DFS Alerts
Kenny Britt will play Week 8
Britt was removed from the injury report ahead of Cleveland’s game against the Vikings. He’s not guaranteed a starting role though, as coach Hue Jackson remains non-committal regarding Britt’s role in the offense going forward. He’s now caught 10-of-28 targets and with the Browns not playing for anything besides a draft pick, the big free agent acquisition is nothing but a sunk cost at this point. Britt doesn’t appear to be a fantasy option against a solid Vikings pass defense.
JuJu Smith-Schuster removed from injury report, will play Week 8
With Martavis Bryant expected to be inactive, Smith-Schuster will likely start and move to the outside, putting Eli Rogers in the slot. While Darius Slay could be busy shadowing Antonio Brown, JJS-S could get a mix of Nevin Lawson and D.J. Hayden, both of whom are ranked 95th or lower by PFF. Although he hadn’t been targeted once in the deep-passing game entering Week 7, he picked up two looks 20+ yards downfield last Sunday and turned one of them into a 31-yard score. He’ll be in line for a target boost with Bryant sidelined, including more deep looks. If Rogers takes over the slot role, he’ll get plenty of run against Quandre Diggs, who’s limited receivers to the sixth-fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside.
Vance McDonald and RT Marcus Gilbert ruled out for Week 8
DL Stephon Tuitt was ruled out earlier this week. It’ll be his second straight absence due to a back injury. He’s a huge part of the Steelers pass rush. He’s PFF’s fourth-ranked interior defender in the area while Tyson Alualu, who’ll pick up more snaps again this week, checks in at 102nd. Fortunately, they’ll still have Cameron Hayward, who’s second at his position with 31 total pressures and five sacks. He should be able to maintain his production against a Lions offensive line that ranks 29th in pass blocking efficiency. McDonald’s absence will open up more snaps for Jesse James and Xavier Grimble. After opening the season with six receptions and pair of touchdowns, James hasn’t caught more than three balls and hasn’t scored once. The tight end hasn’t even logged a target for the past two games. Fortunately for him, the Lions are 27th in TE DVOA and allowing the seventh-most yards to the position. Even so, Roethlisberger will probably send the vast majority of his passes to Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, limiting James’ fantasy appeal.
Other tagged players: Vance McDonald, Jesse James, Xavier Grimble Dontrelle Inman will be a game-time decision Week 8
The newest Bears receiver will travel with the team and they’ll make a decision on his status tomorrow morning. The Bears gave up a seventh-round pick in exchange for the former Chargers receiver earlier this week. Considering Chicago has the worst group of receivers in the NFL, Inman should latch on rather quickly. Although he’s only attracted four targets this season, he showed some flashes last year with two games over 100 yards and four total touchdowns. If he suits up this weekend, he’ll likely have a limited role in his first appearance with the team.
Redskins CB Josh Norman will play Week 8; C Spencer Long, LB Mason Foster ruled out
Foster is headed to the IR with a torn labrum and is likely done for the season. Foster was an every-down backer for the Skins this year, he’ll be replaced by a combination of Will Compton and Martell Spaight. The latter is the only one of the two to log a decent number of snaps this year (91) and he’s earned a poor 41.1 PFF grade for his efforts. Norman’s return is a downgrade for Dez Bryant and quarterback Dak Prescott. Norman is PFF’s 39th-ranked corner this season while teammates Quinton Dunbar and Kendall Fuller have exceeded him, checking in at 20th and 10th, respectively. It appears Dunbar has surpassed Bashaud Breeland (84th) as he out-snapped him the past two games and he could remain in the starting lineup if Norman returns. As a team, the Redskins have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks but the fourth-fewest to receivers as they funnel receiving production to tight ends (third-most) and running backs (eighth-most receptions per game, second-most receiving touchdowns). That sets up an interesting spot for old-man Jason Witten, for those that trust 15th-year skill players near the halfway mark, and Ezekiel Elliott. Although Washington has limited RBs to the third-fewest rushing yards per game, they’ve also seen the third-fewest attempts and their defensive line is 23rd in adjusted line yards (per FO). Dallas is running the ball the ninth-most in the league (45.2%) and their offensive line is sixth in adjusted line yards.
Colts CB Rashaan Melvin and LB John Simon ruled out for Week 8; C Ryan Kelly will play
As beat writer Kevin Bowen put it, “it will be Vontae Davis…and others trying to slow down A.J. Green.” If Davis is the best one they have available, the Colts may be in trouble considering he’s PFF’s 99th cover corner. Melvin only played seven snaps last weekend and Blake Bortles tore them up for 330 yards (cc: @BortlesFacts). With Melvin out, Indy was forced to use Kenny Moore outside. Although he’s only played limited snaps, he would have PFF’s 107th cover grade if he qualified. Green and Andy Dalton will be popular DFS targets and for good reason. Green is commanding a 30.2% market share of Dalton’s passes and he’s third in the league with 2.63 yards per route run. LB Jonathan Simon injured his neck last week and his absence will be a downgrade for their rushing defense – he’s currently 17th among edge defenders with nine run stops. Even with Simon, the Colts have been horrendous against the rush over the past four weeks, allowing RBs to pick up the second-most yards per game (136.5) and the most rushing scores (1.25/g). Across the three games prior to Week 7, Joe Mixon averaged 19 touches per game. He only garnered ten last week but he should get back on track in Week 8 with a bit of a squeaky wheel narrative working in his favor and it looks like a great matchup. He’s an interesting pivot option off of or addition to the Dalton/Green stack, especially considering his low salary across the industry ($5.9k FD, $4.7k DK). Vegas provides the Bengals a 10.5-point edge at home and the running back could potentially be paired with the Cincy D/ST which currently ranks 12th in adjusted sack rate (per FO). Meanwhile, the Colts offensive line has been charged with the third-most sacks (15) and Brissett went down ten times against the Jaguars last week.
Other tagged players: A.J. Green, Joe Mixon, Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals DeAndre Hopkins wasn't present at beginning of practice Friday
He’s not on the injury report so it’s not clear why he wasn’t on the field during the session open to the media. It’s possible he returns for the afternoon portion.
Kaelin Clay will be active for Panthers Week 8
Clay was waived by the Bills earlier this week and snapped up by Carolina. Coach Ron Rivera said he’ll be active this weekend, although he’ll likely be deep on the depth chart.
Ed Dickson, S Kurt Coleman, LB Luke Kuechly, and K Graham Gano questionable for Week 8; C Ryan Kalil ruled out
Kalil suffered a setback during Week 7’s game and it looks like he’ll be sidelined this weekend. His replacement, Tyler Larsen has struggled in pass protection this season, allowing the second-most pressures among centers (16, per PFF) and he’s been charged with the most sacks (3). Dickson is fully expected to play this weekend. After his huge game against the Lions in Week 5, when he capitalized on broken coverage a couple times on his way to 175 yards, the tight end hasn’t topped 36 yards. He’s remained involved in the passing game though, averaging 6.5 targets over his last two outings. While the Buccaneers, his Week 8 opponent, aren’t considered efficient against tight ends by DVOA (23rd, per FO), they’ve only allowed 3.67 receptions per game to the position, the sixth-lowest rate in the league. Coleman is expected to make his return after a three-game absence. He could help bolster their already-strong rushing defense; in 2016, he was eighth among safeties with a 5.2% run-stop rate and he was fifth when lined up within eight yards of the line of scrimmage (7.9%, per PFF). On top of that, they’re going to get Kuechly, PFF’s sixth-ranked LB, on the field, barring a setback. Even without Kuechly and Coleman against the Bears in Week 7, they held Jordan Howard to 65 rushing yards on 21 attempts. As a team, they’re fifth in rush DVOA while their line ranks eighth in adjusted line yards (3.78). Not surprisingly, they’ve given up the seventh-fewest PPR points to RBs this season. Doug Martin, who recorded a season-high 22 touches last week, will have his work cut out for him against this group. Gano is also expected to play.
Other tagged players: Carolina Panthers, Doug Martin Jets CB Buster Skrine and RT Brandon Shell ruled out for Week 8; Muhammad Wilkerson is questionable
Skrine came down with concussion-like symptoms Wednesday and was held out of practice all week. He won’t be cleared in time to play the Falcons this weekend. Although Julio Jones is expected to be shadowed by Morris Claiborne, the corner doesn’t travel into the slot and Jones is going there more often. Over the past two weeks, the receiver has run 32% of his routes inside. Skrine was already a favorable matchup as he’s allowed the second-most yards per cover snap when in the slot (1.74, per PFF) and it’ll get even easier for Jones with Jets digging into their bench. Claiborne is 35th in yards per cover snap (per PFF) and he’s allowing a 60% catch rate – Jones will be in an exploitable matchup wherever he lines up.
Other tagged players: Julio Jones Browns CB Jason McCourty doubtful for Week 8; S Jabrill Peppers and DT Trevon Coley questionable
McCourty hasn’t practiced yet this week after being inactive this past Sunday. His absence will be an upgrade for Stefon Diggs. Last weekend against the Titans, slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who’s been superb this season, moved to the outside on most two-receiver sets. Michael Jordan became the nickel corner was decent, allowing two receptions on five targets. On the season, he’s earned a 63 PFF grade across limited snaps. Last year, he appeared in five games for the Rams and started twice, scoring a poor 42.5 grade in the process. McCourty was expected to shadow Diggs, with him out, the receiver will also get some run against Jamar Taylor, who’s allowed the seventh-most yards (391) and a 72.2% catch rate.
Other tagged players: Stefon Diggs John Ross and CB Adam Jones removed from injury report, will play Week 8; Tyler Boyd and Cody Core ruled out
Ross will finally make his return after rehabbing a knee injury. Jones missed Week 7 but he’s all set to take on the Colts this weekend. Ross has only played five snaps this season, so it’s hard to know what to expect from him – the rookie could be eased into action over the first few games upon returning. Undoubtedly, quarterback Andy Dalton will continue to pepper A.J. Green with targets. He’s currently commanding a 30.2% market share of the team’s targets and he’s third in the league with 2.63 yards per route run. Jones could make things more difficult for Donte Moncrief – if he had enough snaps to qualify, he would be fifth in the league with 0.44 yards per cover snap. T.Y. Hilton will primarily see Dre Kirkpatrick on the outside and Darqueze Dennard when he’s in the slot. The former is 24th in yards per cover snap (0.86) and the latter is 11th among slot corners in the metric (0.96). As a unit, the Bengals rank sixth in WR1 DVOA.
Other tagged players: Cincinnati Bengals, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief Patriots CB Eric Rowe and DT Malcom Brown aren't expected to play Week 8
It’ll be Rowe’s fourth straight absence due to a groin injury. Brown injured his ankle last Sunday and hasn’t been able to practice this week. He’s the team’s top interior defender and was particularly effective against the run. Lawrence Guy will likely pick up more snaps in his absence, who’s 18th at his position in run-stop percentage (per PFF). Even so, it’s not great timing as the Patriots are expected to use more traditional four-man fronts with Dont’a Hightower out. That means Alan Branch and Adam Butler, the 88th and 99th interior defenders, will pick up more time on the field. The Patriots are already 26th in rush DVOA and 31st in adjusted line yards and these injuries are downgrades. That sets up a favorable spot for Melvin Gordon, who’s struggled to 3.4 ypc this season but could potentially exploit this matchup to improve that rate. He’s the second-most targeted player on the team and the Patriots are 29th in receiving RB DVOA while allowing the second-most receiving yards (67.9/g) and fifth-most receiving touchdowns (0.43/g) to the position.
Other tagged players: Melvin Gordon Colts CB Rashaan Melvin isn't expected to play Week 8
As beat writer Kevin Bowen put it, “it will be Vontae Davis…and others trying to slow down A.J. Green.” If Davis is the best one they have available, the Colts may be in trouble considering he’s PFF’s 99th cover corner. Melvin only played seven snaps last weekend and Blake Bortles tore them up for 330 yards (cc: @BortlesFacts). With Melvin out, Indy was forced to use Kenny Moore outside. Although he’s only played limited snaps, he would have PFF’s 107th cover grade if he qualified. Green and Andy Dalton will be popular DFS targets and for good reason. Green is commanding a 30.2% market share of Dalton’s passes and he’s third in the league with 2.63 yards per route run. LB Jonathan Simon injured his neck last week and his absence would be a downgrade for their rushing defense – he’s currently 17th among edge defenders with nine run stops. Even with Simon, the Colts have been horrendous against the rush over the past four weeks, allowing RBs to pick up the second-most yards per game (136.5) and the most rushing scores (1.25/g). Across the three games prior to Week 7, Joe Mixon averaged 19 touches per game. He only garnered ten last week but he should get back on track in Week 8 with a bit of a squeaky wheel narrative working in his favor and it looks like a great matchup. He’s an interesting pivot option off of or addition to the Dalton/Green stack, especially considering his low salary across the industry ($5.9k FD, $4.7k DK). Vegas provides the Bengals a 10.5-point edge at home and the running back could potentially be paired with the Cincy D/ST which currently ranks 12th in adjusted sack rate (per FO). Meanwhile, the Colts offensive line has been charged with the third-most sacks (15) and Brissett went down ten times against the Jaguars last week.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen Other tagged players: A.J. Green Golden Tate is practicing again Friday, Kenny Golladay remains sidelined
It’s the third straight day for Tate (shoulder), who could come down to a game-time decision Sunday night. Golladay is looking doubtful to return after missing two days in a row. If Tate is able to suit up, he’ll go up against one of the top-performing slot corners in the game, Mike Hilton, who’s holding receivers to 0.67 yards per cover snap when lined up inside, the fourth-best rate (per PFF). It won’t be much easier for Golladay if he plays or his replacement, T.J. Jones; they’ll see Artie Burns the most. Burns is currently 12th with 0.74 yards per cover snap and he’s only giving up a 51% catch rate. Marvin Jones will get after Joe Haden on roughly half his routes. After a poor Week 1 performance, Haden has been in shutdown mode. Since Week 2, he’s fifth in the league with 0.38 yards per cover snap and third in cover snaps per reception (28.9). As a unit, the Steelers are second in pass DVOA (per FO) and have allowed the fewest PPR points to receivers.
Other tagged players: Kenny Golladay, TJ Jones, Marvin Jones