Orleans Darkwa Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Darkwa is questionable for this week's game vs the Dallas Cowboys. As the primary running back since week 8, Darkwa is not someone that we normally look to target. The Cowboys are expected to get run stopper, Sean Lee, back this week, so whether it's Darkwa or any other combination of NY running backs the prospect of gaining an edge through this backfield is unlikely.

Shepard has been listed as a limited participant in the New York Giants' practice on Monday due to migraines after missing yesterday's game and should be considered as questionable for Thanksgiving Day despite not yet receiving a designation. If Shepard is able to suit up, he'll continue to work as the Giants top wide receiver, though that title doesn't hold a ton of merit with how bad the Giants offense has looked in recent weeks. As for Orleans Darkwa, this is the first time we're hearing of his hamstring injury, which is slightly concerning for his availability on Thursday night. The Giants seem to have settled on Darkwa as their feature running back since their Week 8 bye, as Darka has accumulated at least 16 touches in all three games. If he's cleared to play, he'll draw a plus matchup with the Redskins 31st-ranked scoring defense that suffered a monumental collapse at the hand of the New Orleans Saints' yesterday afternoon.

It's the second missed practice in a row for all three players. Wilson was inactive for the Chiefs last game, leaving De'Anthony Thomas as their WR3. Thomas was on the field for 67% of their snaps and was targeted three times. Demarcus Robinson led the receivers in snaps once again, which he has done three times in the last four games - he's played 92% of the snaps during that stretch. He put up another dud though, catching two passes for 18 yards. Although we can expect him to be on the field a ton, he's only received three targets over the past two weeks and clearly isn't a priority in this offense. Considering how poorly the Giants have been against tight ends, it seems very likely Smith will focus on Travis Kelce. New York has now allowed a tight end to score a touchdown in ten straight games and as a result, they're giving up the most PPR points to the position this season (19.61/g). Kelce has a 74% catch rate and he's returning 9.1 yards per target. Not surprisingly, he projects as our TE1 in points and ownership across the industry this week. Ford and Bailey have both graded poorly this season but nonetheless, their absence would be an upgrade for Orleans Darkwa. The running back has taken control of the Giants backfield with 17.0 touches per game over the past four weeks. He's posted 5.1 yards per carry over the course of the season while the Chiefs defense ranks 31st in adjusted line yards (4.71, per FO). On top of that, KC has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to the position (0.89/g). Darkwa is a sneaky GPP value at $4.8k on DK and $5.9k on FD with projected ownership of 2% and 1%, respectively.

Pugh left Week 10 early with a back injury. Bobby Hart, PFF’s 67th-ranked tackle, will continue to fill in while Pugh is sidelined. It’s a slight downgrade for the Giants offense but Pugh has also scored poorly this season. Running back Orleans Darkwa has taken over the Giants backfield and logged 16 touches against the 49ers last Sunday. He's now averaging 5.1 yards per carry heading into a Week 11 showdown against a Chiefs run defense currently 31st in adjusted line yards (4.71, per FO). The Chiefs pass rush is 22nd in adjusted sack rate but they could still find success against a Giants offensive front that's been charged with the sixth-most sacks this season (17, per PFF).

Shepard is on track to play make his return this weekend following a two-game absence due to an ankle injury. It'll be Shepard's first game as the Giants top receiver. If he remains in the slot, he'll have one of the tougher matchups against Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman. Although he's 30th in PFF cover grades, he's allowing the second-fewest yards per cover snap when lined up inside (0.47) and he's posted the fifth-best cover snaps per reception rate (13.3). So far this season, quarterbacks have targeted his coverage just 14 times, the third-fewest among qualifying slot corners. Overall, the Rams are holding receivers to the seventh-fewest PPR points. It won't get much easier for tight end Evan Engram as he'll face a defensive unit giving up the fourth-fewest PPR points to his position. Based on fantasy production allowed, the Rams have become a major run-funnel unit. Only San Francisco is permitting more PPR points to RBs and they're tied with the Colts for the most rushing touchdowns per game (1.0/g). Unfortunately, the Giants backfield is a bit murky. Last week Wayne Gallman led the group in snaps but logged just 22 while Orleans Darkwa (21) and Shane Vereen (16) were close behind and Darkwa out-touched Gallman 12 to 7. Darkwa should get the first crack to establish the hot hand but they'll likely end up employing a committee, making it hard to trust this group in a very favorable spot. The Giants had several notables not practicing today: LB BJ Goodson (ankle), RT Justin Pugh (back), C Weston Richburg (concussion), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle), and DE Kerry Wynn (knee). Wynn has been filling in for Vernon for the past few games, if neither player can go this weekend the Giants would be thin on the edge.

It was originally reported Wayne Gallman would start today but the Giants listed Darkwa as the starter on their depth chart. Either way, they're to split carries this afternoon. Darkwa is leading the team with 4.1 ypc and Gallman has the best single-game rushing performance on the team, although it was for just 42 yards. They'll have nice spot Sunday as the Chargers rush defense ranks 29th in adjusted line yards per carry (5.36, per FO) and is currently allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (163.5). It won't help that C Weston Richburg is sidelined though; he's currently PFF's 13th-ranked center and the only guy on the Giants' offensive line with a grade considered "average" or better. Given the offensive line issues, the Giants will likely stick with their focus on quick-passing over the run. With so much uncertainty surrounding the workload share between Gallman and Darkwa, it'll be hard to trust either of them in this appealing spot.

Gallman is expected to start and get the first crack at earning the featured role but ESPN's Jordan Ranaan expects the rookie to split carries with Darkwa this afternoon. Darkwa is leading the team with 4.1 ypc and Gallman has the best single-game rushing performance on the team, although it was for just 42 yards. They'll have nice spot Sunday as the Chargers rush defense ranks 29th in adjusted line yards per carry (5.36, per FO) and is currently allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (163.5). It won't help that C Weston Richburg is sidelined though; he's currently PFF's 13th-ranked center and the only guy on the Giants' offensive line with a grade considered "average" or better. Given the offensive line issues, the Giants will likely stick with their focus on quick-passing over the run. Fortunately, Gallman is a capable pass-catcher - last week he caught two passes for eight yards and a score - but he will lose passing-down snaps to Shane Vereen. There's plenty of risk involved with the three-man backfield but Gallman may be worth a GPP flier at his low price as he has the best chance to establish the hot hand against a poor rushing defense and has a cheap $3.9k on DK with 4% projected ownership.