DFS Alerts
DeVante Parker participating in Miami's walkthrough Tuesday
The Dolphins aren’t having a full practice today, just a walkthrough ahead of their Thursday night contest against the Ravens, but Parker is participating. Although the team remains hopeful he can return following a two-game absence, they want to see how his injured ankle responds today and tomorrow. It seems like he could be headed for a game-time decision. If he plays, he’ll have a difficult matchup with the Ravens, whose defense has held receivers to the second-fewest PPR points this season. Parker will have Matt Moore throwing to him with Jay Cutler out. In Moore’s four starts last season, Parker averaged a 3.5/5.75/50.5/0.25 line. He showed a better connection with Jarvis Landry, providing him a 6.5/9.0/78.75/0.5 average line over those four games. Landry has been a target monster all year, picking up double-digit targets in all but one outing this season, and that should continue Thursday night with or without Parker. He’ll also have the better individual matchup with Ladarius Webb. The Ravens slot corner has allowed the most yards per cover snap (2.25) when lined up inside this season and he’s PFF’s 104th-ranked cover corner among 110 qualifiers.
Other tagged players: Jarvis Landry
Sterling Shepard expects to play Week 9
The receiver said he’ll “be ready to go” when the Giants return from their bye week. It’ll be a tough spot as the Giants will host a Rams defense limiting receivers to the seventh-fewest PPR points per game this season. Making it even more difficult for Shepard, slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman has limited receivers to the second-fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside (0.47, per PFF).
JuJu Smith-Schuster is in the concussion protocol
Coach Mike Tomlin told the media Smith-Schuster is in the concussion protocol this week. The rookie receiver suffered a concussion in the preseason as well, so it’s possible he’ll need this week off to recover. Tomlin also reiterated that Martavis Bryant isn’t available via trade and they’re invested in the receiver. He’s been asking for a bigger role in the offense and he would get it this weekend if Smith-Schuster misses their game against Detroit. With Lions CB Darius Slay potentially shadowing Antonio Brown, Bryant could have an appealing individual matchup with Nevin Lawson, PFF’s 95th-ranked corner. If Smith-Schuster is able to suit up, he’ll get plenty of run in the slot against Quandre Diggs, who’s limited receivers to the sixth-fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside.
Other tagged players: Martavis Bryant Marshawn Lynch (suspension) will miss Week 8
Lynch’s one-game suspension for shoving a referee was upheld Tuesday, leaving Oakland with DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard in a timeshare this weekend against the Bills. It’s a tough matchup for the backs as the Bills defensive line ranks sixth in adjusted line yards (3.59, per PFF) and they’ve given up the fifth-fewest PPR points to the position. Buffalo also has a strong secondary – they’re third in pass DVOA – but S Jordan Poyer and CB E.J. Gaines are both considered week-to-week. If they’re sidelined, the Raiders will likely have more success going to the air.
Other tagged players: Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington Report: Eagles LT Jason Peters tore ACL and MCL
The Eagles were hoping it was just a torn MCL but an MRI showed Peters has the ACL injury as well, which will end his season. Peters, the PFF’s third-ranked tackle, was an essential part of the Eagles top-notch pass protection. As a unit, they’re fifth in pass-blocking efficiency this season. It’s possible Philly switches Lane Johnson to the blindside but they went with Halapoulivaati Vaitai at LT last night, a major downgrade no matter which side he’s on. The injury will help the 49ers in Week 8 but the Eagles are still +10.5 home favorites and may end up with a run-heavy game script.
Eagles LB Jordan Hicks (Achilles) likely out for season; LT Jason Peters believed to have torn MCL
Two crucial Philly starters went down last night. Hicks, an every-down linebacker for the Eagles, reportedly suffered a torn Achilles, which would end his season. They’ll still have their top two graded LBs, Mychal Kendricks (24th, per PFF) and Nigel Bradham (30th), but Kendricks is a bit banged up and was inactive Monday night. Peters, the PFF’s third-ranked tackle, was an essential part of the Eagles top-notch pass protection. As a unit, they’re fifth in pass-blocking efficiency this season. It’s possible Philly switches Lane Johnson to the blindside but they went with Halapoulivaati Vaitai at LT last night, a major downgrade no matter which side he’s on. The Eagles are currently +10.5 home favorites over the 49ers in Week 8.
Dolphins released CB Byron Maxwell
Maxwell hasn’t been active since Week 2. Miami will continue to roll with Xavien Howard and Cordrea Tankersley as their top two corners with Bobby McCain in nickel packages. Tankersley has given up three touchdowns in four starts and allowed a 73.7% catch rate while Howard is allowing a reception every 9.0 cover snaps, the 15th-worst rate in the league (per PFF). They’ll take on the Ravens and their lackluster offense this Thursday night. Baltimore’s top three receivers are all banged up and questionable for the contest. If Jeremy Maclin suits up, he’ll have a nice matchup with McCain, who’s given up 16 receptions on 18 targets.
Update: Mike Wallace limited in practice Monday
It was originally reported Wallace wasn’t going to participate in today’s practice but he ended up getting in a limited session. He’s currently in the concussion protocol and it could be difficult for him to clear in time for Baltimore’s Thursday night matchup with the Dolphins. Fellow receivers Breshad Perriman (concussion) and Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) are banged up as well – both were inactive in Week 7. Buck Allen led the team with 11 targets on Sunday and could be in line for another big workload in the passing game depending on how the receiver situation shakes out this week.
Wendell Smallwood, RT Lane Johnson, and LB Jordan Hicks active for Eagles Monday night; LB Mychal Kendricks inactive
Smallwood will make his return tonight, as expected. LeGarrette Blount is currently third in the league with 5.6 yards per carry and will likely continue to get plenty of early-down work. Smallwood will cut into that workload though and he should get a lot of the passing-down snaps – he picked up four catches for 45 yards in his last game. The Eagles will likely use Blount on the ground in scoring position, the back is fourth with ten rushes inside the ten-yard line this season – although he’s only found the end zone one rushing touchdown. Both backs will be aided by Johnson’s return, as will Carson Wentz. Johnson has posted the second-best pass-blocking efficiency score among tackles. Kendricks is PFF’s 24th-ranked linebacker, his absence should be an upgrade for Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson.
Other tagged players: LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles Robert Kelley, Bashaud Breeland, and LT Trent Williams active for Redskins Monday night
Kelley will return from a two-game absence, as expected. He’ll take over the early-down role from Samaje Perine and will likely cut into Thompson’s rushing work. Thompson should continue to operate as the passing-down back though. It’s a tough matchup for these guys as Philly’s rush defense has limited opposing RBs to 40.0 rushing yards per game, the lowest rate in the league. They’ve given up a little more production to backs through the air, allowing the eighth-most receptions (6.2/g) and 13th-most receiving yards (47.3/g), but they were ninth in receiving RB DVOA heading into the week. Although Breeland has earned PFF’s 82nd coverage grade, he’s limited receivers to the 12-fewest yards per cover snap (0.75). He’ll primarily match up with Alshon Jeffrey tonight.
Vikings S Andrew Sendejo suspended one game
Sendejo violated NFL’s player safety rules with a big hit on Mike Wallace that forced the receiver from the game and into the concussion protocol. Minnesota will start Anthony Harris in his place this weekend against Cleveland unless he successfully appeals the suspension.
Eagles CB Ronald Darby ruled out for Week 7
He was questionable heading into Monday night but the Eagles have decided to play it safe with their top corner and give him at least another week to rehab his ankle injury. His absence will make things easier on the outside for Terrelle Pryor and Josh Doctson – the latter is expected to pick up an increased role tonight. They’ll see a combination of Jalen Mills and Rasul Douglas, both of whom are in the bottom 16 in yards per cover snap, and among 111 qualifying CBs, PFF ranks them 87th and 81st, respectively.
Other tagged players: Terrelle Pryor, Josh Doctson Mike Wallace and Terrance West didn't practice Monday; Breshad Perriman and Jeremy Maclin participated
Wallace and Perriman are both dealing with concussions. Perriman’s return to practice today indicates he’s on track to suit up Thursday night but Wallace will have a tough time getting cleared on a short week. After suffering a setback while warming up yesterday, Maclin was ruled out. It was his second absence in a row but he could get back out there against the Dolphins though. RB West isn’t expected to be able to suit up as he continues to rehab a calf injury. Buck Allen out-snapped Alex Collins 41-16 in Week 7 and should continue that trend Thursday night. With all of the injuries at receiver, Flacco peppered Allen with a team-high 11 targets. The Dolphins are allowing the 11th-most receptions to RBs this season (5.8 per game) and ranked 21st in receiving RB DVOA heading into Week 7 – before Matt Forte and Bilal Powell combined for a 7/81/0 line. At receiver, Chris Moore and Griff Whalen both played 58-of-65 snaps. Moore was second on the team with eight looks and hauled in Flacco’s lone TD but he finished with just two receptions. He ended up leading the team in receiving yards despite only having 44 of them. Even if the top three receivers miss another game, it doesn’t seem like he’ll offer much upside.
Other tagged players: Breshad Perriman, Jeremy Maclin, Terrance West, Chris Moore, Javorius Allen, Alex Collins Kaelin Clay released by Bills
Buffalo has decided to move on from Clay after newcomer Deonte Thompson went off for a team-high 107 yards on four catches. Fellow receiver Zay Jones continued to be very inefficient, catching just two of his team-high nine targets but he out-snapped Thompson 55 to 21. Jordan Matthews made his return and only ended up with two catches for ten yards while matching Jones with 55 snaps. He was forced to wear a splint following thumb surgery and may have to wear it again in Week 8. Even so, with Charles Clay sidelined and Jones so unreliable, it’s possible Matthews will be more heavily targeted this weekend against the Raiders.
Other tagged players: Deonte Thompson, Jordan Matthews Chargers LG Matt Slauson will miss remainder of season
Slauson suffered a biceps injury that will keep him sidelined the rest of the year. Rookie Dan Feeney will start in his place. Although he’s only played 50 snaps, he’s earned a solid 71.1 PFF grade, which is well above Slauson’s 45.0 (53rd). Through 25 pass-blocking snaps, he hasn’t allowed a pressure while Slauson has allowed the 16th-most at his position (12). As a unit, the Chargers offensive line has allowed the third-most total pressures but perhaps Feeney can provide an improvement against the Patriots this weekend. New England is currently 13th with 15 sacks.