DFS Alerts
Leonard Fournette (ankle) likely a game-time decision for Thursday night
Fournette was among a host of Buccaneers that didn’t practice on Tuesday, and head coach Bruce Arians disclosed to reporters via Zoom that Fournette will likely be a game-time decision for Thursday night’s Week 5 matchup against the Chicago Bears due to an ankle injury that’s already forced him to miss one game. Arians also disclosed that Fournette will try to get in some individual work on Wednesday, but if he’s unable to suit up, Ronald Jones would remain the undisputed lead running back once again and saw 63.0% of snaps while accumulating 26 total touches to along with nine targets in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn managed to amass a 21.9% snap rate in that contest following Jones’ struggles in the passing game and LeSean McCoy’s injury, so he’ll be an interesting option in single-game daily fantasy formats if McCoy ends up being inactive with a sprained ankle on a short week.
As reported by: Scott Smith via Twitter
Damien Harris (hand) activated from injured reserve, expected to be active Monday night
As expected, the Patriots announced that Harris has been activated from injured reserve and is likely to be active for Monday night’s Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs after missing the first three weeks of the season with a hand injury. Meanwhile, Sony Michel will land on injured reserve to clear a spot on the active roster, effectively ruling him out for the next three games. Harris’ role in this New England backfield will be interesting to monitor since he was originally the favorite in training camp to be the lead running back to begin the season. That possibility, along with the return of James White from a two-game absence, is enough to make Rex Burkhead an extremely thin play in daily fantasy on the two-game and single-game slates this evening.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Nick Chubb (knee) expected to miss approximately six weeks
According to head coach Ed Stefanski, running back Nick Chubb will be placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss “several weeks”, though he was unwilling to confirm the six-week timetable that has been reported by several sources. The approximated six-week timeline would make sense with the Browns’ bye week taking place in Week 9, so in the interim Kareem Hunt appears to have a firm grasp on the lead running back role despite D’Ernest Johnson accumulating 13 rushing attempts in the win over the Dallas Cowboys yesterday afternoon. Even with Chubb healthy through three games, Hunt had recorded a 46.7% opportunity share of the available backfield touches, a number that only figures to rise in the coming weeks.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Sony Michel (quad) won't play Monday night
The Patriots announced that Michel won’t travel with the team to Kansas City, effectively ruling him of Monday night’s Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs due to a quad injury. A corresponding move has yet to be announced, but it’s widely expected that Michel will land on injured reserve and that Damien Harris will be activated to take his vacated spot on the active roster. Harris’ role in this backfield will be interesting to monitor since he was originally the favorite in training camp to be the Patriots lead running back to begin the season. That possibility, along with the return of James White from a two-game absence, is enough to make Rex Burkhead an extremely thin play in daily fantasy on the two-game and single-game slates this evening.
As reported by: Mike Reiss via Twitter JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Hakeem Butler Inactive Week 4
Arcega-Whiteside being out wasn’t a surprise, as he was doubtful on the final injury report. Hakeem Butler was just signed recently, so he must need more time to settle in. The Eagles offensive skill positions are a mess, and they will have five active RBs, 4 WRs and 2 TEs Sunday night. They will need to be creative to score tonight, and are significant underdogs. Zach Ertz and Miles Sanders are their proven players, but the WR group of Greg Ward, John Hightower, Deontay Burnett and Travis Fulgham does not inspire confidence.
As reported by: Dave Zangaro Other tagged players: Hakeem Butler
Henry Ruggs, Rico Gafford inactive Sunday
Both Ruggs and Gafford are inactive Sunday, as expected given their doubtful injury designations. Hunter Renfrow look like an appealing option this week as the top WR for the Raiders.
As reported by: Paul Gutierrez Other tagged players: Rico Gafford Trey Burton active; Dezmon Patmon inactive Sunday
Trey Burton will make his season debut, and will likely work as the third TE option for the Colts, a position where they have good depth. Dezmon Patmon is inactive, but his projected role was very small, if any.
As reported by: Dave Griffiths Other tagged players: Dezmon Patmon Zach Moss inactive Week 4
Zach Moss had looked likely to play, but will miss his second straight game. Devin Singletary will be the top RB, with QB Josh Allen a threat around the goal line as always. T.J. Yeldon was the second back last week and got three carries, so the real workload runs through Singletary.
As reported by: Joe Buscaglia Other tagged players: Devin Singletary, T.J. Yeldon, Josh Allen Terry McLaurin active Week 4
McLaurin is active Sunday and will be Haskins’ top target against the Ravens. The Redskins are massive underdogs, but that should also force them to throw all day. McLaurin was able to put up a huge game in a 15-point Week 2 loss to the Cardinals, and that margin is just about where the line is for today (14 points currently).
As reported by: Nicki Jhabvala Other tagged players: Dwayne Haskins, Dontrelle Inman Scotty Miller active Week 4
As expected, Scotty Miller is active for the Bucs Week 4. The absence of Chris Godwin opens up a big opportunity for Scotty Miller to be the number two WR behind Mike Evans. However, keep in mind that Godwin also missed Week 2, and Miller caught just 2 passes off 3 targets for 11 yards.
As reported by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Other tagged players: Justin Watson, Tyler Johnson Chris Carson active; Carlos Hyde inactive Week 4
The Seahawks will be without one of their two top backs, as Hyde is officially inactive. Typically, this would position Chris Carson for a massive day. The potential is still there, but there is some concern given that Carson himself was also questionable with a knee injury. If the Seahawks don’t want to overload Carson, some RB snaps should trickle down to Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas. Even with the injury, Carson is in a great spot this week.
As reported by: Seattle Seahawks PR Other tagged players: Carlos Hyde, Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas Kareem Hunt active Week 4
Kareem Hunt is active Sunday, meaning the Browns will once again have their two-headed RB monster. Chubb would have benefited significantly from Hunt being out. We have seen both go off for big games, but this backfield would have been much more appealing with one clear lead back.
As reported by: Scott Petrak Other tagged players: Nick Chubb Joe Mixon active Week 4
Joe Mixon is active for the Bengals Sunday, pushing Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine into their usual roles within the offense. Mixon is effectively the only back getting any rush attempts, with 52 of the Bengals’ 54 non-QB rushes. Bernard is active in the passing game, averaging 5 targets per game, while Samaje Perine is limited to special teams.
As reported by: Jay Morrison Other tagged players: Giovani Bernard, Samaje Perine John Ross, Trayveon Williams Inactive Week 4
Neither player has had a role in the offense this season, and that will continue Sunday with both inactive. Ross has fallen out of favor in this offense, and this will be his second straight inactive. The former 9th overall pick may have run out of opportunities with the Bengals, barring an injury to the WRs ahead of him on the depth chart.
As reported by: Jay Morrison Other tagged players: Trayveon Williams Chris Moore inactive Week 4
Moore was projected for a tiny role in the offense at best, and will be inactive. His absence does not have any significant impact in this game, from a fantasy perspective.
As reported by: Jeff Zrebiec