DFS Alerts
Gardner Minshew could be benched today if he struggles vs Chargers Week 7
The Jaguars are reportedly considering benching Gardner Minshew today if he struggles against the Chargers. Week 6 was one of his worst games of the season, but was saved from a fantasy perspective by a rushing TD. His overall numbers are not significantly worse than last season, except for the interceptions – he has already thrown 5 in 240 attempts vs 6 in 470 attempts last season. If he is pulled, Mike Glennon is expected to replace him for the rest of the game, with the long-term plan not clear. This risk of being benched lowers the floor for Minshew, although he was not a safe play to begin with anyways.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Mike Glennon
Aaron Jones not expected to play Week 7, not yet officially ruled out
Although not officially ruled out, Aaron Jones is reportedly not expected to play Sunday. If he is out, Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon should both see increased roles. Williams should be the better option, as he has been handling a greater share of the rushing game, and is much more involved in the passing game. Williams has caught 13 of his 14 targets for 119 yards, while Dillon is yet to even receive a target this season. Jones has averaged nearly 6 targets per game, so there is opportunity for Williams to fill that role.
As reported by: Ryan Wood Other tagged players: Jamaal Williams, AJ Dillon Tyler Higbee officially questionable for Monday night; Darrell Henderson and Robert Woods both clear to play
Henderson and Woods both did not practice Friday, but neither carry an injury designation on the final injury report, indicating they are cleared to play. Higbee got his first action in practice of the week Saturday, although he was limited, and he is considered questionable for Monday night. Gerald Everett would get a nice boost as the top TE for the Rams if Higbee can’t play.
As reported by: Jourdan Rodrigue Other tagged players: Darrell Henderson, Robert Woods, Gerald Everett Jaguars Chris Thompson placed on COVID-19 reserve list
Chris Thompson has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, ruling him out for Week 7. This should mean James Robinson will get all the work he can handle. Devine Ozigbo and Dare Ogunbowale will work behind Robinson, but they’re unlikely to receive any type of real work.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: James Robinson, Devine Ozigbo, Dare Ogunbowale Raiders 4 OL players previously placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 are cleared and available to play Week 7
This is obviously great news for the Raiders, as there had been risk they would be without four members of their OL Sunday. None of the players had tested positive, but were in close contact with someone that did, Trent Brown.
As reported by: Field Yates Jamison Crowder downgraded to doubtful for Sunday
Crowder has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Week 7, meaning he is almost certainly out this week. The Jets can’t quite get everyone healthy at the same time, as Denzel Mims is expected to finally make his season debut this week. If Crowder is out, Braxton Berrios could step in and get more work, as could the TEs.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Denzel Mims, Braxton Berrios Denzel Mims activated from IR, expected to debut this week
Denzel Mims has been activated off of IR and is expected to make his season debut Sunday. His return also comes as Jamison Crowder appears likely to miss a week, meaning the Jets once again won’t be at full strength. Mims is likely to step in as a starter this week as the Jets take on the Bills.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Dawson Knox tests positive for COVID-19 - Bills TEs Lee Smith, Tommy Sweeney and Nate Becker considered close contacts, can't play Sunday
The Bills are dealing with a potential COVID-19 outbreak among their TEs, with Knox testing positive and multiple players considered close contacts. While those close contacts have not yet test positive, they will not be able to play Sunday. This week the Bills will have Tyler Kroft as their top option and Reggie Gilliam behind him at TE.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Lee Smith, Nate Becker, Tommy Sweeney, Tyler Kroft, Reggie Gilliam DeSean Jackson (ankle) out 6-8 weeks
DeSean Jackson just can’t seem to stay healthy. Playing for the first time in four weeks, Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain during a punt return Week 7, and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Jackson only played 3 games last season, and at nearly 34 years old, his risk of injury will only continue to increase. Travis Fulgham has taken on a top role in the Eagles’ offense, topping 10 targets each of the past three games.
As reported by: Mike Garafolo Other tagged players: Travis Fulgham, Greg Ward Michael Thomas (hamstring) officially ruled out for Sunday
Thomas tweaked his hamstring at practice earlier in the week and has been unable to participate in practice since, so the Saints have preemptively ruled their start wideout out of Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers due to the aforementioned ailment. If only Thomas were inactive, not many things would change for this Saints offense since Thomas has been sidelined since Week 2, but with Emannuel Sanders placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Bennie Fowler placed on injured reserve, they are suddenly even thinner at the wide receiver position. This leaves Tre’Quan Smith as the de facto number one receiver for quarterback Drew Brees, and he should be a safe bet to eclipse his 12.1% target share on the season and possibly even the season-high seven targets he amassed back in Week 2.
As reported by: Katherine Terrell via Twitter
Jordan Akins (ankle) not expected to play on Sunday
Akins wasn’t able to practice the entire week, and even though he’s been listed as questionable on the Texans’ injury report, he is not expected to play in Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers due to an ankle injury. This will be the third game in a row Akins has missed for a variety of reasons, so Darren Fells will get another crack as the undisputed top tight end in the Texans’ passing game, a role that’s enabled him to see at least 87.7% of the snaps and run a minimum of 25 routes the previous two weeks. Fells’ price tag is on the rise across the daily fantasy industry, but he did accrue an 18.9% target share in this past Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, keeping him in consideration for tournament formats at the very least.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson via Twitter Justin Jackson (knee) officially listed as questionable for Sunday
Jackson was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday, so even though he’s officially listed as questionable on the Chargers’ injury report, he’s still expected to play in Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars despite dealing with a knee injury. Prior to the Chargers’ bye week, Jackson worked as the clear replacement to Austin Ekeler, as he amassed an elite 18.8% target share out of the backfield on just five more total routes run than running mate Joshua Kelley, who was widely expected to take over as the lead back in Ekeler’s absence. Jackson also received four more carries than Kelley in that contest, and even though Jackson was clearly the more effective running back, it’d be interesting to see if those numbers flip in Kelley’s favor in a more run-heavy game script.
As reported by: Daniel Popper via Twitter Emmanuel Sanders placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, won't play Sunday
The Saints have unexpectedly announced that Sanders will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, effectively ruling him out of Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers due to precautionary measures. If only Sanders were inactive, not many things would change for this Saints offense since Michael Thomas has been sidelined since Week 2, but with Thomas already ruled out and Bennie Fowler placed on injured reserve, New Orleans is suddenly even thinner at the wide receiver position. This leaves Tre’Quan Smith as the de facto number one receiver for quarterback Drew Brees, and he should be a safe bet to eclipse his 12.1% target share on the season and possibly even the season-high seven targets he amassed back in Week 2.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Tyler Eifert (neck) officially ruled out for Sunday
Eifert didn’t participate in practice at all this week, and he’s officially been ruled out of Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a neck injury he aggravated during the loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday afternoon. Following Eifert’s exit, James O’Shaughnessy took over as the primary pass-catching tight end for Jacksonville, but he was targeted just once by quarterback Gardner Minshew despite running 37 routes on passing downs. However, it’s certainly possible O’Shaughnessy is factored more into the game plan by the coaching staff with a full week of preparation, making him an intriguing punt option at the tight end position in daily fantasy formats this upcoming weekend.
As reported by: John Oehser via Twitter John Brown (knee) and Dawson Knox (calf) officially ruled out for Sunday
Brown and Knox were both observers at practice for a third straight day, and they’ve each officially been ruled out of Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets due to their respective ailments. Knox has already missed two games this season, and in those contests, Tyler Kroft took over as the primary pass-catching tight end but has had mixed results for fantasy purposes. As for Brown, his absence is much more impactful and elevates Gabriel Davis to the number two outside receiver role that enabled him to accumulate nine targets for a 20.0% target share and a 31.0% market share of the team air yards in Week 5, which was the last time Brown was sidelined with his lingering knee injury.
As reported by: Joe Buscaglia via Twitter Other tagged players: Dawson Knox