DFS Alerts
Texans CB Kevin Johnson (knee) expected to miss 4-6 weeks
He suffered a sprained MCL last night against the Bengals. Houston is expected to promote Kareem Jackson to starting right cornerback while Johnson is sidelined.
As reported by: Adam Schefter
John Brown (quad) ruled out for Week 2
The Cardinals receiver can’t seem to stay healthy; a lingering quad issue will keep him sidelined Sunday. Rookie receiver Chad Williams will enter the rotation as the fourth wideout. Guard Mike Iupati and tackle D.J. Humphries have also been ruled out; Alex Boone will start in place of Iupati. John Wetzel entered their first game for Humphries and he’s expected to get the nod again. He was very poor, earning an abysmal 28.5 PFF grade. Arizona struggled to run the ball in Week 1, averaging 2.5 yards per carry – even with David Johnson accounting for 11 of those (23 yards). They’ll face a Colts defensive line that limited the Rams to 1.9 yards per carry as a team and Todd Gurley to 2.1 ypc on 19 attempts. They were shredded by Jared Goff through the air for 306 yards and a touchdown on a 72.4% completion rate though. Quarterback Carson Palmer may be forced to air it out and he should find success against their poor secondary. Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, and Jaron Brown will pick up some extra targets vacated by John Brown and Johnson, who averaged 7.5 per game in 2016. Andre Ellington is expected to be involved as the pass-down back, but he’s in a timeshare with starter Kerwynn Williams and Chris Johnson. Even their fourth back, Elijhaa Penny is expected to get some work in the backfield.
As reported by: Darren Urban Other tagged players: Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, Kerwynn Williams, Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson, Elijhaa Penny Terrance Williams (ankle) questionable for Week 2
He returned to practice Friday after being sidelined with a sprained ankle Wednesday and Thursday. Williams led the team with 68 receiving yards against the Giants in Week 1 as Janoris Jenkins shut down Dez Bryant in shadow coverage. This week, Bryant won’t face a shadow and should match up with Bradley Roby a decent amount in sets with at least three receivers. Roby earned a poor 36.7 PFF game-grade in Week 1 and finished with a 48.7 in 2016. However, in terms of limiting fantasy production, he was effective, permitting just 0.22 fantasy points per route defended. Dallas faced a tough set of cornerbacks last week, which encouraged Dak Prescott to target Jason Witten a team-high nine times and led to Ezekiel Elliott setting a career-high with five catches. A similar approach may be taken by the second-year quarterback this week. If Williams is able to play, he’ll have a tough matchup with Aqib Talib. Among Week 2’s starting cornerbacks, Talib has allowed the fewest fantasy points per route defended since 2016 (0.15).
As reported by: Jon Machota Ravens WR Michael Campanaro (ankle) added to injury report, questionable for Week 2
He was limited in practice Friday. If he suits up Sunday, he won’t be on the fantasy radar as the Ravens’ fourth receiver. There were some rumblings he could pick up some pass-down work in the backfield after Danny Woodhead was injured, but Baltimore seemed to quell those rumors when they promoted Jeremy Langford from the practice squad.
As reported by: ESPN Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick (hand) ruled out for Week 2
He was hopeful he could play despite undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand on Monday.
As reported by: Brandon George Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes (hip) questionable for Week 2
Rhodes was limited in practice Friday. His absence would be a big loss for Minnesota’s defense. Against the Saints, Rhodes allowed two receptions for 22 scoreless yards in coverage. It’s a major story to watch as Rhodes will have the unenviable task of guarding Antonio Brown the most on Sunday. Should Rhodes ultimately suit up, Brown will have the challenge of producing fantasy points against a cornerback who’s limited opposing wideouts to a 48% catch rate and 0.2 fantasy points per route defended since 2016.
As reported by: Chris Tomasson Other tagged players: Antonio Brown Donnel Pumphrey (hamstring) placed on IR
The rookie was placed on IR after he tore his hamstring in practice. Pumphrey was inactive in Week 1 and was buried on the depth chart. Philadelphia has a crowded backfield with Darren Sproles, LeGarrette Blount, and Wendell Smallwood all receiving between 15 and 33 snaps against the Redskins. Rookie Corey Clement was also active ahead of Pumphrey, although he didn’t log a snap last week.
As reported by: Bob Grotz Update: Jordan Howard on Bears injury report, considered questionable for Week 2
Chicago is plagued with injuries this season. Although Howard’s game status wasn’t originally reported, he’s officially questionable for Sunday. He was limited in practice this week but it seems like he’s on track to play. If he suits up, he’ll get the start, but he’s going to lose work to rookie Tarik Cohen following Cohen’s breakout performance with 113 yards and eight receptions. Considering Howard was targeted five times to Cohen’s 12, the latter appears to be the preferred option in the passing game. That could hurt Howard’s volume this week as the Bears are currently 7-point underdogs. He should still out-snap and out-touch Cohen, but it may be close if the Bears need to throw a bunch – although Howard would remain involved in the passing game. Without any great deep threats available, Glennon will likely continue to favor high-percentage passes and checkdowns to tight ends and running backs. Last week, 65% of his targets went towards those positions. A season ago, Tampa Bay ranked 26th in DVOA against receiving running backs, which bodes well for both backs. Tampa Bay also finished 26th against the rush, which benefits Howard more as the preferred runner in the backfield; he tallied 13 carries to Cohen’s five in Week 1.
As reported by: Dan Wiederer Chargers CB Jason Verrett (knee) not practicing again Friday
It’s his second straight day on the sidelines, which is concerning considering he’s coming off a torn ACL. Trevor Williams is expected to start in his place if he can’t play. If he suits up, Verrett is expected to shadow Kenny Stills on Sunday while Casey Heyward follows Devante Parker. It’s a very tough matchup for both receivers. If Verrett misses the game, it could open up some big plays for Stills and provide him some GPP appeal. Parker is a major breakout candidate this season, but Hayward presents a tough challenge. Emmanuel Sanders was only targeted twice in his coverage in Week 1 and he’s limited receivers to a 57% catch rate and 0.23 fantasy points per route defended since 2016. Williams, typically a slot corner, has permitted a 62% catch rate and 0.31 fantasy points per route defended during the same span. The corresponding moves in reaction to Verrett’s absence would make Jarvis Landry very appealing as the Chargers’ don’t have much depth at the position. Either way, Landry appears to be in the best spot among the Miami receivers.
As reported by: Mike DiGiovanna Other tagged players: DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry Steelers LB Bud Dupree removed from injury report, DE Stephon Tuitt and TE Vance McDonald both questionable for Week 2
Dupree (shoulder) wasn’t able to suit up in Week 1 but he’s all set for their second game against the Vikings. Tuitt suffered a biceps injury against the Browns Sunday that ended up being far less severe than originally anticipated. He remained limited Friday but could potentially return this weekend. Their health is good news for the Steelers pass rush as Dupree and Tuitt finished second and third on the team last season with 4.5 and 4.0 sacks, respectively. McDonald is dealing with a back injury and hasn’t practiced the past two days. If he’s able to play this weekend, he’ll be behind Jesse James, who earned PFF’s fourth-highest tight end grade in Week 1. James was targeted eight times against the Browns, catching six of them for 41 yards and two scores. McDonald, on the other hand, failed to catch his lone target and only saw the field for 19 snaps.
As reported by: Joe Rutter Other tagged players: Vance McDonald Jordan Howard removed from injury report, several other Bears listed as questionable for Week 2
WRs Josh Bellamy (ankle) and Markus Wheaton (finger), LG Kyle Long (ankle), CB Prince Amukamara (ankle), and LB Leonard Floyd (back) are all notable Bears considered questionable this week. RB Benny Cunningham is doubtful. If Amukamara plays, he’ll have a difficult task ahead of him defending Mike Evans. By holding Julio Jones to a 4/66/0 line (without Amukamara), Chicago extended their success against opposing top receivers from last season. According to Football Outsiders, they held WR1s to the second-fewest receptions per game last year (6.9). At the same time, they allowed WR2s the third-most catches (7.5). In Week 1, WR2 Mohamed Sanu led the Falcons with nine targets and six receptions. These trends make DeSean Jackson an appealing GPP pivot option off of Evans. On the offensive side of the ball, coach John Fox said Bellamy “should be fine.” They’re completely decimated at receiver, so they’ll need Bellamy and Wheaton active if at all possible. Kendall Wright will now operate as their top receiver but Glennon may continue to favor high-percentage passes and checkdowns to tight ends and running backs. Last week, 65% of his targets went towards those positions. A season ago, Tampa Bay ranked 26th in DVOA against receiving running backs, which bodes well for Howard and Cohen. Howard was limited Wednesday and Thursday but he’s all set for Sunday. Following Cohen’s breakout performance with 113 yards and eight receptions, it’s almost certain the rookie has carved out a decent timeshare in the backfield and may be the preferred receiving option over Howard. The starter Howard should out-snap and out-touch Cohen as he did in Week 1, although it may not be by much.
As reported by: Jeff Dickerson Other tagged players: Tarik Cohen, Markus Wheaton, Josh Bellamy, Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Jameis Winston, Chicago Bears Jets TEs Eric Tomlinson and Jordan Leggett officially ruled out for Week 2
Will Tye will be the primary tight end for the Jets on Sunday with Neal Sterling serving as the TE2. Tye led the group with 37 snaps last weekend and finished second on the team with 34 receiving yards. Behind him was Tomlinson, who picked up 25 yards on two receptions. With both the second and third tight ends injured, Tye should be in store for a bigger snap count, which could lead to an increased market share of the targets. However, he remains on a terrible offense that’s implied to score just 15 points on the road this weekend, so those targets may not lead to much production. Touchdown opportunities will likely be few and far between.
As reported by: Dennis Waszak Titans S Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) officially ruled out for Week 2
2016’s top-graded safety against the run is expected to miss a few weeks.
As reported by: Cameron Wolfe Cardinals signed TE Jim Dray
Arizona needed support at the position with Jermaine Gresham injured.
As reported by: Kyle Odegard A.J. Bouye removed from injury report, Jalen Ramsey (ankle, questionable) will be a game-time decision
Bouye returned to practice after being sidelined Thursday with an illness. Ramsey hasn’t practiced all week. Bouye’s presence will make things difficult for rookie Corey Davis. The Jaguars right cornerback has limited opposing receivers to a very low 45% catch rate since 2016, the fourth-lowest mark among Week 2 starters. If Ramsey ends up sidelined, it’ll be a big boost for Rishard Matthews, who could siphon off targets from Davis in a more favorable matchup. If Ramsey plays, he’ll have a similarly difficult spot as the left corner has limited receivers to a 50% catch rate since 2016. Although slot corner Aaron Colvin, who will line up across from Eric Decker the most, has permitted a 65% catch rate, he’s limited fantasy production to 0.16 points per route defended, the third-best mark among Week 2 starters. Due to Jacksonville’s strong defense, Tennessee is currently implied to scored 20.75 points in a pick’em game.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Other tagged players: Rishard Matthews, Corey Davis, Eric Decker