Carson Palmer Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections
Week 7 injury roundup
Carson Palmer has a broken arm and given the initial eight-week recovery timetable, he’ll likely be shut down for the season. Drew Stanton is now the starting quarterback in Arizona. He completed 36% of his passes for 62 scoreless yards and added a pick. It’s an obvious downgrade for skill players like Larry Fitzgerald, whose production has decreased in the second half of the past few seasons as it is. They’ll have a bye week to prepare for the 49ers in Week 9.
Jay Cutler has a pair of cracked ribs which will keep him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. Matt Moore will become the starting QB in his absence. He ended up leading a comeback victory in Week 7 and may not be a huge downgrade from Cutler. In 2016, Moore started the final four games of the year, including a matchup with the Steelers in the playoffs. During that stretch, the QB averaged 240.8 yards and 2.25 touchdowns while completing 68.6% of his passes. Miami is hoping to get DeVante Parker back for their Week 8 game against the Ravens on Thursday night. It’s a tough matchup for any passer as the Ravens have limited QBs to a 70.6 passer rating (third), 55.2% completion rate (second), and the fourth-fewest fantasy points. Miami has an easier matchup in Week 9 against the Raiders.
Delanie Walker was hobbled up towards the end of the game Sunday and was spotted with heavy taping and a crutch afterward - reports indicate it might be a high ankle sprain. Tennessee has a bye in Week 8, providing some extra time for Walker to rehab. If he misses any games, Jonnu Smith, who played 49 snaps on Sunday, would start at tight end. He hauled in 2-of-4 targets for 22 scoreless yards against the Browns. With Walker currently commanding a 22.5% market share of the team's targets, his absence would open up a good chunk of volume for Rishard Matthews and Eric Decker.
Mike Wallace has joined fellow receiver Breshad Perriman in the concussion protocol, potentially leaving Baltimore without their top three wideouts in Week 8 against the Dolphins. With Jeremy Maclin also absent this past Sunday, Joe Flacco peppered Buck Allen with a team-high 11 targets. The Dolphins are allowing the 11th-most receptions to RBs this season (5.8 per game) and ranked 21st in receiving RB DVOA heading into Week 7 – before Matt Forte and Bilal Powell combined for a 7/81/0 line. At receiver, Chris Moore and Griff Whalen both played 58-of-65 snaps. Moore was second on the team with eight looks and hauled in Flacco’s lone TD but he finished with just two receptions. Moore led the team in receiving yards despite only having 44 of them. Even if he’s elevated to the top receiver role again, it doesn’t seem like he’ll offer much upside.
C.J. Prosise only played two snaps before re-aggravating his ankle injury. He’s uncertain for Week 8 and may be limited if he suits up. While he was down, Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy, and J.D McKissic all saw the field between 21-30 times. They continue to have a full-blown committee without any of them standing out enough to earn more time. It’s probably best to avoid the group against the Texans this weekend.
Colts S Malik Hooker will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and MCL. He had been one of the better coverage safeties this season, picking up PFF’s 24th grade in the area. To make matters worse for the Colts, CB Rashaan Melvin is in the concussion protocol. He’s been their best corner this season, limiting passers to the 18th-lowest rating (70.4). His absence will be a nice upgrade for A.J. Green in Week 8.
49ers LB Reuben Foster returned to the field for the first time since Week 1 but couldn’t stay on it. He ended up leaving early with an injury to his ribs. Foster had started at MLB with NaVorro Bowman now in Oakland and San Francisco had safety Eric Reid rotating in at WLB. With Jaquiski Tartt playing so well at safety, it looks like Reid has lost the role. As a unit, they were dismantled by the Cowboys offense for 265 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. They’ll visit the Eagles next weekend; It’ll be interesting to see how Philly uses their backfield tonight with Wendell Smallwood returning as the 49ers are giving up the most fantasy points to RBs. On the offensive side of things, RT Trent Brown entered the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s game early. If he can’t get cleared in time for their Week 8 matchup with the Eagles, it would be a big downgrade for their pass blocking; Brown is currently PFF’s seventh-best tackle in pass protection.
Bills S Jordan Poyer is dealing with a sprained MCL and is considered week-to-week but coach Sean McDermott said, "early signs are positive." He’s the fifth-ranked safety by PFF this season and carries the second-best coverage score. On top of that, E.J. Gaines went down after re-aggravating his hamstring. He’s the 25th-ranked corner this season. Without these two, the Bills secondary, which has held QBs to the fifth-lowest passer rating and second-fewest passing TDs, would take a big downgrade against the Raiders next week.
Browns LT Joe Thomas tore his triceps, ending his season. It's a major loss for the struggling Browns offense as Thomas has earned PFF’s third-best tackle grade this season. The Browns OL has already allowed the tenth-most pressures this season and that number figures to rise without their starting blindside tackle. They’ll take on a Minnesota defense currently in sixth with 21 sacks; they’ll be a popular D/ST this weekend.
Jaguars LT Cam Robinson suffered a sprained ankle Sunday. He’s not having a great rookie campaign, earning the 65th tackle grade from PFF. Josh Wells will step in for Robinson if he misses any time; it would be his first NFL start. Wells was charged with the 12th-most pressures among tackles in Week 7 (3). Robinson will have a Week 8 bye to rehab.
Texans LT Chris Clark will be sidelined for 1-2 games with a calf issue. Fortunately for the Texans, LT Duane Brown has ended his hold out and may be able to play this weekend against the Seahawks. Brown finished 2016 with the 14th-best tackle grade from PFF and should provide a nice upgrade from Clark who’s currently 56th among 72 qualifiers.
Panthers C Ryan Kalil and RG Trai Turner both left Week 7 early. Kalil was starting his first game since Week 1 and couldn’t make it through without suffering a setback to his neck injury. His replacement, Tyler Larsen has struggled in pass protection this season, allowing the second-most pressures among centers (16, per PFF) and he’s been charged with the most sacks (3). Turner will undergo an MRI on his knee today. While he’s excelled in run-blocking, picking up the ninth-best PPF grade in the area among guards, he’s 53rd in pass blocking and he’s given up the eighth-most pressures at his position (15).
Saints RG Larry Warford was forced from Week 7’s game with an abdominal strain. He’s PFF’s 26th-ranked guard in pass protection and 50th in run blocking. As a unit, the Saints OL has ranked third in pass-blocking efficiency (per PFF); if Warford, misses time in would be an upgrade for the Bears pass rush in Week 8.
Dan Bailey injured his groin Sunday and he’s expected to miss several weeks, per Ian Rapoport. Dallas will work out kickers early this week to get a backup in place.
Despite the Immense Volume, this Quarterback is Getting Overlooked
The Cardinals haven't had a semblance of a running game without David Johnson. While I love seeing comeback stories, it doesn't appear that Adrian Peterson has much left in the tank. The Cardinals have the highest pass play percentage in the NFL and that's a trend that I expect to continue this week. They are playing at home against the Buccaneers, who are ranked dead last in adjusted sack rate this season. With time and with weapons, Palmer has plenty of upside at a very affordable price point across the industry.
Veteran QB Racking Up The Passing Yards This Season
Through four weeks of the NFL season, the league leader in passing yards is no surprise - Tom Brady. The player in second place, however, is a surprise, with Carson Palmer totaling 1,282 passing yards through four games, with at least 325 in each of the last three. The loss of David Johnson has left the Cardinals passing more than they did last year (and probably more than they would like), with Palmer averaging 45.8 attempts per game this year, compared to less than 40 attempts per game last season. Arizona's Week 5 opponent has been generous through the air so far this year, with the Eagles' 1,140 passing yards allowed second only to New England this season. At only $7,200 on FanDuel and $5,900 on DraftKings, Palmer is shaping up as a tournament bargain this weekend.
Don't Write Off This Veteran QB
Fresh off a 325-yard, two-touchdown performance on Monday Night Football in Week 3, veteran Carson Palmer should once again be heavily relied upon to carry a banged up Arizona offense. He should have no problems building upon last week's strong effort against a weak San Francisco defense that ranks 30th in pass defense DVOA and owns the second worst adjusted sack rate in the NFL this season. This bodes well for the veteran Palmer, who has averaged 332.6 passing yards per game in five career games against the 49ers with Arizona. Without a capable rushing attack to lean on and talented receivers at his disposal, look for Palmer to easily pay off his very manageable price tag in a game that should play at an up-tempo pace.
Chuckin' It in the Desert
The Cardinals have no choice but to throw, throw, and throw some more. With Chris Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, and Andre Ellington roaming the backfield it will be on Carson Palmer to win them some football games. He has already thrown for 925 yards in three games, and the 49ers don't exactly have a stout defense. Fire up Palmer as a great mid-range tournament option with upside.
Veteran QB Looks to Rebound Against Questionable Pass Defense
Carson Palmer did not look good in the team's loss to Detroit last week, throwing 3 INTs along with 1 TD and 269 passing yards. Some of that could come down to the team being forced off of their game script once David Johnson was lost to injury, as the team only gained 45 yards total on the ground (including Johnson's 23 yards). The Cardinals are seven point favorites with a 26 point implied team total heading into Indianapolis this Sunday. With Johnson out for the next few month, that offense will have to come from somewhere, and based on the Colts allowing 306 passing yards to Jared Goff last week, there is a good chance it will come from Carson Palmer's passing arm.
Cardinals expected to use three-man committee at running back
Beat writer Mike Jurecki believes Arizona will use all three backs - Kerwynn Williams, Andre Ellington, and newly-signed D.J. Foster - to replace the injured David Johnson (wrist). Williams will likely earn the start and share early-down duties with Foster while Ellington operates as the passing down back. With a timeshare like this, it'll be hard to trust any of them to make a huge fantasy impact. Although we only have a one game sample, the Colts rush defense was able to stuff Todd Gurley and the Rams on the ground, limiting them to 1.9 yards per carry as a team. At the same time, Arizona struggled to run against the Lions, averaging 2.5 yards per carry, even with David Johnson handling 11 of their 18 carries. Of course, the Colts pass defense was atrocious, permitting Jared Goff to rack up 306 yards and a touchdown with a 72.4% completion percentage. Palmer may have to air it out to move the ball and he should be successful doing so. The receivers will pick up some of Johnson's targets; he had nine in Week 1 and averaged 7.5 in 2016.
John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, and Carson Palmer don't practice on Wednesday
Fitzgerald and Palmer were just given the day off for rest purposes so there's nothing to worry about with those two. Brown, however, doesn't look as if he will play as he continues to battle his sickle cell issue. Michael Floyd and J.J. Nelson both receive a boost with Brown out but Carson Palmer has been struggling at QB so it's hard to trust either as DFS options.
Week 12 Player Props are posted
Vegas props can be a useful tool when trying to make last minute decisions or find a hidden gem. The Week 12 player props are starting to trickle in now. Most of the 1:00 ET games are posted and the 4:00 ET games should follow shortly. One interesting prop that jumps out at QB is Carson Palmer. With Desmond Trufant out, the Cardinals should have some success against the Falcons' secondary. Vegas see the upside here and likes Palmer for 285.5 yards. That's the second-highest QB yardage prop on the board. If you are wondering about the touchdowns, Vegas has Palmer's prop at 1.5 with a -165 line on the over. When we convert that line back to an implied probability it tells us there is a 62.2% chance Palmer throws two touchdowns.
There are plenty of other players with intriguing props. Go take a look for yourself! https://rotogrinders.com/grids/nfl-player-props-week-12-1480894
Carson Palmer will play against the Seahawks, as expected
Palmer was expected to have a big game against the Jets last week, but that didn't happen; he threw for 213 yards and one touchdown. David Johnson ran extremely well in that one and they were up the whole game. He didn't really need to do a lot. Johnson will likely have a tougher time tonight, which means Palmer will be asked to do more. Of course, Seattle has an elite secondary, so he'll have his work cut out for him. He'll be without John Brown, one of his favorite targets. Fortunately, he still has Larry Fitzgerald; Palmer will probably target him a lot tonight.