DFS Alerts

Week 13 injury roundup

Tyrod Taylor was carted off the field yesterday after he hurt his knee but he reportedly avoided ligament damage and is considered day-to-day with a patellar tendon contusion. If he misses any time, it would put rookie Nathan Peterman under center again, who will reportedly try to throw fewer than five interceptions in the first half. He didn’t throw any in relief of Taylor this weekend and fortunately for the Bills, they’ll be taking on one of the worst secondaries in the league when they host the Colts on Sunday. They’re giving up the most yards per attempt (8.3) while giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to QBs and ranking 13th in total interceptions (10). They were without their best corner, Rashaan Melvin (hand), in Week 13 and Blake Bortles tore them up, completing 74% of his passes for 309 yards and two scores. Melvin isn’t expected back this week and fellow starting CB Pierre Desir left Week 13 early with a shoulder injury. That could leave them with Quincy Wilson and Kenny Moore on the outside, who would rank 99th and 111th in PFF coverage grades if they qualified. On top of that, the Colts are 29th in adjusted sack rate and generally struggle to apply pressure on QBs. It’s going to be incredibly hard to trust Peterman and his pass-catchers if he starts but this matchup is worlds apart from his debut against the Chargers. Travaris Cadet is in the concussion protocol. He handled seven touches on Sunday. Mike Tolbert missed the past few games but he’s expected to return to practice this week. If both players end up out, it would open up a monster workload for LeSean McCoy. On the defensive side of things, CB Tre’Davious White is in the concussion protocol after taking a late hit from Rob Gronkowski. He’s had a fantastic rookie season, currently ranking fifth in PFF coverage grades and 13th in cover snaps per reception (14.5) while boasting a 51% catch rate. He’d primarily see Chester Rogers if he suits up, so his absence would be an upgrade for the receiver. Outside of one explosive game against the Steelers – when a huge chunk of his 6/6/104/1 line came on a 61-yard TD – he’s been relatively quiet, failing to top 35 yards or score. In another blow to their run defense, DE Shaq Lawson was carted off with an ankle injury. He’s PFF’s 31st-ranked edge defender against the rush and ranks 18th at his position in run-stop rate. His absence would help Frank Gore.

Matthew Stafford has a bruised throwing hand which shouldn’t prevent him from playing this weekend against the Buccaneers, whose defense is allowing the second-most yards per attempt (7.9) and fifth-highest completion percentage (67%). Stafford is eighth among quarterbacks with 7.8 ypa but he’s taken the second-most sacks (38) as he’s playing behind the 24th-ranked offensive line in pass blocking efficiency. Both RT Rick Wagner and RG T.J. Lang exited Week 12 early which is bad news considering they have the 9th and 5th-best pass blocking grades at their respective positions (per PFF). Fortunately for Stafford, Tampa Bay is dead last in adjusted sack rate (per FO).

Zach Ertz will have to the clear the concussion protocol after being forced from Sunday night’s game early with a head injury. That makes him questionable for Week 14. Last time he missed a game, Brent Celek played 81% of the snaps and Trey Burton played 70% and they ran routes on 35% and 38% of their plays, respectively. They both saw four targets but Burton was the only one to find the end zone. They’ll have a tougher matchup for TEs this time around when they visit the Rams, whose defense is allowing the sixth-fewest PPR points to the position while ranking fifth in DVOA.

Delanie Walker sprained his ankle on a touchdown grab and is considered day-to-day. He played well Sunday, catching all five of his targets for 63 yards the aforementioned score. Per usual, the Titans pass-catchers suffered because Marcus Mariota only threw the ball 23 times. They’re running the sixth-fewest plays per game this season (60.6). DL DaQuan Jones has been placed on IR after he suffered a biceps injury Sunday. He had been playing well, racking up 3.5 sacks over the past two games. On the season, he posted the 12th-best run-stop rate among interior defenders. His absence will be an upgrade for Adrian Peterson in Week 14 if the running back is able to return from a neck injury.

C.J. Fiedoworicz could be done for the season after he suffered another concussion Sunday. The last one forced him to the IR and it’s his third since the preseason. With Braxton Miller also forced from the game with a concussion, Bruce Ellington dealing with a hamstring issue, and Will Fuller still sidelined, TE Stephen Anderson saw 12 targets and turned them into five catches for 79 yards and a score. The Texans are running out of people to throw the ball to; depending on how the injury situation shakes out, Anderson could be in line for another heavy workload against the 49ers this weekend. With all of their injury troubles at safety, San Francisco has struggled defending the position recently, allowing the fifth-most PPR points to TEs over the past four weeks. Of course, DeAndre Hopkins will continue to pick up a massive workload no matter what – he saw 14 targets last game – and the 49ers are 27th in WR1 DVOA.

Ravens CB Jimmy Smith tore his Achilles’ tendon on Sunday. He’d been dealing with a sore Achilles for most of the season, often missing practices to rest it. He’ll now miss the rest of the year, which is a big blow to the Ravens secondary. Per PFF, he was allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per route (0.15) heading into Week 13. Rookie CB Marlon Humphrey will join Brandon Carr in the starting line up in place of Smith. He’s seen as many targets as Smith (40) in a little over half the snaps and he’s held receivers to fewer receptions (20 to 23) and yards (282 to 292). Similar to Smith, he hasn’t been charged with a touchdown and he’s picked off two passes (Smith has three). We’ll find out what he’s made of next weekend when he’s set to face Antonio Brown most of the game.

Dolphins CB Cordrea Tankersley suffered shoulder and ankle injuries Sunday but he was able to return the game. The team said they’ll go easy on his this week and the Sun Sentinel believes his status is uncertain. The Dolphins are set to face Tom Brady and the Patriots this weekend, so if they have to dig to into their bench, it would help New England’s passing game. Considering the Dolphins have allowed the second-most fantasy points to QBs over the past four weeks and rank 31st in pass DVOA, it’s already a tremendous spot for the Pats.

Rams LB Alec Ogletree injured his elbow but he believes he’ll be ready to play the Eagles this weekend. He’s one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the game; he’s recorded the fifth-best pass rushing productivity rate among linebackers while recording the third-most pressures (17, per PFF). He would be very useful this weekend considering the Eagles offensive line is sixth in pass-blocking efficiency. They allow a high-percentage of pressures to be converted into sacks though. They’ve been charged with the tenth-most sacks (18) and rank 17th in adjusted sack rate (per FO).

Bears DL Mitch Unrein left Week 13 with a knee injury. He’s posted the ninth-best run-stop rate this season among interior defenders, so his absence next week would be a boost for Joe Mixon. The rookie runner impressed last week against a tough Browns run defense, picking up 114 yards and a TD on the ground. Although he’s last among qualifiers in PFF’s elusive rating (22), he was seventh in Week 12 (59.4). He also added three catches for 51 yards. On the season, his yards per route run would be fifth-among RBs if he qualified (1.83). The Bears are 14th in receiving RB DVOA but have held the position to the fifth-fewest receiving yards this season (34.3/g). Chicago also lost LB Pernell McPhee, PFF’s 49th-ranked edge defender in run defense, and LG Kyle Long to shoulder injuries. Chicago’s backup guards have performed poorly this season, so if Long misses time it’s a downgrade for their pass-protection and ground game. The Bengals defensive line is 18th is adjusted sack rate and 30th in adjusted line yards.

Chiefs DL Allen Bailey injured his knee Sunday, forcing him from the game. He hasn’t had a strong year and he’s earned PFF’s 105th interior defender grade. C Mitch Morse was carted off with a foot injury. He’s been battling foot problems all year and he’s the 29th-ranked center by PFF grading among 36 qualifiers.

Falcons LG Andy Levitre is dealing with a triceps injury. He’s PFF’s 16th-ranked guard this year and he’s allowed the eighth-fewest pressures at his position (12). With the Saints and the third-ranked defense in adjusted sack rate headed to town, Levitre’s presence could really help quarterback Matt Ryan.

Giants RT Chad Wheeler, Justin Pugh’s backup, suffered a concussion Sunday. Bobby Hart, PFF’s 68th tackle among 80 qualifiers, filled in for him. It’s possible Pugh will be able to return this weekend. As a unit, the Giants are 15th in adjusted sack rate and they’ll be taking on a Colts defense that’s 29th in the metric.

Eli Manning will start Week 14

The Giants cleaned house today, firing head coach Ben McAdoo among others, and they’ll give Manning his starting job back this weekend against the Cowboys. It’s a solid spot for QBs as Dallas has given up the ninth-most fantasy points to the position and ranks 26th in pass DVOA. With CB Orlando Scandrick expected to miss some time, Sterling Shepard should have a favorable matchup in the slot. He only picked up six targets from Geno Smith but he has a good shot to see the most looks on the team with Manning under center – he averaged 11 targets in the two games he played with Manning as the WR1 this season. Despite missing time due to injury, he remains the team leader in red zone targets (9) and he’s just one behind Evan Engram inside the ten-yard line (5). On top of that, he’s seventh among slot receivers in yards per route run when lined up inside (1.9, per PFF).

Giants CB Eli Apple, LB Jonathan Casillas, WR Travis Rudolph, and RT Justin Pugh inactive Week 13; DT Damon Harrison active

The Giants will be without two of their starting cornerbacks as Apple and Janoris Jenkins (ankle, IR) are both out. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Ross Cockrell will be the starting CBs against a Raiders squad missing Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. DRC and Cockrell have earned PFF’s 40th and 73rd coverage grades, respectively. Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson are in line for solid target bumps, as is tight end Jared Cook. Of course, the Giants are notoriously poor at defending tight ends – they’ve given up the most PPR points to the position – so Cook figures to be a popular option in DFS today. Harrison’s presence will be a downgrade for Marshawn Lynch, he’s PFF’s top-graded run defense grade among interior defenders. Still, Lynch may be used as a workhorse back again this week with Oakland in must-win mode. The Raiders ran him out there for 75% of the offensive snaps in Week 12 and gave him a season-high 29 touches. He returned 110 total yards and a score. The Giants have given up the third-most rushing yards to RBs over the past four weeks (120.7/g).

Adrian Peterson inactive Week 13

Kerwynn Williams is expected to start with D.J. Foster working in on passing downs. However, Williams is dealing with an injury to his ribs he suffered last week. It’s possible he can’t handle a full workload or leaves the game early. Bruce Arians also praised Foster, adding carries “could easily fall into his lap quickly.” It’s an uncertain situation but Foster appears to have the better outlook among the two and he’s got a nice matchup with the Rams, whose defense is giving up the second-most PPR points to RBs this season.

Christian McCaffrey and LB Thomas Davis active Week 13; C Ryan Kalil and Greg Olsen inactive

Last time McCaffrey played the Saints, he went off for 101 receiving yards on nine catches. On the season, the Saints are giving up the ninth-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards to RBs. Although he could lose some targets with Marshon Lattimore inactive today, he should stay be heavily involved, particularly in scoring position. McCaffrey is sixth in the league with seven targets inside the ten-yard line. Olsen re-aggravated his foot injury last week against the Jets and the team wants to be cautious with him. His absence will give Ed Dickson another go as the TE1. He hasn’t topped 36 yards over the past six games and the Saints are allowing the ninth-fewest PPR points to TEs this season.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore inactive Week 13

Lattimore’s absence is an upgrade for Devin Funchess. The receiver will now see P.J. Williams plenty, who’s allowed the 22nd most yards per cover snap (1.35, per PFF) and he’s earned PFF’s 69th cover grade. Funchess has averaged 8.3 targets over the past nine games and last week, he crossed the century mark for the first time this season (108).

Adrian Peterson isn't expected to play Week 13

Both the offensive coordinator and head coach had different opinions during the week but apparently Peterson’s neck injury hasn’t progressed as well as they thought it would by now. Jay Glazer reports Peterson isn’t expected to play Sunday. Kerwynn Williams is expected to start with D.J. Foster working in on passing downs. However, Williams is dealing with an injury to his ribs he suffered last week. It’s possible he can’t handle a full workload or leaves the game early. Bruce Arians also praised Foster, adding carries “could easily fall into his lap quickly.” It’s an uncertain situation but Foster appears to have the better outlook among the two and he’s got a nice matchup with the Rams, whose defense is giving up the second-most PPR points to RBs this season.

Jaguars RT Jeremy Parnell active Week 13; LG Patrick Omameh inactive

Per the Florida Times-Union, Tom Coughlin was upset by the team’s Blake Bortles-heavy approach last week. Bortles dropped back on 72% of their plays, threw 33 times, took three sacks, and scrambled on six occasions for a team-high 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Leonard Fournette received 12 carries and against the fifth-ranked defense in adjusted line yards, returned 25 yards on the ground. With a much weaker defensive front awaiting them this weekend, it seems reasonable to expect Jacksonville to return to their run-focused scheme, limiting the upside of the receivers. On the season, they’ve run more than any other team (50%). Parnell’s return should move Cam Robinson to the bench and provide an upgrade for Fournette on the ground.

Peyton Barber expected to start for Buccaneers Week 13; C Joe Hawley inactive

With Doug Martin out with a concussion, Barber is expected to get the start in Tampa’s backfield. He’s returned 2.9 yards per carry this season and he figures to lose some early-down work to Jacquizz Rodgers and passing downs to Charles Sims. On top of that, the Packers run defense has been solid the past four weeks, limiting RBs to 67.3 rushing yards per game (9th). On the season, they’re 11th in adjusted line yards while Tampa Bay’s offensive line is 19th (per FO). They’ll also be without Hawley, who was going to fill in for in the injured Ali Marpet, so Barber will be running behind a third-string center.

Nick O'Leary inactive Week 13

Logan Thomas will operate as Buffalo’s second tight end. O’Leary had been playing nearly half the snaps since Charles Clay returned, so Clay could pick up a bigger workload than he has in recent weeks. Over the past four weeks, the Patriots have held TEs to the third-fewest PPR points.

Michael Campanaro active Week 13; Breshad Perriman inactive

Campanaro is averaging 1.5 receptions per game, so his presence won’t make a huge impact.

Ameer Abdullah and Dwayne Washington inactive Week 13; RG T.J. Lang active

Abdullah returned to practice Friday but his neck injury will keep him sidelined today. According to Ian Rapoport, Theo Riddick “will be treated as the starter.” He averaged 9.3 carries per game last season over the eight games he started as he’s a much better receiver than runner but with Washington also out today, that number could rise. Zach Zenner figures to work in for early-down work as well. Riddick will have a tough matchup against a Ravens defense allowing the eighth-fewest receiving yards and seventh-fewest PPR points to RBs.

Aaron Jones, LB Clay Matthews, and DT Kenny Clark active Week 13

Jones is coming off a knee injury and he isn’t expected to see a full workload. Instead, Jamaal Williams is expected to handle most of the work. Williams is averaging 3.2 yards per carry and hasn’t returned more than 3.4 in any of the three games he’s been the featured back. While he’s averaged 22.7 touches game during that stretch, that number should decrease today with Jones back in the mix. It looks like a decent matchup against a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 14th in adjusted line yards (per FO) and has given up the 11th-most PPR points to RBs. However, there is plenty of risk surrounding this backfield given the situation.

Rishard Matthews inactive Week 13

It’ll be a boost for Corey Davis. The rookie only saw four targets without Matthews in Week 12 which was second on the team but disappointing in what appeared to be a great spot against the Colts. The Titans are running the fifth-fewest passing plays per game (31.7) and the ninth-fewest plays overall (61.5/g), which has limited the upside of the receivers all season. With Matthews out again, Davis should be one of Marcus Mariota’s go-to targets but volume may a concern again as the Texans’ opponents are running the sixth-fewest plays per game (60.8). Even so, they’re giving up a ton of points, the fourth-most in the league (25.9/g), and they’re allowing the sixth-most PPR points to WRs this season. It’s clearly another positive matchup and if the Titans can get the offense clicking a little better – they’re 19th in points scored over the past three weeks (20.3/g) – Davis should be able to produce a good return for his salary. Vegas believes they can, providing them the ninth-highest implied total on the board (24.5 points). Davis will primarily match up with Kevin Johnson, who’s allowing the most fantasy points per route defended among CBs playing in Week 13 (0.41, per PFF).

Falcons CB Brian Poole ruled out for Week 13

Things are shaping up nicely for Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. With Desmond Trufant also out, Atlanta will need to dig into their bench to defend the receivers. Second-year CB C.J. Goodwin, who played just 20 snaps prior to Week 12, filled in for Trufant last week and allowed four receptions on five targets. Diggs runs about 50% of his routes on Goodwin’s side. He’s taken a backseat to Adam Thielen in recent weeks, failing to top seven targets over his past six games but he’s been very efficient with his opportunities. In addition to a solid 67% catch rate, he’s ninth in the league in yards per route run (2.08, per PFF). Thielen is third in the metric (2.62) and he’s caught at least five passes in every game this season. He’s seen double-digit targets in five of the past six games and there’s a good chance he’ll have a huge market share again today with a backup trying to defend him.