DFS Alerts
Dallas Goedert (ankle) placed on injured reserve
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero initially reported Tuesday morning that Goedert was expected to miss “at least a couple weeks”, and the Eagles have made that report a reality by placing Goedert on injury reserve, effectively ruling him out for a minimum of three games. In a corresponding move, the Eagles signed Hakeem Butler from the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad to fill Goedert’s vacated spot on the active roster, and they interestingly plan to convert the former fourth-round wide receiver prospect to tight end. The absence of Goedert also clearly benefits Zach Ertz, who once again becomes the top pass-catching option for quarterback Carson Wentz even if Alshon Jeffery is able to return and make his season debut in Sunday night’s Week 4 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers following offseason foot surgery.
As reported by: Zach Berman via Twitter Other tagged players: Hakeem Butler
Brett Rypien expected to start at QB for the Broncos on Thursday night
Broncos head coach Vic Fangio confirmed with reporters on a Zoom conference Tuesday that Rypien will be his starting quarterback for Thursday night’s Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets, which means Jeff Driskel will now be the backup quarterback after being benched in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his dismal performance. Rypien went undrafted in the 2019 Draft, so he obviously doesn’t have supreme arm talent in the view of NFL scouting departments, but it’s still plausible that his accuracy can help the Broncos offense move the ball more efficiently while Drew Lock is sidelined and could be a positive note the projected fantasy value of Noah Fant, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler for the immediate future.
As reported by: James Palmer via Twitter Sammy Watkins (concussion, neck) officially active Monday night
As expected, Watkins cleared the concussion protocol and will be active for Monday night’s Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens after being a full participant in Saturday’s walkthrough practice. Following last Sunday’s Week 2 win, Watkins insisted he was fine after being knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter, but apparently, he began experiencing symptoms sometime early in the week, and head coach Andy Reid even admitted that Watkins was still dealing with a sore neck from several days following the collision. There’s been no indication that Watkins will see a limited snap count in tonight’s contest, but if he is eased into action, Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson could see a substantial increase over their usual target opportunities after both logged at least a 65% snap rate in Week 2 with Watkins healthy for a large portion of the game.
As reported by: Herbie Teope via Twitter Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) expected to miss at least four weeks
Pittman developed compartment leg syndrome in his calf following yesterday’s blowout win over the New York Jets, and he underwent surgery to prevent further damage to the calf Sunday night. Even though the surgery went well and was deemed a success, this is an ailment that has a lengthy recovery timetable, and Pittman isn’t expected to return until after the Colts’ bye week in Week 8 at the earliest. The Colts were never really in a pass-heavy game script the past two weeks, and Pittman still managed to see 10 targets over that span in the absence of Parris Campbell, who is on injured reserve for the season with a knee injury. The second wide receiver role will now fall on Zach Pascal, who has experience playing on the outside despite running 67% of his routes in the slot in Week 3.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Nick Foles will start at QB for the Bears in Week 4
In what should be a surprise to no one, Bears head coach Matt Nagy confirmed with reporters via Zoom on Monday that Foles will be the starting quarterback in Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts and for the foreseeable future. This obviously means that Mitchell Trubisky will be relegated to a backup role as the second-string quarterback, and the presence of an actually accurate passer under center could be a significant boon to the fantasy values of Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and the remaining members of the Bears offensive unit for the remainder of the 2020 season.
As reported by: Stacey Dales via Twitter Tarik Cohen (knee) placed on season-ending injured reserve
The Bears’ initial fears were confirmed with an MRI on Monday morning, and the team announced that Cohen will be placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his knee. Prior to the injury, Cohen had 21 yards on two carries to go along with three receptions for 20 yards on six targets and was on pace to put together a decent stat line in the eventual comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons yesterday afternoon. Barring an outside free agent signing, Ryan Nall is the only other running back currently on the Bears’ active roster to back up David Montgomery, but it does seem likely that Artavis Pierce will be recalled from the practice squad later in the week to provide depth at the position. Chicago also has the option of using Cordarelle Patterson in a hybrid running back and wide receiver role, though Montgomery still appears to be in line to assume a much larger role in the passing game moving forward.
As reported by: Brad Biggs via Twitter Devante Adams inactive Week 3
Adams is officially inactive Sunday night, not surprising after he was listed as doubtful. He was knocked out of Week 2 early, and just wasn’t able to progress enough to play. This obviously opens up a huge amount of targets on the Packers offense, as Adams had 17 targets in Week 1 alone. The Packers are not deep at WR, but Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are the top two options at the position, and both should see heavy work loads tonight. Aaron Jones should also be leaned on more with the star WR out.
As reported by: Green Bay Packers Other tagged players: Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones
Kenny Golladay active Week 3
Golladay is active and will play for the Lions today, giving Stafford back one of his top weapons. This will be Golladay’s first game of the season, and it comes in a likely high-scoring game against the Arizona Cardinals. It may take Golladay a little while longer before he is back to his usual self, as hamstring injuries can be tricky to return from.
As reported by: Justin Rogers Other tagged players: Marvin Jones, Matthew Stafford Jerry Jeudy active Week 3; Nick Vannett inactive
Jerry Jeudy is active for the Broncos Week 3 and should be their top WR this week. Him being active cuts into the targets available for the rest of the team, but the absence of Courtland Sutton means there are already plenty of targets available. Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler both appear affordable this week, especially if you don’t believe Jeudy will be his normal self. Nick Vannett is inactive, meaning Jake Butt could get some run as the second TE behind Noah Fant.
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran Other tagged players: Nick Vannett, Jake Butt, Noah Fant, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler Braxton Berrios active Week 3
Berrios had been questionable but reportedly was expected to play, and is in fact active today. The Jets have just four active WRs today, so Berrios should at least receive significant snaps, with Chris Hogan, Josh Malone and Lawrence Cager the only other options at the position.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Chris Hogan, Josh Malone, Lawrence Cager Justin Jackson inactive Week 3
Justin Jackson will remain out for at least one more week. Joshua Kelley has a solid hold on the backup RB spot, with Ekeler still the top option overall for the Chargers.
As reported by: Los Angeles Chargers Jack Doyle active Week 3
Jack Doyle will be active Week 3 for the Colts. This will cut into the role for Mo Alie-Cox, although both should still get targets.
As reported by: Indianapolis Colts Other tagged players: Mo Alie-Cox Steven Sims active Week 3
Sims had been questionable, but is officially active for Week 3. He should be the Football Team’s second option at WR, however the Washington passing game has not been effective this season, averaging 200.5 yards and 1 TD passing per game so far.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich Other tagged players: Dontrelle Inman, Antonio Gandy-Golden Darrynton Evans active Week 3
Evans is active Week 3, his first time suiting up this season. There is very little opportunity for any back besides Derrick Henry in this offense, and Evans has little realistic upside.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt N'Keal Harry, Julian Edelman both active Week 3; Dalton Keene inactive
Harry and Edelman are both active Week 3 and will be Cam Newton’s top targets. Both have 18 targets and 13 receptions through 2 games, leading the Patriots’ offense by a significant margin, although Edelman holds a 236-111 edge in yards. Dalton Keene was projected to return from injury this week, but was a surprising scratch. Ryan Izzo will remain the top TE and projects to have a modest role.
As reported by: Jeff Howe Other tagged players: Julian Edelman, Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo