Griff Whalen Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

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.