DFS Alerts
Bills signed Deonte Thompson, released Joe Banyard
Thompson will provide depth at wide receiver while Jordan Matthews is sidelined and it doesn’t look like he’ll have much fantasy appeal in Buffalo.
Other tagged players: Joe Banyard
Robert Turbin expected to miss rest of season
Turbin injured his elbow against the Titans Monday night and he’s likely done for the year. Matt Jones will probably serve as the RB3 behind Frank Gore and Marlon Mack. The latter should be the biggest beneficiary of the injury as he had been out-snapped by Turbin the last three games they were both active. Turbin was averaging 5.3 touches per game and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mack take the majority of those going forward. He’s averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry this season and the Colts have discussed getting him more involved. He’ll take on a Jaguars defense that continues to struggle against the run. Heading into Week 6, Jacksonville ranked 31st in rush DVOA and they allowed Todd Gurley to pick up 116 rushing yards on 23 carries Sunday. Even so, Mack will remain behind Gore, limiting his fantasy appeal.
Other tagged players: Marlon Mack Redskins to sign K Nick Rose
Rose will replace the injured Hopkins, who’s headed to the IR.
Corey Davis ruled out for Week 7
The receiver is still rehabbing a hamstring injury and isn’t ready to make his return. Taywan Taylor will remain the third receiver; he hauled in a 53-yard touchdown on Monday night. He was quiet outside of that play though, adding just one other catch for eight yards. His four targets marked a season-high and also demonstrates his limited fantasy value. The Titans play the Browns in Week 7, which sets up terrific spots for Delanie Walker and Rishard Matthews. Eric Decker had his best game of the season this past week, posting a 7/9/88/0 line, but he’ll have a tough matchup in the slot against Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who’s allowing the fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside (0.12, per PFF).
Albert Wilson and Charcandrick West didn't practice Tuesday
C Mitch Morse and RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif were both limited in today’s session. Kansas City signed RB C.J. Spiller yesterday for depth at running back. They play Thursday night and it seems doubtful that West can clear the protocol in time to play. With Wilson out in Week 6, Demarcus Robinson stepped into the number two receiver role and attracted five targets. He only hauled in one in a tough matchup with the Steelers though. Against the Raiders, he could find more success. He should run plenty of routes against David Amerson, who’s allowed the highest passer rating in the league this season (145.8) while giving up 260 yards, three touchdowns, and a 71% catch rate. WR1 Tyreek Hill will work into his coverage as well as the Chiefs put him all over the field.
Other tagged players: Charcandrick West, Kansas City Chiefs C.J. Prosise (ankle) expected to play Week 7
Prosise will return from a two-game absence to take on the Giants this weekend. Seattle’s backfield remains unappealing from a fantasy perspective as Eddie Lacy and Thomas Rawls will split the early-down duties and Prosise could lose some passing-down snaps to J.D. McKissic. Fortunately for Prosise, the New York Football Giants haven’t been able to stop backs in the passing game this season. They headed into Week 6 ranked 29th in receiving RB DVOA (per FO) and then allowed Devontae Booker to rack up 78 receiving yards on four catches. Even so, Prosise may not get enough volume to exploit the matchup, he hasn’t topped three receptions yet this season and as mentioned, there are four backs competing for snaps in this backfield.
Wendell Smallwood and RT Lane Johnson returned to full practice Tuesday, expected to play Week 7
Smallwood missed the past two games with a knee injury. He should return for their next one against the Redskins on Monday night. Washington entered Week 6 ranked eighth in rush DVOA (per FO) and held strong against the 49ers, limiting Carlos Hyde to 28 yards on 13 attempts – although he did run into the end zone twice. Smallwood averaged 13.5 touches over his last two games and got work in the passing game the last time out, catching four passes. He could find some PPR value in this spot as Washington has allowed the seventh-most receptions to the position (6.8 per game). Even so, he’ll be competing with LeGarrette Blount for early-down work and scoring opportunities, limiting his upside. Johnson has cleared the concussion protocol following a one-game absence. His return should help Carson Wentz as Johnson ranks as PFF’s fourth tackle in pass blocking.
Panthers LB Luke Kuechly isn't practicing Tuesday; C Ryan Kalil is participating
Kuechly hasn’t cleared the concussion protocol yet and he may not be ready to return this weekend. Kalil (neck) hasn’t played since Week 1 but it looks like he’s on track to suit up this Sunday. Kuechly is a top-12 linebacker in both run defense and pass coverage (per PFF grading); if he can’t play on Sunday, it would provide an upgrade for Bears RB Jordan Howard. Although Howard has graded poorly as a receiver and only collected one catch over the past two games, he checks in as PFF’s 12th-ranked RB on the ground. He was able to rack up 36 carries for 167 yards against the Ravens in Week 6 while playing 67.5% of the snaps – his highest rate of the season. Howard should see plenty of volume again in Week 7.
Other tagged players: Jordan Howard Giants CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie reinstated from suspension
DRC will be with the team when they host the Seahawks this weekend. The cornerback wants to play outside more often but the Giants seem committed to keeping Eli Apple opposite Janoris Jenkins and Apple is coming off the best game of his season – despite being targeted ten times, he only allowed a 5/38/0 line. That means Rodgers-Cromartie, who’s allowing the ninth-fewest yards per cover snap out of the slot (0.89, per PFF), will be on Doug Baldwin quite a bit. Baldwin is currently commanding a 21.8% market share and he’s efficiently hauled in 69% of his looks. Russell Wilson has evenly dispersed red zone targets between Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, and Paul Richardson though, with each seeing four this year, and Jimmy Graham is leading the team with five. In addition to competing with all those guys for opportunities in scoring position, Baldwin is only averaging 10.5 yards per catch and his 8.7 average depth of target is good for 92nd among 113 qualifying receivers.
Other tagged players: Doug Baldwin Jaguars released K Jason Myers, signed K Josh Lambo
Lambo was cut by the Chargers earlier this season but with Myers struggling, the Jaguars decided to bring him. Lambo isn’t available on FanDuel this week.
Other tagged players: Josh Lambo 49ers DE Arik Armstead suffered a broken hand, out for "extended period of time"
He’ll undergo surgery to repair the injury and a recovery timetable hasn’t been set. Armstead’s absence will be a clear downgrade for their defense. He’s earned PFF’s 24th run defense grade among edge defenders and he’s contributed the eighth-most run stops at the position (8). They get the Cowboys next week but it’s not yet clear who will be starting in the backfield, it’ll depend on how Ezekiel Elliott’s court case plays out.
Marcus Mariota (hamstring) active for Week 6
He’ll have a fantasy-friendly matchup with the Colts tonight, whose defense was the third-worst in both passing yards per game (294) and yards per attempt (8.3) heading into Week 6. Mariota will certainly carry some risk given his injury though, and his rushing upside will likely be limited. Indy has been very poor against tight ends. They rank 29th in TE DVOA and they’ve permitted the seventh-most PPR points to the position. Rookie George Kittle went off for a 7/9/83/1 line against them this past weekend and Delanie Walker will be in a great spot to exceed that production with Mariota under center.
Redskins K Dustin Hopkins ruled out for Week 7
Hopkins has a partially torn muscle in his hip and won’t be able to kick for the Redskins this weekend.
Chiefs re-signed C.J. Spiller
With Charcandrick West in the concussion protocol on a short week, the Chiefs decided to bring Spiller back for depth at running back. Kanas City takes on Oakland this Thursday night and this roster move indicates West isn’t expected to be ready for that game. According to beat writer Terez A. Paylor, it’s possible Spiller takes over West’s third-down role against the Raiders, who ranked dead last in receiving RB DVOA heading into Week 6 – and then promptly allowed Melvin Gordon to pile up nine catches and a score. Kareem Hunt will remain the workhorse and he’ll be active in the passing game as well. Spiller isn’t available on the Monday-Thursday slates on DraftKings or FanDuel and he’ll be released if West clears the concussion protocol.
Other tagged players: Charcandrick West Raiders signed LB NaVorro Bowman
Bowman could provide an upgrade for Oakland’s run defense; heading into Week 6, he had the fifth-most run-stops among linebackers (per PFF). On a short week, it’s not clear how much Bowman will be able to contribute against the Chiefs on Thursday, if at all. We’ll get a better idea as the week progresses. Oakland was 19th in rush DVOA heading into Week 6, and they were able to limit Melvin Gordon to 3.3 yards per carry this past Sunday. Gordon killed them through the air though, racking up nine catches and a score. The Raiders were 32nd in receiving RB DVOA heading into the weekend and they won’t get much help in the area from Bowman; beat writer Tim Kawakami believes the Raiders will work to keep the linebacker, who’s allowing an 84.6% catch rate, off the field in passing situations. Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt has pulled in at least three catches in all but one game this season.
Other tagged players: Kareem Hunt