Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 8

Guru's IDP Notes:

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

There were concerns about the availability of Kyzir White heading into week seven. He managed to go but again turned in a backward stat line of 3-7. How a starting middle linebacker can have 18 tackles and 37 assists is a real head-scratcher, but that's just who White is. He's reached double-digit points in three of seven games with a season-best of 12 in week one.

The Cardinals got bad news Tuesday on the injury front when Dennis Gardeck was confirmed to have a torn ACL. Gardeck is leading the team in sacks with three, while the rest of the edge defenders have a combined total of one. Third-year pro Jesse Luketa has seen more playing time over the last three weeks. He is leading candidates to assume the starting role.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

The game script for Atlanta and Seattle was a strange one. Despite ringing up a 20-point win, the Seahawks were hardly an offensive juggernaut. The result was weak numbers for Jessie Bates III (2-0) and Nate Landman (1-4), with Kaden Ellis (3-6) doing a little better. There is nothing to see here as all three players were 100% participants.

In a piece of good news for the Falcons, Troy Andersen is expected to practice this week and may be available to face Tampa Bay.   

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

Kyle Hamilton gave us an injury scare in week seven, but he is not expected to miss time. That doesn't mean he should be in our lineups this week, though. The safety position, as a whole, is averaging six tackles and four assists per game against Cleveland. Hamilton is a playmaker, so the upside is there with a backup quarterback under center, but don't count on much in the tackle columns.   

Marlon Humphrey has been on a roll of late but was forced out of the Monday night game with a knee injury. The team has not yet commented on the nature or severity of the injury, so be prepared. Arthur Maulet has been activated from IR and could have a role.

We might want to avoid our Baltimore defensive backs, but don't hesitate to play those Ravens linemen this week. The Browns are giving up an average of five sacks per game with defensive lines averaging better than 18 combined stops. Cleveland is allowing five more points per game to the position than any other team.

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

Terrel Bernard was 6-2 with a fumble recovery before missing the last 20 plays with an ankle injury. As of early Wednesday, there was no update on his status from the team. Baylon Spector was highly productive earlier in the season when Bernard missed time and will be in line for a full-time role if Bernard sits. Spector showed up big with five tackles and two assists on 20 snaps versus Tennessee.  

Damar Hamlin is proving to be more than a placeholder. He has at least eleven fantasy points in five of the last six games with a pair of interceptions and five passes defended since week three.  

Ed Oliver returned to action in week seven. At 59% participation, he was close to a normal workload. This is good news for the Bills and is just in time for a stellar matchup. No one is allowing more points per game to interior linemen than the Seahawks.

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

Trevin Wallace was a bit disappointing last week, going 4-3 despite what should have been a plus matchup in the blowout loss to the Commanders. On the positive side, he was still tied for the second most tackles on the team. Denver is a middle-of-the-pack matchup on paper, but the Broncos are starting to heat up, especially in the run game. I like Wallace's chances of a strong rebound in this one, especially if Josey Jewell is still out.

Jewell missed the last three games with a sore hamstring. He did not practice last week, so a return is not imminent. That said, you can bet he will be doing anything possible to get back on the field in time to face the team that drafted and eventually discarded him. If Jewell is unavailable, look for Chandler Wooten to get the call. He managed 4-2 on 74% of the snaps versus Washington.

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

Jaquan Brisker entered concussion protocol the morning after Chicago's week five game. He missed week six and, coming out of the bye, has still not been cleared to resume practice. Coach Eberflus told the Media that Brisker is improving but still has a couple of steps to go before being cleared. Eberfluse said Brisker continues to make progress and it looks good.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

Geno Stone was carted off in an air cast on Sunday with what appeared to be a significant injury. On Monday, Coach Taylor gave an update, saying it is a shin injury and is not as serious as initially feared. Tayler said that Stone has a good chance to play.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

Don't look now but the Browns may be returning to last year's approach at linebacker. Jordan Hicks returned after missing a couple of games but did not go back to the 85% plus play share he had through week three. It could be just a case of easing him back into the fold, but Hicks was 3-2 on a 60% share, while Mohamoud Diabate went 2-2 on 40%, and Devin Bush 1-1 on 8 snaps.

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

The bye could not come soon enough for a Cowboys squad hammered by injuries on both sides of the ball. Corner DaRon Bland returned to practice following a stint on IR. He is close but may not be activated in time for the matchup with San Francisco. Micah Parsons has been out with a high ankle sprain. He is also practicing and has a chance to play.

There is no news, however, about Eric Kendricks who missed week six with a calf strain. Keep an eye on the practice reports later in the week for an update. If Kendricks is available, put him in your lineup versus a San Francisco team that is a top-ten matchup for linebackers. Start DeMarvion Overshown in this one and if Kendricks is out, Damone Clark becomes a stream option.

Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos

Despite the poor offensive performance of the Saints, fantasy managers got strong outings from Broncos linebackers in week seven. Justin Strnad was 6-3-1 but there is some concern as his playing time was reduced to 60%. This was likely a game-flow situation as the Saints fell behind and were forced to throw. Strnad leaves the field in most sub-packages. We could see a similar situation this week. The Panthers are struggling and have fallen behind quickly in recent games. Cody Barton is matchup-proof. He had a huge week seven at 6-2-1 with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a score while playing every snap.

The Panthers have been a mediocre matchup at best for linebackers, but they are a great one for defensive backs. They throw a lot, and Andy Dalton tends to be color-blind at times. With five of his six interceptions going to the secondary, only the Seahawks have been a better matchup for corners, and Carolina has allowed the ninth-most points to safeties.