DFS Alerts
Jaylen Samuels (Knee), James Washington (Shoulder) and Vance McDonald (Shoulder) Full Practice Participants Thursday
All three players look on pace to play this week, especially considering the fact the Steelers do not play until Monday night. Samuels has been out since Week 5 and would make a good change of pace behind James Conner. He was active in the passing game as a receiver and even ran the wildcat prior to his injury.
As reported by: Pittsburgh Steelers Other tagged players: James Washington, Vance McDonald
JuJu Smith-Schuster (Illness) Does Not Practice Thursday
Smith-Schuster did not practice Thursday with an undisclosed illness. The Steelers don’t play until Monday, so he has an extra day to get healthy.
As reported by: Brooke Pryor Duke Williams (Shoulder) Limited in Practice Thursday
Duke Williams was limited in practice Thursday, although he is still expected to play this week.
As reported by: Buffalo Bills Corey Davis (Illness) Practices Fully; Delanie Walker (Ankle) Does Not Practice Thursday
Davis returned fully to practice Thursday, while Delanie Walker missed his second straight practice. Walker’s status for tomorrow’s practice will be important to monitor.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith O.J. Howard (Hamstring) Does Not Practice Thursday
Howard took a step back Thursday, not practicing after being limited Wednesday. Cameron Brate would get an increase in targets if Howard is out.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Cameron Brate Josh Jacobs (Shoulder) Does Not Practice Thursday, Status Unknown Going Forward
Jacobs did not practice for the second consecutive day. He still has a chance to play, but his status tomorrow will be important to monitor. Jacobs handles a very heavy workload when he plays, so this shoulder injury could be a lingering issue for the rest of the season.
As reported by: Jerry McDonald Other tagged players: Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington A.J. Green (Ankle) Confirmed Out Again Sunday
As expected, Green will not play again this week. The Bengals are playing in London Sunday, then they have a bye week. Green will look to return Week 10 against the Ravens.
As reported by: Geoff Hobson Malcolm Brown (Ankle) Ruled Out for Sunday
Brown has been ruled out for Sunday, meaning Darrell Henderson will fill the RB2 role for the Rams this weekend in London. He has gotten 17 rushes attempts over the past two weeks, totaling 70 yards and 0 TD’s.
As reported by: Lindsey Thiry Other tagged players: Todd Gurley, Darrell Henderson Saquon Barkley (Ankle) Practices Fully Thursday
Barkley was limited Wednesday, but he practice fully Thursday. He returned last week after missing 3 games, gaining 80 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches.
As reported by: Ryan Dunleavy Sam Darnold (Toe), Chris Herndon (Hamstring) Limited in Practice Thursday
Both Darnold and Herndon are likely to play this week despite being limited Thursday.
As reported by: Ethan Greenberg Other tagged players: Chris Herndon Mid-week Trades Open Up Value Opportunities for a Pair of Young WRs
One of the best ways to find value in DFS is to target players with a substantive change in role after prices have been set, and this week we have two young WRs that should be seeing increased targets due to trades. Calvin Ridley and Courtland Sutton are both set up for a larger share of the passing game with Mohamed Sanu and Emmanuel Sanders, respectively, moving on to other teams due to mid-week trades. Sanu had received 42 targets this season (compared to 44 for Ridley) and the Falcons offense can now consolidate behind Julio Jones, Hooper, and Ridley in their matchup Sunday against Seattle. For Denver, Sutton was already the target leader in Denver with 54 targets on the season (compared to 44 for Sanders), and he should now be the sole focal point of the passing offense.
Other tagged players: Courtland Sutton
Young RB Takes Over Lead Role In Backfield
Ty Johnson should be taking over in the Detroit backfield with Kerryon Johnson going on IR, and while his price increased for this week’s matchup against the Giants, he is still underpriced for the amount of usage he should be receiving. New York ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed per game, and with Detroit a 7-point favorite at home, this is setting up as an ideal situation for the young RB. Johnson also caught four passes after taking over for Kerryon last week, indicating he could see passing work for Detroit as well.
Sterling Shepard Remains in Concussion Protocol, Unlikely to Play Sunday
Shepard is not official ruled out, but he is unlikely to play for the Giants Sunday. He remains in the concussion protocol with his second concussion of the season. It is a little surprising that the Giants are even considering bringing him back this quickly.
As reported by: Matt Lombardo True Bell Cow RB
Fournette has been the definition of a workhorse RB, yet sites are failing to price him as such. The LSU product is playing 91% of snaps, getting 42% of the teams total touches which is good for 74% of the teams carries and 17% of the teams targets. Fournette is only one of three RBs in the league to be seeing numbers above 75% snaps, 90% rushing market share and 15% target market share. While the Jets are currently 6th in terms of run DVOA and 18th in FPPG vs. RBs, Fournette has demonstrated he is matchup proof and comes with an elite ceiling and floor.
RB In Elite Matchup
Last time I pinned Gurley as a conviction play, he got into the end zone twice and was one of the better RB plays on the slate, that potential is here once again for the former superstar RB. While he is no longer an elite RB due to his reduced role, Gurley is still getting nearly 50% of the teams rushes and 9% of the teams targets, despite missing one game this season. The Rams are currently being a 13 point edge by Vegas, suggesting Gurley should be in a very positive game script here, especially considering his team implied total is at 30.5. Gurley is a shell of his superstar-self, but he is also priced as so, as he’s cheaper than guys like Chris Carson, Nick Chubb, and Leonard Fournette, and much cheaper than elite RBs like CMC, Barkley and Kamara.