DFS Alerts
DET RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and TE T.J. Hockenson (hand) DNP Wednesday
D’Andre Swift (shoulder) and T.J. Hockenson (hand) both logged DNPs Wednesday ahead of their matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Earlier in the week HC Dan Campbell said he was “hopeful” both players would suit up this week but considers them day-to-day. If Swift is unable to return it would be Jamaal Williams (if activated from the COVID list) leading the backfield with Jermar Jefferson, Godwin Igwebuike, and Craig Reynolds (if elevated from the practice squad) available to back him up. Williams could be considered in most formats due to expected volume. If Hockenson were to be ruled out, Brock Wright would be in line to see the bulk of the snaps at tight end for the Lions.
As reported by: Detroit Lions Other tagged players: T.J. Hockenson
CLE RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) and WR Anthony Schwartz (concussion) DNP Wednesday
Kareem Hunt (ankle) and Anthony Schwartz (concussion) logged DNPs Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Kareem Hunt is not expected to 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 if he were to once again be ruled out the Browns would be even thinner at receiver than they already are, following Jarvis Landry being placed on the COVID list earlier this week. 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 LVR TE Darren Waller (knee) DNP Wednesday
Darren Waller (knee) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of the Raiders matchup with the Cleveland Browns this Saturday. Waller is considered day-to-day so his absence is not surprising but it also isn’t a great sign for his availability this weekend. If Waller were once again forced to miss Saturday, Foster Moreau would be the primary tight end for the Raiders. Last game Moreau caught three of his six targets for 13 yards in an underwhelming performance. Moreau would once again be considered a value option at the position but does come with some risk.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich DAL RB Tony Pollard (foot) DNP Wednesday; TE Sean McKeon returned to practice
Tony Pollard (foot) logged a DNP Wednesday, while Sean McKeon returned to practice ahead of the Cowboys matchup with the New York Giants. Pollard is still dealing with his foot injury after not playing last weekend. If he is unable to go again this week, Ezekiel Elliott should handle the bulk of the work and snaps in the Dallas backfield with Corey Clement also mixing in. Ezekiel Elliott will become a slightly better play in a good matchup against a lackluster Giants defense. Sean McKeon looks set to make his return this week after missing Sunday’s game. He should slot back in as the third tight end and does not figure to be DFS relevant.
As reported by: Adam Caplan NYG RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) DNP Wednesday
Saquon Barkley (ankle) logged a DNP Wednesday ahead of the Giants matchup with Dallas on Sunday. This was likely just a maintenance day for Barkley and there is no real cause for concern just yet. If Barkley were to be limited or ruled out, Devontae Booker would step into the workhorse role for the Giants and be a good value option. It will be important to check Barkley’s practice status the rest of the week, but he should be fine if he can log a limited practice by Friday.
As reported by: Adam Caplan PHI QB Jalen Hurts and RB Jordan Howard returned to practice Wednesday
Jalen Hurts and Jordan Howard have both returned to practice Wednesday ahead of the Eagles matchup with the Washington Football Team Sunday. Both Hurts and Howard seem to be trending in the right direction to make their returns following the Eagles bye week. Hurts will be one of the better options at quarterback and can be considered in most formats. Howard should reclaim a role in the backfield behind Miles Sanders, likely splitting time with Boston Scott.
As reported by: Tim McManus Other tagged players: Jordan Howard ARI WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee) expected to miss the rest of the regular season
DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions and possibly the rest of the regular season. Hopkins will seek a second opinion but it does not look good for him to suit up the rest of the way. With Hopkins likely out, A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Zach Ertz, and Rondale Moore all become much better plays based on expected volume. The Cardinals offense draws a dream matchup against the depleted Lions defense and will look to bounce back this Sunday.
As reported by: Adam Schefter SFO RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee) and TE George Kittle (knee) will not practice Wednesday
Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee) and George Kittle (knee) will not practice Wednesday ahead of the 49ers matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. If Elijah Mitchell were forced to miss another week, Jeff Wilson would be the lead back splitting carries with JaMycal Hasty and Deebo Samuel. Wilson can be considered in most formats as San Francisco should be playing from ahead most of the game and Kyle Shanahan loves to lean on the run game when possible. Kittle seems to be dealing with some knee soreness and is taking a maintenance day today. As of now, there is no reason to be too concerned about Kittle. It will be important to check that he does return to practice by Friday to ensure his availability this weekend.
As reported by: Nick Wagoner Other tagged players: George Kittle WAS WR Terry McLaurin (concussion), WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and RB J.D. McKissic (concussion) all DNP Wednesday
Terry McLaurin (concussion), Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and J.D. McKissic (concussion) all logged DNPs Wednesday ahead of their matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. If McLaurin were to miss this weekend, the receiving corps would be led by DeAndre Carter, Adam Humphries, and Curtis Samuel (status also in question). All three receivers would become much better value options based on the increase in expected production stemming from McLaurin’s hefty target share being split among them. 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.
As reported by: Nicki Jhabvala Other tagged players: Curtis Samuel, JD McKissic BUF WR Emmanuel Sanders (knee) and RB Taiwan Jones (knee) DNP Wednesday; TE Tommy Sweeney returned to practice
Emanuel Sanders (knee) and Taiwan Jones (knee) logged DNPs Wednesday, while Tommy Sweeney returned to practice ahead of Buffalo’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Sanders is not expected to be able to play this weekend which likely means more targets will go to Gabriel Davis and Cole Beasley making them stronger plays. If Taiwan Jones were to be unable to suit up this weekend Zack Moss (who has been a healthy scratch two of the last three weeks) should be active and serve as the third back for the Bills. Tommy Sweeney returned to practice today and should be set to return to his backup role of Dawson Knox.
Other tagged players: Taiwan Jones, Tommy Sweeney WAS WR Cam Sims and TE Sammis Reyes placed on COVID list
Cam Sims and Sammis Reyes have been placed on COVID list and will likely not play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sims was not expected to play much of a role this weekend and would likely have served as receiver depth. Dyami Brown will likely pick up any snaps that would have gone to Sims and does not figure to be DFS relevant. Reyes was also not expected to play much of a role this weekend and would have backed up Ricky Seals-Jones and John Bates. Seals-Jones and Bates are the only healthy tight ends on the roster so they should split the snaps this Sunday. Seal-Jones has a better track record and can be considered as a value option in tournaments, though it might be best to look elsewhere.
As reported by: Washington Football Team Other tagged players: Sammis Reyes DeAndre Hopkins (knee) won't practice Wednesday, status in question for Sunday
DeAndre Hopkins (knee) won’t practice Wednesday and his status is in question for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Hopkins is seeking a second opinion on the knee injury he suffered in Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. If he were to be ruled out A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, and Rondale Moore would all become much better plays based on expected volume. The Cardinals offense draws a dream matchup against the depleted Lions defense and will look to bounce back this Sunday.
As reported by: Bob McManaman HOU RB Rex Burkhead (hip) ruled out for Sunday
Rex Burkhead (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burkhead is dealing with a hip injury and will be unable to suit up this weekend. In his stead David Johnson and Royce Freeman will split the bulk of the work with Johnson being the lead back. It is also likely that Jaylen Samuels is elevated from the practice squad this weekend to serve as the third running back behind Johnson and Freeman. Johnson draws a good matchup against a lackluster Jacksonville defense and can be considered on Sunday as a contrarian option.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson NYG WR John Ross tests positive for COVID
John Ross has tested positive for COVID and will likely miss Sunday’s contest with the Dallas Cowboys. Ross was not expected to play a major role in the Giants offense this weekend with Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay, and Darius Slayton all available so his absence doesn’t figure to be DFS relevant. Collin Johnson will likely assume his role as the fourth receiver for New York.
As reported by: Jordan Raanan CLE QB Baker Mayfield tests positive for COVID; QB Case Keenum in line to start Saturday
Baker Mayfield has tested positive for COVID, Case Keenum is now in line to start Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Browns are one of the teams most affected by the recent COVID outbreak and have seen their depth depleted at multiple positions and now have lost their starting quarterback. Case Keenum has been a serviceable backup for Mayfield leading the Browns to a win over the Denver Broncos in Week 7 where he threw for 199 yards and one touchdown. It will still be difficult to trust Keenum without Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper (the two leading receivers in his last start) but Keenum can be considered this weekend on the Saturday slate.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Case Keenum