DFS Alerts
Josh Doctson (hamstring) questionable for Week 2
The oft-injured receiver is dealing with tightness in his hamstring. After being limited in practice all week, Coach Jay Gruden said Doctson would play Sunday, potentially with a snap count. After playing just 20 in Week 1, Doctson isn’t on the fantasy radar yet. Washington played Ryan Grant ahead of him as their WR3, providing him 37 snaps. He attracted six targets, catching four of them for 61 yards. Until Doctson gets healthy, he’ll probably have a similar role in the rotation and Kirk Cousins will continue to look for Terrelle Pryor downfield. The newcomer led the squad with 11 targets but he only caught six for 66 yards. There may have been some chemistry issues between him and Cousins or early-season jitters as they narrowly missed on several big plays, including a 50-yard bomb Pryor dropped in the end zone. Although he didn’t turn in a massive fantasy score, Pryor demonstrated his huge upside potential. Not only was he ninth in the league in average air yards per target (16.3) – and topped all receivers who were targeted more than seven times – he accounted for a whopping 45.18% of his team’s total air yards, which ranked fourth, per Next Gen Stats. He has a difficult matchup with Trumaine Johnson this week, so it’s not the best time to target him, but he should still pick up plenty of air yards and is always a threat for a big touchdown play.
As reported by: Master Tesfatsion
Broncos S Darian Stewart (groin) and RG Ronald Leary (concussion) questionable for Week 2
Leary suffered a concussion Monday night against the Chargers and Stewart injured his groin. Leary’s absence would be a big loss for their running game and pass protection; he earned an above-average 80.2 PFF grade last season. Although Denver’s starting free safety Stewart was rarely targeted in coverage last season – just 35 times – he managed to pick off three passes. His absence could open up deep plays for the Cowboys as the Broncos would likely start undrafted rookie Jamal Carter, who earned a poor 55.6 PFF grade in his debut.
As reported by: James Palmer Vikings concerned about Sam Bradford's knee
Bradford had two ACL repairs on his left knee and he experienced swelling and pain earlier this week. Fortunately, his MRI on Tuesday came back negative and he’s been able to get in limited practices this week. He’s still expected to start on Sunday against the Steelers. The Vikings quarterback expertly shredded the Saints defense for 346 yards and three touchdowns with an 84.4% completion rate, earning a 95.2 QBR in Week 1. His 7.8-yard average depth of target was 1.2 yards above his 2016 average, although it’ll still would’ve only been tied for 32nd last year, and he attempted the fourth-most balls at least 20 yards downfield (5). He was very efficient on those deep passes too, completing all five for 130 yards – the second-most in Week 1 – and a touchdown. Heading into the regular season he was optimistic about Minnesota’s downfield passing game and he delivered in the opener. Expected game flow indicates Bradford could be tasked with passing quite a bit in Week 2 as the Vikings are currently 5.5-point underdogs.
As reported by: Chris Mortensen Jeremy Kerley will be a game-time decision in Week 2
Kerley signed with the Jets last week to add some depth to their depleted receiving corps. If he suits up, he’ll likely see limited snaps and can’t be trusted in fantasy. Robby Anderson, Jeremy Kerley, and ArDarius Stewart would likely be ahead of him in the rotation. Anderson and Kearse are clearly the top two fantasy targets at receiver – both played at least 55-of-58 snaps last week – but they still aren’t very appealing in this offense led by Josh McCown. Kearse led the team with nine targets and turned them into seven receptions for 59 yards. While volume may be on his side, he doesn’t carry a tremendous ceiling. The Jets are currently implied to score the second-fewest points on the slate (15) as 13.5-point underdogs in Oakland.
As reported by: Eric Allen Terrance WIlliams (ankle) returned to practice Friday
It’s his first practice of the week after suffering a sprained ankle. 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). Cornerback Orlando Scandrick remained sidelined Friday following surgery to repair his broken hand but head coach Jason Garrett won’t rule him out for Week 2. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, DeMarco Murray had a similar surgery in 2014 and didn’t miss a single game. He added that his game status will depend on whether the stitches have healed well enough, so he’s shaping up to be a game-time decision.
As reported by: David Helman Kenny Britt may not start for Browns, Sammie Coates and Kasen Williams expected to play more in Week 2
Head coach Hue Jackson wouldn’t commit to Britt starting in Week 2, saying that it depends on what type of personnel package they use to start their game against the Ravens. Jackson remains displeased with Britt’s dropped ball in the fourth quarter against the Steelers last weekend. The receiver was wide open for a first down with 11:30 remaining in a 21-10 game when he failed to haul in a nice pass from DeShone Kizer, ultimately leading to a punt two plays later. He finished with just one reception for 13 yards on three targets in a disappointing debut with his new team. Even if he doesn’t get an official “start,” he should still get a similar workload overall – he played 52 of their 66 snaps in Week 1. Fellow receiver Coates didn’t get on the field for a single play and Williams only got out there for 12. Apparently, Jackson is committed to increasing their workload this week. While Coates has big-play potential, he won’t be a very appealing fantasy target. Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer spread the ball around quite a bit in Week 1, targeting eight receivers at least twice, but he showed a preference towards Corey Coleman, who led the team with six targets. The second-year wideout efficiently caught five of them for 53 yards and a touchdown. Kizer also hit tight end Seth DeValve for four receptions and 42 yards on five targets. They’ll have a difficult spot this week against a Ravens pass defense that picked off Andy Dalton four times in Week 1 while limiting him to 170 scoreless yards.
As reported by: Scott Petrak Other tagged players: Sammie Coates, Kasen Williams, DeShone Kizer, Corey Coleman Jalen Ramsey (ankle) officially considered questionable for Week 2
Ramsey hasn’t been able to practice all week and it looks like he’s heading for a game-time decision. Following Ramsey’s stellar performance in Week 1, in which he held DeAndre Hopkins to a 3/23/0 line on six targets, he earned the tenth-highest cornerback grade from PFF (82.7). If he ends up sidelined Sunday, it’s a clear upgrade for Rishard Matthews, who currently has a -3.46 matchup rating with Ramsey in our WR/CB model. With Corey Davis stuck with Bouye for about half of his routes, deep passes could open up for Matthews. Davis received the only two targets that quarterback Marcus Mariota tossed 20+ yards downfield in Week 1 but Matthews and Mariota demonstrated excellent chemistry on deep balls last season. The receiver posted a 44% catch rate on deep targets, which was good for fifth, and he didn’t drop a single catchable pass at that depth (11 total), per PFF. Over those 11 receptions, he accumulated 388 yards, which was the sixth-most, and helped him deliver an overall average of 2.13 yards per route run, the eighth-best mark in the league. Clearly, Matthews has massive upside. The problem this season may be volume, as Tennessee has a bunch of pass-catching weapons on offense. Even so, he managed to pick up nine targets in Week 1, converting five into receptions for 71 yards. If Ramsey sits, he should be able to carve out a solid market share in a more advantageous matchup, making him an appealing GPP target. Especially on DraftKings, where he costs $4.6k.
As reported by: Michael DiRocco Other tagged players: Rishard Matthews Danny Amendola (concussion, knee) and Dont'a Hightower (knee) aren't practicing again Friday
Both players will likely be listed as doubtful for Week 2 on the Patriots injury report this afternoon, although coach Bill Belichick enjoys using injury reports as a tool to confuse his opponents. Matt Slater (hamstring), who was inactive last week, was also absent at practice. He was expected to operate as the fourth receiver in the event Amendola was sidelined, but he appears doubtful as well. That leaves quarterback Tom Brady with Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, and newly-acquired Phillip Dorsett at receiver. New England’s dearth of options at wideout will likely encourage them to use running backs at the position. James White should benefit the most; the Patriots are comfortable using him in the slot and he picked up five targets in Week 1.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Other tagged players: Matt Slater, Phillip Dorsett, Tom Brady, Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan Odell Beckham (ankle) expected to be limited in practice Friday
It’ll be his second practice in a row. The Giants remain optimistic he’ll play Monday night, but he’ll likely be a game-time call. If he suits up, he’ll return to a tough individual matchup with Darius Slay, who could potentially shadow Beckham when he’s lined up outside. Last year, he stuck with Beckham for eight of nine passing plays before suffering an injury. Slay was solid in Week 1; he was targeted six times and only permitted two catches for nine yards. As a team, Detroit’s pass defense remains poor, which may lead Eli Manning to target Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram more than he normally would – all three are potential GPP pivot options in this matchup. Although Quandre Diggs played well last Sunday, shockingly earning PFF’s highest cornerback grade, our WR/CB matchup model provides Shepard the seventh-highest score (35.71). Without Beckham on the field last week, he was targeted eight times and efficiently hauled in seven for 44 yards. Shepard was the only receiver to get a look inside the 20 and he played every single offensive snap. Although he would lose plays with Beckham active, the Giants used three receivers on 41 of their 56 offensive snaps last week. Shepard is an appealing GPP pivot off of Beckham if he plays. If he doesn’t, Slay would likely follow Brandon Marshall and Shepard would pick up additional snaps.
As reported by: Jordan Raanan Other tagged players: Sterling Shepard, Brandon Marshall Donnel Pumphrey (hamstring) out indefinitely
The rookie tore his hamstring in practice and there’s no timetable for his return. 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: Adam Schefter Jalen Ramsey (ankle) not practicing Friday, A.J. Bouye (illness) returned
Ramsey hasn’t been able to practice all week. Unable to even get in a limited session Friday, his Week 2 status appears to be veering towards the doubtful side. We’ll get official game statuses after Jacksonville wraps up practice this afternoon. Following Ramsey’s stellar performance in Week 1, in which he held DeAndre Hopkins to a 3/23/0 line on six targets, he earned the tenth-highest cornerback grade from PFF (82.7). If he’s sidelined Sunday, it’s a clear upgrade for Rishard Matthews, who currently has a -3.46 matchup rating with Ramsey in our WR/CB model. With Corey Davis stuck with Bouye for about half of his routes, deep passes could open up for Matthews. Davis received the only two targets that quarterback Marcus Mariota tossed 20+ yards downfield in Week 1 but Matthews and Mariota demonstrated excellent chemistry on deep balls last season. The receiver posted a 44% catch rate on deep targets, which was good for fifth, and he didn’t drop a single catchable pass at that depth (11 total), per PFF. Over those 11 receptions, he accumulated 388 yards, which was the sixth-most, and helped him deliver an overall average of 2.13 yards per route run, the eighth-best mark in the league. Clearly, Matthews has massive upside. The problem this season may be volume, as Tennessee has a bunch of pass-catching weapons on offense. Even so, he managed to pick up nine targets in Week 1, converting five into receptions for 71 yards. If Ramsey sits, he should be able to carve out a solid market share in a more advantageous matchup, making him an appealing GPP target. Especially on DraftKings, where he costs $4.6k.
As reported by: Ryan O'Halloran Other tagged players: Rishard Matthews We Like Home Favorites and Favorable Matchups - This QB has Both
Matt Ryan at home was money in the bank last season. Sure, the Falcons have a new offensive coordinator and a new stadium, but that isn’t going to stop Matty Ice. In eight home games last year, he averaged 322 yards per game and threw 19 touchdown passes. The Packers were able to keep Russell Wilson in check, but the Seahawks have historically struggled against the Packers. They also have little semblance of an offensive line, which gave Wilson little to no time in the pocket. Make no mistakes about it, this Packers’ defense is one that we want to stream quarterbacks against. Not only do they have one of the worst secondaries in the NFL, but the opposing offense has to score a lot of points to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense. In his two meetings against Green Bay last season, Ryan combined for 680 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions, so he obviously likes when the cheeseheads come to town. The Falcons currently have the second highest implied total in the slate (trailing only the Patriots) and they are playing in the Sunday night primetime game. We want as much exposure to these two offenses as possible, so are “currently winning” trends upward during the last game of the slate.
Jacoby Brissett expected to start at QB for Colts in Week 2
Brissett split snaps with the first-team offense with Scott Tolzien in practice this week and he appears to have won the competition. Following a disastrous start to the season, Indianapolis plans to give Brissett the nod in Week 2, per Ian Rapoport. The move makes sense considering the Colts offense was simply unable to move the ball in their season opener, running just 49 plays. Brissett, who entered the game in the second half, completed 2-of-3 passes for 51 yards. The newly-acquired quarterback has plenty of potential but he’ll likely have a limited playbook against the Cardinals. He did well in Week 4 of the preseason when he was still with New England, piling up 341 yards and four scores on a 71.8% completion rate against the Giants. He made three appearances and two starts last year with the team, accumulating 400 yards with no scores and no interceptions. He’s also a capable runner – he picked up 83 yards on 16 carries in 2016. Brissett under center is an upgrade for T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Jack Doyle and given the expected game flow, Brissett should be tasked with throwing the ball quite a bit. Arizona is favored by 7.5-points but the Colts currently have the fifth-lowest implied total on the board at 18.25.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport Other tagged players: T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Jack Doyle Devontae Booker (wrist) not expected to play in Week 2
Booker is expected to return in Week 3 for Denver’s matchup with the Bills. He returned to practice Wednesday after rehabbing a broken wrist for several weeks but it doesn’t look like he’ll suit up on Sunday. Booker is the third running back in Denver behind C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles, so he won’t have a huge role when he returns to game action. It appears that it will take an injury or poor performance from those other backs for Booker to see a significant workload this season. Anderson out-touched Charles 21 to 10 in their first game but Charles received four of his touches inside the red zone, one shy of Anderson’s five. Although it looks like Anderson has the edge as their workhorse, Charles could siphon off some touchdowns.
As reported by: James Palmer Aaron Donald expected to be on a snap count in Week 2
Donald missed Week 1 following his hold out. Since he wasn’t with the team for training camp or the preseason, he’s not going to get back to a full workload right away according to Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Donald was PFF’s top-ranked interior defensive lineman in 2016, earning a ridiculous 98.5 overall grade and a 99.0 pass rush score. Even in a limited role, his return could cause problems for Kirk Cousins, who was sacked four times by the Eagles in Week 1, and Washington’s ground game. Starter Rob Kelley and his backup Chris Thompson combined for just 34 yards on 13 carries against Philadelphia.
As reported by: Rich Hammond Other tagged players: Kirk Cousins, Robert Kelley, Chris Thompson