Fantasy Football News

Michael Thomas has a big game against the Falcons

By Dan Harris   Wed, Sep 28th 8:46am EDT

Michael Thomas hauled in seven of his 11 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown on Monday night against the Falcons.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas made a huge impact in the game, stepping up with Willie Snead inactive and Brandon Cooks rendered ineffective by the Falcons defense. It's unclear whether Thomas will be able to deliver consistent fantasy production, but he should certainly remain rostered in all leagues, even if he does not crack a starting lineup each week.

Brandon Cooks has quiet night on Monday Night Football

By Dan Harris   Wed, Sep 28th 8:40am EDT

Brandon Cooks caught just two of eight targets on Monday night against the Falcons, totaling just 13 yards receiving. He also had one rushing attempt for six yards.

Fantasy Impact: Cooks' disappointing performance was a complete surprise, considering that Drew Brees threw for 376 yards and Willie Snead was inactive. Cooks was shadowed by Desmond Trufant, who simply did not give Cooks any room to make plays. He should do better in Week 4 against the Chargers, so long as he is not matched up against Jason Verrett.

J.J. Watt's season likely over

By Anthony Cervino   Tue, Sep 27th 9:12pm EDT

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt (back) reinjured his back and could miss the remainder of the 2016 season. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Watt reinjured his back that he had offseason surgery on to repair. The All-Pro pass rusher is the anchor of Houston's defense and would be a tremendous loss to their stout unit. Houston will decide on Wednesday if they will place Watt on the season-ending injured reserve list.

Jimmy Garoppolo present at practice on Tuesday

By John Aubin   Tue, Sep 27th 5:05pm EDT

Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) and Jacoby Brissett (thumb) were both present for the start of Tuesday's practice, ESPN.com reports. (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: It is still early in the week to tell just how the health is of the two QBs. Expect the Patriots to be reluctant to give too much information on the exact injury status as to keep the Bills guessing with their game plan. It may come down to a game-time decision which would mean it might be worth avoiding this situation in fantasy.

49ers add Keshawn Martin to WR corps

By Chad Satterfield   Tue, Sep 27th 4:54pm EDT

The 49ers have signed wide receiver Keshawn Martin to a two-year contract. (Source: SFChronicle.com)

Fantasy Impact: Martin joins one of the worst WR corps in the league. He is not of any fantasy value.

Le'Veon Bell will see big workload in return

By Clinton Ho   Tue, Sep 27th 3:21pm EDT

The Steelers will be getting back their star running back on Sunday and owners can expect to see "a lot of him" according to head coach, Mike Tomlin. (Source: Aditi Kinkhabwala on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The wait is over for those who drafted Bell and it's exciting news to know he will be used without limitation. He is possibly the best all-around back in the league and there should be no hesitation to put him in your lineups.

Dez Bryant's knee a cause for concern?

By Anthony Cervino   Tue, Sep 27th 3:04pm EDT

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the media that he had "no update" on the status of WR Dez Bryant (knee). Jones added that he was unsure if Bryant had an MRI on his injured knee but "could have one today (Tuesday). (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Bryant's knee is the latest injury the wideout is suffering from during a horrendous two-year span of ailments. The receiver injured his knee early in Week 3's contest against the Chicago Bears, but returned to the contest and scored a touchdown in the second half. It appears that the Cowboys are taking the cautious approach with Bryant but he should be available to play in Week 4's dream matchup versus the San Francisco 49ers.

Falcons allows another 30+ points against the Saints

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 2:59pm EDT

Falcons DST allow another 30+ points but still win 45-32 against the Saints. The Falcons offense is currently 1st in the NFL in PPG which is helping the defense that can't stop anybody. QB Drew Brees threw for 376 yards and 3 TD's but did have one interception returned for a TD, saving the DST fantasy day.

Fantasy Impact: The Falcons DST is not in consideration as a streaming option for Week 4. Continue to leave the Falcons DST off all rosters.

Matt Bryant perfect in MNF win

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 2:51pm EDT

Matt Bryant was perfect in last night's win over the Saints. Bryant made his only field goal attempt from 21 yards out and went 6-for-6 on XP attempts.

Fantasy Impact: Bryant has at least nine fantasy points in every game this season. Continue to start him even against the tough Panthers DST especially in the red zone.

Tyler Eifert likely to sit in Week 4

By Anthony Cervino   Tue, Sep 27th 2:50pm EDT

It appears that Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert (ankle) will sit out in Week 4 as he still recovers from ankle surgery from an injury suffered during the Pro Bowl. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo is reporting that Eifert said that he is "still working through some things," while his head coach Marvin Lewis said that he is "close" to making hs way back to the field. (Source: NFL.com)

Fantasy Impact: Eifert will likely need one more week to rehab his ankle as the Bengals play Week 4's contest on a short week on Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins. The ailing tight end should return to his top notch form that he is accustomed to playing with when he finally suits up on game day and would be considered be an immediate mid-range TE1 for fantasy football purposes.

Jacob Tamme quiet in Week 4

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 2:47pm EDT

Jacob Tamme caught three of four targets for 28 yards. Tamme was one of eight different receivers to catch a pass last night as the Falcons ran the ball more effectively limiting the passing game.

Fantasy Impact: Tamme is a low-end TE1 for Week 4 against the tough Panthers DST.

Matt Ryan throws for 240 yards in win over Saints

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 2:43pm EDT

Matt Ryan completed 20-for-30 passes, for 240 yards, and two TD's in a big 45-32 win over the Saints on MNF. Ryan had the help of his RB's DeVonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman who ran for 194 yards and three TD's. Ryan also ran for 23 yards on five carries. Unfortunately, for WR Julio Jones owners he only hauled in one of seven targets for 16 yards.

Fantasy Impact: Ryan has been off to another hot start this season but this was the case last season as well. He's a low-end QB1 for Week 4. He draws his toughest matchup of the season to date with the Panthers in Week 4.

Panthers re-signed DL Kyle Love

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 1:30pm EDT

Panthers re-signed DL Kyle Love due to the fact that DT Vernon Butler is out with a high-ankle sprain injury. Love made it the end of training camp before being one of the final cuts.

Fantasy Impact: Love will see limited snaps but can provide depth to the defensive line. Panthers front seven remains one of the top in the league.

Coby Fleener and Drew Brees finally on the same page

By Hilton Guidry   Tue, Sep 27th 11:24am EDT

With Willie Snead out for the game, Fleener stepped up big time as he torched the Falcons for 109 yards and one touchdown in the Saints' 45-32 loss on Monday night.

Fantasy Impact: It's the second straight week Brees heavily targeted Fleener, but this time he was more productive by catching 7 of his 11 targets. It's still a work in progress, but Fleener is showing some life after being a non factor the first two weeks. Fleener has upside in this TE friendly Saints offense.

Drew Brees with another standout performance in loss

By Hilton Guidry   Tue, Sep 27th 11:18am EDT

Brees completed 36-of-54 passes for 376 yards and two TDs against the Falcons on Monday Night.

Fantasy Impact: If the Saints are going to be this bad defensively on a weekly basis, Brees will have no other choice but to air it out in the hopes of winning a shootout. They were in catch up mode for most the game and Brees made only one bad mistake on a pick six on the Falcons' 10-yard line. Brees will have another good matchup next week as he faces his old team, the San Diego Chargers.

Bashaud Breeland suffered high ankle sprain

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 11:05am EDT

Bashaud Breeland suffered a high right ankle sprain in the Redskins win over the Giants. Breeland is looking at a multiple week absence. Rookie CB Kendall Fuller will slide in alongside CB Josh Norman and CB Dashaun Phillips.

Fantasy Impact: The Redskins also lost FS Deangelo Hall to a season-ending injury. Avoid the Redskins DST as a streaming consideration.

DeAngelo Hall suffers torn ACL in Week 3

By Sean Fitzpatrick   Tue, Sep 27th 10:57am EDT

DeAngelo Hall suffered a torn ACL in a win against the Giants in Week 3. Hall looked solid in his transition from CB to FS, making his loss a huge loss in the secondary. Saftey Will Blackmon, who also transitioned from CB to FS, will start in his place.

Fantasy Impact: The Redskins are a DST unit to avoid moving forward except for possibly Week 4 as they face the Browns and their third-string QB. With Hall out and CB Breeland out multiple weeks, they're a one week streaming option at best right now.

Jordan Cameron expected to miss Week 4

By Blaine Blontz   Tue, Sep 27th 10:47am EDT

Jordan Cameron is expected to miss the Dolphins' Week 4 contest this Thursday. He suffered a concussion Week 3. (Source: Adam Beasley on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Cameron remains in concussion protocol, so his absence timeframe is to be determined. He wasn't much of a fantasy option despite the 'potential' he seems to carry. Dion Sims will replace him as the team's primary TE.

Arian Foster doubtful to play Week 4

By Blaine Blontz   Tue, Sep 27th 10:45am EDT

Arian Foster is doubtful to play Week 4. The Dolphins have a Thursday night matchup. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This isn't surprising considering the short week and the fact Foster was sidelined Week 3. Injuries are nothing new for the veteran. His absence doesn't clear the Dolphins' murky RBBC much.

Sammy Watkins' Week 4 status is uncertain

By Blaine Blontz   Tue, Sep 27th 10:44am EDT

The Bills "can't say" where Sammy Watkins stands in terms of his health at this time. They will evaluate his status for Week 4 as the week continues. (Source: Mike Rodak on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This continues to be a disappointing start as Watkins is still dealing with the effects of his Jones Fracture. We saw how this can work last season with Dez Bryant, so hopefully Watkins is able to fully recover and begin contributing sooner than later.