DFS Alerts
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, DT Chris Jones, DE Frank Clark All Officially Game-Time Decisions
Although Ian Rappaport said earlier that the Chiefs’ plan was to start Matt Moore at quarterback, Ed Werder’s report was more optimistic about Mahomes’ chances of playing tomorrow against the Vikings. These mixed messages from well-respected NFL insiders are confusing, and DFS players should be prepared to make lineup adjustments based on Mahomes’ availability. Fortunately, the official inactives list will be released before the main slate kicks off and there will be time to act accordingly..
As reported by: Ed Werder
Packers Activate TE Jace Sternberger from Injured Reserve
Sternberger could emerge as yet another fine pass-catching option for MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have actually been utilizing more 21 personnel as of late, which is a formation involving multiple running backs. It will be interesting to see if the Packers continue to give talented secondary offensive weapons like Jamaal Williams and Allen Lazard more playing time, in addition to making roster moves around TEs Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan.
As reported by: Tom Silverstein Other tagged players: Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan Lions Promote RB Paul Perkins from Practice Squad, Place RB Tra Carson on IR
DFS players pounded rookie RB Ty Johnson’s name into a ton of lineups last week after Kerryon Johnson was placed on IR, but he turned out to be bad chalk. With tournament players flocking heavily to the Lions/Raiders game and Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels projected to see over 55% ownership on some sites, Johnson makes for an interesting pivot off of Samuels and leverage play off of the Lions passing game. Now that Carson is out of the picture, Ty Johnson has a clearer path to meeting value due to his projected volume increase.
As reported by: Kyle Meinke Other tagged players: Tra Carson, Ty Johnson, JD McKissic Steelers Waive WR Donte Moncrief, Promote RB Tony Brooks-James to the 53-Man Roster
The Steelers added Brooks-James for additional running back depth, with James Conner and Benny Snell Jr. missing tomorrow’s game and possibly more. By waiving Moncrief, the Steelers also have a shot at a compensatory draft pick in 2020.
As reported by: Ian Rappaport Other tagged players: Donte Moncrief New Seahawks WR Josh Gordon Will not Play Sunday
Former Patriots WR Josh Gordon was claimed by the Seahawks, but will not play this weekend vs. the Bucs. Seattle had the 28th waiver priority and was the only NFL team to put in a claim for Gordon.
As reported by: Gregg Bell Colts CB Pierre Desir (Hamstring) Upgraded from Doubtful to Questionable.
Desir is looking like a greater possibility to take the field tomorrow, which would be a huge boost for the Colts secondary against the Steelers.
As reported by: Mike Chappell Patriots RG Shaq Mason (Ankle), RB James White (Toe) Travel with Team to Baltimore
White and Mason appear to be on track to play on Sunday night despite their questionable tags. White could be deployed more often than he has for most of this season, since the Ravens are expected to be competitive and the Patriots could find themselves in a negative game script for the first time in 2019. White will likely compete for volume with Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden, although Burkhead is questionable with an injury of his own.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Titans Activate K Ryan Succop and DB Joshua Kalu from IR, Waive K Cody Parkey and CB Tye Smith
Succop is now healthy, resulting in Parkey’s Titans tenure being very short-lived. Parkey is clearly still dealing with the aftermath of the “Double-Doink” in last year’s playoff loss to the Eagles, as he hit the goal post yet again on one of his short kicking attempts with the Titans. With the Patriots signing of Nick Folk and the Chargers’ Michael Badgley finally healthy, Parkey may not kick for an NFL team again in 2019.
As reported by: Buck Reising Other tagged players: Cody Parkey Patriots Downgrade TE Matt LaCosse (Knee) to Out for Sunday Night Vs. Ravens
LaCosse has not been much of a fantasy factor as the Patriots haven’t used their tight ends in the passing game the same way they did with guys like Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Izzo and Watson could see more snaps on Sunday night with LaCosse out.
As reported by: https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1190693406676312069 Other tagged players: Ryan Izzo, Benjamin Watson Cowboys CB Anthony Brown (Hamstring) is Questionable for Monday Night Football in New York
The Cowboys could be shorthanded in the secondary if Brown misses Monday night’s game against the Giants. One of the Giants’ outside receivers would get a solid upgrade should Brown be sidelined.
As reported by: David Moore Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (Neck) Unlikely to Play in Monday’s Game Against the Giants
Vander Esch is currently on the more doubtful side of his questionable tag and is not expected to suit up on Monday night.
As reported by: Todd Archer Chiefs Plan to Start Matt Moore at Quarterback Tomorrow
The Kansas City Chiefs added QB Chad Henne to their 53-man roster, which is an indication Mahomes will miss his second consecutive game. The team will evaluate the 2018 MVP pregame, but the plan is for Matt Moore to get another start. It will likely be tough sledding for Moore tomorrow vs. the Vikings, who rank 12th in pass DVOA, 11th in pressure rate, and first in TD pass percentage allowed.
As reported by: Ian Rappaport Other tagged players: Chad Henne, Patrick Mahomes Patriots Activate Rookie WR N'Keal Harry Off Injured Reserve
Harry is on track to make his long-awaiting season debut on Sunday Night Football in Baltimore. The matchup is decent against the Ravens, who are 13th in pass DVOA and allow the 10th most FPs to wide receivers. However, it is very difficult to project the volume Harry will receive because the Patriots’ receiving corps looks so different than it did earlier in 2019 – the Patriots have let go of Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon and added Mohamed Sanu, who should see more work as he continues to get up to speed with the offense.
As reported by: Ian Rappaport Panthers DE Mario Addison Ruled Out for Tomorrow’s Game Vs. the Titans
Addison (personal) will not play tomorrow, meaning Ryan Tannehill could have a little bit more time in the pocket against the Panthers’ pass rush.
As reported by: Max Henson Texans OTs Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard are Questionable, Called Game-Time Decisions by Coach O'Brien
They Texans may be without their left and right tackles in tomorrow’s overseas showdown in London. Fortunately, the news on the inactives for this game will come out very early, so be sure to check back for those DFS alerts. Should Tunsil and/or Howard miss, it would be an obvious downgrade to the Texans offense. Deshaun Watson is known to take a lot of sacks, and the Jaguars are a run-funnel defense that allows the third-highest rushing success rate but is 7th in pass DVOA. Also, although this is technically a Texans home game, the Jaguars have been playing in London annually for quite some time now, meaning the crowd could be on the Jaguars’ side. If the Texans are forced to thrust in two backup offensive tackles to block Watson, they could decide to drastically alter their offensive game plan.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Deshaun Watson, Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars