DFS Alerts
Tyler Eifert will undergo season-ending back surgery
Adam Schefter reports the tight end has opted for surgery to repair his injured back, ending his season. Tyler Kroft will continue to serve as the Bengals starting tight end. He’s caught at least three passes in each of the past three games without Eifert, including a two-touchdown performance against the Browns. Kroft will continue to be a matchup-dependent fantasy option that doesn’t seem to offer much upside outside of the premier spots. The Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals’ next opponent following their Week 6 bye, don’t appear to be one of those defenses as they rank third in TE DVOA and have allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points per game to the position (10.78). Quarterback Andy Dalton has averaged 0.3 fewer touchdowns per game without Eifert (1.4) and 26 fewer yards (229) over the course of his career. Pittsburgh has had some excellent secondary play this season, helping them achieve their third-place spot in pass DVOA (per FO); Week 7 doesn’t look like a good time to target Dalton.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Tyler Kroft, Andy Dalton
Corey Davis ruled out for Week 6
The receiver is still considered week-to-week, he’ll have a shot to suit up in Week 7 against the Browns. Taywan Taylor will be the third receiver again but he’s well off the fantasy radar. The rookie has been silent since being promoted, failing to catch a single pass over the past two weeks. The Titans will continue to rely heavily on Rishard Matthews and Eric Decker at receiver and Delanie Walker should pick up a ton of work in the passing game at tight end.
Other tagged players: Taywan Taylor Bilal Powell's Week 6 status "still up in the air"
Powell wasn’t able to practice Wednesday as he tends to a calf strain. ESPN’s Rich Cimini believes it will “be tough for him to play” Sunday. With Forte returning today, he could resume his starting role against the Patriots Sunday. New England’s defense has struggled so far, ranking 27th in both rush and receiving RB DVOA and they’ve allowed the most PPR points to RBs this season. Although that seems like a terrific spot, Forte could be somewhat limited given his injury is turf toe. It would help him volume-wise if Powell sits but he’ll still cede touches to Elijah McGuire. In the three games he’s played with both Powell and Forte active this year, he’s only touched the ball between eight and 11 times. Forte also happens to be a very inconsistent scorer. He’s only found the end zone in one of his last nine games (although he managed three touchdowns in that outing). It’s been all or nothing with him, he only scored in four matchups last season and three of them were multi-score games. Given the upside and the matchup, he’s worth consideration in tournaments if Powell is out and we get positive news regarding his health as the week progresses, but he won’t be a strong cash option due to injury and volume concerns.
Other tagged players: Matt Forte Stefon Diggs plans to play Week 6
He missed practice today with a groin injury but he told the media he expects to suit up Sunday. If the Packers end up putting Morgan Burnett back in the slot, which would make sense following Quinten Rollins terrible performance inside against the Cowboys, Diggs could square off against Damarious Randall for most of the game. With CB Kevin King in the concussion protocol, defensive coordinator Dom Capers may have no choice but to push Randall to the outside even if Burnett holds at safety. That’s great for Diggs as the corner has permitted a 116.8 passer rating (67th among corners) and 1.55 yards per cover snap (59th, per PFF). There will be risk involved given his injury but he’ll naturally come with a huge ceiling in this spot, even with Case Keenum throwing to him. Not only is Diggs fourth in yards per route run (2.56), he’s leading the league with eight receptions and a 61.5% catch rate on deep passes (20+ yards downfield).
Marcus Mariota practiced Wednesday; LT Taylor Lewan didn't participate
Mariota said he’ll increase his workload each day this week and try to play Monday night. He’s considered day-to-day and could end up being a game-time decision. If he’s able to start, he’ll have a fantasy-friendly matchup with the Colts, whose defense is very poor at defending tight ends. They rank 29th in TE DVOA and they’ve given up 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 if Mariota plays. As a unit, the Colts are the third-worst defense in both passing yards per game (294) and yards per attempt (8.3), setting up a nice matchup for the quarterback. Though he’ll certainly carry some risk given his injury and his rushing upside could be limited.
Other tagged players: Delanie Walker Buccaneers LB Kwon Alexander, LB Lavonte David, S T.J. Ward, and S Keith Tandy were all limited Wednesday
All four were sidelined for Tampa’s Week 5 game against the Patriots. Their absence was highlighted by slot receiver Danny Amendola and running back James White combined for 15 receptions and 134 receiving yards as New England focused on exploiting the mismatches in the middle of the field. Chris Hogan moved inside for 27 of his routes and collected all 11 of his targets and his entire 8/74/1 line from the slot. Surely, the Cardinals would try a similar approach with Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Ellington if the Bucs are without these guys again. If some or all can play, particularly the linebackers, then Carson Palmer could look to pick on Vernon Hargreaves, PFF’s 101st cover corner, on the outside. He’ll see John Brown and Jaron Brown the most, which sets up a great matchup for the receivers. Hargreaves has allowed the fifth-highest passer rating (127.6), second-most receiving yards (354), and fourth-most yards per cover snap (2.02). John is getting healthier and he supplanted Jaron as the number two receiver again in Week 5, out-snapping him 48 to 36. He was only able to haul in two of his seven targets, but one was for a touchdown. He’ll look to build on that against the Bucs on Sunday.
Other tagged players: Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Ellington, Jaron Brown, John Brown Update: Rob Gronkowski (thigh) and Tom Brady (non-throwing shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday; both will play Sunday
They both warmed up with the team but collected DNP’s this afternoon on the official injury report. Brady has already confirmed he’ll play this weekend, New England is just being careful with his left shoulder injury. As for Gronk, the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe reported earlier today that he’ll suit up against the Jets. LT Nate Solder didn’t participate either but it was for non-injury reasons.
Other tagged players: Tom Brady Sam Bradford and Stefon Diggs aren't practicing Wednesday
Bradford isn’t expected to play after he re-aggravated his lingering knee injury Monday night. Diggs was forced from the game for a spell with a groin strain but managed to return. His Week 6 status is in question though, he’ll probably need to return by Friday to have a chance to play this weekend. If he can’t go, it’ll provide target boosts for Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph. Green Bay has been tough on tight ends this season, limiting them to the second-fewest PPR points per game (7.74) without allowing a single touchdown to the position. With Laquon Treadwell and Michael Floyd representing untrustworthy options at receiver, Thielen should see plenty of opportunities from Case Keenum in the number one receiver role. The Packers are 26th in WR1 DVOA while allowing the tenth-most passes to top wideouts (8.5, per FO). Last Sunday, Dez Bryant managed a decent 5/8/52/1 line against them. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers tried playing Damarious Randall in the slot last week which would present a favorable matchup for slot receiver Thielen – the corner has permitted a 116.8 passer rating (67th among corners) and 1.55 yards per cover snap (59th, per PFF). However, injuries forced him to the outside, which left Quinten Rollins inside the most and he allowed a completion all five times he was targeted for 41 yards and a score (in just 15 coverage snaps). Unless Green Bay moves safety Morgan Burnett, who would have the second-best yards per cover snap when in slot coverage if he qualified (0.26, per PFF), back into the nickel corner role, Thielen could have a field day. If they don’t, Burnett could be on Rudolph most of the afternoon.
Other tagged players: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph Update: Matt Forte (toe) limited Wednesday
Forte ended up getting in a limited session at Wednesday’s practice while Bilal Powell was sidelined. Forte has been out for the past two games with turf toe but he may be ready to play Week 6. That would demote Powell (if he plays) and Elijah McGuire. Powell is dealing with a calf strain that forced him from Sunday’s game with the Browns. If both Powell and Forte are ultimately ruled out, McGuire would become a strong fantasy option against the Patriots in a workhorse role. We’ll find out more when the Jets practice tomorrow.
Saints LT Terron Armstead (shoulder) is practicing Wednesday
Armstead hasn’t played yet this season. He was questionable heading into Week 4’s game with the Dolphins and now that he’s had another week to rehab, he should be ready for a Week 6 return. Even without Armstead, who earned a solid 83.6 PFF grade in 2016, the Saints offensive line has excelled. They’re currently first in adjusted sack rate (per FO), third in pass-blocking efficiency (per PFF), and seventh in adjusted line yards per carry (4.48).
Rob Kelley (ankle) not expected to play Week 6
The Redskins currently consider him a “long shot” to suit up on Sunday. His absence will elevate Samaje Perine into the featured early-down role but Chris Thompson should pick up more carries in addition to his typical passing-down role. The last time Kelley was out, Thompson went off for a 6/7/150/1 receiving line and he’ll look to have more success against a 49ers defense that ranks 22nd in receiving RB DVOA and has given up the most passes to the position (9.7, per FO).
Other tagged players: Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine Matt Stafford (leg), Kenny Golladay (hamstring), and Dwayne Washington (hamstring) are practicing Wednesday
Stafford had his ankle and quad heavily taped by the end of Sunday’s matchup with the Panthers but he was able to finish the game. The team believes he’ll be able to suit up this weekend when they take on the Saints. New Orleans has shaken up their secondary following their poor start to the season and may be better than it seems. Rookie Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley are now the starting corners and limiting receivers to 0.74 and 0.94 yards per cover snap (per PFF), respectively. Since jumping into the starting lineup in Week 3, Crawley has impressively limited opposing quarterbacks to a 31.3 passer rating even though he’s been picked on the most – he now leads the Saints corners in targets despite only playing in half their games. He’s notably earned PFF’s fourth-best cover grade among corners. If Golladay is able to return, he’ll have his work cut out for him with these guys. New Orleans weak point remains in the slot where they roll up safety Kenny Vaccaro – who replaced DeVante Harris following his disastrous Week 1 performance. He’s allowing a 121.3 rating when in the slot and the seventh-worst covers snaps per reception rate (8.7). That sets up a great spot for Golden Tate, who’s leading the team in targets (40, 23.1%) and receiving yards (267). This game currently has the highest total of the week at 49.5 points and the Lions have an implied total of just 21.75 as +6.0 road dogs.
Other tagged players: Kenny Golladay, Dwayne Washington Jordy Nelson (hamstring) and Ty Montgomery (ribs) are practicing Wednesday; CB Kevin King isn't participating
Nelson left Sunday’s game early with a hamstring injury but he says he’s fine. As of now, he’s expected to play Sunday. He’ll have a tough spot with Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes expected to shadow him in Week 6. Montgomery appears more questionable and there have been conflicting reports surrounding his injury. If he’s able to suit up, he’ll return to the featured role but Aaron Jones has earned some work. Montgomery probably won’t receive the same number of snaps and touches that he was picking up prior to his injury. If he can’t go, Aaron Jones should have another monster workload – he out-snapped Jamaal Williams 53 to 2 with Montgomery out this past weekend.
Other tagged players: Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers, Aaron Jones The (Potentially) Last Guy Standing Left Looking at a Huge Workload
This spot largely depends on if Bilal Powell plays or not. If Powell does play, I still like McGuire, but if he doesn’t play, this is a lock-and-load situation for me. McGuire is only $4,700 on DK, and he draws a matchup against the Patriots, who are ranked in the bottom of the league in pass DVOA, rush DVOA, and DVOA versus running backs catching the ball out of the backfield. In McGuire’s years of college, he had 130 receptions, so we know he can catch the ball out of the backfield. As for the matchup, the Patriots give up the ninth-most points, fourth-most targets, and sixth-most receptions to the RB position. The most likely game-script is that the Patriots get out to an early lead and the Jets are forced to pass the ball for most the game (likely leading to a lot of targets to McGuire). I don’t see many cases where McGuire does not make value in this spot, and there’s a reasonable chance McGuire ends up the highest scoring back on the entire slate, on a PT/$ basis. He’s likely to have high ownership, but with his floor ceiling combo, I have no problem having way over the field in terms of ownership, regardless of what it comes out to be.
DeVante Parker (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday
Miami is taking it day-by-day with their receiver following his Week 5 ankle injury. If he can’t return to the practice field by Friday, he’ll likely be sidelined come Sunday. If he’s able to play, he’s expected to have a favorable game flow with the Dolphins currently +11.5 dogs and he should be able to avoid Desmond Trufant’s coverage most of the game. Instead, he’ll primarily match up with Robert Alford, PFF’s 83rd cover corner.