DFS Alerts
Tom Brady (knee, illness) and Rob Gronkowski (back) both cleared to play Sunday for Patriots
Tom Brady (knee, illness) and Rob Gronkowski (back) have both been cleared to play Sunday for the Patriots. Neither player being active is much of a surprise, as reports from Patriots camp had indicated that Gronkowski would make his return this week all along and Brady wasn’t in real danger of missing the contest with the Jets as well. Gronk finds himself in a difficult matchup against a Jets team that has been strong against the TE this year, and held Gronkowski to zero catches in Week 17 of last season. Brady, on the other hand, should play well against a Jets team that was just decimated by the Bills. His only real limitation is that the team is expected to win in a landslide, which may limit his passing attempts down the stretch.
Other tagged players: Rob Gronkowski
Schefter: AJ Green, Devin Funchess both expected to sit Sunday; Melvin Gordon, Torrey Smith will play; Tyrell Williams will need to be at full speed in warmups to play
Per Schefter, the Panthers won’t have Devin Funchess Sunday but will get Torrey Smith back in the lineup. This figures to keep DJ Moore squarely on the radar as a starter and a regular in two-receiver sets. He’s proving to be a reliable option for Newton and it wouldn’t be all that surprising if he’s the most heavily targeted Panther on Sunday. AJ Green was downgraded Saturday and won’t play Sunday, setting Tyler Boyd up to operate as the top receiver with John Ross likely to fill in as the starter opposite Boyd. On the Chargers side, Melvin Gordon will play, but Tyrell Williams’ status remains up in the air. He’s reportedly not going to suit up unless he’s able to perform at full speed during warmups, so we’ll likely have to wait for inactives to have a clear picture. Mike Williams would step right onto the GPP radar and Travis Benjamin could also be worth a GPP dart in that scenario.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: A.J. Green, Devin Funchess, Torrey Smith, Tyrell Williams, Mike Williams, Travis Benjamin, Tyler Boyd, John Ross
Sunday Swap
//UPDATE: Melvin Gordon has “convinced coaches to let him play” in Week 12. Conner is still a cash game option but I am removing him as a core play in favor of Christian McCaffrey. // James Conner is a great play in his own right on Sunday but believe it or not it’s his start time that pushes him over the edge to being a core play for me. Far and away the most impactful Week 12 injury news is Melvin Gordon’s status and it’s possible we’re unlikely to have clarity before lineups lock. If Gordon is unable to go, Austin Ekeler becomes the slates top value option so leaving yourself swapping opportunities is important. It’s possible to make 1v1 swaps to get Ekeler into your lineup but the combination of two roster spots and extra salary Conner provides goes a long ways.
49ers downgrade Marquise Goodwin to doubtful for Sunday due to personal matter
The 49ers have downgraded Marquise Goodwin to doubtful for Sunday’s matchup with Tampa Bay due to a personal matter. Goodwin’s absence will leave the team very thin at WR with fellow wideout Pierre Garcon already ruled out as well. Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis and Trent Taylor will handle most of the WR reps, making any of them viable yet risky punt plays at the position in a matchup against the hapless Buccaneers pass-defense. The primary beneficiary of Goodwin’s absence will likely be George Kittle, who is expected to lead the team in targets from the tight end position.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Taywan Taylor (foot) listed as questionable for Monday night
Taywan Taylor is officially listed as questionable for Monday night due to a foot injury. The injury has kept Taylor out of the team’s previous two contests, although even when active Taylor has had little impact on the Titans offense this season. His ability to practice in a limited capacity at the end of the week is encouraging as far as his chances of suiting up Monday are concerned, but expectations for the wideout are very low even if active against a stout Texans defense.
DeAndre Hopkins (foot) and Keke Coutee (hamstring) both will play Monday for the Texans
No surprise here on either count, but DeAndre Hopkins (foot) and Keke Coutee (hamstring) both will play Monday for the Texans in their primetime showdown with the Titans. There was never anything to suggest either player was in any real danger of missing the contest, where both should be expected to see their normal workload.
Other tagged players: Keke Coutee A.J. Green (toe) downgraded to doubtful for Week 12
A.J. Green has officially been downgraded to doubtful for Week 12 due to his toe injury. While initial reports seemed to suggest that Green would make his return this week after missing the team’s last two games due to the injury, he was unable to practice all week and now is looking likely to be held out of the contest. In Green’s absence Tyler Boyd will again be the team’s most heavily targeted pass-catcher, although Boyd’s fantasy performances have actually been stronger when Green has been active. Look for tight end C.J. Uzomah to potentially see a few more looks than usual as well in Green’s absence.
Top Red Zone Option
The lack of top receiving options on this slate combined with Melvin Gordon’s potential absence has Keenan Allen popping as a core play. I have Allen projected only behind Odell Beckham in terms of raw projection. The volume has been there for Allen as he’s averaged over 10 targets per game over the last three contests. Allen’s yardage totals have been a bit underwhelming this season but he has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games and he would be the Chargers primary red zone weapon in Gordon’s absence.
Volume of a Stud RB
Lamar Jackson will get another start in Week 12 against a poor Oakland Raiders defense that ranks dead last in pass DVOA and 25th in rush DVOA. Jackson carried the ball a massive 26 times in his first start and if we project him for similar volume this week, he’s simply too cheap. Jackson is basically getting the volume of a stud running back at a reduced price and has throwing upside as well. A case can be made for using Jameis Winston or Andrew Luck as alternatives in cash games but Winston has some bench equity and Luck could be phased out of the game as the Colts opened as nearly double-digit favorites.
DeSean Jackson (thumb) and Ronald Jones (hamstring) both questionable Sunday for the Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson (thumb) and Ronald Jones (hamstring) are both officially questionable Sunday for the Buccaneers. There is nothing to suggest that the thumb injury will keep Jackson out of the team’s Week 12 matchup with the 49ers, but if he were to miss it would mean a few extra targets for the likes of Mike Evans, Adam Humphries and Chris Godwin. Jones has missed the past three weeks due to the hamstring injury, though even prior to his absence he was making little impact on the offense as a whole. Look for Payton Barber to once again lead the charge out of the backfield, with Jones seeing a few touches in a change-of-pace capacity should he suit up.
Other tagged players: Ronald Jones Pierre Garcon (knee) will not play Sunday vs Tampa Bay
Pierre Garcon has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s Week 12 matchup vs Tampa Bay. Garcon missed the 49ers Week 10 game prior to their bye week, and it appears the week off wasn’t enough to get Garcon back in action. George Kittle, Marquise Goodwin and Kendrick Bourne are in line to see the most targets in the 49ers pass game against arguably the worst defense in the NFL this week. Kittle particularly stands out as a high-upside TE option who also possesses a high floor simply due to his projected target share.
Adam Thielen (calf, back) will play Sunday, as expected
Despite being limited at practice throughout the week, Adam Thielen (calf, back) will play Sunday vs the Packers, as expected. Thielen’s limited status is probably nothing more than typical midseason wear and tear, but there was never any doubt that the star wideout would take the field for the primetime divisional matchup. Look for Thielen to see his normal workload Sunday night as the Vikings fight to maintain their divisional lead against Green Bay.
Jimmy Graham (knee, thumb) and Randall Cobb (hamstring) both questionable for Sunday for the Packers
Jimmy Graham (knee, thumb) and Randall Cobb (hamstring) are both officially questionable for the Packers Sunday night showdown with the Vikings. Graham was originally expected to miss 4-6 weeks with the broken thumb, but has apparently expressed a desire to play through the injury and intends to try to suit up Sunday night with the thumb heavily wrapped. That said, it is unclear how much the injury may hinder his pass-catching ability in an already difficult matchup against the Vikings. Cobb has been sidelined for the past two weeks for the Packers due to his hamstring injury, and remains questionable for Sunday. If he ultimately is able to return this week, it may mean a few less targets for fellow wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Other tagged players: Randall Cobb Doug Baldwin officially questionable for Sunday due to groin injury
Doug Baldwin is officially listed as questionable for Sunday due to a groin injury. That said, Baldwin was limited in practice last week as well due to the same injury, and then ended up having his best game of the season Week 11 where he compiled 7 catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Keep an eye on Baldwin’s status leading up to game-time, as he finds himself in another exploitable matchup against a weak Carolina secondary this week in the event he is able to take the field.
Dwayne Allen (knee) ruled out for Week 12
Dwayne Allen has officially been ruled out for Week 12 due to a knee injury. While Allen himself isn’t a fantasy-relevant player regardless, his being ruled out further supports the assumption that Rob Gronkowski will return to action this weekend against the Jets, as Allen was handling most of the tight end duties in Gronkowski’s absence.