DFS Alerts
Christian McCaffrey (Back) Misses Practice, Chris Manhertz (Concussion) Full Participant Wednesday
McCaffrey took a hard fall on his back last week and missed practice Wednesday. Given the massive workload he handles, the Panthers also likely want to rest him as much as possible. Manhertz is still working back from a concussion but was able to practice fully.
As reported by: Steve Reed Other tagged players: Chris Manhertz
Mark Ingram (Rest), Marquise Brown (Ankle), Mark Andrews (Shoulder) Do Not Practice Wednesday
The Ravens had 10 players total not practicing Wednesday, indicating the Ravens are playing it safe. Ingram was simply resting, while Brown and Andrews both were able to play with their injuries last week. All three appear likely to play this week barring a setback later in the week. It is worth noting that Mark Andrews is now listed with a shoulder injury. He had been dealing with a foot injury for the past several weeks.
As reported by: Jeff Zrebiec Other tagged players: Marquise Brown, Mark Andrews Case Keenum Expected to Start, If Healthy
Keenum will take back the starting job if healthy this week. McCoy got one start but will return the bench. Keenum’s health will still need to be confirmed as the week progresses.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins Saquon Barkley (Ankle), Sterling Shepard (Concussion), Evan Engram (Knee), and Wayne Gallman (Concussion) All Out Thursday Night
The Giants will be without most of their top offensive weapons Thursday night when they take on the Patriots, with RB’s Barkley and Gallman, TE Engram and WR Shepard all ruled out. This makes a tough situation absolutely brutal for QB Daniel Jones. Jon Hilliman and Elijhaa Penny will be the healthy RB’s, Tate the top WR and Rhett Ellison the top TE. It is hard to imagine any of them can provide significant value given how dominate the Patriots have been defensively this season.
As reported by: New York Giants Other tagged players: Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, Wayne Gallman, Daniel Jones, Jonathan Hilliman, Elijhaa Penny, Golden Tate, Rhett Ellison T.J. Hockenson (Concussion) Will Practice, Remains in Protocol
Hockenson is returning to practice Wednesday, a positive sign for his return. However, he remains in the concussion protocol. His status for this week is still unknown.
As reported by: Kyle Meinke Chris Herndon (Hamstring) Does Not Practice Wednesday
Herndon is returning from suspension but hurt himself last Friday. He is not practicing Wednesday, putting his status in question this week. Ryan Griffin would benefit if Herndon is out.
As reported by: Brian Costello Other tagged players: Ryan Griffin James Washington (Shoulder) Out, Likely for Several Weeks
The Steelers lost another offensive weapon, with James Washington out for a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Washington has played at least 50% of the snaps all five weeks and has caught 9 of his 21 targets for 140 yards.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: Devlin Hodges, Mason Rudolph Time To Get Rolling
It has been an abysmal start to the 2019 season for the Atlanta Falcons, but it’s not like Matt Ryan isn’t getting plenty of opportunity to pad numbers. Atlanta’s defense is so porous that the Falcons are constantly having to come from behind, and that could be the case again this week, even against the Cardinals. While he has not been efficient, Ryan actually ranks 2nd in the NFL in passing yards behind only Patrick Mahomes, and this game should feature plenty of pace and opportunity for points. I’ll happily load up on some exposure to Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, and Austin Hooper is your chalk TE play of the week on DraftKings.
Other tagged players: Julio Jones, Austin Hooper
Cheap Targets
I really like the DAL/NYJ game from a DFS perspective this week. It’s not that I think the Jets are going to score a ton of points, but they do get Sam Darnold back for this game. That should help the pass catchers tremendously, and both Anderson and Crowder are mega cheap in DFS. Correlate that with Ezekiel Elliott on the Dallas side and take advantage of potential game flow with the Cowboys likely playing with a lead. Anderson played on more than three fourths of the offensive snaps last week and seems to be a fine option in GPP formats at his cheap salary tag on every site.
An Intriguing Buy Low Window?
After Monday’s ridiculously poor performance against the 49ers, the world is quickly turning on Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham. The offseason match made in heaven has been exactly the opposite of that through the first five weeks of 2019. However, I like Beckham as a potential buy-low candidate in DFS. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he busted out with a huge game here against an underwhelming Seattle secondary that is certainly beatable. Even if Mayfield is going in the tank, it’s not like he can be any worse long-term than Eli Manning had been over the past few years. Beckham is going to break out at some point, and it just might happen here at low ownership.
Back To The Basics
The Cowboys had to abandon their usual game plan last week as a result of falling behind Green Bay 24-0 early, but the game script should fall differently against the Jets this week. Despite a smaller work load, Elliott still managed 5.2 yards per carry and found the end zone in that game. Expect a healthy dose of Zeke this week as Dallas gets back to its bread and butter. The Jets have a respectable rush defense, but I’m not concerned given the likely game flow. There is also less to love at the running back position this week with Christian McCaffrey not available on the main slate, which makes Elliott’s guaranteed touches even more appealing.
Kyle Juszczyk (MCL Sprain) Out 4-6 Weeks
Juszczyk will miss 4-6 weeks with an MCL sprain suffered Week 5. The timing is unfortunate as the 49’ers have already had their bye week. He is one of the most important FB’s in the league, so the entire 49’ers offense takes a hit with him out.
As reported by: Chris Biderman Other tagged players: Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert Cam Newton (Foot) Ruled Out Week 6
As expected, Cam Newton will not play Week 6. He will not travel with the team to London, giving him two weeks to rest before the Panthers return from their bye week. Kyle Allen will look to improve to 4-0 as a starter Sunday against the Bucs.
As reported by: Max Henson Other tagged players: Kyle Allen Jaylen Samuels Has Knee Scope Monday, Out a Month
Samuels had a scope on his knee and will miss a month. He had been carving out a larger role in the offense, including running the wildcat offense. Using him in the wildcat gave the Steelers a method to run down the clock and manage the game with their backup QB’s. James Conner will get more touches until Samuels returns.
As reported by: Dale Lolley Other tagged players: James Conner, Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges Sam Darnold (Mono) Cleared to Play This Week
Darnold has been cleared to return to the field and will start for the Jets Week 6. The offense had been inept under Luke Falk, meaning the return of Darnold will give all the Jets’ weapons a boost. Darnold had been close to returning last week and has been practicing, which should help limit his rust.
As reported by: Brian Costello Other tagged players: Luke Falk, Le'Veon Bell, Robbie Chosen, Jamison Crowder, Demaryius Thomas