The Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken believes the Cowboys' starters are "unlikely to see [their] usual workload" vs. the Eagles tonight. Dallas has little to play for with the NFC East already clinched. QB Dak Prescott, RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR CeeDee Lamb, WR Amari Cooper and TE Dalton Schultz are all risky fantasy plays.
The Cowboys on Friday downgraded CB Trevon Diggs and S Jayron Kearse from questionable to out. The Dallas secondary will also be without CB Anthony Brown, who landed on the COVID list. These are good developments for the DFS upside of Eagles QB Gardner Minshew and whichever WRs are playing Saturday
Cowboys LB Micah Parsons tested positive for COVID Wednesday. The Saturday night kickoff would seem to make it difficult for him to make it back, but we're not yet seeing Parsons reported as being out for the game. If he does miss the regular-season finale, then LBs Leighton Vander Esch and Keanu Neal should see playing-time boosts. Vander Esch would be our preferred IDP play.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Monday that his team will play its starters in Saturday night's regular-season finale at Philadelphia. "We're going to line up to do what we need to do to win the game," McCarthy told reporters, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota. We wouldn't be shocked if RB Ezekiel Elliott gets the night off to rest his knee, or if the Eagles decide to rest starters and thus present a light challenge. For now, though, you should assume that any active Cowboys on your fantasy football roster will be going in Week 18.
Vikings LB Eric Kendricks landed on the COVID list Monday. He'll have time to return before Sunday's season finale, but we'll see how his situation develops.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday's win over the Texans that QB Jimmy Garoppolo will start next weekend's regular-season finale if his thumb is back to 100%. But he also admitted that it'll be tough for Garoppolo to get to 100% by next Sunday. So it sure sounds like QB Trey Lance is the favorite to start vs. the Rams. The rookie disappointed with just 31 scoreless rushing yards today but delivered with 249 yards and 2 TDs passing.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has been activated from the COVID list. He'll be back for Sunday night's game vs. the Packers -- and should be back in fantasy lineups.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks has been activated from the COVID list. He'll return for Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. Cooks posted 8-101 and 7-102-2 lines in his last 2 outings before missing Week 16.
Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said Monday that he's "hopeful" to get RB Dalvin Cook back for Sunday night's game vs. the Packers. Cook is eligible to be activated from the COVID list on Saturday, so there won't be any surefire news on his Week 17 status until then. If Cook manages to play vs. Green Bay, he'd do so without a single practice rep this week. But we'd still expect to see him in a high-volume role.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks was not activated from the COVID list and will miss Sunday's game vs. the Chargers, ESPN's Field Yates reports. Cooks' absence leaves WR Nico Collins as the best bet for targets in Houston -- but he's only in play in DFS tournaments.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has been placed on the COVID list. That very likely knocks him out of Sunday's game vs. the Rams and means another start for RB Alexander Mattison, who just came off the COVID list on Wednesday. As we've seen both this season and last, Mattison is a high-end RB1 whenever Cook is out.
The Texans on Wednesday placed WR Brandin Cooks and K Ka'imi Fairbairn on the COVID list. HC David Culley has said that LB Eric Wilson -- who also landed on the COVID list Wednesday -- is the team's only unvaccinated player. So Cooks and Fairbairn have a chance to return for Sunday's game against the Chargers. You should plan as though you won't have either guy available, though.
Vikings LB Eric Kendricks got ejected in the 4th quarter of Monday night's game against the Bears after delivering a shot to the head of Chicago QB Justin Fields. The rookie was clearly in his slide at the end of a scramble, and Kendricks made the helmet-to-helmet hit. We wouldn't bet on a suspension following, but we'll see about any further league action.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks (back) is active for today’s game vs. the Seahawks. He was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Friday, but it’s unclear if the back will be an issue today. Cooks carries more risk than usual in Week 14 fantasy lineups.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks (back) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Seahawks. He was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Friday. We'll look for further updates on his status. His game kicks off at 1 pm ET on Sunday, so we'll know whether he's active by 11:30 am ET.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is officially active for tonight's game vs. the Steelers. It's a much quicker return than expected after he dislocated and torn the labrum in his left shoulder 11 days ago. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Cook is expected to play with a harness on the injured shoulder tonight, which figures to impact his pass-catching ability. And he's still at risk of re-injury. But Schefter also said that Cook is expected to get his "regular workload." That makes him tough to bench in fantasy -- although he certainly comes with elevated risk.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports not only that Vikings RB Dalvin Cook will play tonight, but also that "expectations are that Cook maintains his regular workload." Cook will play with a harness on his injured shoulder. Schefter points out that Cook also wore one in the Wild Card win at New Orleans nearly 2 years ago, a game in which Cook racked up 31 touches for 130 yards and 2 TDs. There's bound to be some risk to Cook tonight, but it sounds like you need to play him in your Week 14 lineups. Alexander Mattison becomes no more than an RB3 -- albeit with some upside if something goes wrong with Cook or the workload simply shakes out differently.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) has been cleared to play vs. the Steelers tonight, barring a pregame setback, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. We'll look for hints on how big a role Cook will play tonight, but he carries obvious re-injury risk. Check out our current projections for Minnesota's backfield.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is "trending towards playing" vs. the Steelers tonight, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Cook dislocated his left shoulder and tore the labrum just 11 days ago. He still needs full medical clearance, per Pelissero, and would use a harness or some other form of added protection if he does play tonight. Cook would obviously carry elevated risk in fantasy lineups. But, if he's active, he'd be the preferred fantasy play over RB Alexander Mattison. We'll continue to look for updates on the situation.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott told reporters on Wednesday that his injured knee is expected to be back to 100% in 3-4 weeks. That doesn't help fantasy owners much -- but it would mean that Elliott is healthy for the NFL playoffs. Zeke also confirmed that he'll play through the nagging issue in the meantime. "You’re going to have to drag me off of the field," he said. A plodding Elliott is just a lower-end RB2 in fantasy lineups right now.
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