DFS Alerts
Update: Tre'Quan Smith (foot) logs limited practice Tuesday for Saints
Updating a previous report, Tre’Quan Smith (foot) was able to log a limited practice Tuesday for the Saints. This bodes well for his availability for the team’s Thursday night divisional matchup with the Falcons. Keep an eye on Smith’s practice status tomorrow, as it will ensure that he doesn’t suffer setbacks and is in line to see his usual workload Thursday night.
Chris Thompson (ribs) and Jamison Crowder (ankle) both not practicing again Tuesday for the Redskins
Chris Thompson (ribs) and Jamison Crowder (ankle) both were not practicing again Tuesday for the Redskins in advance of their Thanksgiving matchup with the Cowboys. It appears unlikely at this point that either player suits up Thursday, as both played have missed the past three weeks due to their respective injuries. The depleted Redskins will have to rely on Colt McCoy under center, Adrian Peterson handling the bulk of the work out of the backfield, and a receiving corps lead by Jordan Reed and Josh Doctson to attempt to put points on the board on the road against a stout Cowboys defense on Thursday.
Other tagged players: Jamison Crowder Adam Shaheen (concussion) held out of practice again Tuesday for the Bears
Adam Shaheen was held out of practice again Tuesday for the Bears due to a concussion he sustained in the team’s Week 11 win over the Vikings. Shaheen made his season debut Week 11 after missing the first 10 games of the season due to an injury sustained in the preseason, but it appears his return to the field may be short lived due to the concussion. Keep an eye on the team’s practice reports tomorrow, as this will provide the clearest indication of if the concussion will keep Shaheen out of action for the Bears Thanksgiving matchup with the Lions.
Tre'Quan Smith (foot) unable to practice again Tuesday for the Saints
Tre’Quan Smith was unable to practice again Tuesday for the Saints due to a foot injury. Smith being held out of practice for a second straight day is somewhat surprising, as he didn’t appear to sustain any kind of notable injury in the Saints Week 11 massacre of the Eagles. That said, at this point his status for Thursday night’s divisional matchup with the Falcons appears to be in question unless he is able to at least log a limited practice tomorrow. Keep an eye on Smith’s status at Saints practice Wednesday, as that will paint the clearest picture of if he will be able to suit up Thursday. If not, it would mean additional looks for the likes of Michael Thomas, Austin Carr, Ben Watson and Josh Hill.
O.J. Howard to be placed on IR due to foot injury
The Buccaneers have announced that O.J. Howard will be placed on IR due to a foot injury sustained in the team’s Week 11 loss to the Giants. The loss is a big blow to the Buccaneers passing attack, as Howard had accumulated 34 receptions for 565 yards and 5 touchdowns, and was a favorite target of both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston. In Howard’s absence, Cameron Brate figures to see significantly more work as the team’s primary tight end, and makes for a great value on the upcoming Week 12 slate.
Calvin Ridley (thigh) logs another limited practice Tuesday for the Falcons
Calvin Ridley (thigh) logged another limited practice Tuesday for the Falcons. This is Ridley’s second consecutive day listed as a limited practice participant, but nothing at this point suggests that his status for Thursday night’s divisional matchup with the Saints is in doubt. Barring unexpected setback, look for Ridley to see his usual workload Thursday night in a game the Falcons should be trailing throughout, giving him his usual status of an inconsistent but high-upside GPP target for the Thanksgiving slate.
Ryan Tannehill will start at QB Sunday for Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill will start at QB Sunday for the Dolphins, making his return from the shoulder injury that sidelined him for the team’s previous 5 games. Tannehill will return with a slightly different receiving corps than when he last played during Week 5, as Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant have both landed on IR since then. Look for Danny Amendola, Devante Parker and Kenny Stills to be Tannehill’s primary weapons in the aerial attack for the Dolphins Week 12 road matchup with the Colts, in a game the Dolphins are expected to be playing catch-up throughout.
QB Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) not practicing Tuesday; Labeled as "day to day"
Head Coach Matt Nagy said he was “cautiously optimistic” that Trubisky will play in Week 12, but the second-year QB is suffering from pain when he throws and will not practice today ahead of Thursday’s quick turnaround game at Detroit. Several Chicago beat writers have also reported they are expecting backup QB Chase Daniel to start, so Trubisky seems questionable at best for a matchup against the Lions who will have stud cornerback Darius Slay back for the teams’ second matchup of the season.
As reported by: Brad Biggs Other tagged players: Chase Daniel
The Swerve Away From Brees
Everyone will take the safe route at quarterback and play Drew Brees this week, but I like the idea of playing Matt Ryan. Even though they shut down the Eagles last week, the Saints are still susceptible to the pass, and the Falcons will likely have to be chucking it in this contest. Fire up the passing game weapons from the Falcons here in a search for upside, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with pairing Ryan/Jones or Ryan/Gabriel (if he is healthy) or Ryan/Hooper on this slate.
Searching For Contrarian Options
If you want a risk/reward dart throw to differentiate your GPP lineups on Thanksgiving, look no further than Taylor Gabriel. His game logs are very much hit or miss, but that is what we can expect from a big play guy like Gabriel. He did log nine targets on Sunday night against the Vikings, though, and I expect him to improve upon the goose-egg that he put up in the first head to head meeting between the Bears and Lions. It’s hard to find true low-owned gems on such a short slate, but I like Gabriel a good bit here.
My Favorite Play On The Board
This is likely no surprise, but I don’t see how you fade Elliott on this slate. He logged THIRTY total touches in last week’s game against the Falcons, piling up 201 total yards and a touchdown in the process. He has also caught 42 passes already this year after catching just 26 a year ago, so there has been major growth in that department. I don’t expect the Redskins to be able to sustain any offense with Colt McCoy under center, and Dallas should be able to control the clock. There’s a great floor and a high ceiling, and I expect a big game from Elliott here.
Smash Spot For A Defense?
With their quarterback out for the year and a quick turnaround against a good defense, the Redskins have a meager implied team total of just 17 points on Thanksgiving. Even though they are a first place team, you might be able to get away with fading the Redskins entirely on a three game slate, especially when you consider the slow pace that Dallas likes to play at. Assuming Dallas can get a lead in this game, that will also open up the opportunity for the defense to make plays late against a fill-in quarterback. I will definitely have tons of exposure to the Dallas D on Thursday.
Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) and Adam Shaheen (concussion) don't practice Monday for the Bears
Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) and Adam Shaheen (concussion) both didn’t practice Monday for the Bears. Trubisky’s DNP may primarily be maintenance-related coming off of the Sunday night game against the Vikings, but with the team having a short week and playing on Thanksgiving Day, it is worth monitoring the practice status of both players in the coming days. While Shaheen just returned to action Week 11 and thus hasn’t impacted the Bears offense this season, the entire outlook of the offense would obviously be changed if Trubisky were unable to suit up. Chase Daniel is the backup QB for the Bears, and would likely start under center in the event Trubisky couldn’t go.
Other tagged players: Adam Shaheen Sammy Watkins is active for MNF
Sammy Watkins is officially active for MNF despite missing some practice time this week with a foot injury. Watkins missed Week 10 due to the ailment, but will be back in action for tonight’s shootout with the Rams. It isn’t groundbreaking analysis to point out that all offensive players in a game with a whopping over/under of 63 points make for viable DFS targets for any slates involving tonight’s game, although Watkins carries more risk than usual coming off of the injury, which could potentially limit his workload.
Tre'Quan Smith not practicing Monday due to foot injury
Tre’Quan Smith was listed as a DNP at Saints practice Monday, although it is worth noting that the team only held a walk-through. Smith had a dominant performance against the Eagles this past weekend, compiling 10 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown. Nothing happened on the field that suggested he suffered a serious injury, so the day off may just be rest-related. Keep an eye on his practice status in the coming days to get a better feel for his availability for the Saints Thanksgiving matchup with the Falcons.