DFS Alerts
Ben Watson (calf) active Sunday, as expected
No surprise here, but Watson will officially be active for the Baltimore Ravens’ matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon after previously being listed on the injury report as questionable with a calf injury. The matchup with Steelers defense isn’t necessarily an imposing one, but Joe Flacco’s questionable health and potential philosophy change on offense make Watson a fringe tight end tournament option, at best. The Ravens ran the most pass plays in the entire NFL last season but through three weeks in 2017, they rank dead last in pass attempts. It still remains to be seen if this is just a result of game scripts or a concerted effort to keep the ball out of Flacco’s hands as much as possible.
As reported by: Jamison Henley via Twitter
Will Fuller (collarbone) active Sunday; Braxton Miller a healthy scratch
Fuller is set to make his return to the Houston Texans starting lineup for today’s game against the Tennessee Titans after missing the first three games of the season with a collarbone injury. Fuller looks primed to immediately take over as the Texans number two wide receiver and will almost assuredly move outside with Bruce Ellington taking over Braxton Miller, who is a surprise healthy inactive. Fuller may be eased back into action after missing the entirety of training camp, but this news can definitely be looked at as a plus for DeAndre Hopkins considering he is likely to see much less double coverage with an actual receiving threat on the other side of the field.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson via Twitter Other tagged players: Braxton Miller Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and MLB Jarrad Davis (concussion) officially inactive Sunday
Golladay will be inactive for the Detroit Lions’ matchup with the Minnesota Vikings this afternoon after previously being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. That said, Golladay is expected to be close to returning as the Lions reportedly just want to give him another week of rehab before rushing him back into action. His unavailability does leave Detroit slightly thin at the wide receiver position with just four wideouts active on Sunday. As long as T.J. Jones doesn’t push Golden Tate to the outside more often, Tate looks to benefit the most from this news since he will likely avoid shadow coverage from Xavier Rhoades on the outside, who has only traveled into the slot five percent of the time this season. As for Davis, his continued absence in the middle of the field for the Lions defense could open things up for Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen to roam more free with Stefon Diggs likely seeing shadow coverage from Darius Slay on the outside.
As reported by: Mike Rothstein via Twitter Other tagged players: Detroit Lions Sean Lee (hamstring) officially ruled out Sunday
Lee has been ruled out and officially will be inactive for the Dallas Cowboys’ matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this afternoon. This obviously is a huge loss for a Cowboys defense that has already been struggling this season, but especially against opposing running backs, ranking 21st in rush-defense DVOA and 25th in DVOA to running backs catching passes out of the backfield. In Lee’s absence, this game now has a much better chance of turning into the shootout many have been predicting, and Todd Gurley should stand to benefit the most with his newly-founded role as a three-down workhorse for Sean McVay and this Rams offense.
As reported by: Todd Archer via Twitter Rex Burkhead (ribs) officially inactive Sunday; Dont'a Hightower (knee) expected to be active
Burkhead will officially be inactive for the New England Patriots’ matchup with the Carolina Panthers today after previously being listed as doubtful with an injury to his ribs. This news certainly isn’t a surprise but as always it’s tough to really pinpoint which Patriots’ running back will stand to benefit from his absence. Burkhead led the New England backfield in snaps in Week 3, so there is definitely some work that will need to be allotted to Mike Gillislee and James White, who is primarily the passing down back. Given the projected game script and his touchdown upside every single week, Gillislee has to be the favorite in the clubhouse to see additional work but our overall lack of confidence in what the Patriots will actually do relegates him to a tournament-only option on Sunday’s slate.
As reported by: Dianna Russini via Twitter Willie Snead (hamstring) inactive Sunday
Snead was initially expected to return from his three-game suspension for the New Orleans Saints’ matchup with the Miami Dolphins over in London but will be officially inactive after being a late addition to the injury report Friday afternoon. Even though Snead’s role was a little unclear coming off suspension, this news is a significant bump to the projected value of Saints primary slot man, Brandon Coleman, who has seen the field on nearly 84% of snaps this season. London games can be unpredictable in nature but Drew Brees and this Saints offense look to be in prime position to put on a show across the pond against a Dolphins squad that ranks dead last in pass-defense DVOA and will be without starting cornerback Byron Maxwell for this contest, though arguably, that may not even be a downgrade at this point.
As reported by: Field Yates via Twitter Kenny Golladay (hamstring) not expected to play Sunday
Golladay is not expected to play in the Detroit Lions’ matchup with the Minnesota Vikings this afternoon after previously being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. However, Golladay is expected to be close to returning as the Lions reportedly just want to give him another week of rehab before rushing him back into action. His unlikely availability does leave Detroit slightly thin at the wide receiver position with just four wideouts expected to be active on Sunday. As long as T.J. Jones doesn’t push Golden Tate to the outside more often, Tate looks to benefit the most from this news since he will likely avoid shadow coverage from Xavier Rhoades on the outside, who has only traveled into the slot five percent of the time this season.
As reported by: Tom Pelissero via Twitter Sean Lee (hamstring) will warm up Sunday, but is unlikely to play
Lee will test his hamstring in pregame warmups but remains unlikely to play in the Dallas Cowboys’ matchup against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday afternoon. This obviously would be a huge loss for a Cowboys defense that has already been struggling this season, but especially against opposing running backs, ranking 21st in rush-defense DVOA and 25th in DVOA to running backs catching passes out of the backfield. In Lee’s absence, this game has a much better chance of turning into the shootout many have been predicting, and Todd Gurley should stand to benefit the most with his newly-founded role as a three-down workhorse for Sean McVay and this Rams offense.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Carlos Hyde (hip) expected to play Sunday
Hyde is expected to play through a hip injury he suffered in last week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night after previously being listed as questionable and considered a game-time decision. Hyde was limited in practice all week but that seemed to more of a maintenance approach by the San Francisco 49ers and their medical staff considering Hyde was able to play well through the injury in Week 3 and finish the game. The matchup with an Arizona Cardinals defense that has been extremely stingy to opposing running backs (8th in rush-defense DVOA) just further limits Hyde’s appeal on Sunday’s main slate. That said, Hyde is a true three-down workhorse for this San Francisco offense has already proven that he can perform in a difficult matchup when healthy.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Doug Baldwin (groin) will try to play Sunday night, but injury is still an issue
Baldwin is still dealing with a groin injury he suffered late in last week’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans, but he will reportedly try to play in tonight’s game against on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. Considering Baldwin was only able to practice on a limited basis this past week, it is highly unlikely he sees anywhere close to a full allotment of snaps. Even if he plays, it’s difficult to see him being able to take advantage of an amazing individual matchup with a Colts defense that ranks 18th in pass-defense DVOA so far this season. That said, he will also very likely avoid Vontae Davis for the most part, as Baldwin lines up for a majority of his routes on the opposite side of the field or in the slot.
As reported by: Adam Schefter via Twitter Jay Ajayi (knee) and Kenny Stills (hand) will both play Sunday, as expected
Ajayi had been listed as questionable on the Miami Dolphins injury report for their tilt with the New Orleans Saints in London, but he will reportedly attempt to play through the injury once again, though was clearly struggling in last week’s matchup with the New York Jets, plodding his way to just 16 yards on 11 carries. The Saints do rank 27th in DVOA versus the rush so far this season, so the matchup is certainly there for Ajayi, it’s just a question of whether or not he will be able to capitalize. As for Stills, his status for Sunday’s contest with a hand injury was much less in question but will suit up nonetheless. However, it’s still difficult to justify him as a viable play on the full slate with DeVante Parker and Jarvis Landry being the clear target monsters in this Miami wide receiver corps.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport via Twitter Other tagged players: Kenny Stills Michael Crabtree unlikely to play Sunday; downgraded to doubtful.
It’s been a slow start for Amari Cooper this season, but with Crabtree likely out, he’s a clear candidate for double-digit targets this weekend. The Broncos have a stout defense and represent a very tough matchup for the third-year wide-out, but the game script at least works in his favor (small underdogs in a game with a 46 total). With that said, Oakland’s struggles with pass protection in the opening weeks will likely leave David Carr frequently in a spot where he’s forced to release the ball early, moving a large chunk of targets towards Tight End Jared Cook and even slot receiver Seth Roberts.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken Other tagged players: Amari Cooper, Jared Cook, Seth Roberts
Jordan Reed listed as questionable for MNF
He seems more likely to play than not, but this will be a tough situation for anyone playing the Sunday/Monday slates as you’ll essentially be stuck with Vernon Davis as a late swap option at Tight End unless you proactively leave $700 on the table (on both DraftKings and FanDuel) to make the Monday Night move to Kansas City’s Travis Kelce. Reed was able to practice all week, but he is dealing with multiple injuries that landed him on the sidelines for Washington’s Week 3 game against Oakland. If Reed is unable to go, it’s obviously a major fantasy upgrade for Vernon Davis who hauled in five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. With Jamison Crowder (and Rob Kelley) also listed as questionable, Chris Thompson could once again be used as a threat in the passing game. Terrelle Pryor Sr. disappointed many fantasy owners last week but would also figure to be in line for added targets, making him a nice contrarian option as recency bias could thwart his ownership levels.
As reported by: JP Finlay Other tagged players: Vernon Davis Is This Defense A Must Play on FanDuel?
It is rare you will see a D/ST as a Core Play for me in cash games, but I think that is what we have here with the Bengals this week on FanDuel. I think they are one of the top defenses in Week 4, but they are just not priced that way on FanDuel. For instance, they come at an $800 discount from the Seahawks, who are another top defense this weekend at home facing the Colts. Through the first three weeks of the season, the Bengals are a top 10 overall defense according to Football Outsiders DVOA. And this week they get their star linebacker, Vontaze Burfict, returning from a three-game suspension to go into Cleveland to face rookie DeShone Kizer. The Browns have allowed the fourth most sacks this season (11), as well as the second most QB hits (26). As a result, I expect the Bengals to be in Kizer’s face all game, which should result in a handful of turnovers. This cheap price tag meshes perfectly with roster construction, allowing you to get several skill position players you want. As a result, they are a no-brainer for me in FanDuel cash games.
John Brown expected to be limited in terms of snaps
“He can’t go in there and play 70 plays,” Arians said. “He’ll be right back where he was. He’ll be available and he’ll play.” We don’t have a particular snap count in place, but given that he’s expected to be limited in terms of snaps, he’s not a viable DFS target, but his presence does unfortunately also take away from Jaron Brown and J.J. Nelson.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Jaron Brown, J.J. Nelson