Daily Fantasy Football News, Notes and updates FanDuel and DraftKings – Week 4 10/1/16

In this article, we'll be breaking down the top news around the league and provide you with an analysis of what we expect to happen. We will also provide you with an "every lineup guy" section, just like we did for baseball. As always, these picks are informed by our lineup optimizer, the NFL spread for each contest, year to date NFL stats, and so on. So let's welcome football back into our lives, and let's get this show on the show on the road!

Check out our  NFL DFS suite of tools including full projections, optimal NFL lineups and Player Lab which includes filters to help you create NFL lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings. It’s a robust set of tools; well beyond anything we’ve ever had and something we feel will help our users *ahem* tackle the NFL season.

A quick heads up - we post an updates article every day in the early afternoon, EST, to catch everyone up on how things are changing as a result of whatever news has come through. We also have great talks in the comments of that article. Hope to see you there!

NFL News and Notes

• Tyler Lockett (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice, but is expected to suit up Sunday.
• Sammy Watkins (foot) was placed on the injured reserved list today.
• C.J. Spiller will be active for Sunday's game, but is not on my radar.
• Jimmy Graham (knee) practiced in full on Friday and should be out there on Sunday.
• Matt Forte (knee) was removed from the injury repot on Friday.
• Charles Clay (knee) was a limited participate in Friday's practice and is considered questionable. If he does play, he'll be on a snap-count.
• Michael Floyd (concussion) was removed from the injury report, which means he'll play on Sunday.
• Tavon Austin (shoulder) practiced in full on Friday, and it looks like he'll suit up on Sunday.
• Jamaal Charles (knee) will make his 2016 debut on Sunday! It will be interesting to see what type of roll he has in his first game back, but he's not in play for me this week.
• Dez Bryant (knee) has a hairline fracture in his knee and looks doubtful for Sunday.
• Willie Snead (toe) was a limited participate in Friday's practice. It looks like he is going to be another game-time decision, so if you like him, pay attention to his status closely.
• Julio Jones (calf) is no longer on the injury report.
• Marvin Jones (hamstring) practiced in full on Friday and will be out there on Sunday.
• Isiah Crowell (knee) was removed from the injury report today.
• Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) has been a limited participate in practice all week, but is expected to play against the Bills.
• Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) was a limited participate in Friday's practice and is questionable for Sunday.
• Russell Wilson (ankle/knee) is no longer on the injury report.
• Eli Rodgers (toe) has been ruled out for Week 4.
• Delanie Walker (hamstring) will be a game-time call for Sunday. Make sure to keep a close on him.
• Tajae Sharpe (toe) is probable for Sunday and could get a nice boost in targets if Walker is out.
• Antonio Gates (hamstring) looks doubtful for Sunday. Rookie Hunter Henry, will get the start in his place. .
• Jay Cutler (thumb) looks doubtful to play on Sunday, which means Hoyer will draw another start.
• Rashad Jennings (thumb) status is unclear for Monday and is a game-time decision.
• Eric Decker (shoulder) has been ruled out for Week 4.
• Julius Thomas (elbow) was a limited participate in Friday's practice and will be a true game-time decision. Remember, this is a 9:30 AM start (eastern time).
• DeSean Jackson (knee) was removed from the injury report on Friday, so he'll be out there.
• Mohamed Sanu (shoulder) is no longer on the injury report.
• Charcandrick West (ankle) did not practice on Thursday and is looking like a no-go for Sunday. If he is out as well as Charles, you can expect to see a whole lot of West.

Tournament Stack

Kirk Cousins, Jordan Reed and DeSean Jackson (WAS) vs. CLE

A lot of great stacking options this week, but a team that will fly under-the-radar are the Redskins.

I know Captain Kirk scares a lot of fantasy players, but I'm on board this week. He'll be going up against the Browns, which is a team that has struggled on the defensive side of the ball. I mean, they've struggled offensively as well, but this is [defense] were talkin' 'bout -- not offense! Eh -- I tried doing an Allen Iverson impersonation for defense, but it didn't come out as well as I hoped... "we talkin' 'bout defense." It's just not the same as [practice]... So let's just pretend this never happened and just transition back to the Redskins stack.

So, like I was saying -- the Browns have been bad on defense this season. They rank bottom 10 in points per game allowed, passing yards allowed and total yards allowed through three weeks. I know it's still early in the season, but I don't see this defense getting any better this week. Not only do the Redskins have a juicy matchup, but they are also a team that loves to air-it-out. Cousins has thrown the ball at least 40 times in 2 out of his three games this season, so look for him and his receiver to get plenty of opportunities to score some fantasy points.

Every Guy Lineups

Jordan Howard (CLE) vs. DET
Melvin Gordon (SD) vs. NO

Mirror-mirror on the wall, who's the [chalkiest] of 'em all?

The mirror has spoken: Jordan Howard and Melvin Gordon are the chalkiest of 'em all.

These guys are now the workhorses on their squads, thanks to injuries. They both will easily get double-digit carries this Sunday, and also have great matchups. Gordon, will be going up against a Saints' defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Howard, on the other hand, will be going up against a Lions' defense that has allowed the 12th-most rushing yards this season. Both of these gentlemen have appealing price tags (especially Howard) and are in great spots, so look for their ownership percentages to be extremely high.

Check out our  NFL DFS suite of tools including full projections, optimal NFL lineups and Player Lab which includes filters to help you create NFL lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings. It’s a robust set of tools; well beyond anything we’ve ever had and something we feel will help our users *ahem* tackle the NFL season.

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