DFS Alerts
BAL TE Eric Tomlinson elevated from practice squad for Thursday
Eric Tomlinson has been elevated from the practice squad for Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins. This could signal that Nick Boyle (who was just activated from IR this week) might not be ready to play just yet. Tomlinson will likely be used as tight end depth and could be used as a dart throw punt play on the showdown slate though there are probably better options.
As reported by: Baltimore Ravens
DET RB Jamaal Williams DNP again Thursday
Jamaal Williams logged a DNP again Thursday ahead of the Lions’ matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams was unable to suit up last game and is still not feeling right after the bye week, if he is unable to suit up D’Andre Swift could play an even larger role than usual with Jermar Jefferson available to back him up. This will be an important situation to monitor as D’Andre Swift could become one of the top plays on the slate due to expected volume and is seemingly matchup proof even against a tough Pittsburgh defense with his receiving ability out of the backfield.
As reported by: Tim Twentyman WR Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly finalizing a deal with the Los Angeles Rams
Odell Beckham Jr. is reportedly finalizing a deal with the Los Angeles Rams (update: the deal is now official). Beckham will likely slot in as the Rams third wide receiver behind Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods forcing Van Jefferson down the depth chart. It remains to be seen if Beckham will be able to suit up on Monday but it is likely that even if he does play his role will be limited without a full week of practice with his new team. It will be important to monitor if any word comes out of the Rams’ camp regarding OBJ’s expected usage or lack thereof for Monday’s showdown slate.
As reported by: Adam Schefter SFO RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle) will not practice Thursday; Not expected to play Monday
JaMycal Hasty will not practice Thursday and is not expected to play Monday when the 49ers are set to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Elijah Mitchell is expected to continue to lead the backfield with the recently returning Jeff Wilson serving as the 3rd down back. It is also likely that rookie Trey Sermon will be available and see a few carries. Mitchell is the running back to target on the Monday showdown slate with Wilson offering a contrarian option that could vulture a touchdown or two.
As reported by: Cam Inman PIT WR Chase Claypool DNP again Thursday
Chase Claypool logged a DNP again Thursday and is not expected to be able to suit up for this weekends contest against the Detroit Lions. Diontae Johnson should lead the Steelers receiving corps with James Washington and Ray-Ray McCloud also slated to see more snaps. Johnson should be considered in most formats due to his expected volume and the weak matchup with the Lions secondary.
As reported by: Adam Caplan BUF RB Zack Moss returned to practice Thursday
Zack Moss has returned to practice Thursday and seems to be on track to play Sunday against the New York Jets. Moss is expected to see his normal workload, however if he were to be limited Devin Singletary could see some more touches. It is tough to roster either Bills running back at this time due to the even split they are a part of.
As reported by: Chris Brown TBB WR Chris Godwin, WR Antonio Brown, and TE Rob Gronkowski all DNP Thursday
TBB WR Chris Godwin, WR Antonio Brown, and TE Rob Gronkowski all DNP Thursday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team. Brown and Gronkowski are expected to be out this weekend but and Godwin’s status is uncertain according to HC Bruce Arians. If Godwin were unable to suit up Mike Evans would become the top receiver play on the slate and would need to be considered in all formats. Tyler Johnson and the expected to be returning Scotty Miller would become great value options due to the expected volume they would be in line for. It will be important to check the injury report after tomorrow’s practice and check Godwin’s status as it could drastically impact lineup construction in all formats across all sites
As reported by: Jenna Laine Other tagged players: Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski NOS RB Alvin Kamara not seen practicing again Thursday
NOS RB Alvin Kamara not seen practicing again Thursday ahead of the Saints matchup with the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. There have been rumors that Kamara is dealing with a knee injury that could keep him out for a while and this lends even more validity to those statements. If Kamara were to miss Mark Ingram would be thrust into the lead back role with Alex Armah available to back him up. Ingram would be a tremendous value option based on expected volume. It will be important to monitor Kamara’s listing on the injury report tomorrow as his absence could change Sunday’s whole slate.
As reported by: Katherine Terrell CAR QB P.J. Walker still expected to start Sunday according to HC Matt Rhule
As expected, P.J. Walker is still expected to start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals despite the recent signing of Cam Newton according to HC Matt Rhule. All pieces of the Carolina offense will take a hit to their expected production. The main pieces being Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore, McCaffrey is likely to still be used in a limited fashion as he continues to work his way back from injury and D.J. Moore will take a hit with a less capable quarterback. P.J. Walker does offer some rushing upside but draws a very difficult matchup with the Cardinals defense. It is worth noting that Rhule didn’t completely rule out using Cam Sunday but it seems highly unlikely and he would probably only be used for a few specific packages.
As reported by: David Newton GBP TE Dominique Dafney DNP Thursday
Dominique Dafney logged a DNP again Thursday ahead of the Packers matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Dafney is not expected to play much of a role Sunday so his absence wouldn’t be DFS relevant but if he were to miss Josiah Deguara and Marcedes Lewis could see a few more snaps.
As reported by: Ryan Wood WAS WR Curtis Samuel DNP Thursday
WAS WR Curtis Samuel DNP Thursday ahead of the Washington Football Team’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Samuel instead had a doctor’s appointment to check again on his groin that he has been dealing off and on with since February of this year. If Samuel is once again unable to suit up this weekend, the receiving corps will be led by Terry McLaurin, Adam Humphries, and the returning Dyami Brown. McLaurin would remain the top play here and would be expected to see a high volume of targets in a heavy passing attack for Washington, though it would still be a very tough matchup against the Tampa Bay defense.
As reported by: JP Finlay NEP RB Damien Harris, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, and WR Gunner Olszewski not seen practicing Thursday
Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Gunner Olszewski were not seen practicing Thursday ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns and they are all still in the concussion protocol. If Harris and Stevenson were to miss Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor would lead the Patriots backfield and become top value options based on expected workload. Olszewski is mainly used on special teams and his absence would not be DFS relevant. It will be important to check the injury report released after tomorrow’s practice as some tremendous running back value could open up.
Other tagged players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Gunner Olszewski JAC RB James Robinson returns to practice Thursday
James Robinson has returned to practice Thursday and barring any setbacks looks as he should be able to make his return against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. Robinson will likely return to his role of leading the Jaguars backfield with Carlos Hyde available to back him up. Robinson draws a tough matchup against a Colts defense that has allowed the third fewest fantasy points to running backs so far this year so it is best to steer clear of Robinson outside of large field GPPs.
As reported by: Mark Long ARI QB Kyler Murray, WR DeAndre Hopkins, and WR Rondale Moore not seen practicing Thursday
Once again, Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and Rondale Moore were not seen practicing Thursday ahead of Arizona’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers. Kyler Murray stated yesterday that he feels a lot better and expects to play this weekend and will still have one more day to get some practice in before the game this weekend. If Hopkins and/or Moore are out the rest of the receiving corps would see a tremendous boost in expected production with Christian Kirk and the returning A.J. Green being the biggest benefactors. Both Kyler and Hopkins could still play this Sunday if they don’t log a practice on Friday but it would be a great sign that they are trending in the right direction if they are able to.
As reported by: Darren Urban Other tagged players: DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore QB Cam Newton will sign with Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton will sign with Carolina Panthers, though he is not expected to be ready to start this week against the Arizona Cardinals. Newton should be an upgrade over current backup P.J. Walker and has a legitimate chance to finish the season as the Panthers starting quarterback with Sam Darnold out for 4-6 weeks. Newton will have a bevy of tools to utilize with Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson and will have every chance of success. Cam’s rushing upside has been limited due to age but he will be an interesting DFS candidate going forward depending on price.
As reported by: Adam Schefter