DFS Alerts
TE Neal Sterling (concussion) doubtful for Thursday
The Jets tight end didn’t practice again on Tuesday and remains in the concussion protocol. Head Coach Todd Bowles ruled him as “probably out” for TNF. Chris Herndon saw 4 targets on Sunday and should be the primary receiving tight end against a Browns defense that has historically been generous to the position. Perhaps he’s an option on the Showdown slate.
As reported by: Rich Cimini Other tagged players: Chris Herndon
RB Jay Ajayi (back) may miss Week 3
NBC Sports Philadelphia reports “there’s a good chance Ajayi won’t be available Sunday” after it was previously reported, via OC Mike Groh, that RB Josh Adams was promoted today as “a precautionary measure” due to Ajayi’s health concerns. Either way, it appears that Philly’s lead back won’t be practicing for the next couple days and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts. Were Ajayi to miss, RB Corey Clement would likely slide into the team’s lead role and become a popular value target at just $4,300 on DraftKings attached to a 6-point home favorite. While Ajayi was out last week, Clement went for 85 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches in a game the Eagles were trailing from the start. The health of fellow RB Darren Sproles, along with Ajayi, should be monitored as the week moves along for clarity on this backfield.
As reported by: Reuben Frank Other tagged players: Corey Clement, Darren Sproles Browns to give Duke Johnson more touches?
Coach Hue Jackson said “we’ve got to get Duke Johnson opportunities and we will, he’s one of our better players”. The change-of-pace back has been nearly invisible in the first 2 games of the season, catching only 3 balls for 15 yards, so this isn’t bad news for his outlook even if it’s merely coachspeak. A wait and see approach is still advised ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Jets which figures to be a more Carlos Hyde-friendly gamescript with the Browns installed as 3-point home favorites.
As reported by: Nate Ulrich Other tagged players: Carlos Hyde WR Jarvis Landry (knee) limited on Tuesday
The veteran wideout was also limited at Monday’s practice which is slightly concerning, though it’s more likely the Browns are simply preserving their WR1 ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Jets. Landry is averaging 11 targets a game thus far and figures to stay in that range given the release of Josh Gordon and several inexperienced receivers rounding out the WR corps.
Eagles promote RB Josh Adams from practice squad
The promotion indicates that veteran RB Darren Sproles could be out at least another week. Lead back Jay Ajayi also missed the majority of Sunday’s first half with a back injury but was able to gut it out in the 2nd half. The Eagles backfield situation should continue to be monitored.
As reported by: Mike Garafolo Other tagged players: Josh Adams, Wendell Smallwood, Jay Ajayi Antonio Brown Didn't Show Up For Work Monday
This is probably nothing significant as the writer states he did not know if the absence was excused or not. However it is odd timing given Brown’s flare up on the sidelines during Sundays loss and then the twitter exchange on Monday. JuJu Smith-Schuster received 19 targets in Week 2 and would be a hot commodity if Brown missed time.
As reported by: Post Gazette
Golden Good as Gold
For the 2nd game in a row Golden Tate drew double digit targets. Despite the emergence of a healthy Kenny Golladay, Tate now has 28 targets in 2 games. It’s been a very balanced 15 targets in Week 1 and 13 more in Week 2. There might not be a fantasy offense in the league that benefits more from a bad defense than Detroit this season. Tate is a PPR monster and should be treated as such all season. A home game in Week 3 against New England looks like a tasty game script for Tate and the Lions.
Bears Wide Receiver Looks Healthy
Allen Robinson looks healed from the knee injury that sidelined him in 2017. Monday night saw Robinson play 63 of 66 snaps for the Bears and draw 14 targets. He turned those targets into an impressive 10 receptions for 83 yards. The physical skills are coming back now it’s a matter of good QB play to propel Robinson to a weekly DFS play.
Brice Butler Going Back to Dallas
This move could make a mini-impact on DFS and season long leagues. Butler might very well be the most talented WR the Cowboys have on roster now and he has shown good chemistry with Dak Prescott in the past. It was always a matter of playing time. Now the Cowboys may have no other options but to play Butler. Stay tuned.
Broncos sticking with "hot hand" approach at RB
In speaking to the media today, head Coach Vance Joseph reiterated his plans for the Broncos backfield to remain a committee. RB Phillip Lindsay continued to impress going over 100 total yards for the second week in a row, but this news indicates that a high-usage role is unlikely anytime soon. The rookie did see over 40% of the snaps on Sunday, more than fellow RB’s Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker, and is the current “hot hand” so it’s likely he leads the backfield in touches again this week, though his ceiling is capped.
As reported by: Mike Klis Other tagged players: Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker TE Neal Sterling (concussion) not expected to play Thursday
The Jets tight end is in the concussion protocol and unlikely to be cleared for Week 3. Chris Herndon saw 4 targets on Sunday and should be the primary receiving tight end against a Browns defense that has historically been generous to the position. Perhaps he’s an option on the Showdown slate.
As reported by: Brian Costello Other tagged players: Chris Herndon Patriots acquire WR Josh Gordon via trade; Healthy enough to play Sunday
New England gave up a conditional 5th round draft pick for the talented and troubled wide receiver today, releasing WR Corey Coleman in a corresponding move. Additionally, Ian Rapoport reports that Gordon has recovered from last week’s hamstring issue and is healthy enough to play. He should immediately be inserted as one of the Patriots’ top 3 wide receivers while WR Julian Edelman continues serving his suspension. However, he’ll need to get acclimated to the playbook so projecting initial playing time will be a challenge until later in the week. Regardless, this is a great outcome for Gordon’s long-term fantasy outlook IF he can live up to the Patriots’ expectations. QB Tom Brady also gets a small boost from the addition of Gordon, though the target share for New England’s pass-catchers will be spread pretty thin once Edelman returns, potentially making it hard to rely on any of them week to week.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Corey Coleman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Tom Brady RB Devonta Freeman (knee) considered day-to-day
Head Coach Dan Quinn told the media that the 2-4 week timetable originally given for Freeman’s absence did not come from the team and that the running back remains day-to-day. This could imply that Freeman has a small chance to play in Week 3 against the Saints or perhaps Freeman’s timeline is longer than initially expected, it’s still unclear. Tevin Coleman had a solid outing in Week 2 without Freeman, totaling 125 yards on 20 touches, while Rookie Ito Smith took over a decent portion of Coleman’s old role with 10 touches. As a home favorite in the highest total game of the week, Coleman is set up for success again assuming Freeman sits.
As reported by: Vaughn McClure Other tagged players: Tevin Coleman, Ito Smith RB LeSean McCoy (ribs) questionable for Sunday
The Bills running back sustained “cracked rib cartilage” on Sunday and “should not miss more than one game, if that” as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. McCoy has played through the same injury before, but with the Bills already in the midst of a lost season, perhaps McCoy 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.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Chris Ivory, Marcus Murphy Mariota (elbow) still day-to-day
Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel likened Mariota’s status to last week’s, saying “there’s some things he can do and some throws he can’t comfortably make”. The Titans QB is essentially questionable for Week 3. If he can’t go again, then Blaine Gabbert will get another start after ‘game-managing’ his way to a Titans victory in Week 2 with 117 passing yards on 20 attempts. This passing offense has a daunting road matchup against the Jaguars’ elite secondary up next, which should make Jacksonville’s D/ST a popular target regardless of the opposing QB. Gabbert starting would only serve to boost their ownership.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Blaine Gabbert