DFS Alerts
Eric Ebron Still in Concussion Protocol
The Colts brought Erik Swoope back from the practice squad with Eric Ebron still in concussion protocol. This is basically a playoff game with the winner advancing and the loser going home between the Colts and Titans.
As reported by: Pro Football Talk
Marcus Mariota in Doubt for Huge Game Sunday
Titans QB Marcus Mariota tells WGFX-FM in Tennessee that “basically sent my whole right side numb and tingly” after his injury. He describes it as a nerve injury and the team added a QB. This all doesn’t sound great for his availability this Sunday vs Colts in a game where the winner goes to the playoffs and the loser has their season ended.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Twitter A Budding Star?
Ian Thomas is going to be a very good NFL tight end, and he has shown himself to be a solid red zone target during the second half of the season. Thomas is playing on 80%+ of the team’s offensive snaps right now, he caught his first touchdown last week, and he is only a few weeks removed from an 11 target game. Carolina’s quarterback situation will keep Thomas as a risky option, but I like him as a value tight end in GPP formats. He’s a solid boom/bust option.
Continuing His Run As A Solid Value
It’s been relatively quiet since he plays for the Raiders, but Jordy Nelson is averaging 7.25 catches and 9 targets per game over the Raiders’ last four contests. It’s even more impressive when you consider that the Raiders have actually played competitive football during that stretch; it’s not like Nelson has been doing this in garbage time every week. This is another solid matchup against a Chiefs team that does have some questions on defense, as Nelson logged 10/97 in the first meeting between these teams. The price tag is still very fair, and Nelson is a fine value in Week 17.
Taking Advantage of Opportunity
As I said last week, I’m not a big fan of the overall talent level with Williams, but sometimes opportunity takes precedence. Williams logged an impressive 156 total yards last week against the Jets, including solid involvement in the passing game. He has caught 10 passes for 103 yards in seven quarters since Aaron Jones got hurt, and he is the #1 running back in Green Bay for the stretch run of the season. He’s trying to make the most of this opportunity, and while a matchup against Detroit isn’t necessarily ideal, the opportunity wins out. The price tag jumped a bit but still isn’t outrageous, and Williams will be a key mid-range play for me in the season finale.
Last Man Standing On The High End
Most of the high-priced running backs have real concerns this week. Dallas likely won’t over-extend Ezekiel Elliott in a meaningless game. Carolina has talked about shutting down Christian McCaffrey. The Rams might sit Todd Gurley again. Barkley is the only top-end player at the position that doesn’t have legitimate workload concerns, and he will look to end the season on a high note. While the matchup looks difficult on paper against Dallas, we have to wonder how much Dallas will utilize their first string defense in a game where they can’t move their playoff positioning. Barkley also caught 14 passes in the first meeting between these two teams, and he’s my favorite spend at RB in Week 17.
Top QB/WR Stack Of The Week
In Week 17, we want to prioritize teams and players that have something left to play for. The Steelers certainly fit that bill, as they can still win the AFC North with a win over the Bengals combined with a Ravens loss to the Browns. That’s not out of the realm of possibility, as the Browns would surely love nothing more than to knock Baltimore out of the postseason. Pittsburgh’s loss to New Orleans a week ago certainly wasn’t Roethlisberger’s fault, as he threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in a nearly flawless performance. Antonio Brown was great, too, and you know the Steelers will look to him in a must win game. A matchup against the putrid Cincinnati defense helps as well, and Roethlisberger/Brown is an extremely high upside pairing in the season’s final week.
Phillip Lindsay will not play in Week 17
Lindsay will not play in this upcoming Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a potentially serious wrist injury he sustained during Monday night’s loss. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Lindsay is dealing with ligament damage along with a possible scaphoid fracture and will seek a second opinion before considering any surgical options. In his absence, Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker will serve as the Broncos top-two running backs in a likely split backfield situation.
As reported by: Nicki Jhabvala via Twitter
Matt LaCosse inactive Monday night
Matt LaCosse is inactive Monday night. The Broncos passing attack has been in shambles since the departure of Demaryius Thomas and the injury to Emmanuel Sanders, with Hamilton, Sutton and Patrick likely to lead the way in targets on a run first team. Phillip Lindsay is far and away the top target on the Denver side.
RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) expected to play in Week 17
After missing the last 2 weeks, the Chargers change-up back will make his return for the regular season finale. He should see somewhere around a third of the backfield snaps behind Melvin Gordon at Denver on Sunday.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport
RB Lamar Miller (ankle) "trending upwards" for Week 17
Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien was mildly optimistic about Miller’s chances of playing in the team’s final regular season game. Fellow backs Alfred Blue and D’Onta Foreman split the workload evenly in Week 16, though both were terribly unproductive in the rushing department combining for 13 yards on 11 carries. Miller would take back over lead duties if he’s able to suit up in Week 17.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Alfred Blue, D'Onta Foreman TE Eric Ebron is in the concussion protocol
Mo Alie-Cox took over at tight end after Ebron was knocked out in Week 16. However, he didn’t record a catch while wideouts Chester Rogers and Zach Pascal both saw an increase in targets. Wednesday’s practice report will be the first real indication of whether the Colts new Pro Bowl tight end will be able to suit up in Week 17 or whether the offense will have to rely more on ancillary pieces.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen Other tagged players: Mo Alie-Cox Ryan Tannehill to start in Week 17
Dolphins will play to win Sunday. Tannehill starts. Gase says injuries are a reason the Dolphins are not in the playoffs. Good to get this news so we can plan accordingly on a difficult to navigate Week 17.
As reported by: Adam Beasley Twitter Marcus Mariota Trends Toward Playing
Marcus Mariota injury not related to previous injury. He calls it just a stinger. Mariota will do work on the side today but looks like he will be available this week. The Titans need him as this is basically a playoff game with both teams fighting for a spot and the loser out after this game. It has been flexed to the Sunday Night game.
As reported by: Travis Haney Demaryius Thomas has Ruptured Achilles
Unfortunate news for the Texans and Demaryius Thomas fans as Thomas has ruptured his Achilles and is done for the season. With Will Fuller already out and Keke Coutee nursing injuries, this Texans WR corps is decimated and thin. Look for Deandre Hopkins to get all the targets his body can handle moving forward. We will see if the Texans get Coutee back in action this week or if they choose to hold him out so he can be 100% for the playoffs.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Twitter