DFS Alerts
Tee Higgins (shoulder) DNP Thursday
Higgins is looking like one of the biggest situations to monitor on the slate; he didn’t practice for the second straight day, and is starting to be a worry due to the shoulder injury he may have sustained. If Higgins sits, it’s likely that the biggest beneficiary will be the two other Bengals receivers (Tyler Boyd and Ja’marr Chase), as opposed to some new option (likely Auden Tate) jumping in. It’s a tough matchup for the Bengals against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but if Higgins sits, the target share condensing could make the Bengals other WRs appealing.
As reported by: Marisa Contipelli via Twitter
Titans TE Anthony Firsker (knee) DNP Thursday
Firkser was a DNP Thursday again with a knee injury that kept him from playing week one. It’s looking like Firkser won’t be able to play, which would lead to more work for Geoff Swaim, Mycole Pruitt, and Tommy Hudson; none of them would be good options.
As reported by: Turron Davenport via Twitter TE Evan Engram (calf), WR Kenny Golladay (hip), RB Saquon Barkley (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (ankle), and TE Kaden Smith (knee) all limited
The Giants had a lengthy injury report Thursday, with five players listed as limited. For some players, this is an upgrade, while for others this is actually a slight worry. Engram has missed the first two weeks, but is looking towards progressing to a return (which would also in turn make Kaden Smith likely irrelevant). Barkley was listed as limited, but he should have no issues playing after getting the lion’s share of snaps this past week. Golladay remains limited due to a hip injury, and this one is looking more like a lingering injury; tomorrow’s practice will shed the most light. Toney’s injury is new, as he popped up with an ankle injury. He won’t play many snaps regardless, although if some of the other weapons for the Giants sit, he’d possibly play half the snaps. Golloday and Engram are the two to monitor, and tomorrow’s practice should clarify the situation.
As reported by: Ralph Vacchiano via Twitter Other tagged players: Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley, Kadarius Toney, Kaden Smith ATL WR Russell Gage (ankle) DNP Thursday
Gage missed practice for the second straight day, and reporters are all speculating (as are we) that he’ll end up sitting against the Giants Sunday. If Gage ends up sitting, it’ll likely be more Olamide Zaccheus; he played 58% of the snaps last week after only playing 26% in week 1. The Falcons do have more two TE sets than most teams, so the benefits may not flow direclty to Zaccheus, but more so to Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst (along with Calvin Ridley). Gage will likely be ruled out tomorrow when injury designations come out.
As reported by: Michael Rothstein via Twitter IND QB Carson Wentz (ankles) DNP Thursday
After missing yesterday’s practice, Wentz was unable to practice again due to two sprained ankles he suffered last week against the Rams. If he doesn’t practice tomorrow, it might be difficult to envision him playing against the Tennessee Titans. In practice, the Colts were splitting first team reps between Jacob Eason and Brett Hundley, and reports are speculating that both players may end up playing on Sunday if Wentz does indeed sit. This would be a nightmare scenario for both the players, and the WRs. We’ll get a closer idea of Wentz’s status after tomorrow’s practice.
As reported by: the Indianapolis Colts via Twitter Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (ankle) DNP Thursday
Cook had his second straight DNP Thursday, a bit more worrisome than yesterday’s miss. Cook’s status against the Seahawks Sunday looks to be a bit iffy, although coach Mike Zimmer has stated that he thinks Cook will play, as has Cook. If he ends up getting even a limited practice in tomorrow, he should be in good shape to play. Should he sit, Alexander Mattison would be the highest owned player on the slate likely.
As reported by: Chad Graff via Twitter Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) likely a game-time decision Sunday
OBJ will likely get in a practice today, but is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday. There are also reports that OBJ will be on a pitch count, so even if he plays, he may not be a good fit. With or without OBJ, the Browns will likely run plenty of 2 TE sets with Austin Hooper and David Njoku. Donovan People-Jones and Anthony Schwartz will chip in at WR, as Jarvis Landry is on I.R.
As reported by: Marla Ridenour via Twitter DET WR Tyrell Williams (concussion) placed on IR
Tyrell was placed on the IR due to a concussion, and will miss the game against the Ravens. In the Lions last game, Quintuz Cephus was the top WR for the team; he played 89% of snaps and ended up scoring a touchdown as well. Kalif Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown should help fill out as the peripheral options, but all options that aren’t TJ Hockenson are going to be difficult to play in a tough matchup against the Ravens.
As reported by: Ian Rapaport via Twitter Cowboys WR Amari Cooper (ribs) has limited practice Thursday
Cooper has been dealing with some bruised ribs, but getting a limited practice in today is a good sign he’ll play against the Eagles on Monday Night Football. Cooper looks on track to play barring any setbacks.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken via Twitter MIN RB Dalvin Cook DNP Wednesday
Dalvin Cook did not practice Wednesday even though he was present at the start of practice open to the media. Cook said he was just a little banged up and will be ready to play by Sunday against the Seahawks. Cook will have two more chances to practice to confirm his availability ahead of Sunday but if he were to have a setback Alexander Mattison would be the lead back in a great matchup. The Seahawks were torched by Derrick Henry last week for 182 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and another 55 yards through the air.
As reported by: Andrew Krammer
ARI WR DeAndre Hopkins (Ribs) DNP Wednesday
DeAndre Hopkins did not practice Wednesday with what was listed as a rib injury. Not much has been made of this so it is likely more of a rest day as Hopkins has been known to take but it is worth keeping an eye on. If he were unable to go on Sunday A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, and Christian Kirk would likely all see more targets in the explosive Arizona offense led by Kyler Murray. These receivers would all become much better plays at their respective price points due to increased volume and their matchup against the dismal Jaguars defense.
As reported by: Darren Urban NYJ WR Jamison Crowder DNP Wednesday
Jamison Crowder who suffered a setback last Friday and was unable to play Sunday against the Patriots did not practice Wednesday. If he were to be ruled out again this week Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Braxton Berrios (who saw a team high 11 targets last week without Crowder) would be Zach Wilson’s top targets. The Jets are set to face a tough Denver Broncos’ defense on Sunday.
As reported by: Ralph Vacchiano LVR RB Josh Jacobs listed as DNP on estimated practice report Wednesday
Josh Jacobs has been listed as DNP on the estimated practice report for Wednesday. Jacobs who was unable to suit up on Sunday against the Steelers was called “highly questionable” for Week 3 by Head Coach Jon Gruden. If he were to be held out again this Sunday Peyton Barber and Kenyan Drake should handle most of the carries like they did this past weekend. It was somewhat surprising to see Barber lead the backfield in carries with 13 to Drake’s 7 though Drake played a much bigger role in the passing game being targeted 6 times. We would expect a similar distribution on Sunday against the Dolphins if Jacobs were to be ruled out.
As reported by: Doug Kyed PIT WR Diontae Johnson, QB Ben Roethlisberger, and TE Eric Ebron DNP Wednesday
Diontae Johnson, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eric Ebron all missed practice on Wednesday for the Steelers. The big news here is Johnson’s absence who was seen limping after the game on Sunday. Roethlisberger is expected to play despite his pectoral injury and Ebron was held out due to a coach’s decision likely for rest. If Johnson is unable to go on Sunday both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool would see bumps. This situation is definitely worth monitoring throughout the rest of the week ahead of the Steelers’ matchup with the Bengals this Sunday.
As reported by: Dale Lolley Other tagged players: Ben Roethlisberger, Eric Ebron HOU WR Danny Amendola officially ruled out for Thursday
As expected, Danny Amendola officially ruled out for Thursday when the Texans are set to take on the Carolina Panthers. Anthony Miller who has not been active the last two weeks will make his Texans’ debut on Thursday while Nico Collins and Danny Amendola have been officially ruled out. The Texans will also likely elevate another wide receiver from their practice squad with the most likely candidates being Jordan Veasy and Chris Moore. Brandin Cooks should be firmly entrenched as Mills’ number one option followed by Chris Conley and Miller as well as the tight ends Pharaoh Brown and Jordan Akins.
As reported by: Adam Schefter