DFS Alerts
Jordan Howard removed from injury report
Kendall Wright and Benny Cunningham were also removed from the report Friday. Howard is rehabbing a shoulder injury, which could still be a problem for the running back on Sunday. Although he’s going to start, it may be harder for him to powerfully run the ball, especially near the goal line, and it could hurt his ability to block in pass protection. As long as Howard is banged up, Tarik Cohen will benefit. The rookie has already piled up 16 receptions in his first two games and game flow could work in his favor again this week; the Bears are currently 7-point dogs.
Other tagged players: Kendall Wright, Benny Cunningham, Tarik Cohen
Jay Ajayi (knee), Jarvis Landry (knee), and DeVante Parker (ankle) questionable for Week 3
All three are fully expected to play after returning to full practices on Friday. LB Rey Maualuga has been ruled out. Landry was able to play through the injury last week and amassed 13 receptions while DeVante Parker battled Casey Hayward. Parker was only able to haul in four of his nine targets but Cutler was looking for him downfield; the receiver finished with 18.3 air yards per target. With Landry targeted so close to the line of scrimmage (3.2 air yards per target) and only three other guys receiving looks during the game, Parker ended up accounting for 47.66% of the team’s total air yards. He has a much more favorable matchup this week against a poor Jets secondary, which should enable him to be more efficient with his opportunities. However, even in a close game that had them trailing heading into the fourth quarter, Miami ran the ball 32 times in Week 2. With the Dolphins heading into Sunday as 6-point favorites, they could break out to an early lead and lean on Ajayi. It’s a nice spot for the running back against a Jets defensive line that ranks 14th in adjusted line yards per carry (3.83) and has allowed a league-worst 185.0 rushing yards per game. When they do pass, both Landry and Parker should be effective. Parker may come with higher upside given his large market share and downfield opportunities. The pair combined for 72.8% of Cutler’s targets against the Chargers and the Jets have permitted the third-highest quarterback rating in the league (116.2) through two games.
Other tagged players: Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker Buccaneers LB Kwon Alexander (hamstring) ruled out for Week 3, DT Gerald McCoy (ankle) and CB Brett Grimes (shoulder) questionable
Alexander wasn’t able to practice this week after suffering a hamstring injury against the Bears on Sunday, which forced him out of the game. Fortunately for Tampa Bay, their other linebackers played well Sunday. Most notably, Lavonte David is now the top-graded linebacker (91.3) and Kendell Beckwith, who’s expected to move to MLB if Alexander is sidelined, is fourth (87.0), per PFF. They’ve got a great matchup with a Case Keenum-led Vikings team and will look to keep bringing the heat. They forced 19 pressures in Week 2, the fourth-most, per PFF. They finished with a great fantasy line: one sack, four turnovers, and a touchdown. Grimes didn’t play well, allowing seven receptions for 92 yards on seven targets. If he plays, he should see a bunch of Stefon Diggs, but it’ll be hard to trust the receiver given his quarterback. DT McCoy would be a huge loss for this defense. If he had enough snaps to qualify, he would currently be the top-graded interior defender by PFF (91.8).
Other tagged players: Stefon Diggs Lions LB Jarrad Davis (concussion) and S Tavon Wilson (shoulder) ruled out for Week 3
The linebacker suffered a concussion against the Giants Monday night. The rookie has been off to a solid start, ranking eighth among linebackers in run defense with an 82.2 PFF grade. His absence could be a boost for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Wilson was forced from their last game with a hamstring issue.
Eagles S Rodney McLeod (hamstring) will be a game-time decision Sunday
Philadelphia’s starting safety is dealing with a hamstring strain, which forced him from their Week 2 matchup with the Chiefs. McLeod currently ranks 66th among 79 qualifying safeties with a 40.5 PFF grade. The Eagles appear to be a terrific matchup for TEs right now. Their other starting safety, Malcolm Jenkins, has earned a pass coverage grade of 46.8 from PFF. Every-down LBs Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks have scored 41.6 and 34.9 in coverage, respectively. TE Travis Kelce just worked this team for an 8/103/1 line on ten targets. Giants TE Evan Engram caught exactly four balls in each of his first games and found paint against the Lions Monday night. With everyone else playing poorly on that offense, QB Eli Manning should continue to look for Engram in a favorable spot.
Danny Amendola will play Week 3
The receiver missed their second game after suffering a concussion in Week 1. He says he’s “good to go” for their upcoming match up with the Texans though.
DeMarco Murray (hamstring) not expected to have full workload if active Week 3
The Titans want to make sure Murray can last all season and they reportedly won’t push him this weekend if he plays at all. The running back is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday. If he’s sidelined, Derrick Henry would jump into the workhorse role. He had a nice showing against the Jaguars in Week 2, piling up 92 rushing yards and a score on just 14 carries. Although the Seahawks present a tough matchup, their defensive line got worked by the 49ers line last Sunday and running back Carlos Hyde finished with 124 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Through two games, Seattle’s defense ranks 27th in adjusted line yards per carry and Tennessee’s offense checks in at fifth, per FO.
As reported by: ESPN Rob Gronkowski will play Week 3
His status was never really in doubt despite missing practice earlier this week with a groin injury. Gronk had a monster game against the Saints in Week 2, catching 6-of-9 targets for 127 yards and a touchdown prior to exiting early. He’ll have a tougher opponent this time around in the Houston Texans. In Cincinnati, they were able to limit Tyler Eifert to three catches and 42 yards on four targets. Tom Brady has a ton of options to throw to, especially with Danny Amendola returning, and Texans strong safety Corey Moore hasn’t allowed a reception yet this year. Gronkowski could have success if he gets some mismatches with their linebackers. Through two games, Houston’s LB group has been targeted 13 times and allowed ten receptions, per PFF. Game flow is also a concern. The Patriots are 14-point favorites and Gronk may have to do his damage early on like he did in their game against the Saints, as his opportunities could decline in the second half.
CB Prince Amukamara and G Kyle Long removed from injury report
Cornerback Amukamara (ankle) missed the first two games this season but he’ll make his return this week. While the Bears held Julio Jones in check in Week 1, Mike Evans got the best of them for a 7/93/1 line. In Week 3, Amukamara will have a difficult challenge with Antonio Brown.
Jordan Reed, Rob Kelley, CB Josh Norman, and LB Mason Foster questionable for Week 3
Reed was held out of blocking drills this week in practice to protect his chest injury but stayed active by running routes with the receivers. He’s expected to be a game-time decision Sunday along with Kelley and Foster. Kelley was forced from their second game after taking a shot to his ribs; fortunately, it turned out to be a bruise and not a fracture. Foster was dealing with a dislocated shoulder but practiced all week and has a shot to play on Sunday. Although Norman has an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, he’s fully expected to play.
Other tagged players: Robert Kelley, Samaje Perine, Chris Thompson Sam Bradford (knee) officially ruled out for Week 3
The quarterback’s knee didn’t respond well to practice and treatment this week. Minnesota is going to be cautious with him and keep him sidelined for their Week 3 matchup with the Buccaneers. Bradford will be seeking a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews this week. Backup QB Case Keenum was predictably poor against the Steelers in Week 2, logging a 24.7 QBR. As long as he’s the quarterback, it’s a downgrade for their skill players and an upgrade for opposing defenses. They’ll face a Tampa Bay defense that got off to a hot start against Mike Glennon and the Bears; they sacked the QB once, forced four turnovers, and added a touchdown for good measure. Tampa Bay racked up 19 pressures and six hits last week, which ranked fourth and first, respectively. The Vikings offensive line gave up 14 pressures (9th) to the Steelers, per PFF. Last season, Keenum was sacked 19.8% of the time he was under pressure, the sixth-most among quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks under pressure. He also tossed five interceptions and posted a 40.8% completion rate. The Buccaneers will likely be aggressive with Keenum under center.
Other tagged players: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bills DT Marcell Dareus (ankle) ruled out for Week 3
Dareus has scored the 28th-best PFF grade among 120 qualifying interior defenders. His absence will help C.J. Anderson and Trevor Siemian as Denver’s offensive line has struggled this season. They check in at 24th in pass-blocking efficiency after allowing 26 pressures and seven sacks this year, good for 23rd and 29th, respectively (PFF). On the ground, they rank 18th in adjusted line yards per carry (FO) while the Bills defensive line is fifth.
Other tagged players: C.J. Anderson, Trevor Siemian Broncos LT Garett Bolles (ankle) questionable for Week 3
Receiver Bennie Fowles is questionable but remains in the concussion protocol and didn’t practice Friday. It was a surprise to see Bolles on the practice field Thursday and Friday as he was expected to miss a few weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Denver would love to have him out there. Backup tackle Donald Stephenson would likely start in his place and he’s posted nothing but poor grades since entering the league in 2012. Last year, he scored an abysmal 31 across 12 starts, per PFF. Bolles had been off to a solid start in his rookie season, checking in as PFF’s 24th-best tackle in run blocking out of 66 qualifiers and 36th in pass blocking. Quarterback Trevor Simien’s blindside would be very vulnerable against the Bills without him as left guard Max Garcia has earned a 40.9 pass blocking grade, which is 52nd among 67 qualifying guards. Buffalo’s right defensive end, Jerry Hughes, has already picked up two sacks this season and he checks in as PFF’s 20th-best edge defender out of 88 qualifiers. On top of that, their right defensive tackle, Kyle Williams, has earned PFF’s 16th-best run defense grade out of 105 qualifying interior defenders. As a group, they’ve limited opposing running backs to 2.57 adjusted yards per carry, the fifth-best rate in the league. Although Marcell Dareus has been ruled out, it still looks like a tough spot for C.J. Anderson, especially considering 66% of Denver’s rights are between the guards and Buffalo’s defensive line ranks 6th in adjusted line yards per carry in that zone (2.98).
Colts CB Vontae Davis (groin) will be a game-time decision Week 3, CB Quincy Wilson ruled out
With Davis (groin) questionable and Wilson out for Week 3, the Colts may have to go further into their bench. After only logging 17 snaps in Week 1, Wilson was elevated to the second cornerback spot and started against the Cardinals. In that game alone, he allowed 171 receiving yards, which is more than all but two cornerbacks have given up all season. It would’ve been a nice matchup for Kenny Britt, who desperately needs a breakout game. If Davis suits up, Britt will have a tough challenge. If not, he could face Kenny Moore or T.J. Green, who’ve combined for a 4/81/1 line on six targets. The receiver has struggled out of the gates, posting a disappointing 2/5/15/0 line, but with Corey Coleman sidelined, someone needs to step up for the Browns. In a scenario where Davis sits, Britt could potentially become a high-risk GPP pivot option off of Rashard Higgins based on the very favorable matchup. Head coach Hue Jackson challenged him to improve his performance and that could be a great spot to deliver.
Other tagged players: Kenny Britt Marlon Mack, Chester Rogers, and Ryan Kelly ruled out for Week 3
Matt Jones will replace him as a backup running back behind Frank Gore this weekend.