DFS Alerts

Jordan Reed will not play Saturday vs. Chicago

Reed has officially been ruled out for Saturday’s game with the Bears, something that has looked fairly likely as the week has progressed. Vernon Davis now becomes a viable TE punt in any format, as he should be locked into at least five targets with upside for 8-9 if things go right. Despite being active in each of the past two games, Reed has seen just one target in both contests, a span over which Pierre Garcon has seen 17 looks, but it’s been DeSean Jackson who has been more productive. Jackson has seen a combined 14 targets the past two weeks, but has crossed the century mark in receiving yards both times and remains the best upside play of the Redskins receiving trio. Jamison Crowder also gets a bump in value as a result of Reed’s absence.

Ravens officially rule out CB Jimmy Smith

Any hope the Ravens had of containing Antonio Brown this week just became a bit dimmer. Ravens top CB Jimmy Smith has officially been ruled out. The Ravens will have to rely on the combo of Shareece Wright, Tavon Young and Jerraud Powers to slow down Brown. The Ravens also listed veteran WR Steve Smith Sr. questionable.

Ladarius Green doubtful versus Baltimore

Steelers’ TE Jesse James said he is expecting to start this week versus Baltimore. Ladarius Green is listed as doubtful but did not practice at all this week. Even if Green were healthy, he wouldn’t be a strong option this week. The Ravens are the league’s second-best defense versus TEs allowing just 7.89 fantasy points per game to the position.

Cowboys not expected to rest starters on Monday

With the Philadelphia Eagles win over the Giants last night the Dallas Cowboys have clinched home field advantage as well as the NFC East crown. When a playoff team is facing two potentially meaningful games the possibility of some starters resting comes into play. Jerry Jones confirmed today that the Cowboys do not plan to rest their starters versus Detroit. The rest possibility was a very real concern for both DFS and season-long players. The Cowboys and Lions play in the Monday night game which would limit the available pivot options.

Jeremy Hill expected to play through questionable tag

Despite being listed as questionable Jeremy Hill expects to play on Saturday versus Houston. This certainly puts a damper on the value Rex Burkhead could provide for cheap. Should Hill play, Burkhead would remain in his usual role as the passing-down back. The Texans rank 11th-best against RBs on the season. This Bengals RB situation can easily be avoided with other cheap options such as Kenneth Farrow, Bilal Powell and Jerick McKinnnon available.

Lamar Miller questionable for Texans this week

This is a weekly routine with Miller as he’s been battling injuries all season long. He’s expected to play for Houston in their game against the Bengals and is a good, but not great, option facing a Bengals team that will be without one of their top defenders in Burfict. If he for some reason unexpectedly does not play, Alfred Blue would get the bulk of the work with Akeem Hunt spelling him.

Matt Forte listed as doubtful for Jets

He’s been battling injuries for the last couple of weeks and played minimally in the Jets game last week. He’s doubtful to play against the Patriots this week making Bilal Powell a viable option (especially on full PPR sites).

Virgil Green and A.J. Derby OUT for Denver this week

Two of Denver’s TE’s will miss this week due to injury leaving Jeff Heuerman as the starting TE. He’s not a viable option facing Eric Berry and the Chiefs defense.

Tyler Eifert OUT for Bengals Saturday

The oft-injured Bengals TE will miss their game this week with a back injury. A.J. Green is questionable but expected to play and he should see as many targets as he can handle given Eifert’s absence. C.J. Uzomah will likely get the start for Eifert but is not a viable DFS option.

Adrian Peterson ruled OUT for Packers game Saturday

It looks like the Vikings would have been better off not rushing Peterson back as he’ll miss this week after only carrying the ball six times last week. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata are the backs for the Vikings now but neither are particularly viable DFS options this week against the Packers.

Jordan Reed looking iffy for Week 16

We’ve heard some conflicting reports out of Washington over the past few days, but the most recent report suggests that Reed’s Week 16 status may be in doubt. Jay Gruden hasn’t sounded “optimistic” about Reed’s health and given that he’s clearly been limited in the Redskins past two contests, it may be wise for them to give him a week of rest, especially with the bevy of receiving options available to Kirk Cousins. If Reed is inactive, Vernon Davis will see extended run at the TE spot, but he’s not the only player who would benefit from a DFS perspective. Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder would figure to eat up a few of Reed’s leftover short/intermediate targets, with DeSean Jackson also getting a slight uptick as his potential target total would increase. Even if he’s active, Reed isn’t a recommended DFS option.

Thursday NFL injury updates

Stefon Diggs – returned to practice with hip injury and should be fine to play this Saturday against Green Bay.

Jordan Reed – missed practice but Head Coach Jay Gruden stated that the plan is for Reed to play but there has to be some concern given that he hasn’t practiced yet this week and struggled last week when he did play.

Matt Forte – the Jets continue to try and push Forte onto the field despite having nothing to play for and a back in Bilal Powell that has thrived when Forte can’t play. The team has stated that he could play this week even if he doesn’t practice (which he hasn’t). He’s not an option, however, and Powell is the Jets back you want to own.

Tyler Eifert – the oft-injured TE hasn’t practiced this week and his status for Saturday is unknown at this time. It’s a precarious situation and one that we’ll monitor heading towards kickoff.

Greg Olsen – while the Panthers TE did not practice on Thursday due to his elbow injury, Head Coach Ron Rivera stated that he expects him to play against the Falcons this wek. He’ll be an elite option going against a suspect Atlanta defense.

Lamar Miller – he’s missed practice a ton this season and that continues to be the case this week. For what it’s worth, Miller stated he expected to play through the ankle injury but there’s always a concern with that type of injury. Alfred Blue and Akeem Hunt would split the load if he can’t go.

Melvin Gordon – the Chargers RB remains sidelined and appears as if he will not play this week against the Browns. Kenneth Farrow will get another opportunity in a dream spot against one of the worst defenses in the league.

Austin Hooper declared OUT for Falcons this week

Updating our previous report where Hooper had missed practice – the team has declared him out for this week. Levin Toilolo will get the start but isn’t a viable DFS option. If anything it means more opportunities for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

Theo Riddick continues to miss practice

There was some hope that Riddick would be able to play this week but the veteran RB has yet to practice this week. It looks unlikely that he’ll take the field against the Cowboys this week leaving Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner to continue to split the work – neither are legitimate DFS options.

Adrian Peterson misses another practice

It could just be rest for Peterson but he hasn’t practiced this week and his status for this week’s divisional game against the Packers is in question. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata would split the workload again if A.P. can’t go.