Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NFL season. For worried fantasy managers or opportunistic DFS players, they can make or break your entire lineup. What could have been a relaxing weekend can suddenly turn into hours of scrolling social media for any breaking news.
Luckily, DraftKings Network has you covered. Tune in to Meghan Townsley (@mtownsleyy) and Steve Buchanan (@SBuchanan24) on Injury Report Live, streaming every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on DKN X and YouTube!
The pair will react to the latest injury updates, analyze the juiciest matchups of the week, and discuss their favorite DFS and season-long fantasy plays before Sunday’s NFL action kicks off.
If you missed Friday’s full show, no worries! Here’s what you need to know before setting your lineups:
Indianapolis Colts @ Green Bay Packers – 1:00 PM EST
IND WR Josh Downs (questionable)
- If he does play, Meghan sees Downs ($4,800) as a valuable safety blanket out of the slot for Anthony Richardson ($6,800).
- However, another mouth to feed in a loaded Indianapolis offense could take targets away from deep threats like Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell.
GB QB Jordan Love (questionable)
- Despite suffering what was expected to be a lengthy knee injury in Brazil, Love ($6,500) surprisingly appeared as questionable on Green Bay’s injury report. Still, Meghan and Steve don’t expect him back this Sunday.
GB WR Jayden Reed (questionable)
- A recent addition to the injury report, Reed (calf/shin) is a crucial piece of the Packers offense.
- With Malik Willis ($5,000) likely to start, neither Reed ($6,000) or Christian Watson ($5,000) are safe DFS plays despite the reasonable price tags.
San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings – 1:00 PM EST
SF RB Christian McCaffrey (questionable)
- McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) is not the best bet to suit up for Sunday’s game; he was a non-participant during Friday’s practice. However, Steve and Meghan expressed some caution for potential starter Jordan Mason ($5,200) against a stout Minnesota run defense:
See clip here:
- UPDATE: McCaffrey has been ruled out of Sunday’s game
MIN WR Jordan Addison (out)
- Expect more Justin Jefferson ($8,300) now that Jordan Addison (ankle) has been ruled out once again.
- Presumptive number two receiver Jalen Nailor ($3,900) makes some sense this week, but Meghan is staying away; the connection between Nailor and Sam Darnold ($5,200) wasn’t there against the Giants (one catch for 21 yards), and a much harder matchup vs. the 49ers probably won’t help.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers – 1:00 PM EST
CAR DT Derrick Brown (IR)
- The Panthers season somehow got worse when they lost Brown to a knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of the year. In a game that already favored Los Angeles, expect the two-headed monster of Gus Edwards ($5,200) and J.K. Dobbins ($5,400) to run wild Sunday afternoon.
- Dobbins anytime touchdown (+145 on DraftKings Sportsbook) is one of Meghan’s favorite plays.
New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys – 1:00 PM EST
NO CB Marshon Lattimore (questionable)
- Steve: “If Marshon Lattimore misses this game, I cannot think of a situation where CeeDee Lamb isn’t in my lineup.”
- Despite being the most expensive player on Sunday’s slate, Lamb ($8,800) offers up value against a banged-up secondary.
- This contest has the potential to become one of the highest-scoring games on the schedule (46.5 total on DraftKings Sportsbook).
DAL TE Jake Ferguson (doubtful)
- Missing a red zone threat like Ferguson (knee) might change Dak Prescott’s ($6,700) passing approach.
- If you don’t want to spend money on Lamb, Brandin Cooks ($5,600) could take advantage of the matchup in Ferguson’s absence.
Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:00 PM EST
CLE TE David Njoku (out)
- With the talented Njoku (ankle) out, there’s middle of the field targets up for grabs in Cleveland. Deshaun Watson ($5,600) has some familiarity with Jordan Akins ($3,000) going back to their time together in Houston. Steve is targeting the backup Browns tight end as a sneaky value play.
Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots – 1:00 PM EST
SEA RB Kenneth Walker III (questionable)
- Both Walker III ($6,300) and his backup, Zach Charbonnet ($5,800) are intriguing plays against a Patriots defense that can be susceptible to the run, despite the lack of value going from starter to backup.
- Since New England’s star cornerback Christian Gonzalez could give D.K. Metcalf fits, Seattle will likely be forced to go on the ground; Meghan sees Charbonnet as good anytime touchdown value (+135 on DraftKings Sportsbook).
- UPDATE: Kenneth Walker III has been downgraded to doubtful
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals – 4:05 PM EST
LAR WR Puka Nacua (IR)
- Now that Nacua has been placed on the IR, expect even more volume for Cooper Kupp ($7,600), the only Ram Meghan feels comfortable starting in DFS this week.
- Steve sees Demarcus Robinson ($4,000) as the new Rams WR2.
- Despite some shock at the line (Cardinals favored by 1 point on DraftKings Sportsbook), Meghan noted that Los Angeles has some worrying injuries along their offensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs – 4:25 PM EST
CIN WR Tee Higgins (doubtful)
- While Week 1’s result was disappointing for the Bengals, it wasn’t a shock against a good New England secondary. Against another high-quality defense in Kansas City without Higgins (hamstring), Steve is calling Cincinnati’s offense a full fade.
- Despite legitimate concerns about the state of the Bengals’ offense, Steve and Meghan do like Zack Moss ($5,600) to have a big game.
KC WR Hollywood Brown (IR)
- On Friday, Andy Reid said that Brown’s absence would be “measured in months, not weeks.” That should mean even more volume this year for Rashee Rice ($6,700). For season-long fantasy managers, the news elevates not only Rice, but rookie Xavier Worthy ($6,100) going forward.
Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans – 8:20 PM EST
CHI WR Keenan Allen & WR Rome Odunze (questionable)
- Steve is out on the Bears entirely heading into a Sunday Night Football matchup with the Texans.
- Allen ($6,400) has not practiced all week; Odunze ($4,100) practiced on Friday. Both are considered game-time decisions.
- This could be a rough spot for Caleb Williams ($ 5,800), although D.J. Moore ($6,500) might be in line for a ton of targets.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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