DFS Alerts
NOS RB Alvin Kamara and RB Tony Jones Jr. officially inactive Thursday
Alvin Kamara and Tony Jones Jr. are both officially inactive for Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. As expected, Alvin Kamara has officially been listed inactive meaning Mark Ingram will lead the backfield and is expected to be a full-go at 100% after missing last week with a knee injury. Dwayne Washington will be available to back up Ingram, though as we have seen in the past it’s Ingram’s backfield when Kamara is out. In somewhat of a surprising move Tony Jones was a healthy scratch meaning Washington will be the only true running back available (Adam Prentice is available but is a fullback)., though Washington is still not expected to play much of a role. Wide receiver Ty Montgomery could play a role in the backfield especially on third down, expect him to see some snaps at running back as well. Ingram can be considered as one of the top plays of the showdown slate and played in most formats due to expected volume and production.
As reported by: Nick Underhill Other tagged players: Tony Jones
HOU WR Brandin Cooks (illness), WR Chris Conley (illness), and RB David Johnson (illness) DNP Thursday
Brandin Cooks (illness), Chris Conley (illness), and David Johnson (illness) all logged DNPs Thursday ahead of the Texans matchup with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. There is a non-COVID illness going around the Texans locker room leading to practice being cancelled yesterday. Cooks is the biggest name here for the Texans and would be a huge loss if he were unable to suit up this week. Nico Collins would serve as the top receiver and would need to be considered as a value option in most formats. Conley is expected to serve as the third receiver but his absence could also benefit Collins. If David Johnson were to miss, the backfield would be split between Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman, with Burkhead being the better play. It will be important to monitor all three player’s game designations when the official injury report is released tomorrow.
As reported by: Houston Texans PR Other tagged players: Chris Conley, David Johnson CIN WR Auden Tate, WR Mike Thomas, and RB Chris Evans all DNP Thursday
CIN WR Auden Tate, WR Mike Thomas, and RB Chris Evans all logged DNPs Thursday ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Tate, Thomas, and Evans are all not expected to play major roles on Sunday and their presence or absence should not be DFS relevant. This is a game that should be targeted by DFS players though as it features two explosive offenses and will likely be high scoring.
As reported by: Jay Morrison Other tagged players: Mike Thomas, Chris Evans LVR WR Dillon Stoner waived
Dillon Stoner has been waived by the Las Vegas Raiders. Stoner never played a major role in the Raiders offense and his absence is not expected to be DFS relevant.
As reported by: Vic Tafur LVR TE Darren Waller (knee) and WR DeSean Jackson (calf) DNP Thursday
Darren Waller (knee) and WR DeSean Jackson (calf) DNP Thursday ahead of the Raiders matchup with the Washington Football Team. With Waller likely out, Foster Moreau is the next man up. Moreau had a successful outing last time Waller was absent catching all 6 of his targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. He will need to be considered in most formats as he comes at a discount and plays in an offense that normally relies on its tight end as its best pass catcher. Jackson’s calf injury is not expected to be significant and this was likely more of a rest and maintenance day for the veteran wide receiver. He should remain in his normal role Sunday as the Raiders burner and space creating wide receiver.
As reported by: Paul Gutierrez Other tagged players: DeSean Jackson BAL WR Devin Duvernay returned to practice Thursday; TE Nick Boyle and FB Patrick Ricard DNP
Devin Duvernay returned to practice Thursday while Nick Boyle and Patrick Ricard logged their second straight DNPs ahead of the Ravens matchup Sunday with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Duvernay seems to be trending in the right direction to suit up and Play this weekend as the number three receiver behind Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman. If Boyle were to miss, Eric Tomlinson would be the primary backup to Mark Andrews. If Ricard were to miss the Ravens would likely go without a fullback possibly meaning slightly more work for their running backs.
As reported by: Adam Caplan Other tagged players: Nick Boyle, Patrick Ricard CHI WR Allen Robinson, WR Marquise Goodwin, and RB Damien Williams DNP Thursday; TE Cole Kmet returned to practice
Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and Damien Williams all logged DNPs Thursday while Cole Kmet returned to practice. If Robinson were to miss, Darnell Mooney would once again be the top receiver for the Bears with Goodwin (also DNP today) and Damiere Byrd also likely to play a larger role in the offense. If Damien Williams were once again to miss, Khalil Herbert would remain the unquestioned number two back behind David Montgomery with Ryan Nall also available in case of an emergency. Cole Kmet returned to practice today and seems to be trending in the right direction to play this weekend. He would be the primary tight end with Jimmy Graham also available. It will be important to monitor the official game designations of the Chicago pass-catchers released Friday on the injury report.
As reported by: Chicago Bears Other tagged players: Marquise Goodwin, Damien Williams, Cole Kmet NYJ WR Corey Davis and TE Trevon Wesco DNP Thursday
Corey Davis and Trevon Wesco both logged DNPs Thursday ahead of the Jets matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Davis is still working his way back from a hip injury he suffered last week in practice. If he were unable to play, Elijah Moore and Jamison Crowder would see an uptick in expected production and become better plays. If Wesco were unable to suit up which looks to be the most likely outcome, Ryan Griffin would be the primary tight end with Kenny Yeboah available to back him up.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Trevon Wesco TBB WR Antonio Brown suspended three games
Antonio Brown has been suspended three games for misrepresenting his vaccination status. Brown was already expected to miss the next two weeks with a foot injury but will now be out three. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans should remain the top dogs with Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller also seeing some work in a good matchup against the Atlanta Falcons secondary.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport PHI RB Jordan Howard (knee) and RB Boston Scott (illness) DNP Thursday; WR DeVonta Smith returned to practice
Jordan Howard (knee) and Boston Scott (illness) both logged DNPs Thursday while DeVonta Smith returned to practice ahead of the Eagles matchup Sunday with the New York Jets. Howard missed last week and could be trending towards missing another week. In his absence Boston Scott saw the bulk of the carries and work in the backfield while both Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell mixed in. This could again be the case this weekend except in a better matchup against the Jets (not like last week was a poor one against the Giants however). It might be best to avoid the Eagles backfield going forward as the lead back seems to shift weekly. It will be important to check on Scott’s status when the official injury report is released tomorrow. As expected Smith returned to practice and should be set to be the Eagles top receiving option this weekend.
As reported by: Philadelphia Eagles Other tagged players: Boston Scott, DeVonta Smith IND TE Jack Doyle returned to practice Thursday
Jack Doyle returned to practice Thursday and looks to be trending in the right direction to suit up on Sunday against the Houston Texans. Doyle should split time with Mo Alie-Cox at tight end and isn’t expected to be a top play at the position despite an easy matchup.
As reported by: Indianapolis Colts MIN RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) DNP Thursday
Dalvin Cook (shoulder) logged a second straight DNP Thursday and is not expected to play this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. This is one of the more clear-cut backup situations in the league; Alexander Mattison will be an outstanding value, as he has a smash matchup against a bad defense, and will get the workload to himself. Mattison saw 68% of the snaps week 3 when Dalvin sat, and had 28 carries and 8 targets. He becomes one of the better plays on the slate in a smash spot against a weak defense.
As reported by: Minnesota Vikings DET RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder) DNP Thursday; KhaDarel Hodge (illness) returned to practice
D’Andre Swift (shoulder) DNP Thursday while KhaDarel Hodge (illness) returned to practice ahead of the Lions matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Swift is expected to miss a couple weeks with a shoulder injury so Jamaal Williams should be set to lead the backfield, as stated by HC Dan Campbell. If Williams sees the same role that Swift enjoyed he can be considered in most formats due to expected volume. Hodge returned to practice and is expected to continue in his minor role this Sunday as receiver depth.
As reported by: Tim Twentyman Other tagged players: Khadarel Hodge NYG WR Sterling Shepard and TE Kyle Rudolph upgraded to limited practice Thursday; WR Kadarius Toney, WR John Ross, TE Kaden Smith and FB Cullen Gillaspia DNP
Sterling Shepard and Kyle Rudolph both were upgraded to limited practices on Thursday while Kadarius Toney, John Ross, Kaden Smith and Cullen Gillaspia all logged their second DNP of the week. This was a good sign for both Shepard and Rudolph who both seem to be trending in the right direction for Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins. With Toney and Ross both trending in the wrong direction it could mean another heavy workload for Kenny Golladay, Shepard (if available), and Darius Slayton. If Rudolph is back he would back up Evan Engram and Smith’s status would be irrelevant for DFS. Rudolph’s return would cut into Engram’s workload and would make him much less appealing to play in DFS contests.
As reported by: Zack Rosenblatt Other tagged players: Kyle Rudolph, Kadarius Toney, John Ross, Kaden Smith, Cullen Gillaspia DEN RB Melvin Gordon (shoulder) will not practice Thursday, 50-50 to play on Sunday per HC Vic Fangio
Melvin Gordon (shoulder) will not practice Thursday and has a 50-50 chance to play on Sunday against the Chiefs per HC Vic Fangio. If Gordon were forced to miss or be limited, Javonte Williams would become one of the top plays on the showdown slate due to expected volume and production. Mike Boone and Damarea Crockett would likely be available to back him up but would not be expected to play a major role. It sounds like we won’t know Gordon’s status until inactives are released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night.
As reported by: Nick Kosmider