Week 1 DFS Injury Impact
Injuries and players missing time for other reasons are always a big deal in fantasy football but even more so in DFS where one player’s issues can completely alter an entire game and the next man up mantra becomes vital due to the salary cap nature of DFS. Thus, it’s important to stay on top of all the injury and suspension news before locking in your DFS lineups.
Editor’s note: DFS Pass buyers will receive a “Gameday Alerts” email, one hour before the main kickoff on Sunday and Ben will be on Periscope at 11:30AM ET.
Here are the most relevant players on the main slate (If you’re looking for injury news for the primetime slate, check out the primetime slate article) in danger of missing time or returning to action in Week 1:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints – 1:00pm ET
OUT for the Saints: Mark Ingram
OUT for the Buccaneers: Jameis Winston
Doubtful for the Buccaneers: Brent Grimes and De’Vante Harris
Upgrade: Alvin Kamara, Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Ted Ginn
Literally, everything has broken right for the Saints’ offense in Week 1. They’re at home, there is no RB timeshare since Ingram is out, Winston’s absence means the Saints should dominate time of possession, and the already cupcake matchup looks even better with Grimes and Harris likely out in the secondary. Load your lineups up with Saints in all formats. Ted Ginn is worth rostering in tournaments.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns – 1:00pm ET
OUT for the Steelers: Le’Veon Bell
Upgrade: James Conner, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster
*Reports of potential wind gusts up to 40mph and up to five inches of rain reduce my excitement in these plays. Be sure to check in on my live periscope at 11:30 EST on Sunday morning for my latest thoughts leading up to kickoff* Unfortunately, it had to come to this between the Steelers and Bell. But I do my best to think glass half-full in life situations and guess what? The beauty of fantasy football is there is always a next man up. And that dude, Conner, looked fantastic in the preseason racking up 161 total yards on 26 touches. Between Bell and DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh has consistently utilized a workhorse RB of late and that trend should continue on Sunday. And look for the passing game to receive a boost as well, specifically AB, who has roasted the Browns and performed better with Bell out of the lineup as of late.
OUT for the Steelers: Vance McDonald
Upgrade: Jesse James
With McDonald out, Jesse James is the unquestioned starting TE for Pittsburgh against a Browns defense that allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to TEs in 2017.
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