DFS Alerts
Erik Swoope (knee) and Ryan Grant (ankle) don't practice again Thursday for Colts
Erik Swoope (knee) and Ryan Grant (ankle) both missed practice again Thursday for Colts. At this point both pass catchers appear unlikely to suit up for the Colts week 8 contest with the Raiders, leaving Eric Ebron and possible Jack Doyle (health pending) to hold down the tight end position, with T.Y. Hilton and Chester Rodgers seeing the most looks at wide receiver.
Other tagged players: Ryan Grant
Carson Wentz (back) practices in full Thursday
Carson Wentz practiced in full Thursday, and his status is not in jeopardy for the Eagles week 8 matchup with Jacksonville. Wentz will have a slightly easier matchup than most QB’s facing this stout Jaguars defense, as cornerback A.J. Bouye was ruled out earlier today for the London matchup.
Darren Sproles (hamstring) OUT for Sunday
No surprise, but Darren Sproles has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup with the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury. Look for Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood to once again split carries out of the Eagles backfield in a difficult matchup with the stout Jags defense.
Gio Bernard (knee) won't play Sunday
As expected, it has been reported that Gio Bernard won’t play Sunday due to his knee injury. There was little expectation that Bernard would be healthy for this weekend’s contest with Tampa Bay, but it has been confirmed that Joe Mixon will again lead the Bengals backfield with Mark Walton serving in the change-of-pace role. Bernard will have the benefit of a week 9 bye week to continue to heal, in hopes of being healthy for a week 10 return.
Golden Tate (ankle) and Ameer Abdullah (ankle) practice in full Thursday for Lions
Golden Tate and Ameer Abdullah both practiced in full Thursday for Lions and are in line to suit up for week 8. There was little doubt either player was in danger of missing the contest with the Seahawks, with Tate obviously being the higher-impact fantasy player of the two. Look for Tate to be heavily targeted along with Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay, and Abdullah to serve as a change-of-pace option behind Kerryon Johnson and LeGarrette Blount.
Other tagged players: Ameer Abdullah Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) limited in practice Thursday
Rob Gronkowski was limited in practice Thursday due to ankle and back injuries. His ability to log a limited practice Thursday bodes well for his ability to return to the field for the Patriots week 8 matchup with the Bills on Monday Night Football. That said, keep an eye on his practice status in the coming days to get a better idea of his availability, as there is at least some possibility the Patriots rest him one more week as there is little doubt they’ll pick up a win against the Bills regardless.
David Njoku (knee) limited in practice Thursday
David Njoku was limited in practice again Thursday due to a knee injury. This is Njoku’s second consecutive limited practice, although there is little to suggest he is in danger of missing the Browns week 8 matchup with the Steelers. For now assume Njoku will have his usual role in the offense Sunday, functioning as Baker Mayfield’s second most heavily targeted pass catcher behind only Jarvis Landry.
Peyton Barber (ankle) limited in practice Thursday
Peyton Barber was limited in practice Thursday due to an ankle injury. His ability to log a limited practice Thursday is a step in the right direction after not practicing on Wednesday due to the ailment. That said, keep an eye on his practice status Friday to get a clearer picture of his availability for the weekend, as Ronald Jones would be likely to handle the bulk of the carries if Barber is unable to go.
RB Gains Extra Volume
It is one of my least favorite moves to take a RB in a blowout spot the other way, but this is a very interesting spot for the Broncos. They had the Chiefs beat at home the first time they played before blowing it, and they looked incredible last week in a blowout win on the road, so I am not so sure this game isn’t closer than it might appear. KC is coming off two huge night games where they looked amazing, and now this is a tough division game as a big favorite, so it could definitely be a let down incoming. On the SharpSide App we see that KC is listed as a 9.5- or 10-point favorite, which feels heavy to me. Taking that into account and the fact Freeman is looking to be out with a high ankle sprain, it is Lindsay who sticks off the page. KC has given up almost as many yards as they have recorded, and that says a lot because their offense is incredible. Lindsay has also looked awesome, so it is a perfect sneaky spot for me that I don’t think anyone is going to use. Not only is he getting a usage boost this week, but he has already been in double digits almost every week fantasy wise and continues to do work in the passing game on top of it. I love everything about this spot — even in a blowout I think he should get enough work at a low ownership to pay off tag, but in the right script he could keep the Broncos in the game behind a monster showing.
Sneaky QB Goes Wild
In past years we have known Russ as a runner that has given us upside in that area, but this year he isn’t taking off nearly as much early on. Coming off the bye week, it might be the time we could see a change. Even though he hasn’t run for much, he still has been rock solid at the helm this year, starting 3-3 with a few close losses mixed in. I have said all year on the Print Factory Podcast on the SharpSide app that Seattle might be the most underrated team in the league based on the lines they keep getting from the oddsmakers, and that is true again this week. Seattle is listed as a pick’em on the road against a Detroit team that has been rolling along of late. Russ is one of the most talented guys in the league and Detroit has the ability to get carved at times in the passing game, so I love everything about this spot at a low ownership. He is going to have a week soon where he goes off and breaks the slate at a low ownership, and I have a feeling it might just be this week.
Robby Anderson (ankle) logs another DNP on Thursday
Head Coach Todd Bowles says Anderson has somewhere “between a high-ankle and low-ankle sprain” and now looks doubtful for Week 8. Rookie Sam Darnold could be using a 3-WR set of Jermaine Kearse, newly-signed Rishard Matthews, and journeyman Andre Roberts in Chicago on Sunday, making the Bears D/ST a great option this week.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Jermaine Kearse, Rishard Matthews, Andre Roberts, Chicago Bears
WR Continues Huge Volume
When people think of the Rams, they think of elite coaching and Todd Gurley and not so much about these playmakers they have out wide like Mr. Woods. He has been an elite possession type guy for a lot of years now and he has found his way into the perfect system to enhance his skills on the field. Woods has received 7+ targets in all games but one and 5+ in every game on the year, and most of those were with Kupp active, which he won’t be this week. The Rams are listed as -8.5 favorites over on the SharpSide app and are another one of my weekly winners that we will be giving out on the Print Factory Podcast this week over there. They are the best team in football and I think they keep on rolling this week with a huge game from Woods and the offense. His volume is way too high for this price point and he is one of the best plays on the board.
RB Royce Freeman (ankle) not practicing again on Thursday
The rookie back seems doubtful to play in Week 8 due to a high ankle sprain. Phillip Lindsay should handle lead duties against a generous Chiefs rush defense while Devontae Booker is expected to mix in as well. Both should be considered at reasonable prices for their expected roles on Sunday, with Lindsay having RB1 upside.
As reported by: Mike Klis Other tagged players: Phillip Lindsay, Devontae Booker This WR Could Break Slate
The Bengals have had a rough couple weeks after blowing a huge division game against the Steelers late and then getting boatraced by a powerhouse Chiefs team, but this is an incredible spot. Over on SharpSide this week, I have talked about how much I like the Bengals this week giving the four points to this bad Bucs club. A.J. Green hasn’t got in the end zone the last three weeks but has received double-digit targets each week and has gone over a 100 yards in two of the three as well. Green has a few weeks a year in which he breaks slates, and I see an absolute explosion coming this week. He is one of my favorite overall plays on the board and a core play for me this weekend in all formats.
RB Peyton Barber (ankle) returns to practice Thursday
He’s now on track to play Sunday against the Bengals. Given the pass-happy tendency of the Bucs offense, Barber’s price is all the way down to $3,600 on DraftKings this week despite being the starting running back.
As reported by: Greg Auman