DFS Alerts
Buccaneers S T.J. Ward (hip), LB Lavonte David (ankle), and LB Kwon Alexander (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday
DE Robert Ayers (knee) and Gerald McCoy (ankle) were limited. It’s a new injury for T.J. Ward, we’ll have to see if he can rejoin his team for Thursday’s session. David is dealing with a medial ankle sprain and looks doubtful for this weekend. It would be a big loss as the linebacker currently owns the second-highest PFF grade among 85 qualifying linebackers. He’ll be particularly missed in their run defense; through two weeks, he’s posted a 10.6% run-stop percentage (19th) and has the second-best run defense grade among LBs (87.6). Fortunately, fellow LB Kendell Beckwith is fifth in run defense grading (84.5) and he has a stronger run-stop rate (12.2%, 10th). After being targeted ten times, Beckwith has limited receivers to a 6/40/0 line; his yards per cover snap (0.66) is the sixth-best rate among qualifying LBs, per PFF. Still, with Kwon Alexander also banged up, the Bucs are thin at the position right now. It’s a boost for the Giants’ running backs but both Vereen and Darkwa are injured and not practicing and starter Paul Perkins hasn’t been productive at all this season.
Ben Watson (calf), Maxx Williams (ankle), and DT Brandon Williams (foot) didn't practice Wednesday
Brandon Williams didn’t make the trip to London in Week 3 as he deals with a foot injury. It’s a big loss for their rushing defense as he’s earned PFF’s 11th-highest grade among 120 qualifying interior defenders (85.4) and he’s 12th in rushing defense specifically (82.2). With DE Brent Urban out for the season, the Ravens are thin up front ahead of their Week 4 matchup with Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers. Bell hasn’t had a big game yet this season but he averages an extra 16.6 rushing yards and 0.3 touchdowns more per game when he’s played with Ben Roethlisberger on the road (90.5 rushing yards and 0.7 touchdowns total). If tight end Watson can play, he’ll have a favorable matchup with safety Sean Davis, who PFF ranks 69th in coverage among 81 safeties.
Other tagged players: Maxx Williams, Baltimore Ravens Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt (biceps) and LB T.J. Watt (groin) had full practices Wednesday, Jesse James (shoulder) was limited
Both defensive players are expected to play against the Ravens this Sunday while James is questionable. The tight end banged up his shoulder this past Sunday but was able to finish the game. Still, he was limited today and Pittsburgh plans to keep an eye on him in practice all week. If he can’t suit up this weekend, it would elevate Vance McDonald to the starting lineup against the Ravens. Over the past two weeks, the Browns and the Jaguars both used their tight ends quite a bit against Baltimore’s stout secondary. Marcedes Lewis hauled in three touchdown grabs in London and in Week 2, Seth DeValve and David Njoku combined for a 5/8/88/1 line. James has been quiet since opening the season with two scores on the Browns, being limited to 27 yards or fewer in each of the past two games. It’s possible he sees his usage rise a bit in this matchup if he plays. On the defensive side of things, Tuitt’s and Watt’s presence will be a boost for their pass rush. In 2016, Tuitt led their interior defenders with 46 pressures, which was 14th in the league at his position, per PFF. The rookie Watt forced four pressures in the first two weeks, including a pair of sacks.
Other tagged players: Jesse James Doug Baldwin (groin) won't practice Wednesday
Baldwin may not return to the practice field until Friday as he rehabs a groin injury. He still expects to play the Colts this Sunday though. He’ll match up with cornerback Nate Hairston, who’s manned the slot admirably this season, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 64.2 quarterback rating. When in the slot, he’s only allowed a reception every 15.2 cover snaps, per PFF; only Chris Harris has a better rate (one reception every 23.5 cover snaps). With Vontae Davis expected to be back this weekend, the Colts secondary will be able to limit the snaps of their weakest corners. Opposite Davis will be Rashaan Melvin, who’s currently a top-ten cover corner by PFF grading (83.7). After starting the season by allowing nine receptions for 87 yards on 14 targets, he bounced back in Cleveland with two interceptions and limited receivers to three catches on ten targets – although one of them was a touchdown grab by Kenny Britt. As a team, the Colts have allowed 284 passing yards per game (third-most) but they’ve limited opposing quarterbacks to the seventh-lowest rating (78.5) and fourth-lowest completion rate (55.8%). With Davis replacing the weakest link at cornerback, the Colts may have a better pass defense than it appears, although it remains to be seen if Davis can improve upon his poor 2016 campaign.
Matt Forte dealing with turf toe
Head coach Todd Bowles said he “could be ready this week, or it might take until next week,” per Andy Vasquez. Earlier today it was reported he’s not expected to play this weekend and he should be considered doubtful. Bilal Powell truthers have been waiting for this moment when Forte would inevitably get injured and Powell would slip into the featured role. Unfortunately, he’ll get his opportunity against a tough Jaguars defense that just held Buck Allen and Terrance West to a combined 41 yards on 14 carries. Alex Collins showed up in the box score with 82 yards on nine attempts but a big chunk of his production came in garbage time. Powell has struggled running the ball himself, averaging 2.6 yards per carry, which has paved the way for Elijah McGuire to pick up more snaps and touches. As a team, the Jets rank 20th in adjusted line yards per carry, per FO. Powell is a skilled pass-catcher as well but he’s been surprisingly quiet with 17 receiving yards through three games; it doesn’t help that Forte has seen an equal number of targets (8). The Jaguars are 3.5-point favorites heading into Week 4; if the game stays competitive or the Jets end up behind, the game flow would be in Powell’s favor as he tends to have more fantasy success when he’s catching passes and he won’t have Forte taking away receiving work. Fortunately for Powell, they haven’t used McGuire in the passing game at all – he’s only seen two targets – and Jacksonville’s corners are very good, which may force quarterback Josh McCown to look his way a bunch. Due to these factors, Powell will have more appeal in full PPR scoring and he has a beatable price tag on DraftKings at $4.6k given his expected volume.
Other tagged players: Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire Carlos Hyde (hip) will be limited in practice this week, LB Reuben Foster (ankle) unlikely to participate
Hyde took a shot early in the first quarter last Thursday night and left the game for a spell. He was able to return and found the end zone twice, he should be good to go this weekend against the Cardinals. Hyde is off to a fantastic start in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, he’s third in total rushing yards (253) and fourth in yards per carry (5.2). He’ll face his toughest opponent yet in Week 4 though; the Cardinals are currently second in adjusted line yards per carry (2.72) and rank eighth in rush DVOA, per FO. They’ve given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs while limiting the position to a combined 61.7 rushing yards per game. Even if he plays, it might not be the best time to target him in fantasy, despite his early-season success. LB Foster has been ruled out for Week 4.
Other tagged players: San Francisco 49ers Will Fuller (collarbone) expected to play Week 4
It’s possible Fuller returns to limited snaps in his first game since breaking his collarbone but his presence should help the Texans stretch the field and he should draw some attention away from target monster DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (7), the seventh-most passing yards (275 per game), and the second-most passes to WR1s (12.2, per FO). As a result, they’ve given up the third-most fantasy points to receivers (33.9 FD points, 41.9 DK points per game). Hopkins will matchup with Brice McCain and Adoree’ Jackson on the outside. McCain is PFF’s 68th-ranked cover corner and Jackson is 66th. Jackson has been credited with two touchdowns and has allowed a passer rating of 113.6 so far this year. It’s a great spot for Hopkins.
As reported by: John McClain Other tagged players: DeAndre Hopkins Eagles DT Fletcher Cox (calf) expected to miss a few weeks
His teammates are expecting Cox to be sidelined for “two to three week,” per Les Bowen. Cox suffered a calf injury in Week 3, which forced him from the game. He currently holds the 12th-best pass rush grade from PFF among 104 qualifying interior defenders with six hurries and two sacks. His absence this week will be a boost for Philip Rivers as San Diego’s offensive line hasn’t been off to a great start. They’ve allowed 35 pressures and rank 21st in PFF’s pass blocking efficiency metric.
Other tagged players: Philip Rivers Eagles S Rodney McLeod practiced Wednesday
McLeod was inactive in Week 3 but he appears to be on track to return this Sunday. It would be helpful for the banged-up Eagles secondary but he’s off to a poor start this season, PFF ranks him 74th among 82 qualifying safeties.
Update: Kelvin Benjamin (knee) didn't practice Wednesday; C Ryan Kalil (neck), LB Thomas Davis (rib), and CB Daryl Worley (shoulder) were also sidelined
Cam Newton (shoulder) and Curtis Samuel (back) were limited this afternoon. Benjamin was forced out of Week 2’s game against the Saints after injuring his surgically-repaired knee. Although he was at practice today, he wasn’t able to participate. If he plays this weekend, he could see a healthy dose of Malcolm Butler, who’s gotten off to a mixed start. While he’s allowing the 12th-highest passer rating among corners (117.6) and an 84.6% catch rate, he’s posted the 13th-best yards per cover snap (0.66) and given up the 17th-fewest yards (79). In other words, he’s been getting beaten on small, high-percentage passes and hasn’t been beaten by anything big yet – although one of those small-yardage plays was a six-yard touchdown to Brandon Coleman. New England tends to prefer Butler on smaller receivers but both Devin Funchess and Kelvin Benjamin are large human beings at 6’5”. Benjamin has an extra 20 pounds though, which could encourage New England to line up Stephen Gilmore across from him. Gilmore has been solid, limiting passers to a 54.4 pass rating (14th) and 0.83 yards per cover snap (22nd). Of course, Benjamin’s matchup won’t matter if quarterback Cam Newton doesn’t improve his play. He doesn’t appear fully healthy and he’s posted a 69.7 passer rating this season. In a smash spot last week against a Saints secondary that was playing backups in their already-poor secondary, he tossed three picks while being held to 167 scoreless yards.
Bears RG Josh Sitton (ribs) questionable for Thursday night
He was inactive in Week 3 but he has a shot to return against the Packers tomorrow night. Sitton has consistently earned high grades from PFF over his entire career while backup Tom Compton has been poor. If Sitton can suit up it’ll be a boost for runners Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen and quarterback Mike Glennon, who’s faced pressure on 40% of his dropbacks, the fourth-highest rate in the league.
C.J. Prosise (ankle) not expected to play Week 4
The running back is dealing with an ankle injury and is considered week-to-week, per Ian Rapoport. Prosise has picked up more opportunities through the air (11 targets) than he has on the ground (eight carries) this season; he’s currently fourth on the team in receiving yards (87) ahead of Jimmy Graham (81). His absence could open up some more passing down opportunities for starter Chris Carson and should increase his workload while Thomas Rawls figures to be stuck fulfilling backup duties. Rawls only earned one snap in Week 3 against the Titans following his poor debut in Week 2. Vegas favors the Seahawks by 13.5 points at home, which means Carson is expected to have great game flow as a runner. That doesn’t mean the Colts will be pushovers on the ground though, they’re currently eighth in yards per carry (3.3) and haven’t allowed any running back to pick up more than 44 yards in a game this season. Football Outsiders ranks them 11th in rush DVOA through three weeks.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Jay Ajayi expected to suit up on Sunday
The running back is dealing with knee soreness, which appears to be something he’ll contend with all season long. That means he’ll likely miss practices or be limited on a regular basis. Despite missing practice Wednesday, he’s still expected to play this weekend against the Saints in London. New Orleans ranks 27th in rush DVOA and 29th in adjusted line yards per carry (4.6), per FO. Ajayi isn’t used as a pass-catcher very often (2.3 targets per game since 2016) but this could be a ceiling-type week for him in terms of receiving production; the Saints are giving up a league-high 96.7 receiving yards to RBs this season and the third-most passes (9.5). The matchup has the highest total on the Sunday slate (49 points) and is expected to remain competitive with a 2.5-point spread. Ajayi checks in as our RB8 on DraftKings this week.
As reported by: Joe Schad
John Ross (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday
Reporter Paul Dehner Jr. adds he wasn’t even able to participate on the rehab field. Ross is looking closer to the doubtful side of things heading into Week 4. Without Ross or Eifert last Sunday, A.J. Green was a target monster against the Packers. The receiver tallied 13 looks and hauled in ten of them for 111 yards and a touchdown. He’ll have another enticing matchup with the Browns in Week 4; their pass defense just let T.Y. Hilton smash them for 153 yards and a score while catching 7-of-9 targets. In Week 1, Antonio Brown got loose for 182 yards and caught all 11 of his looks. There’s little doubt quarterback Andy Dalton will keep throwing Green’s way. Despite plenty of attention on Green from the Packers last week, Dalton targeted his other wideouts just three times total. Green will be a popular fantasy play this week and rightfully so.
As reported by: Paul Dehner Jr. Other tagged players: A.J. Green Jay Ajayi (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday
The running back is dealing with knee soreness, which appears to be something he’ll contend with all season long. That means he’ll likely miss practices or be limited on a regular basis. He’s still expected to play this weekend against the Saints in London. New Orleans ranks 27th in rush DVOA and 29th in adjusted line yards per carry (4.6), per FO. Ajayi isn’t used as a pass-catcher very often (2.3 targets per game since 2016) but this could be a ceiling-type week for him in terms of receiving production; the Saints are giving up a league-high 96.7 receiving yards to RBs this season and the third-most passes (9.5). The matchup has the highest total on the Sunday slate (49 points) and is expected to remain competitive with a 2.5-point spread. Ajayi checks in as our RB8 on DraftKings this week.