DFS Alerts
WAS WR Terry McLaurin returned to practice Thursday; RB J.D. McKissic and WR Curtis Samuel DNP
Terry McLaurin returned to practice Thursday, while J.D. McKissic and Curtis Samuel both logged DNPs ahead of their matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. If McKissic were once again to be ruled out, Antonio Gibson would lead the backfield with Jaret Patterson and Wendell Smallwood available to back him up. McLaurin seems to be trending in the right direction this week to remain Washington’s top option in the receiving game. If Samuel were to miss DeAndre Carter and Adam Humphries could play larger roles behind McLaurin.
As reported by: John Keim Other tagged players: JD McKissic, Curtis Samuel
CLE RB Kareem Hunt and WR Anthony Schwartz ruled out for Saturday; TE Harrison Bryant questionable
Kareem Hunt and Anthony Schwartz ruled out for Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders, while Harrison Bryant is questionable. As expected, Kareem Hunt will not be able to suit up this weekend so it will be a heavy workload for Nick Chubb who should be considered as one of the top plays on the Saturday slate. Behind Chubb, D’Ernest Johnson will be available to mix in and should play a decent sized role in the running game. Anthony Schwartz is still dealing with issues from a concussion and he will also be out meaning the Browns will be even thinner at receiver than they already are. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins are slated to lead the receiving corps with practice squad members likely to be elevated later in the week to fill out the depth chart.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich Other tagged players: Anthony Schwartz, Harrison Bryant SEA WR Tyler Lockett and RB Alex Collins placed on COVID list
Tyler Lockett and Alex Collins have been placed on the COVID list ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. With Lockett likely out, D.K. Metcalf will be the unquestioned leader of the receiving corps with Freddie Swain and D’Wayne Eskridge also slated to see more targets and snaps. Metcalf van be considered in most formats as the Seahawks are expected to be playing from behind and will need to throw the ball. With Collins likely out, Rashaad Penny should lead the backfield with Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas, and Adrian Peterson (if elevated) available to back him up. It is still rather difficult to trust the Seattle backfield as snaps have not been consistent and it will be even tougher to trust them against the Rams who boast one of the leagues better run defenses.
As reported by: Bob Condotta DET TE T.J. Hockenson (thumb) out for season
T.J. Hockenson underwent thumb surgery today and will be out for season including this weekend’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Last week in Hockenson’s absence Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra split tight end snaps. Both saw about the same number of snaps and about the same number of targets, which will likely be the case again on Sunday. Both Zylstra and Wright can be considered as value options this weekend in a game the Lions should be forced to throw the ball in.
As reported by: Adam Schefter LAC RB Austin Ekeler expected to play Thursday
Austin Ekeler is expected to play Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs but could be limited. Ekeler will give it a go against the Chiefs in an important divisional matchup against KC but could cede some touches to the other Chargers backs, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley. Ekeler will still likely see the bulk of the high leverage carries and targets but could have some of his upside cut into as he is still dealing with an injury suffered on Sunday. Ekeler can still be considered in most lineups, but expectations need to be tempered.
As reported by: Tom Pelissero MIA WR Jaylen Waddle placed on COVID list
Jaylen Waddle has been placed on the COVID list and will likely be unable to play against the New York Jets this Sunday. With Waddle likely out, DeVante Parker will lead the receiving corps and become one of the best plays on the slate at 4.3K on DK. Albert Wilson, Preston Williams, Mack Hollins, and Isiah Ford will round out the the rest of the receivers with Wilson seeing the biggest boost aside from Parker. Parker can be considered in all lineups, in all formats, in what looks to be an incredible smash spot.
As reported by: Adam Schefter BAL QB Lamar Jackson, WR Tylan Wallace, and FB Patrick Ricard DNP Wednesday; WR Miles Boykin and TE Nick Boyle returned to practice
Lamar Jackson, Tylan Wallace, and Patrick Ricard all logged DNPs Wednesday, while Miles Boykin and Nick Boyle returned to practice ahead of the Ravens matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Lamar Jackson is currently considered day-to-day with an ankle injury. If he were to miss, Tyler Huntley would draw the start and could be considered as a value option at quarterback in DFS contests. Tylan Wallace is not expected to play a major role in the Baltimore offense and his absence would not be DFS relevant. Patrick Ricard is still working his way back from injury, if he were unable to suit up this weekend the Ravens would likely forego a fullback. Miles Boykin and Nick Boyle seem to be trending in the right direction to make their returns this Sunday. Boykin should serve as receiver depth and is not currently considered DFS relevant, while Boyle should serve as tight end depth and should also not be considered in DFS contests at this time.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky Other tagged players: Tylan Wallace, Patrick Ricard, Miles Boykin, Nick Boyle GBP WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion) and TE Dominique Dafney (ankle) DNP Wednesday
Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion) and Dominique Dafney (ankle) both logged DNPs Wednesday ahead of the Packers matchup with the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday. St. Brown is not expected to play a major role this weekend. If he were to be ruled out, his snaps would likely be split between Amari Rodgers and Juwann Winfree, though neither would be DFS relevant. Dafney is also not expected to play a major role as the third tight end behind Josiah Deguara and Marcedes Lewis. His absence would not impact DFS players.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky Other tagged players: Dominique Dafney NOS WR Ty Montgomery activated from COVID list
Ty Montgomery has been activated from the COVID list ahead of the Saints matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Montgomery should slot in as the fourth receiver and could also see some work out of the backfield. He could play an even bigger role in the receiving game if LilJordan Humphrey is ruled out (missed last game, and didn’t practice today). Montgomery would remain a dart throw however and there are likely better options for this weekend’s slate of games.
As reported by: Nick Underhill JAC RB Carlos Hyde (concussion) DNP Wednesday
Carlos Hyde (concussion) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of Jacksonville’s matchup with the Houston Texans. If Hyde were to be ruled out, James Robinson would see the bulk of the running back work with Dare Ogunbowale available to back him up. This seems like it would be a great spot for Robinson with the Jaguars favored by 3.5 points but it is difficult to trust his snaps and work with HC Urban Meyer. It will be important to monitor Hyde’s practice status as the week progresses but this might be a week to consider Robinson.
As reported by: Adam Caplan TBB RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) DNP Wednesday
Leonard Fournette (ankle) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of the Buccaneers matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Coach Arians said the Fournette is a little sore but believes at this time he should be able to play this weekend. If Fournette were to be limited, Ronald Jones would play a larger role in the offense with Ke’Shawn Vaughn also available to mix in. Fournette would be one of the better plays on the slate if he were healthy in a game that Tampa Bay is expected to be leading. It will be important to check Fournette’s practice status as the week progresses to ensure his availability this weekend.
As reported by: Jeff Duncan NOS WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (hamstring) and TE Garrett Griffin (hamstring) DNP Wednesday
Lil’Jordan Humphrey (hamstring) and Garrett Griffin (hamstring) both logged DNPs Wednesday ahead of the Saints matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. Humphrey is expected to serve as the third receiver for the Saints behind Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway this weekend. If he were once again unable to suit up, the returning Ty Montgomery and Kenny Stills could play a larger role in the offense. Griffin is not expected to play much of a role this weekend and would only serve as tight end depth. His absence would not be DFS relevant, especially with the possible return of Adam Trautman from IR.
As reported by: Jeff Duncan NYJ RB Tevin Coleman and TE Trevon Wesco returned to practice Wednesday
Tevin Coleman and Trevon Wesco returned to practice Wednesday ahead of the Jets matchup with the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. Tevin Coleman seems to be trending in the right direction to make his return this weekend and slot back into the third running back role behind Michael Carter (expected to be activated off IR) and Ty Johnson. Coleman doesn’t figure to be DFS relevant at this time. Trevon Wesco is also trending in the right direction and should slot back into his role as a backup tight end to Ryan Griffin. Wesco does not project to be DFS relevant this week.
As reported by: Adam Caplan Other tagged players: Trevon Wesco MIA TE Hunter Long (illness) DNP Wednesday; TE Adam Shaheen returned to practice
Hunter Long (illness) logged a DNP Wednesday, while Adam Shaheen returned to practice ahead of the Dolphins matchup with the New York Jets. This early in the week an illness isn’t too much of a concern so Long will likely be ready for Sunday. If not, the returning Shaheen could take his role as one of the backups to Mike Gesicki. At this time, neither Long or Shaheen project to be DFS relevant.
As reported by: Adam Caplan Other tagged players: Adam Shaheen ARI RB James Conner (ankle) DNP Wednesday
ARI RB James Conner (ankle) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of the Cardinals matchup with the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Conner is considered day-to-day by HC Kliff Kingsbury so his absence early in the week is not surprising. If Conner were unable to suit up this weekend, Chase Edmonds (likely to be activated from IR) would lead the Arizona backfield with Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward available to back him up. Edmonds would need to be considered in most lineups based on expected volume in a good matchup where the Cardinals are favored by 13.5 points, at the time of writing.
As reported by: Josh Weinfuss