DFS Alerts
Jaelen Strong placed on IR
Strong has been out since Week 8 with an ankle injury and the Texans have decided to shut him down for the season. He had two games with five receptions, but was a non-factor otherwise. He was already ruled out this week, so this move won’t change much in fantasy. Will Fuller has averaged 4.5 receptions and 59.5 yards over the past two games, he’ll be an interesting tournament option in a great spot against the Colts. DeAndre Hopkins has received 9 targets per game over the last two and scored his first touchdown since Week 5 last game. His price has really come down quite a bit this season since Brock Osweiler has had trouble connecting with him. Osweiler posted his highest pass rating (97.6) last week though, despite the tough weather conditions. The last time his rating was above 90 was Week 6 against the Colts (90.7); he threw for 269 yards (season-high) and two touchdowns in that one. Hopkins is still an elite receiver and could be a sneaky GPP play as we’re projecting his ownership at just 4.0% on DraftKings.
As reported by: Adam Caplan Other tagged players: Will Fuller, DeAndre Hopkins
Charles Sims activated from IR, will play Sunday
Sims will return to action for the first time since Week 4. He could get a decent snap count right off the bat with the Bucs thinned out at receiver this week. Tampa Bay has also talked about getting Jacquizz Rodgers more involved in the offense. Both of these guys will cut into Doug Martin’s workload. Martin has not been effective since returning from injury; he’s only averaging 3.0 yards per carry. Even though they have a nice matchup with the Saints, it’ll be hard to trust Martin to be productive, especially if he’s going to lose touches. He won’t be safe enough for cash games, but could be used as a risky contrarian tournament option given the matchup.
As reported by: Greg Auman Other tagged players: Doug Martin Panthers CB Daryl Worley and S Kurt Coleman clear concussion protocol; Luke Kuechly does not, ruled out for Sunday
Coleman missed their embarrassing loss to the Seahawks last week. His presence will provide a boost to Carolina’s rushing defense that allowed 240 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in Seattle. As a whole, they’ll still be vulnerable without Keuchly, who is still the team’s leading tackler by far (and 8th in the NFL), despite missing the past two games. Worley, who has a slightly below average PFF grade of 65.2, will matchup with Tyrell Williams the most. Williams and Travis Benjamin will both have to deal with James Bradberry as well; he has an excellent 82 score on the season. Carolina’s weakest spot in their pass defense is in the slot where Leonard Johnson plays. He has a very poor 40.1 grade and will see Dontrelle Inman quite a bit. Inman has consecutive games with a touchdown and with Williams’ shoulder banged up, it could be a nice spot for the slot receiver. Carolina also ranks 22nd in TE DVOA, providing a nice matchup for Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry. There is an interesting narrative with Gates here. He’s three touchdowns away from breaking the all-time record for tight ends and Philip Rivers wants to get him there before the end of this season, as it could be Gates’ last. That could mean some extra red zone targets for the future hall of famer down the stretch.
As reported by: Carolina Panthers Other tagged players: Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, Dontrelle Inman, Antonio Gates, Hunter Henry Julio Jones (toe) may be a "decoy at best" Sunday
This comes from Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter, who’s been bearish on Jones’ Week 14 status all week. Jones is dealing with turf toe, which inhibits a player’s ability to cut and jump. These types of injuries normally take one to four weeks to heal. Even though Jones is a quick healer, it would be hard to imagine that he’ll be near 100% on Sunday. Given his health. he’s risky to roster this week; even if he plays he may simply be a decoy. We’ll keep an eye on Jones’ situation as we get closer to kickoff.
As reported by: D. Orlando Ledbetter Shane Vereen (triceps) expected to play Sunday
Vereen is expected to be activated off the IR this afternoon and is on track to play tomorrow. It would be his first game since Week 3. He won’t have fantasy value himself, but he could take some passing down snaps from Rashad Jennings. Dallas is much worse defending the pass than the run. In terms of DVOA, they’re 27th in pass and 8th in rush. It’s not a great spot to target Jennings.
As reported by: Art Stapleton Other tagged players: Rashad Jennings Tyrell Williams (shoulder) has full week of practice
Dealing with a torn labrum, Williams missed practice Wednesday and Thursday last week. He seems to be doing better as he was a full participant for all of this week. After stringing together consecutive games with double-digit targets, Williams had just four against the Buccaneers in Week 13. He managed to score though, which puts his touchdown streak at four games. In Week 14 he finds himself in a matchup with Carolina that has a nice game total of 49 points and a spread favoring the Panthers by just 1.5 points. The Panthers rank 18th in pass DVOA and 20th against the WR1 position. Williams will be defended by Daryl Worley (questionable, concussion), if Worley plays, who has a below-average 65.2 PFF grade this season. Should Worley sit, his individual matchup would be even better. Williams figures to be a big part of the Chargers’ game plan in a nice spot. Still, he has a torn labrum, which makes him a risky play and better used in tournaments this week.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken Martellus Bennett (ankle, shoulder) has limited practice Friday
Bennett told WEEI that he’s playing at less than 100% but confirmed he’ll play on Sunday against the Ravens. Given his injury issues, Gronk’s absence, and Malcolm Mitchell stuck in a tough matchup with Jimmy Smith, Edelman should rack up targets. He’s averaged 13.3 over the past three games and had his first 100-yard game of the season last week. He’s a solid option in all formats. Bennett, on the other hand, is a risky tournament option. He certainly has the upside, but the Ravens rank 1st in TE DVOA and he’s clearly hobbled up.
As reported by: Ryan Hannable Other tagged players: Julian Edelman Tavon Austin (chest) expected to play Sunday
He missed last game but is “on track” to play this week, according to beat writer Jack Wang. Austin won’t be a great fantasy option. He has Jared Goff throwing to him and the Rams have an implied team total of just 19.5 points.
As reported by: Jack Wang Jones, Riddick, Washington, and Ebron all questionable for Sunday
Jones (thigh), Riddick (wrist), and Ebron (knee) are expected to play, while Washington (ankle) is truly questionable. Detroit are 7.5-point favorites against the Bears this weekend. Jones will draw Tracy Porter’s coverage, which is a bad thing, as Porter has done well this season. Riddick would have a better outlook if Washington ends up sitting. If Washington plays, game flow could potentially hurt Riddick, as he’ll lose snaps in running situations. Chicago ranks 25th in TE DVOA, which presents a favorable matchup for Ebron. He’s had at least five targets in all but one game this season.
As reported by: ESPN Other tagged players: Theo Riddick, Eric Ebron, Dwayne Washington Braxton Miller (shoulder) ruled out for Sunday
His absence won’t move the needle too much, but he’s shown he can take some balls from Will Fuller. Now that he’s nearing full health, Fuller is an interesting tournament target. He led the team in receiving yards last week (59) and could have had a bigger day if they played in better weather conditions. Fortunately, they’re in a dome this week as they visit the Colts on Sunday. Indianapolis ranks 29th in pass DVOA and even Brock Osweiler put up a decent performance against them back in Week 6 (269 yards and a pair of touchdowns). Fuller is a high risk/high reward contrarian option in Week 14.
As reported by: Aaron Wilson Other tagged players: Will Fuller Adam Humphries (concussion) ruled out for Sunday
It’s officially Mike Evans Week as Humphries will not clear the protocol in time to play Sunday. Tampa Bay hosts the Saints for a matchup with a 51-point total, the highest of the week. The Bucs also have the highest implied team total at 26.75 points. With Cecil Shorts and Humphries not on the field, expect tons of targets to head towards Evans and tight end Cameron Brate. Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro (suspension) is out for the remainder of the season, creating an even better matchup for the Evans/Brate duo. From a game theory perspective, it could be an advantageous leverage play to roster Brate in tournaments. We’re projecting Evans’ ownership at 20% on DraftKings and 24% on FanDuel, while Brate is at 4% on DK and 2% on FanDuel. Brate is coming off a nice game; he posted a 6/86/1 line against the Chargers last week.
As reported by: Greg Auman Mark Ingram (toe, knee) returns to practice Friday
Ingram missed yesterday’s practice to rest, he’s expected to play Sunday. He’s a tournament player, if anything. He splits time with Tim Hightower and Travaris Cadet. With the Saints playing from behind last week, Cadet out-snapped Ingram and picked up five targets. We know Ingram can still do damage in this situation, as he racked up 167 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams, despited being out-touched by Hightower. However, they’re road dogs in Tampa Bay this week, meaning Cadet could cut into Ingram’s snap count again, and the Bucs defense has been solid recently. They’ve allowed the fewest FanDuel points to running backs on average over the past four games (14.47). It’s not a great spot to target Ingram.
As reported by: The Times-Picayune Broncos LB Brandon Marshall (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday
Teams attack the Broncos with their running backs and tight ends. Without Brandon Marshall, the Titans will have a better chance of succeeding with that strategy. While Marcus Mariota won’t be a great option with the Denver secondary fully intact, he should pepper Delanie Walker and DeMarco Murray with targets, putting them both in play. Murray should also get plenty of work running the ball against Denver’s 26th-ranked rush defense. Unfortunately (from a fantasy perspective), he will lose some touches to Derrick Henry, who piled up 60 yards on eight carries last game. Murray still touched the ball 22 times in that one though. We can probably expect a similar split this week.
As reported by: Jim Wyatt Other tagged players: Delanie Walker Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu ruled out for Sunday
Mathieu is reportedly considering surgery to repair his shoulder injury, although coach Bruce Arians said he probably wouldn’t have to do so. Either way, he’s been ruled out for Week 14, opening up a better matchup for Jarvis Landry. DeVante Parker will be stuck in Patrick Peterson’s coverage quite a bit, although it’s not expected to be shadow coverage, which may force Ryan Tannehill to toss the ball Landry’s way early and often. Landry picked up a season-high 14 targets last week as the Dolphins played from behind and Parker was stuck with Jimmy Smith on the outside. Arizona is only favored by two, but their rush defense has been stout; they’ve allowed just 64.25 rushing yards on average over the past four games, the fifth-best mark in the league. The Dolphins could go pass-heavy even if they’re not down a ton and Landry should be the biggest beneficiary of that approach. Jarvis will be a solid PPR option this week.
As reported by: Darren Urban Michael Thomas (foot) returns to practice Friday
Despite being held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday, it looks like Thomas will be able to play on Sunday. The Saints-Buccaneers game has the highest total on the board at 51 points and should stay competitive; Tampa Bay is only favored by 2.5. However, Tampa Bay’s defense has been hot recently. Over the past four weeks they’ve allowed the third-fewest FanDuel points to wide receivers. Thomas has become New Orleans’ number one receiver, but defenses have taken notice. For example, Detroit had their best corner, Darius Slay, shadow Thomas last week. Brees tends to throw the ball around or pick a favorite receiver of the week, and has poor road splits. Given all of the above and his injury, Thomas is better used as a tournament play this week.
As reported by: Herbie Teope