DFS Alerts
NOS QB Taysom Hill practices fully on Thursday
Taysom Hill practiced fully on Thursday ahead of the Saints matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. This seems to put Hill (returning from a concussion) in line to make his first start at quarterback this season for New Orleans who will be without Jameis Winston for the rest of the year due to an ACL injury. Hill would be an interesting option for DFS if he does draw the start due to his rushing upside and touchdown potential. If Hill is fully cleared and named the starter he should be considered in most formats with a good matchup this weekend.
As reported by: Adam Schefter
NYJ QB Josh Johnson elevated from practice squad for Thursday
Josh Johnson has been elevated from the practice squad for Thursday night’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson is expected to serve as the backup to Mitch White and though it is not important for DFS purposes, it is worth noting that Johnson was elevated over the recently acquired Joe Flacco.
As reported by: Dennis Waszak Jr. PIT TE Eric Ebron (hamstring) DNP Thursday
Eric Ebron logged a DNP Thursday ahead of the Steelers Monday night matchup with the Chicago Bears. Ebron is trying to return this week after dealing with a hamstring injury and will have two more days to log a practice. Pat Freiermuth is the top tight end for the Steelers and if Ebron were to miss Zach Gentry would serve as his backup. Ebron is not DFS relevant but could be considered as a dart throw punt option with touchdown upside if he is available for the Monday night showdown slate.
As reported by: Brook Pryor JAC RB James Robinson (heel) DNP again Thursday
JAC RB James Robinson (heel) DNP again Thursday ahead of the Jaguars matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Robinson is currently listed as day-to-day so his status remains up in the air for this weekend. If he is unable to suit up Carlos Hyde would lead the backfield with Dare Ogunbowale and Devine Ozigbo available to back him up. It would feel awful to do, but Hyde would need to be considered as a value option based on expected volume in a tough matchup this Sunday. This situation will need to be monitored throughout the week.
As reported by: Jacksonville Jaguars BUF WR Cole Beasley DNP again Thursday
Cole Beasley logs another DNP on Thursday ahead of the Bills matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. If Beasley were unable to suit up this weekend Emmanuel Sanders and Gabriel Davis could be in line to see increased targets and should see their value increase. Beasley is a veteran and would likely only need one practice to be ready for Sunday so his practice status tomorrow will be important to monitor.
As reported by: Buffalo Bills LVR WR Dillon Stoner signed to active roster from practice squad
Dillon Stoner has been signed to the active roster from the practice squad and will be available Sunday against the New York Giants. Stoner is expected to serve as the fourth wide receiver behind Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards, and Zay Jones. There is a lot up in the air regarding the Las Vegas receiving corps after the release of Henry Ruggs so it is a little difficult to project at the moment but Stoner is not expected to be DFS relevant at this time.
As reported by: Vic Tafur CLE WR Jarvis Landry returns to practice Thursday
As expected, Jarvis Landry returned to practice Thursday and should be available Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. It seems as though Landry could be in store for a larger workload than normal as the Odell Beckham Jr. saga continues to play out. Landry will be the top receiver for the Browns and could see a bump in targets if OBJ is officially ruled out. This game has one of the lowest totals on the slate but Landry is worth considering based on expected volume.
As reported by: Tom Withers MIN TE Luke Stocker signed to active roster from practice squad
Luke Stocker has been signed to the active roster from the practice squad and will be available this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Stocker is expected to serve as the third tight end behind Tyler Conklin and Chris Herndon. Stocker does not figure to be DFS relevant at this time.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson CAR QB Sam Darnold (concussion/shoulder) remains limited Thursday; RB Christian McCaffrey seen practicing
Sam Darnold remains limited Thursday while Christian McCaffrey was seen practicing (an official designation was not given as he has yet to be activated to the 53-man roster) ahead of the Panthers game against the New England Patriots on Sunday. If McCaffrey is unable to go this weekend it will once again be Chuba Hubbard leading the backfield with Ameer Abdullah and Royce Freeman available to back him up. If McCaffrey is activated in time for the game on Sunday he would likely be somewhat limited but still would be considered a top option due to his skillset. Darnold is still in concussion protocol while also dealing with a shoulder injury. If he were unable to go on Sunday, P.J. Walker would draw the start at quarterback and all pass-catchers would take a hit to their expected production.
As reported by: Joseph Person BAL WR Sammy Watkins returns to practice Thursday; RB Latavius Murray DNP
Sammy Watkins returned to practice Thursday while Latavius Murray logged a second DNP ahead of the Ravens matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Watkins seems set to return to his wide receiver three role behind Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman in what should be a decent matchup against the Vikings secondary. Latavius Murray was unable to practice and could be trending towards missing another game. If he were to miss Devonta Freeman, Le’Veon Bell and Ty’Son Williams would continue to split the work in the Baltimore backfield though none are worth considering in DFS contests.
As reported by: Jeff Zrebiec Other tagged players: Latavius Murray HOU TE Pharaoh Brown (hamstring) not practicing Thursday
Pharaoh Brown is not practicing again Thursday due to a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. If Pharaoh Brown is forced to miss this weekend, Jordan Akins would take over the primary tight end role with Brevin Jordan available to back him up and play in two tight end sets. Akins would be a viable value option based on expected volume but even with the return of Tyrod Taylor adding extra consistency at the quarterback position it is difficult to confidently roster many members of the abysmal Houston offense.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson GBP WR Davante Adams has been taken off the COVID list and is "hopeful" to play Sunday according to HC Matt LaFleur
Davante Adams has been taken off the COVID list and the hope is that he will play Sunday according to HC Matt LaFleur. Adams still has a few protocols to meet but all signs point to his return this weekend against the Chiefs. Adams will instantly regain his status as the top receiver for the Packers and will be in a juicy matchup against a poor Kansas City defense. The absence of Aaron Rodgers will hurt Adams a bit but in scenarios like this it might be best to side with the elite talent of Adams. Adams can be considered in most formats but this is putting a lot of faith in Jordan Love who is making his first NFL start on short notice.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky PHI WR Jalen Reagor returns to practice Thursday; WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside (ankle) DNP
Jalen Reagor has returned to practice Thursday ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angels Chargers. Coach Sirianni expressed hope earlier in the week that Reagor would be able to play this weekend and returning to practice is a huge step forward. Reagor should slot back into his role as wide receiver 2 behind Devonta Smith and should see a healthy amount of targets in a game that will likely be high scoring. JJ Arcega-Whiteside did not practice again on Thursday as he is still dealing with an ankle injury. Arcega-Whiteside is not expected to be DFS relevant and his potential absence should have little to no DFS impact.
As reported by: Dave Zangaro Other tagged players: JJ Arcega-Whiteside IND WR Dezmon Patmon activated to 53-man roster from IR
Dezmon Patmon has been activated to the 53-man roster from IR and is eligible to play Thursday night against the New York Jets. Patmon is not expected to be DFS relevant and should not be used as anything other than a dart throw punt option, although there are probably better options even for this category of player.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen HOU QB Tyrod Taylor will start Sunday
Tyrod Taylor will start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after returning from a hamstring injury. Taylor will offer a little more consistency than rookie Davis Mills but this is still a below average team lacking offensive weapons. Brandin Cooks remains the one reliable DFS producer and he should see a slight boost in production with Taylor throwing him the ball. Cooks will continue to be the only Texans player to consider in most DFS formats and this will likely be the case for the rest of the year. Taylor will be a high floor low ceiling cheaper option at quarterback but in most formats higher upside options are available.
As reported by: Brooks Kubena