DFS Alerts

Donte Moncrief doesn't practice Wednesday

Moncrief’s status is one to monitor this week. It’s beginning to look like he’s on the doubtful side of things. If he can’t go, T.Y. Hilton should be a target monster against the Vikings on Sunday. It’ll be a tough matchup as Minnesota ranks 2nd in pass DVOA and they’ve allowed the 9th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers per game over the past four weeks. Still, he should have a large market share and his touchdown equity is much higher with Moncrief out of the lineup. On the season, he averages 0.8 touchdowns per game when Moncrief is inactive and 0.25 when he plays. Dwayne Allen (if he plays, hip) and Jack Doyle should also see a bump in usage in the red zone.

The Cardinals have released Michael Floyd

Floyd was arrested for a DUI and the Cardinals decided it was best to release him. With John Brown limited to around 20 snaps per game, Carson Palmer will rely on Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, and David Johnson a ton in the passing game. Tight end Jermaine Gresham has gotten more involved lately. He’s had exactly five receptions over the past three weeks and scored a touchdown in that stretch. Arizona hosts New Orleans in Week 15. The Saints rank 28th in pass DVOA, which sets up a nice matchup for those players

NFL injury news and notes from Wednesday practices

Here’s a quick rundown of some injury situations we’re monitoring heading into this weekends games:

Matt Forte – has a torn meniscus that he believes he has been playing with all season. Wants to play this Saturday but Head Coach Todd Bowles stated that he’ll be a game-time decision. Bilal Powell would benefit the most if Forte sits.

Andrew Luck – did not practice today with a shoulder and neck injury but Head Coach Chuck Pagano believes he’ll be fine to play this weekend.

C.J. Fiedorowicz – missed practice today with what appears to be a concussion and is questionable to play this weekend. Ryan Griffin would be the beneficiary if Fiedorowicz is ruled out.

Melvin Gordon – not expected to play this week meaning Kenneth Farrow becomes a chalk value option for the Chargers. Ronnie Hillman is also interesting on PPR sites as a third down passing down back.

A.J.Green – returned to practice but his status for this week seems uncertain. He’ll be limited most likely in practice this week and has an outside chance of taking the field against the Steelers.

Theo Riddick – continues to miss practice and looks as if he will miss another game for the Lions. Zach Zenner is also battling an injury (practiced in limited fashion today). If those two can’t go Dwayne Washington should get all the work he can handle.

Julio Jones – he missed last weeks game and has not practiced yet this week with his toe injury. He’s questionable for their game this weekend – Mohamed Sanu is practicing and it’d be him and Taylor Gabriel who would benefit most if Jones can’t play again.

Adrian Peterson designated to return off of IR

He won’t play this week but is eyeing a return against the Packers next week – this move by the Vikings is a step in that direction.

Matt Forte does not practice on Wednesday

After leaving last weeks game early, Forte has yet to practice this week and his status is in doubt for the Jets game against the Dolphins. Bilal Powell would be a top midrange option if Forte does not play. Unfortunately he plays in the Saturday game so you’ll be limited to using him in slates that contain that game.

Packers list Ty Montgomery as number two RB

Coach Mike McCarthy very clearly stated that Montgomery is a running back, adding that he hasn’t been to a wide receiver meeting in a very long time. Up until today, he was still listed as a wide receiver on the “unofficial” depth chart their PR department puts together. Montgomery had been pretty quiet in recent weeks, but put together a nice game against the Seahawks. He had 12 touches (the most he’s had since Week 7), 86 yards, and a touchdown in their 38-10 win. James Starks is technically listed as the starter, but he only had two touches against Seattle. Montgomery also out-touched their third-string back, Christine Michael, who rushed 10 times for 36 yards. Montgomery and Michael are both better than James Starks and they should continue to lead Green Bay’s backfield down the stretch. With Montgomery’s receiving skills, he’s the safest bet of the two in fantasy, but he’s still better used in tournaments, if anything. The Packers visit the Bears in Week 15 as 6.5-point favorites. Chicago ranks 15th in pass DVOA and 21st against the pass.

Jimmy Graham has highest touch-share among all tight ends

Graham has 13.48% of the Seattle’s total team touches this season and 5.2% of the team’s red zone opportunities, which is also the highest rate for any tight end. He has 14 red zone targets in total, which is just one shy of Travis Kelce, Antonio Gates, and Jason Witten, all of whom are tied for first with 15. On Thursday night, he’ll get a Rams defense that ranks 18th in TE DVOA. Seattle has an implied team total of 26.75, which is the third-highest on the slate. While game flow may hurt Graham’s prospects as the Seahawks are 15-point favorites, Los Angeles’ defensive line ranks fourth in adjusted line yards per carry (3.34). Atlanta struggled to move the ball on the ground against them, rushing 25 times for only 66 yards. Even though they blew the Rams out, Matt Ryan still threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Seattle may need to pass to move the ball and put up the points they’re expected to score. Graham, who’s second on the team in targets and receptions, should be involved in that effort, especially in the red zone. He currently projects as our TE2 on DraftKings in Week 14.

Heading to Seattle in Week 15, the Rams have an implied total of 11.75 points

Los Angeles was embarrassed in Week 14, losing to Atlanta 42-14. The Falcons defense was dominant against rookie Jared Goff’s offense. They had three sacks, four turnovers, and two touchdowns, while allowing just 14 points. Worst of all, the Falcons defense isn’t all that great. Football Outsiders ranks them 23rd in pass DVOA and 27th against the rush. In Week 15, the Rams face a much tougher opponent when they visit the Seahawks, who rank 6th against the pass and 3rd against the rush. Seattle has 31 sacks on the season, which is good for fourth in the NFL, and they’ve allowed the fewest points per drive (1.43). Given this tough matchup, Vegas currently has the Rams’ implied total at 11.75 points, the lowest any team has had all season. While the Seahawk’s secondary is definitely worse without Earl Thomas and was shredded by Aaron Rodgers – he completed 78.3% of his passes and threw three touchdowns – Goff will be in way over his head. Given the circumstances, Seattle projects as our top defense of the week and they will definitely come with high ownership.

Bengals release K Mike Nugent, sign Randy Bullock

Keep Nugent off your rosters this weekend. Bullock, who was just released by the Steelers, is not available in DFS in Week 15.

Braxton Miller placed on IR

Miller didn’t end up having a big rookie campaign, although he looked good in spots and flashed some of his upside against the Raiders in Mexico City, when he caught five passes and scored. His absence won’t change the dynamic of the Texans’ offense too much. DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller will remain the primary wide receivers stuck with Brock Osweiler throwing to them. Both players have tremendous upside but their floors are scary in Osweiler’s offense. The Texans are favored by six points over Jacksonville this weekend and the Jaguars pass defense has been strong all season. They rank 18th in rush DVOA though; expect Lamar Miller, who’s coming off a 100-yard game with a touchdown, to get plenty of work.

Julio Jones will not practice Wednesday; Mohamed Sanu expected to return

Jones is still battling turf toe and is questionable at best for Week 15. Atlanta is currently first in their division (winning a tie break over Tampa Bay) and need Jones healthy for the playoffs. The Falcons are 13.5-point favorites over the 49ers this weekend, which means they don’t have much reason to rush their star receiver back for this one. Mohamed Sanu (groin), who also missed last week, should be back at practice tomorrow but remains questionable for Week 15. Similar to Jones’ situation, the Falcons won’t want to risk a setback with Sanu either.

Martellus Bennett active, CB Eric Rowe inactive for Patriots; G Marshal Yanda active for Ravens

Bennett (hamstring) admitted he isn’t playing at 100% and could be somewhat limited tonight. However, with Gronk out, he still projects as our TE2 on the Monday-Thursday slate. Eric Rowe’s absence provides an easier matchup for Steve Smith and Mike Wallace on the outside. They’ll still have to deal with Malcolm Butler, who has the fourth-highest cornerback grade from Pro Football Focus (87.4). Butler isn’t expected to shadow either receiver but will see Wallace the most, as the Baltimore receiver lines up on his side for nearly half of his routes. Yanda has the highest PFF grade of any guard this season. His presence will certainly help the Ravens run the ball, but New England has a stout rushing defense that ranks 4th in DVOA.

Justin Forsett could out-touch Devontae Booker again in Week 15

Denver was playing from behind all game on Sunday and they ended up throwing the ball 51 times, which left little work for their running backs. Booker and Forsett combined for nine carries and 18 rushing yards. Even though it was Forsett’s first game with the Broncos, he accounted for six of those carries and out-touched Booker 9-5 in total. Beat writer Mike Klis believes that Booker is getting worn down, as he had two knee surgeries in the offseason. This means Booker is a player to avoid in fantasy down the stretch. Forsett will likely lead the backfield and Juwan Thompson could get more work. Of course, the offensive line has struggled all season as well, so Forsett isn’t really a viable option either. Expect plenty of throwing from Siemian and plenty of passes for Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, who’ve received 54.1% of the team’s targets. They visit the Patriots in Week 15, who rank 25th in pass DVOA.

Matt Forte considered day-to-day

Bilal Powell went off 179 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers after Forte went down with a knee injury. With the season over, there isn’t much of a reason to rush Forte back. The veteran should see his touch share decrease down the stretch as the Jets will want to protect his body; he still has two years left on his deal. Should Forte miss their Week 15 game with the Dolphins, Powell would be in play as Miami ranks 22nd in rush DVOA.

Update: Donte Moncrief is day-to-day

There is definitely a concern that Moncrief won’t be able to play this weekend as they promoted receiver Devin Street from the practice squad. If he ends up giving it a go, he’ll be a risky option against a tough Vikings’ pass defense. Moncrief has a low floor as he isn’t targeted outside of the red zone very often.