DFS Alerts
LAC RB Austin Ekeler, WR Mike Williams, TE Jared Cook, and TE Donald Parham Jr. all returned to practice Tuesday
Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Jared Cook, and Donald Parham Jr. all returned to practice Tuesday ahead of the Chargers Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. With a short week it is likely that all of these players were just taking an extra day to rest up before an important divisional contest. Ekeler should remain in his normal role as the lead back for Los Angeles while also playing an important role in the passing game. Mike Williams will return to his complimentary role opposite Keenan Allen (activated off the COVID list earlier today). Jared Cook should continue to see the bulk of the tight end work with Donald Parham available to back him up. Both Cook and Parham can be considered on the showdown slate as they both have touchdown upside.
As reported by: Los Angeles Chargers Other tagged players: Mike Williams, Jared Cook, Donald Parham
LAC WR Keenan Allen activated from COVID list
Keenan Allen has been activated from the COVID list ahead of the Chargers Thursday night matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen should be ready to assume his role as the top dog in the Chargers receiving corps and dominate the target share. His return will limit the upside of players like Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer who were f4eatured last ween during Allen’s absence. Allen will need to be considered on the showdown slate as he should see a large volume of work in a game that could very well be a shootout.
As reported by: Tom Pelissero LVR TE Darren Waller (knee) DNP Tuesday
Darren Waller (knee) logged a DNP Tuesday ahead of the Raiders matchup with the Cleveland Browns on 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 CLE RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) and WR Anthony Schwartz (concussion) DNP Tuesday; TE Harrison Bryant returned to practice
Kareem Hunt (ankle) and Anthony Schwartz (concussion) DNP Tuesday, while Harrison Bryant returned to practice ahead of the Browns matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders this Saturday. kareem Hunt is not expected to be able to suit up this weekend so it should be a heavy workload for Nick Chubb who should be considered 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 today. 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. Harrison Bryant should be able to return this week and play an important role for the Browns, as Austin Hooper was just added to the COVID list. Bryant and David Njoku should split tight end work in an offense that heavily relies on tight ends. They can both be considered Saturday.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich Other tagged players: Anthony Schwartz, Harrison Bryant LAR TE Tyler Higbee removed from COVID list; TE Brycen Hopkins placed on COVID list
Tyler Higbee has been removed from the COVID list, while Brycen Hopkins has been placed on the COVID list ahead of the Rams matchup with the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. Higbee missed Monday’s game due to a false positive so he should be fresh for Sunday. Hopkins was not expected to play a major role and his absence could lead to a few more snaps for Kendall Blanton who is in line to back Higbee up and play in two tight end sets. Higbee could see a few more targets come his way this weekend due to Odell Beckham Jr testing positive for COVID earlier in the day.
As reported by: Jourdan Rodrigue Other tagged players: Brycen Hopkins MIN WR Dede Westbrook has been placed on the COVID list
Dede Westbrook has been placed on the COVID list ahead of the Vikings matchup with the Chicago Bears on Monday. Westbrook was expected to serve as the third or fourth receiver for Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Theilen (questionable), and K.J. Osborn. With Westbrook likely out, Ihmir Smith-Marsette will likely take over this role as HC Mike Zimmer alluded to when talking to the media. He can be considered on the showdown slate as a dart throw punt option.
As reported by: Minnesota Vikings LAR WR Odell Beckham Jr. expected to be placed on COVID list after testing positive
Odell Beckham Jr. is expected to be placed on the COVID list after testing positive Tuesday. After a monster game last night (6 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown) and flying back with the team OBJ has tested positive for COVID. The Rams are now in the NFL’s intensive protocols and have closed their training facility. HC Sean McVay has also stated that he believes more players and coaches will be added to the list in the coming days. For now, the receiving corps will be led by Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, and Ben Skowronek. Kupp remains an elite play as one of the top receivers in the NFL and Van Jefferson sees a large increase in value stepping into the number two role. It will be important to keep an eye out for any more reports coming out of the Rams camp as more players are expected to be added to the COVID list.
As reported by: Josina Anderson CLE WR Jarvis Landry and TE Austin Hooper placed on COVID list
Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper have been placed on the COVID list ahead of the Browns Saturday matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. With Landry likely out this weekend, the receiving corps will be led by Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins, and Anthony Schwartz (questionable with a concussion). DPJ will be one of the better plays on the slate based on expected volume with Rashard Higgins projecting as one of the better value options. With Hooper also likely out, David Njoku (expected to be activated from the COVID list in time for the game) will be the primary tight end with only Miller Forristall available to back him up.
As reported by: Scott Petrak Other tagged players: Austin Hooper GBP WR Juwann Winfree signed to active roster from practice squad
Juwann Winfree has been signed to active roster from the practice squad ahead of the Packers matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Winfree is expected to serve as receiver depth for Green Bay and is not considered DFS relevant at this time.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson ARZ RB Chase Edmonds remains on IR and will not play Monday
ARZ RB Chase Edmonds remains on IR and will not play Monday. James Conner will assume the lion share of work in the Arizona backfield and will be a top option in today’s showdown slate. Eno Benjamin may mix in some work as well and this could also be a small boost to Rondale Moore who may get some more designed running plays.
As reported by: Darren Urban
LAR TE Jared Pinkney added off the practice squad
LAR TE Jared Pinkney was added off the practice squad on Monday. Pinkney will likely serve as the third TE on Monday for the LA Rams behind Brycen Hopkins and Kendall Blanton.
As reported by: Mike Clay LAR TE Tyler Higbee placed on COVID list and out Monday
LAR TE Tyler Higbee placed on COVID list and out Monday. Brycen Hopkins and Kendall Blanton are the next two tight ends listed on the depth chart. Hopkins is technically the number two tight end but typically has been used as a blocker while Blanton has played sparingly this year. Either could be used as GPP dart throws in showdown on Monday.
As reported by: Gary Klein CHI TE Jesper Horsted, QB Andy Dalton, and RB Ryan Nall inactive Sunday
Jesper Horsted, Andy Dalton, and Ryan Nall are all inactive for Sunday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Justin Fields was always planned to be the starter this weekend so Dalton’s absence will mean Nick Foles will be Field’s backup. Horsted was only expected to serve as tight end depth and without him he Bears will still have four active tight ends with Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham seeing the bulk of the work. With Damien Williams back from injury, Nall will no longer be needed as the emergency running back for the Bears.
Other tagged players: Andy Dalton, Ryan Nall TBB WR Scotty Miller inactive Sunday
Scotty Miller is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Miller will be a healthy scratch with his role in the offense being taken over by a combination of Breshad Perriman and Jaelon Darden (who cleared concussion protocol). Though this is projected to be one of the highest scoring games on the slate, Perriman and Darden are not the pieces you want in DFS contests.
As reported by: Scott Smith CIN RB Joe Mixon and WR Tee Higgins active Sunday; WR Trenton Irwin inactive
As expected, Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins are both active for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Mixon has been dealing with an illness all week but will be able to suit up today and should play his normal role in the Cincinnati offense. If he were to be limited in any way, Samaje Perine is available and would see the bulk of the snaps Mixon was forced to miss. Higgins is also available to play and should continue in his normal role as one of the top wideouts for the Bengals. If he were to be limited it could mean a few more targets for Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd strengthening their value. Trenton Irwin will be inactive, though his absence is not expected to be DFS relevant at this time.
As reported by: Jay Morrison Other tagged players: Tee Higgins, Trenton Irwin