DFS Alerts
Cam Newton limited; Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olsen do not practice for Panthers
With little to play for this week it would not be a surprise to see the Panthers to sit three of their key offensive weapons as they’re all dealing with injuries. Newton was able to put in a limited practice today but it’s hard to imagine the Panthers risking further harm to his shoulder making Derek Anderson the likely starter. While one of many value options at QB this week, Anderson will face a much improved Tampa pass defense that is 6th in DVOA. Cameron Artis-Payne, however, is intriguing if Stewart doesn’t play as the Bucs have been vulnerable to the run (24th in DVOA). Tomorrow’s practice should tell us more about the status of these three – we’ll update you then.
As reported by: David Newton on Twitter Other tagged players: Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Cameron Artis-Payne, Derek Anderson
Stefon Diggs and Adrian Peterson miss practice for Vikings
Peterson’s not expected to play this week leaving Jerick McKinnon in the lead RB role – he’s a viable DFS option this week as the Vikings are solid five point home favorites against the Bears. Diggs also missed practice and his status is uncertain for this week. If he can’t go, Adam Thielen will be a popular choice after leading all WR’s in scoring last week against the Packers. He’ll be a fine option but will likely be too highly owned due to recency bias.
As reported by: Chris Tomasson on Twitter Other tagged players: Adrian Peterson, Adam Thielen, Jerick McKinnon Jordan Matthews misses practice for second straight day
The Eagles WR is battling an ankle injury and it appears possible that he may sit out this week after missing practice for two straight days. Tomorrow will be the real indicator – if he doesn’t practice then he’ll probably be a no-go on Sunday. We’ll update you tomorrow when we learn more.
As reported by: Zach Berman on Twitter Malcolm Mitchell does not practice for New England
The young Patriots WR has missed practice the last two days with a knee injury and appears unlikely to play this week. It could mean a big boost to newly signed Michael Floyd if he’s unable to go and with the Patriots playing for the #1 seed he makes for an intriguing GPP option.
As reported by: Phil Perry on Twitter Other tagged players: Michael Floyd Rob Kelley practices for Redskins
Kelley has taken part in two practices this week and appears as if he will be good to go for their Week 17 match up against the Giants. It’s not a great play but he’s a solid play due to the fact that his team has something to play for and thus his workload is relatively safe.
As reported by: Mike Jones on Twitter Jordan Reed practices again
With the Redskins needing a win this week to have any shot at making the playoffs, it looks as if their star TE will give it a go. He’s a fine option in a week where there will be much uncertainty.
As reported by: Mike Jones on Twitter Matt Forte and Bilal Powell both miss practice for Jets
With neither of the top Jets backs practicing this week, it looks as if they might not play which would leave the RB workload to rookies Brandon Wilds and Brandon Burks. It’s a situation to avoid for sure unless we hear that Powell is going to play.
As reported by: Brian Costello on Twitter Other tagged players: Bilal Powell Saints "very well aware" Mark Ingram is 60 rushing yards shy of 1,000
The quote is from New Orleans tackle Zach Strief, who also added that getting Ingram to the milestone was important to the whole team. Ingram out-snapped Tim Hightower 48-15 last week and out-touched him 20-9. Based on Strief’s comments and the fact that the Saints’ season is over, we can expect a similar split, if not greater, this week against the Falcons. The matchup has a gigantic 56.5-point total and Ingram went for 107 yards and a touchdown the last time these two teams met. Atlanta ranks 28th in rush DVOA, but they’ve done well against the rush recently. They’ve allowed the third-fewest points per game to running backs over the past four weeks. Still, with so many meaningless games around the league this week, Ingram will be a fun fantasy option as it seems like the Saints are going to get him plenty of touches.
As reported by: Mike Triplett
Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, and Devin Funchess sit out practice Wednesday; Cam Newton limited
It’ll be hard to trust any of these guys in fantasy this weekend. They aren’t playing for anything and Olsen (elbow) and Stewart (foot) were already limited last week, they each played 58% of Carolina’s offensive snaps. Newton played the full game. He’s dealing with a shoulder injury though and it’s unclear if he’ll do so again for their Week 17 matchup with Tampa Bay.
As reported by: Greg Auman Other tagged players: Jonathan Stewart, Devin Funchess, Cam Newton James Starks and Christine Michael didn't practice Wednesday
Starks is still in concussion protocol and it doesn’t look like he’ll play this weekend. Christine Michael (undisclosed) was expected to be more involved in Week 16 but ended up playing 24% of the offensive snaps. He was out-touched by Ty Montgomery 13 to 5. Montgomery should lead the duo again this Sunday against the Lions, who rank 22nd in rush DVOA.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Christine Michael, Ty Montgomery Stefon Diggs and Adrian Peterson didn't practice Wednesday
Diggs, currently dealing with a hip injury, has banged up all season. Minnesota has a meaningless game in Week 17, so it’s certainly possible he sits it out. If he does, Adam Thielen should get plenty of targets. Thielen is coming off a monster 12/202/2 game and he’s now the Vikings’ leading receiver. Adrian Peterson (knee) is not expected to play Sunday. Jerick McKinnon should lead the backfield in touches against Chicago’s 27th-ranked rush defense, but he’s struggled all season behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. He’s averaged 3.1 yards per carry and he’s only scored twice. It’s highly doutful he can turn it around for the last game of the season.
As reported by: Minnesota StarTribune Other tagged players: Adrian Peterson, Adam Thielen, Jerick McKinnon Taylor Gabriel didn't practice Wednesday, Julio Jones limited
Gabriel sat out with a foot injury. Jones will probably be limited all week as he’s still rehabbing his sprained toe. Atlanta is playing for a first-round bye this weekend, but they should still keep Jones at least somewhat limited in an effort to preserve him for the playoffs. Gabriel’s fantasy value drops considerably with Jones and Mohamed Sanu both playing.
As reported by: Vaughn McClure Other tagged players: Julio Jones Dion Lewis and Malcolm Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday
Lewis is dealing will an illness, so he should be fine for Sunday’s finale with Miami. Mitchell appeared on the injury report due to a knee issue, which is new. If he can’t play, it would pave the way for Michael Floyd to step in as New England’s number three receiver. Even so, Mitchell’s absence would mainly provide some extra targets for Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and Martellus Bennett.
As reported by: Kevin Duffy Other tagged players: Malcolm Mitchell, Michael Floyd Jeremy Hill didn't practice Wednesday
Hill was held out with a knee injury. He was very ineffective his last time out, rushing for eight yards on seven carries against the Texans. He was out-touched in that one by Rex Burkhead 16 to 7. Based on his recent struggles and the fact they’re not playing for anything on Sunday, Burkhead could do lead the duo again this weekend. They face a tough Ravens rush defense though, so Burkhead won’t be a strong option, even if Hill sits.
As reported by: Paul Dehner Jr. Other tagged players: Rex Burkhead Bilal Powell didn't practice Wednesday
There has been no reason given for his absence from practice today. If he can get back to practice this week and play the Bills on Sunday, he’ll be the only viable target on the Jets. With Matt Forte highly doubtful and Khiry Robinson out wth a broken leg, the Jets will need to rely on rookies Brandon Wilds and Brandon Burks. Only Burks has touched the ball in the NFL; he’s rushed for 18 yards on six carries this season. Neither player will be viable fantasy options.
As reported by: Kimberley A. Martin