DFS Alerts
RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring) to be questionable Sunday
The star running back should be on the good side of questionable for Sunday as he was able to practice all week. Despite coming off the injury, a slightly bigger workload may await with fellow RB T.J. Yeldon (ankle) being truly questionable, along with a very favorable game script at home against the sizeable underdog Titans.
As reported by: Hays Carlyon Other tagged players: T.J. Yeldon
RB Jay Ajayi (back) and RB Darren Sproles (hamstring) don't practice Friday
Both running backs look like they won’t play on Sunday against the Colts, creating the perfect injury storm for Corey Clement who will slide into the team’s lead role and become the most popular value target on the slate, attached to a 6-point home favorite. While Ajayi and Sproles were out last week, Clement went for 85 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches in a game the Eagles were trailing from the start. It should be noted however, that the Eagles tend to split snaps for their running backs no matter who suits up, so expect both Wendell Smallwood and newly-signed Josh Adams to still mix in, but to what extent is uncertain.
Other tagged players: Darren Sproles, Corey Clement RB LeSean McCoy (ribs) limited again on Friday
RB LeSean McCoy practiced in a non-contact jersey on Friday, marking his third limited practice of the week. McCoy has played through the same injury before, but with the Bills already in the midst of a lost season, perhaps he ends up sitting out Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Chris Ivory and Marcus Murphy would form a committee in McCoy’s absence, with the former being more of a power back and the latter taking more of the third down/pass-catching role. Both would still be bottom of the barrel options at Minnesota on Sunday, where the Bills are installed as a 17-point underdog with an incredible 12-point team total. Consider McCoy questionable for Sunday.
As reported by: Joe Buscaglia Other tagged players: Chris Ivory, Marcus Murphy WR TY Hilton practices Friday; TE Jack Doyle and RB Marlon Mack remain out
Hilton (quad) returned to practice after stating he felt fine on Thursday and there was “nothing to worry about”. He may be leaned on even more on Sunday with TE Jack Doyle (hip) and RB Marlon Mack (hamstring) looking unlikely to play after not practicing all week. Additionally, TE Eric Ebron will likely move into an every-down role if Doyle is out, now making him one of the top TE value plays on the slate for Sunday at $3,400 on DraftKings. If Mack is out, Jordan Wilkins will likely lead a 2-man committee with Nyheim Hines against a stout Eagles run defense. Those 2 are likely still safe to ignore in what figures to be a more passing-focused gameplan in Week 3 for the Colts.
As reported by: Zak Keefer Other tagged players: Jack Doyle, Marlon Mack, Eric Ebron, Damien Wilkins, Nyheim Miller-Hines Aaron Rodgers to Practice Saturday
Sounds like the best QB in the NFL is set to play Sunday in Washington, as expected. He makes for a solid option this weekend.
As reported by: Tom Silverstein Twitter
Jadeveon Clowney on Track to Play Sunday
Bill O’Brien on Jadeveon Clowney: ‘It looks like he should be able to go on Sunday.’. Bad news for Eli Manning and a suspect New York Giants offensive line.
As reported by: Drew Doughtery Jay Ajayi status in Doubt
Jay Ajayi is day-to-day. Pederson said Eagles will determine his status after practice. This would be big news for Corey Clement. We could have some RB value open up for Sunday’s DFS slate if Ajayi sits out
As reported by: Jeff McLane Twitter Giant Injuries Open Door for Texans Offense
OLB Olivier Vernon and CB Eli Apple not at Giants at practice again. Both likely out Sunday. This makes the Houston offense very appealing. Watson, Will Fuller, Deandre Hopkins and Lamar Miller get a boost with 2 Giant defenders out.
As reported by: Ralph Vacchiano Twitter Alshon Jeffery Not Cleared Yet
Alshon Jeffery has not yet been cleared for contact. it is still Nelson Algholor’s show in Philadelphia.
Trey Burton Szn
This is probably a bit of a hot take based more on a read of the situation than having numbers to back it up but I’m here for Trey Burton szn. Using Burton as a core play is based on two assumptions that could very well be wrong: 1) Matt Nagy is smart. 2) Patrick Peterson shadows, and largely shuts down, Allen Robinson. If the latter is true then a large portion of Robinson’s 31.8% market share will have to go somewhere. Despite only receiving nine targets through two games I still believe the Bears have shown they want to make Burton a focal point of this offense, moving him around the formation and even giving him a direct snap in the red zone. I think Nagy is creative, and smart enough, to get Burton heavily involved in this contest, and if I’m wrong, well, at least Burton’s cheap.
Touchdown Bugaboo
Julio Jones leads the league with an absolutely massive 1.138 WOPR. Michael Thomas is third in the league with an .81 WOPR. Matchup matters a lot less when you’re receiving that much opportunity and Jones in fact will have a tough matchup as he’s likely to be shadowed by Marshon Lattimore. In their two meetings last year Jones went 11/7/149/0 and 11/5/98/0. Lack of touchdowns has always been Jones’ bugaboo but his tremendous expected volume in a game with the second highest total of the week has Jones on my radar as a core play.
Volume Trumps Efficiency
We have a bit of deja vu this week as we get the option to roster another RB who is expected to see an increase in workload due to injury in a tough matchup against the Panthers. Tevin Coleman proved successful in this spot in Week 2 and it’s going to be hard to get away from Giovani Bernard in a spot where he projects for ~ 20 touches. Bernard averaged 23.5 touches in two full games that Mixon missed last season and should have volume secured with Mark Walton announced as the Bengals backup RB. While we would love both, volume trumps efficiency in fantasy football and Bernard gives us access to a lot of volume for cheap.
If Chips Align
Corey Clement headlines the fantasy targets in this game if both Sproles and Ajayi are unable to go. Clement played on 33-of-79 Week 2 snaps, handled six carries, and received six targets. Wendell Smallwood was also eager to fill in as he was on the field for 24-of-79 offensive plays, carried the ball seven times, and was targeted twice. Backup Josh Adams was signed off the practice squad and could also see some action as the Eagles like to rotate backs. Clement is far and away the best bet for secure touches but some concern about workload is probably warranted. Thankfully, Clement is so cheap ($4,300 DK; $5,800) that anything over 10 touches, which seems like a lock, is gravy. Clement is a core play if the chips align and Sproles and Ajayi are out.
Carlos Hyde at the field, expected to play
Hyde is warming up and appears to be good to go. He had been at the hospital awaiting the birth of his child but returned in time for kickoff. Hyde should be safe to put in lineups tonight.
As reported by: Tom Withers
Carlos Hyde is currently at the stadium
Hyde has arrived, though the baby has yet to be born. It is not known at this time whether he’ll leave the stadium upon its birth.