Mekhi Sargent has been waived.
As reported by: Los Angeles Rams Other tagged players: Buddy Howell, Brandon Powell, Mekhi Sargent
BAL QB Lamar Jackson will not travel with team, out Sunday
Lamar Jackson is not traveling with the team to Cincinnati where the Ravens are set to take on the Bengals this Sunday. Josh Johnson is now set to start after only being with the team for 10 days. With Johnson at quarterback the efficiency of the Baltimore offense should suffer. All pass-catchers will have their expected production decrease.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport KCC TE Travis Kelce "still has a shot" to clear the COVID list; expected to be activated today but has not officially tested out, his status should be known tomorrow
Travis Kelce “still has a shot” to clear the COVID list and is expected to be activated today but has not officially tested out. Under the new guidelines players do not need to test negative twice separated by 24 hours to be cleared. The Chiefs will activate Kelce today with the hope of him testing out tomorrow to be available for the game. If he were to be unable to clear the protocols he would be listed inactive and take up a roster spot for Kansas City. In his absence Noah Gray and Blake Bell would play the tight end position but would likely not play a major role in the offense. Most of Kelce’s targets would likely go to the receiving corps making them stronger plays.
As reported by: Adam Schefter KCC WR Tyreek Hill has cleared COVID protocols, expected to play Sunday
Tyreek Hill has cleared the COVID protocols and is expected to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. There has been optimism surrounding Hill this entire week and it looks like it was for a good reason as he will be able to suit up this weekend. Hill could be limited after being unable to practice this week but as of now there has been no mention of a limited snap count by HC Andy Reid. Hill should remain in his role as the top pass-catcher for the Chiefs and could be used even more if Travis Kelce is unable to clear the protocols in time. Hill can easily break a fantasy slate, even on limited touches so he can be considered in DFS contests.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport LAC RB Austin Ekeler officially out for Sunday
Austin Ekeler officially out for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. Ekeler was unable to test out of COVID protocols and will be forced to miss a juicy matchup against the awful Houston rushing defense. Justin Jackson should lead the Chargers backfield with Josh Kelley and Larry Rountree also mixing in. Jackson will be a great value play but some of his upside would likely be limited by the time share with the other backs. Jackson can be considered in most formats.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport JAC RB Nathan Cottrell and WR Josh Hammond elevated from practice squad for Sunday
Nathan Cottrell and Josh Hammond have been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Cottrell is expected to serve as running back depth behind James Robinson and Dare Ogunbowale and should not be considered DFS relevant at this time. Hammond is expected to serve as receiver depth with the Jaguars thin at receiver and should not be considered in DFS contests.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Josh Hammond BAL QB Tyler Huntley placed on COVID list, out Sunday; QB Josh Johnson in line to start
Tyler Huntley has been placed on the COVID list, and will miss Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Josh Johnson is now set to start after only being with the team for 10 days. There was originally some hope that Lamar Jackson could make a return and start but Jackson will not travel with the team. With Johnson at quarterback the efficiency of the Baltimore offense will suffer. All pass-catchers will have their expected production decrease.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Josh Johnson NEP WR Kendrick Bourne activated off COVID list and expected to be available Sunday
Kendrick Bourne has been activated off the COVID list and is expected to be available to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Bourne should play a major role in the Patriots passing attack with Nelson Agholor out due to a concussion. Jakobi Meyers will still be the primary option for Mac Jones but Bourne will be number two and can be considered as a value option.
As reported by: Mike Giardi WAS RB Wendell Smallwood activated off COVID list and elevated from practice squad for Sunday; K Joey Slye activated off IR to 53-man roster
Wendell Smallwood has been activated off the COVID list and elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Smallwood is expected to serve as the third back behind Antonio Gibson (questionable) and Jaret Patterson and would likely not be DFS relevant in that scenario. If Gibson were to be ruled out however Patterson would be the lead back with Smallwood playing a complimentary role akin to J.D. McKissic. Joey Slye has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster so Washington currently has two kickers on their roster, Slye and Brian Johnson. A roster move will likely be made or one of the kickers will be listed inactive prior to Sunday Night Football kicking off.
As reported by: Ben Standig Other tagged players: Joey Slye ARI RB James Conner expected to play Saturday
James Conner is expected to play Saturday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Conner will likely return to his normal role splitting running back snaps with Chase Edmonds. Edmonds should see the bulk of the passing down work while Conner should see the early down work as well as the majority of the goal line carries. Both Edmonds and Conner can be considered on the Saturday slate but will limit the other’s upside.
As reported by: Adam Schefter NOS RB Dwayne Washington placed on COVID list
Dwayne Washington has been placed on the COVID list ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Washington was not expected to play a major role as Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram should handle nearly all of the running back snaps for the Saints. It is worth noting however that the Saints are still in the midst of their COVID outbreak and more names are being added.
As reported by: Doug Kyed HOU RB David Johnson listed questionable for Sunday
David Johnson has been listed questionable for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Johnson were to be ruled out Rex Burkhead would lead the backfield with Royce Freeman 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 the chance to fall into the endzone.
As reported by: Houston Texans PR NEP WR Nelson Agholor and RB Rhamondre Stevenson ruled out for Sunday; RB Brandon Bolden and WR N'Keal Harry listed questionable
Nelson Agholor and Rhamondre Stevenson have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, while Brandon Bolden and N’Keal Harry have been listed questionable. With Agholor unable to clear the concussion protocol, N’Keal Harry should play a larger role in the New England passing attack behind Jakobi Meyers. With Stevenson unable to suit up, Damien Harris, Brandon Bolden, and J.J. Taylor (activated from the COVID list this week) would likely split the backfield work. Harris would be the primary back with Bolden seeing most of the passing down work and Taylor mixing in.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Other tagged players: Rhamondre Stevenson BUF WR Isaiah Hodgins elevated from practice squad for Sunday
Isaiah Hodgins has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Hodgins is expected to serve as receiver depth with the Bills thin at receiver after losing both Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis to the COVID list this week. Hodgins is not expected to play a large enough role to be considered DFS relevant.
As reported by: Buffalo Bills LVR TE Darren Waller doubtful for Sunday
LVR TE Darren Waller doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Waller seems to be trending in the wrong direction once again to play this weekend after missing all practices. If he were to officially be ruled out, Foster Moreau would be the primary tight end but has largely unimpressed the past few weeks. The main benefactors in this situation have been the wide receivers and specifically Hunter Renfrow (outside of last game). If Waller were once again to be ruled out, Moreau could be considered as a risky value option and Renfrow would need to be considered in most formats.
As reported by: Tashan Reed