Daily Fantasy Football News and Notes 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.
• Jimmy Graham (knee) practiced on Wednesday, but did not participate on Thursday. It is unclear if this was simply a day off for the veteran or if he's hurting. We'll consider him questionable for now, and I will give you an update on Saturday.
• Matt Forte (knee) practiced in full on Thursday and will play on Sunday.
• Chris Ivory (thumb) practiced in full on Thursday and will play on Sunday. He's still splitting carries and a bit rusty, so he won't be on my radar this week.
• Tevin Coleman (ankle) has been a limited participate at practice this week, but is probable for Sunday.
• Charles Clay (knee) was a limited participate in Thursday's practice and is considered questionable. He is only a GPP play for me as he could be on a snap-count.
• Michael Floyd (concussion) was able to practice in full on Thursday and looks like he'll play Sunday.
• Tavon Austin (shoulder) was limited in Thursday's practice, but will play on Sunday.
• Jamaal Charles (knee) continues to be a limited participate in practice and his status for Sunday is still unknown. I will make sure to keep you updated
• Dez Bryant (knee) has a hairline fracture in his knee and his status is unclear. My guess is that he sits out this week. I will keep you updated on his status as well.
• Willie Snead (toe) was a limited participate in Thursday'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) has been limited in practice all week once again, but will be ready for Sunday.
• Marvin Jones (hamstring) was a limited participate Thursday, as he was dealing with a hamstring issue. It will be interesting to see how it holds up the rest of the week. So as always, I'll monitor the situation and give you an update.
• Isiah Crowell (knee) practiced in full on Thursday and will suit up on Sunday.
• 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 Thursday's practice and is questionable for Sunday. I will update you on his status later in the week.
• Russell Wilson (ankle/knee) looks like he'll play on Sunday (baring any setbacks).
• Eli Rodgers (toe) did not practice Thursday and is questionable for Sunday. My guess is that he won't play on Sunday, which help Heyward-Bey and Coates.
• Tajae Sharpe (toe) was a limited participate in Thursday's practice and is considered questionable for Sunday.
• Delanie Walker (hamstring) just like Sharpe, Walker was a limited participate in Thursday's practice and is considered questionable for Sunday.
• 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 could end up being a game-time decision.
• Eric Decker (shoulder) injury seems to have gotten worse after last weeks game and is questionable for Sunday.
• Julius Thomas (elbow) will be a true game-time decision heading into Sunday. Remember, this is a 9:30 AM start (eastern time).
• Desean Jackson (knee) was a limited participate in Thursday's practice, but should be out there Sunday.
• Mohamed Sanu (shoulder) practiced on Thursday and should be out there on Sunday.
• 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.

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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