DFS Alerts
Duke Johnson and C.J. Prosise ruled out for Sunday
Duke Johnson and C.J. Prosise have been ruled out for Sunday, leaving David Johnson and Gregory Howell as the top two RB options for Houston, with Scottie Phillips the third option.
As reported by: Houston Texans PR Other tagged players: C.J. Prosise, David Johnson, Buddy Howell, Scottie Phillips
Saints place Michael Thomas on injured reserve, will miss the rest of the regular season
The Saints have placed Michael Thomas on injured reserve, meaning he will miss the rest of the regular season. However, he is expected to return for the playoffs, at or near 100% healthy. Thomas’ absence, combined with Drew Brees returning, sets Alvin Kamara up as an elite option the rest of the regular season. Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith will both also get nice boosts with Thomas out.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Alvin Kamara, Drew Brees, Emmanuel Sanders, Tre'Quan Smith Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay both expected to play
The Broncos are expected to have both Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay on Saturday. Those two will work as the top backs, leaving little work for Royce Freeman. We will get confirmation of their statuses around 3 PM ET today, when inactives are released.
As reported by: James Palmer Other tagged players: Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman Evan Engram expected to play Sunday despite being added to injury report Friday
Evan Engram is expected to play Sunday, despite being a new addition to the injury report on Friday. He had a 36.4% target share in Week 13, a game which Colt McCoy started. With McCoy also starting Sunday, Engram could have a big share of what is likely a limited Giants’ passing game.
As reported by: Dan Duggan Other tagged players: Kaden Smith Colt McCoy expected to start Sunday for the Giants
Colt McCoy is expected to start Sunday for the Giants. There had been reports that Daniel Jones might be able to play, but instead the Giants will turn to the veteran QB. McCoy was the starter when the Giants beat the Seahawks in Week 13, but he totaled just 105 yards passing in that game.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Daniel Jones Damien Harris and Donte Moncrief ruled out for tomorrow
Damien Harris and Donte Moncrief have been ruled out for tomorrow. The Harris absence should open up opportunity for the other backs, in particular Sony Michel to get more rushing work. James White’s role shouldn’t be significantly changed, as he will still work as the receiving back, while J.J. Taylor should be active as the third back.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Other tagged players: Donte Moncrief, Sony Michel, J.J. Taylor Brandon Allen ruled out, Ryan Finley will start Monday
Brandon Allen has been ruled out, meaning Ryan Finley will start Monday for the Bengals. This is a terrible spot for Finley, and the Steelers will be looking to feast against Cincinnati. As significant underdogs, the Bengals will likely be forced to pass often, and the Steelers are elite at getting to the QB. Expect Finley to be hit early and often Monday night.
As reported by: Geoff Hobson Other tagged players: Brandon Allen Matthew Stafford reportedly preparing to play tomorrow
Matthew Stafford is reportedly preparing to play tomorrow, which would be a bit of a surprise after his rib injury kept him out of practice early this week. He was listed as limited in the Friday practice report, and the Lions had indicated that the pain was getting better. This report didn’t go as far as declaring that Stafford will play, but it certainly is possible.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Chase Daniel Michael Thomas (ankle) ruled out for Sunday
Thomas was unable to practice at all this week, and he’s unsurprisingly been ruled out of Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs due to an ankle injury. In his absence, Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith should take over as the top two options for quarterback Drew Brees at the wide receiver position, but make no mistake, Alvin Kamara, who accumulated a massive 27.1% target share when Thomas was sidelined earlier in the season, will still be the primary offensive weapon in the passing and running game and obviously sets up as a tremendous option in all daily fantasy formats across the industry this weekend.
As reported by: Nick Underhill via Twitter
Alex Smith (calf) officially ruled out for Sunday; Dwayne Haskins will start
Head coach Ron Rivera had echoed optimism about Smith’s potential availability for Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks all week, but Smith has ultimately been ruled out due to a calf injury that’s held him out of practice. In his absence, Dwayne Haskins will receive another shot as Washington’s starting quarterback after being bench in favor of Kye Allen just four games into the season. This change under center could be just what Terry McLaurin to reclaim his spot as one of the-highest volume wider receivers in the NFL, making him a fantastic option for all formats in daily fantasy contests across the industry this weekend.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Julio Jones (hamstring) officially ruled out for Sunday
Jones still hasn’t practiced at all in the last two weeks, and he’s officially been ruled out of Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an ever-nagging hamstring injury that will now keep him sidelined for a second consecutive week. This will be the fifth game overall that Jones has missed this season on top of being limited in a few others, and while he’s struggled to remain healthy, his mere presence on the field is typically a tremendous boost for quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offensive efficiency in general. Olamide Zaccheus is still on injured reserve, so in Jones’ absence, some combination of Brandon Powell, Laquon Treadwell, and maybe Christian Blakewill see reps at wide receiver opposite of Calvin Ridley on the outside. Ridley and Hayden Hurst are the obvious candidates for an increase in target share, while Powell appears to have the edge for the first crack at the aforementioned vacated routes.
As reported by: Jason Butt via Twitter Drew Brees (ribs) will start at QB for the Saints on Sunday
Despite head coach, Sean Payton, telling reporters that Brees was a “ways away” from returning earlier in the week, Brees has officially been cleared by the medical staff and will start at quarterback in Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs after missing four games due to several fractured ribs and a punctured lung. Brees will wear the usual protective equipment around his rib cage area, but other than that he appears to be a full-go for this weekend’s contest. This will relegate Taysom Hill back to the second or third-string quarterback on the depth chart, and he’ll likely resume his gadget role on offense and as a special teams contributor. As for Brees, he’ll be without his top wide receiver in Michael Thomas in Week 15, but he’ll still have the services of Alvin Kamara, who racked up a 27.1% target share when Thomas was sidelined earlier in the season.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (back) will play on snap counts Thursday night
Allen has been given the go-ahead to play in Thursday night’s Week 15 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders despite dealing with a hamstring injury, while Williams will be active even though he was expected to be sidelined for tonight’s contest. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, both Chargers’ starting wide receivers are likely to on an unspecified snap count, which just further adds uncertainty on how to approach the position in single-game daily fantasy slates across the industry. It’s purely speculation, but Allen was able to convince the medical and coaching staffs to allow him to suit up on a short week, it appears unlikely he’ll be too severely limited on passing downs, even if he sees his total snaps decline. Williams’ role is much more unpredictable, making himself and the tertiary wideouts like Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton intriguing tournament options this evening.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Other tagged players: Mike Williams Mike Williams (back) not expected to play Thursday night; Austin Ekeler (quad) expected to play
Mike Williams (back) not expected to play Thursday night. Tyron Johnson figures to pick up a bunch of extra playing time on the outside, and his target share could rise even further if Keenan Allen is limited, which is expected. Jalen Guyton is another potential beneficiary while Hunter Henry should see added looks. in the middle of the field. Austin Ekeler is questionable but is expected to play, and he’s yet another candidate to see a boosted target share. We’ll pass along inactives when they are released.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Other tagged players: Austin Ekeler Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, and James Proche placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday
The Ravens officially announced that they’ve placed wide receivers, Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, and James Proche on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting their availability for Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars into at least some question. The aforementioned trio was reportedly only deemed as high risk, close contacts to a staff member that received a positive result from Monday’s round of testing. This means that as long as Brown, Boykin, and Proche continue to receive negative tests through the rest of the week, they’ll be able to rejoin team activities on Saturday afternoon and will be eligible to play in this weekend’s contest.
As reported by: Jeff Zrebiec via Twitter Other tagged players: Miles Boykin, James Proche