DFS Alerts
SF QB Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out Sunday; TE George Kittle listed doubtful; RB Elijah Mitchell not listed on injury report
The 49ers injury report was the most anticipated of all, and we finally got the biggest news (officially); Trey Lance will make his first NFL start against the Arizona Cardinals. Jimmy G was ruled out due to a calf injury, paving the way for Lance. What was more surprising was that Kittle was listed as doubtful due to his calf injury. Kittle played through the injury last week, but looks like he’ll need more rest in order, and doesn’t appear to be ready to play. Ross Dwelley will likely take his snaps, but certainly isn’t as good of a play. More targets will likely flow to Deebo Samuel, with Brandon Aiyuk and Mohammed Sanu chipping in as well. Mitchell was also ruled available to play against the Cardinals; he missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury, but is ready to return. What role he jumps into is a bigger question; will he reclaim his role as lead runner, or will he go behind Trey Sermon. In their first game back, it’s likely to stay away from both. Lance will likely be the chalkiest player on Sunday’s slate, but it’s hard to argue against it; he scored 20 points in his first half, and his rushing upside is immense. Samuel will also command a giant target share and will be a great play as well.
As reported by: the San Francisco 49ers via Twitter Other tagged players: George Kittle, Elijah Mitchell, Trey Lance
HOU WR Danny Amendola listed questionable for Sunday; RB Rex Burkhead ruled out
The Texans appear on their way to having their slot receiver back, as Amendola looks to return to face one of his old teams, the New England Patriots. The Texans did cut Anthony Miller earlier in the week, and their reasoning was that they have their slot receiver, so it certainly feels as if Amendola will be playing on Sunday. Burkhead was ruled out, but this doesn’t open up much, as the triumvirate of David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, and Mark Ingram will all continue to split work.
As reported by: the Houston Texans via Twitter Other tagged players: Rex Burkhead PIT WR James Washington ruled out Sunday; WR Chase Claypool available to play
The Steelers will be getting one of their big three back, as Claypool was not listed on the final report and will play against the Denver Broncos. Washington was ruled out due to a groin injury, although he wouldn’t have played a relevant role with Claypool returning. Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and Juju Smith-Schuster will be the usual top trio against a stingy Broncos defense.
As reported by: Brooke Pryor via Twitter Other tagged players: Chase Claypool DAL WR Amari Cooper and RB Ezekiel Elliott listed as questionable, but fully expected to play
Cooper and Zeke were both listed as questionable, but are fully expected to play against the New York Giants. Cooper’s been dealing with a hamstring issue, while Zeke has had a knee injury. Both players were able to get in two limited practices, and both the players and coach McCarthy have said they’ll play.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken via Twitter Other tagged players: Ezekiel Elliott DEN QB Teddy Bridgewater listed questionable and expected to play; WR Courtland Sutton listed questionable, TE Albert Okwuegbunam ruled out
The Broncos had some good news and some bad news ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bridgewater has gone through all steps of concussion protocol, and appears on track to play despite the questionable tag. Sutton, however, popped up as a late add to the injury report; he turned his ankle during practice and was listed as questionable as a result. Albert O will likely be placed on IR due to a hamstring injury, but he is out for Sunday as well. The Broncos don’t have the greatest matchup, but with Bridgewater back and Jeudy and Hamler still out, the targets will have to concentrate some more. Sutton (should he play) and Tim Patrick are the top two options at wide receiver, while Noah Fant will be one of the better tight end plays, especially now that Albert O is out. Sutton and Bridgewater should be cleared early Sunday morning; if Sutton sits, Patrick and Fant become even better plays.
As reported by: Kyle Newman via Twitter Other tagged players: Albert Okwuegbunam, Courtland Sutton DET TE T.J. Hockenson listed questionable for Sunday
Hockenson was listed as questionable due to a knee injury as the Lions prepare to play the Minnesota Vikings. Hockenson has been the target leader for the team, averaging 8 a game despite his claim that the defense is honing in on him. Hockenson was able to get two limited practices in, which certainly makes it seem as if he’ll play. If he ends up sitting, it’s more likely that the targets go to the receivers (Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus) as opposed to a backup tight end (in this case Darren Fells).
As reported by: the Detroit Lions via Twitter MIA WR Devante Parker officially questionable for Sunday; likely a game-time decision
Parker was listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury, and will likely be a game-time decision against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Parker said he felt sore during practice yesterday, and was only able to get in a limited practice on Friday. It still looks like he’ll end up playing, but if he doesn’t, the Dolphins will certainly be thin. Will Fuller has been placed on the IR due to an injury to his finger, and Jakeem Grant was traded away to the Bears. Jaylen Waddle is likely to be the clear target hog for the team if Parker sits, while Preston Williams and Albert Wilson would be behind him as ancillary options. Mike Gesicki has also been seeing more work lately, averaging 9.5 targets the last two weeks. All options will be worth considering, as the Bucs defense simply forces the opposition to throw, and are injured in the secondary. As underdogs, the Dolphins will have to throw, and Parker’s role in that will be determined Sunday.
As reported by: Jenna Laine via Twitter NYG WR Sterling Shepard and WR Darius Slayton ruled out Sunday
The Giants will have the same WR room as they did last week, as two of their top wideouts are out once again as they prepare to play the Dallas Cowboys. Shepard and Slayton both have hamstring injuries and were ruled out. The Giants top receiver is Kenny Golladay, with Kadarius Toney not far behind him; these two will play the majority of the snaps at wide receiver like they did last week. John Ross ran the third most routes last week and did have a deep touchdown, so he may get some more work as well. Evan Engram will also have a chunk of the target share, as he will need to fill for the injured bodies. The Giants Cowboys game is one of the higher scoring on the main slate, so Golladay and Toney will certainly be worth playing, along with Engram and his cheap price tag.
As reported by: Pat Leonard via Twitter Other tagged players: Darius Slayton TEN WR A.J. Brown will play Sunday; WR Julio Jones ruled out
After playing last week without their top two receivers, the Titans will get one back as they prepare to play another winless team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Vrabel said early in the day that Brown would play, and the injury report confirmed the same as he was not listed on it. Julio will be held out once again due to a hamstring injury, so Brown will be the alpha WR for the team. The WR2 will likely be split up by a few players; Josh Reynolds, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Chester Rogers will all chip in most likely. With Brown back, these players aren’t as trustworthy as the dearth of targets will be filled mostly by Brown. The Jaguars defense has not held up well, so Brown could be in a smash spot.
As reported by: Paul Kuharsky via Twitter Other tagged players: Julio Jones Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) listed doubtful for Sunday
CMC was trending towards playing before today’s practice, and is now doubtful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles. CMC stated that he was feeling hopeful yesterday and that he certainly had a chance, but ultimately the Panthers are looking to play it safe and expect to sit him. This means one more week of Chuba Hubbard being the lead back, but certainly not in the role that CMC has. Hubbard only played on 47% of the snaps (although part of this may have been related to blowout concerns), while Rodney Smith and Royce Freeman played as well, making all three difficult to trust. Hubbard is likely the best play once again, although his floor is certainly lower than originally anticipated.
As reported by: James Palmer via Twitter MIN RB Dalvin Cook (ankle) listed questionable for Sunday
After missing practice the first two sessions of the week, Cook was able to return to practice in a limited fashion Friday as the Vikings prepare to play the Detroit Lions. Cook was able to play last week, but was limited to just half the snaps in his first game back. Cook has said that he feels fine, and Coach Zimmer stated that he feels Cook will be able to suit up. If he sits, it’s clear that Alexander Mattison becomes one of the best plays on the slate against the Lions porous defense; Zimmer always gives Mattison free reign of the backfield when Cook sits. If Cook is able to play, he’s tough to trust due to last week, but the ceiling is certainly there. Since the Vikings play in the early window, we will be able to get his status early enough to adjust.
As reported by: the Minnesota Vikings via Twitter ARI RB Chase Edmonds a game-time decision Sunday
Edmonds was listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury as the Cardinals prepare for their second straight divisional battle against the SF 49ers. Edmonds missed practice the first two days of the week, but was able to return Friday and get in a limited session. Coach Kingsbury said that he would be a game-time decision, which would be troublesome as the Cardinals play in the late window. Should Edmonds sit, James Conner would be a great play, as he’d likely be a three down back for a team with arguably the most explosive offense in the league with Kyler leading the way. The Cardinals could employ Rondale Moore in his role as Edmonds sometimes splits out wide, allowing Moore to see the field more. If Edmonds plays, he’ll be viable on his own due to the amount of targets he’s able to garner consistently.
As reported by: Jennifer Lee Chan via Twitter WAS WR Dyami Brown and WR Cam Sims ruled out Sunday; RB Antonio Gibson and WR Curtis Samuel listed questionable
The Football Team has a lengthy injury report for DFS relevant players as they prepare to play the New Orleans Saints. The biggest name is Gibson; despite saying he’s playing with a stress fracture in his shin, he’s listed as questionable and expects to play himself. He was able to practice on Friday and should be in line for his usual role as early down ball carrier. The wide receivers are a bit trickier. Samuel was listed as questionable with a groin injury that kept him on IR the first three weeks, while Brown and Sims were both ruled out due to injuries they suffered last week. Samuel may have to play more snaps as a result; he was limited to just 25 of 67 snaps last week as he was eased in. With no Brown, Sims, and Logan Thomas (who was placed on IR earlier due to a hamstring injury), Samuel may be forced into more snaps. Terry McLaurin will be the clear alpha for the team, while Adam Humphries will likely continue to play a role as well. It’s a difficult matchup, but the sheer amount of snaps along with low salaries (Samuel is 3k on DK) may make him viable.
As reported by: Nicki Jhabvala via twitter Other tagged players: Curtis Samuel, Cam Sims, Dyami Brown CLE TE Daivd Njoku listed questionable for Sunday
Njoku was listed as questionable due to a knee injury as the Browns prepare to play the LA Chargers. Njoku missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was able to get in a limited session on Friday. Should he sit, targets would flow more to Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant, although Njoku has only seen 5 targets over the last three games; it’s likely that his absence won’t change too much for a run-heavy Browns team.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich via Twitter TB TE Rob Gronkowski ruled out Sunday; RB Gio Bernard listed questionable
As expected, Gronk will not be able to make his return against the Miami Dolphins this week, as he’s still dealing with the rib injury that caused him to miss last week’s game. Meanwhile, Bernard is listed as questionable due to a knee injury; he also missed last week’s game, but has a chance to return this Sunday. Coach Arians called him “good to go”, and he did have a full practice, so it appears that he’ll be available. With no Gronk, Cameron Brate will be the top tight end and will be a viable option, as his salary is pretty low across the industry. O.J. Howard will also play a few snaps, but hard to trust on a 12-game main slate. As for Bernard, he’ll likely reclaim his role as the occasional third down back. Still, as 10 point favorites against the Dolphins, it’ll likely be more of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, but Bernard will lower the ceiling of those two.
As reported by: Jenna Laine via Twitter Other tagged players: Giovani Bernard