DFS Alerts
CIN WR Tee Higgins will play Sunday; RB Joe Mixon listed questionable
The Bengals are looking better than they were at the beginning of the week as they prepare for a matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Higgins was able to practice again, and is not listed on the injury report; he will play on Sunday. Mixon has been dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to leave last week’s game, and it seemed all but certain that he was going to miss the game. However, he was listed as questionable; it certainly appeared that after missing practice the last two games, he would be doubtful. Coach Taylor mentioned in his pre-game news conference that Mixon would try to test out the ankle tomorrow, a rarity since usually since teams playing on Sundays don’t do any work on Saturday. If Mixon will sit, it’s been stated that it’ll be a backfield committee, with Samaje Perine likely leading the way on early downs and Chris Evans chipping in with some pass down work. Mixon’s status hopefully comes before Sunday, and coach Taylor may have hinted at just that.
As reported by: Nicole Menner via Twitter Other tagged players: Tee Higgins
DEN RB Melvin Gordon to play Sunday
As expected, Gordon will play Sunday against the Steelers. He missed some practice due to a leg issue, but was able to get in a practice Friday and will have no issues heading into Sunday. He’ll split the workload with Javonte Williams in a tough matchup.
As reported by: Jeremy Fowler via Twitter SEA RB Chris Carson ruled out Thursday
Carson was officially ruled out due to his neck injury and will miss the game against the LA Rams. Carson couldn’t be cleared, and it’ll now be up to the backups in a difficult matchup against the Rams defense. Alex Collins will likely lead the way, as the primary backup and a back who will likely run the rock on first and second downs. Travis Homer has been cast as a receiving back for the team, and will handle the pass down snaps most likely for the team. Deejay Dallas will mix in as the third back, but is more of a dart throw than the first two. Collins and Homer do have reduced salaries across the industry, and are certainly viable in showdown.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter SEA TE Gerald Everett and WR D'Wayne Eskridge ruled out Thursday; RB Chris Carson remains a game-time decision; WR Phillip Dorsett elevated from practice squad
The Seahawks are shuffling things around ahead of the TNF matchup against the LA Rams. Everett was unable to get a second negative COVID test; therefore, he won’t be activated off the COVID-19 list, and will miss the game against the Rams. Menawhile, Eskridge has been dealing with a concussion since week one, and ultimately the Seahawks decided to place him on injured reserve. In his place, Dorsett was elevated from the practice squad and is expected to be active tonight. He’ll likely be the WR4, behind Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf definitely ahead, and likely Freddie Swain as well. As for Carson, he remains a game-time decision; he’s been dealing with a neck, and every source and beat reporter has said that it’s truly a 50-50 call. It’ll be Alex Collins filling if he sits, as well as Travis Homer on passing downs.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Other tagged players: D'Wayne Eskridge, Chris Carson CIN RB Joe Mixon DNP Thursday; WR Tee Higgins limited
For a second straight day, Mixon was a DNP due to his ankle injury as the Bengals prepare to play the Green Bay Packers. Higgins was able to practice again in a limited fashion, and looks to be on pace to return after missing the last two weeks with a shoulder injury. As for Mixon, his absence will likely lead to a two-man group of Samaje Perine and Chris Evans handling the work. Bengals OC Brian Callahan suggested on the record it would be a committee between the two, with Perine likely handling more early down work while Evans works in the pass game. Mixon’s status should be cemented tomorrow, but his outlook is certainly bleak.
As reported by: Ben Baby via Twitter Other tagged players: Tee Higgins IND RB Nyheim Hines (shoulder) DNP Thursday
Hines was listed as limited with a shoulder injury, but this certainly looks precautionary. Hines said postgame that he’d be good to go, and with the Colts playing on Monday, it’ll only be a worry if Hines misses tomorrow.
As reported by: the Indianapolis Colts via Twitter NYG WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) and WR Darius Slayton (hamstring) DNP Thursday
It appears as if the Giants won’t be getting back two key wideouts ahead of their divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys. Both Shepard and Slayton had a second straight DNP, and are certainly trending towards doubtful and missing the game. In their place, Kadarius Toney took a big leap forward, while Collin Johnson and John Ross will help support top option Kenny Golladay. We’ll get a game status on the Giants receivers tomorrow, but this certainly doesn’t look promising.
As reported by: Ralph Vacchiano via Twitter Other tagged players: Sterling Shepard TEN WR A.J. Brown has full practice Thursday; WR Julio Jones DNP
The Titans look on their way to getting one of their two top wideouts back; Brown was able to get a full practice in, while Julio remained out. If he was able to practice fully, he should be all systems go as his absence will be limited to just the one game. He’ll be the top alpha if Julio can’t get in a practice tomorrow, as the target share would be dominated by Brown in a great matchup against the reeling Jaguars. The combination of Josh Reynolds, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Chester Rogers would replace Julio should he sit again.
As reported by: John Glennon via Twitter Other tagged players: Julio Jones SF QB Jimmy Garoppolo DNP Thursday
Despite some optimism that Jimmy G would be able to play, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll end up sitting against the Cardinals in favor of rookie Trey Lance. Jimmy was unable to practice due to a calf injury, and with the 49ers on a bye next week, they may elect to sit him and give him some extra time to heal; there’s also a chance that they stay with their young QB. Lance has elite rushing upside, and would be a great play on his own, but possibly would lead to reduced expectations for his pass catching options. Barring something unexpected tomorrow, it looks like it will be the Lance show Sunday.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport via Twitter DEN QB Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) limited practice Thursday; TE Albert Okwuegbunam (hamstring) DNP Thursday
The Broncos appear to be getting back Teddy; despite being placed in the concussion protocol, he was able to get in a limited practice, and looks to be on track to play against the Steelers, if he ends up getting a practice tomorrow. There was some news that Okwuegbunam hurt his hamstring during practice yesterday, and was downgraded to DNP today. With him looking to sit, it’s likely that the target share gets more concentrated between Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Noah Fant; in a tough matchup with the Steelers, any ancillary pieces will be extremely difficult to trust.
As reported by: Troy Renck via Twitter Other tagged players: Teddy Bridgewater, Albert Okwuegbunam WAS WR Dyami Brown, WR Cam Sims, and WR Curtis Samuel DNP Thursday; RB Antonio Gibson limited in practice
The Football Team had a lengthy injury report, as they prepare to play the New Orleans Saints. Gibson was limited, and looks like he’ll be fine to play despite his numerous ailments. The WR room is a different issue; Brown is dealing with a knee injury, Samuel a groin injury, and Sims with a hamstring issue. All three were unable to practice, which certainly makes the situation hairy outside of Terry McLaurin and Adam Humphries. Tomorrow’s practice will give the most clarity, but if Samuel plays, he’s likely the best DFS bet (of the injured wideouts). If he sits, Brown and Sims would be punts, but in a matchup against the Saints with a low over/under, there are safer options to choose. McLaurin is clearly the best option, regardless of who else plays.
As reported by: Nicki Jhabvala via twitter Other tagged players: Dyami Brown, Cam Sims, Curtis Samuel ATL WR Calvin Ridley and WR Russell Gage both ruled out Sunday
The Falcons are traveling today to London, and Schefter dropped some big news; Calvin Ridley will not travel due to a personal matter, and will miss the game against the Jets Sunday morning. Gage was ruled out as well, as he’ll be missing his third straight game due to an ankle injury. This leaves the Falcons perilously thin at WR, and some of the low level players will come into play as it’s a showdown slate. Olamide Zaccheus will be out there, along with Christian Blake and Tajae Sharpe as the top three WRs. The Falcons do run two tight end sets more than most, so Kyle Pitts will likely be the top option for the team, while Hayden Hurst chips in as well. This may give more room for Cordarelle Patterson to continue his hot streak, as the team needs to distribute targets somewhere, and Patterson has done a good job of earning them when on the field.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Other tagged players: Russell Gage CAR RB Christian McCaffrey "hopeful" to play Sunday, according to coach Rhule
Coach Matt Rhule said that the Panthers are “hopeful” that CMC will play, but they won’t put him in danger against the Philadelphia Eagles. If CMC gets full clearance, it likely mean he’s able to play and should dominate the snaps once again, yet there’s a chance that he gets more rest than usual. Chuba Hubbard would be the top option again should he sit, but Rodney Smith and Royce Freeman both mixed in last week, so it’s tough to fully trust Hubbard, but would certainly be in consideration against an Eagles defense that’s been hemorrhaging points.
As reported by: Dave Zangaro via Twitter ARI RB Chase Edmonds (shoulder) and TE Maxx Williams (shoulder) DNP Wednesday
Chase Edmonds and Maxx Williams were both listed as DNP Wednesday for the Cardinals with shoulder injuries. They were both likely held out for maintenance rather than a serious injury but it is worth taking note of. If Edmonds were to be ruled out James Conner would likely assume the lead back role with Jonathan Ward and Eno Benjamin available to back him up. Conner would become a much better play in a high powered offense that is expected to continue to roll on Sunday. If Williams were to be ruled out Demetrius Harris would likely become the top tight end option though he would be difficult to trust. Aside from Deandre Hopkins and possibly A.J. Green, it seems as though Kyler Murray has a different favorite target every week so pass catchers are tough to roster with any sort of confidence in this offense despite how successful they have been thus far.
As reported by: Darren Urban Other tagged players: Maxx Williams
CLE TE David Njoku (knee) listed as DNP Wednesday
David Njoku, who is dealing with a knee injury, was listed as DNP on Wednesday ahead of the Browns matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. If Njoku is unable to suit up it is likely that both Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant would split his snaps. The Browns are in an enviable position with three capable tight ends who can both the receive and block so if Njoku were to miss Hooper and Bryant would get a bump strengthening their value at their respective price points. Hooper would be a stronger mid tier option and Bryant would be the value option.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich