DFS Alerts
PIT RB Anthony McFarland activated from IR to 53-man roster
Anthony McFarland has been activated from the IR to the 53-man roster. McFarland has been dealing with an MCL injury all season but says he feels good after returning to practice earlier this month. McFarland is not expected to play much of a role behind three-down workhorse rookie Najee Harris and is not DFS relevant for Week 8.
As reported by: Ed Bouchette
K Dustin Hopkins signed by Los Angeles Chargers; Tristan Vizcaino waived
Dustin Hopkins has been signed by the Los Angeles Chargers and will handle the kicking duties going forward. In a corresponding move Tristan Vizcaino has been waived.
As reported by: Tom Pelissero Other tagged players: Tristan Vizcaino GBP WR Malik Taylor activated from COVID-19 list
Malik Taylor has been activated from the COVID-19 list ahead of Green Bay’s Thursday night matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. This news comes on the heels of Allen Lazard being added to the COVID list joining Davante Adams, but at least with Taylor returning the Packers will add some much needed depth at wide receiver. Taylor likely slots in behind Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Randall Cobb, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Amari Rodgers but there is no way to know if more news will break and more Packers will be added to the COVID list. At this point Taylor is no more than a dart throw punt option for the showdown slate.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson WR Willie Snead has been released by the Las Vegas Raiders
Willie Snead requested his release and it was granted by the Las Vegas Raiders. Snead was not seeing much playing time and believed he could be an asset for someone else, his agent also believes this and expects him to receive offers shortly to join another team. It will depend on the landing spot but Snead does not figure to be DFS relevant anytime soon.
As reported by: Adam Schefter ARI WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) DNP Tuesday
DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) logged a DNP Tuesday ahead of the Cardinals Thursday night matchup with the Green Bay Packers. As of now, this is not a cause for concern as Hopkins usually misses a practice or two a week to rest his body. It will be important to check his listing on the injury report tomorrow however, to make sure he is good to go. If he were unable to suit up or were to be limited, all Arizona pass-catchers would see a boost. The main benefactors would be A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore, and Zach Ertz.
As reported by: Darren Urban GBP WR Allen Lazard placed on COVID-19 list
Allen Lazard has been placed on the COVID-19 list joining Devante Adams ahead of the Packers Thursday night matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Green Bay will likely be down its top two wide receivers in an important matchup and will likely have to rely on Marquez Valdes-Scantling (presumed to be activated off IR), Randall Cobb, and Robert Tonyan in the passing game. All three players will see an enormous increase in their value based on expected volume. It is also likely that Green Bay will be forced to use their run game more, benefitting both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. It is possible that Lazard and Adams could suit up, but it is highly unlikely due to the fact that both would have to have two negative tests (taken 24 hours apart) prior to the game on Thursday.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport DEN WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle) expected to play Sunday
Jerry Jeudy (ankle)is expected to play Sunday against the Washington Football Team as long as everything looks good in practice according to HC Vic Fangio. Jeudy is expected to return to his starting role in the Denver offense and will likely be one of Teddy Bridgewater’s top options going forward. His return pushes Tim Patrick down the depth chart and challenges Courtland Sutton’s status as top dog in the Denver receiving corps which hurts both of their values. It remains to be seen if Jeudy will be limited in his first game back since Week 1 and if he were Sutton and Patrick could see increased usage but still nowhere close to the volume they had gotten accustomed to with Jeudy out.
As reported by: James Palmer SEA RB Alex Collins officially active Monday
SEA RB Alex Collins officially active Monday
NO WR Tre'Quan Smith and WR Kevin White elevated to active roster Monday
The Saints are getting some reinforcements for the WR room, even if they won’t be getting Michael Thomas back. Smith was elevated from the I.R. and will make his season debut for the team; he’ll likely split with Marquez Callaway for the top WR option, filling in ahead of Kenny Stills. White meanwhile, was elevated from the practice squad and will make his season debut as well for the Saints. He’s more of a depth piece/dart throw for the showdown slates, but he will be active since the team elevated him during gameday. Smith was expected to make his debut all along, so this is good news for the Saints.
As reported by: Nick Underhill via Twitter Other tagged players: Kevin White SEA RB Rashaad Penny officially elevated to active roster Monday
As expected, Penny was officially activated off I.R. ahead of the Seahawks showdown against the New Orleans Saints. With Alex Collins banged up (although expected to play), Penny may see a decent workload in his first game back off the I.R. Travis Homer and Deejay Dallas are the other two RB options for the Seahawks, both of whom play more in a passing role. It remains to be seen what type of workload Penny gets but he’s likely to be no worse than the second option for early downs.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport via Twitter GB WR Davante Adams placed on COVID-19 list
A massive news drop on a Monday, the Packers placed Adams on the COVID-19 list ahead of their TNF battle with the Arizona Cardinals. Adams is vaccinated, but he did test positive, so he must have two negative tests 24 hours apart in order play, which will be nearly impossible due to the timing of the game. In his presumed absence, the Packers will do their best to fill in by quantity over quality. Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb will be the top two options at WR, while Robert Tonyan will likely garner a few more targets. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has a chance to be activated off I.R., and would be immediately thrust into his starting role (assuming health). Amari Rodgers and Equanimous St. Brown would also be depth pieces, relevant for a showdown slate. Adams has a microscopic chance it seems to be activated, so we’ll await to see the news but worst case it should be one week absence (hopefully).
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter SFO WR Travis Benjamin inactive for Sunday
Travis Benjamin will be inactive for Sunday night’s matchup between the 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts. Benjamin wasn’t expected to play a major role and would have served as receiver depth, this spot will now be filled by Jauan Jennings. Jennings is nothing more than a cheap dart throw option and is not a recommended play.
As reported by: San Francisco 49ers CHI WR Allen Robinson officially active Sunday
As expected, Allen Robinson is officially active Sunday for the Chicago Bears in their matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson is expected to see a healthy workload due to the matchup as the Buccaneers are averaging allowing less than 60 yards rushing a game. Justin Fields will likely be forced to throw the ball giving his top pass-catchers, Darnell Mooney and Robinson a slight bump. Though Robinson has not been impressive so far this season, if there was ever a time to break out of his slump this would be it.
As reported by: Brad Biggs TBB TE O.J. Howard officially active Sunday
As expected, O.J. Howard is officially active Sunday for the Buccaneers and their matchup with the Chicago Bears. Howard should be in for a decent size workload with Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown already ruled out. Howard has seen his role grow over the past few weeks and has overtaken Cameron Brate as the Buccaneers top tight end (with Gronk out). He should once again see a respectable target share and can be considered in DFS contests.
As reported by: Scott Smith HOU WR Nico Collins and WR Chris Conley officially active Sunday; RB Scottie Phillips and WR Davion Davis inactive
Nico Collins and Chris Conley officially active Sunday while Scottie Phillips and Davion Davis will be inactive against the Arizona Cardinals. Nico Collins should serve as the number two wide receiver for the Texans behind Brandin Cooks in what is likely to be a pass-heavy attack in a game the Texans are supposed to be trailing (the game has a whopping 20.5 point spread at the time of writing in favor of the Cardinals). It is tough to trust any member of the Texans offense outside of Cooks and he should be the only player considered in DFS contests for now.
As reported by: Houston Texans PR Other tagged players: Chris Conley, Scottie Phillips, Davion Davis