Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) missed his second straight practice of the week on Thursday and is not expected to be able to play in Sunday night's wild-card playoff contest versus the visiting Los Angeles Rams. The 29-year-old injured himself in the Week 18 regular season finale win over the Minnesota Vikings. Raymond only had 35 catches for 489 yards and one touchdown during the regular season, so he probably wasn't going to be in many fantasy lineups this weekend, even if he were active. His biggest impact came on special teams as the team's punt returner, so the Lions will have to look elsewhere to fill his shoes in the return game. The good news is second-year receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) is on track to return after sitting out Week 18.

Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley began kicking for the team in Week 15, and he's averaged just 6.5 fantasy points per game in four starts. The veteran has made all four of his field goal attempts and connected on 13 of his 15 extra-point tries. Since Dan Campbell took over the team in 2021, Detroit has led the NFL in fourth down attempts, meaning their placekickers have often been given limited opportunities to score field goals. Needless to say, Badgley has limited upside against the Rams on Wild Card weekend, so he can be avoided in DFS contests.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) remained sidelined at practice on Thursday for the second straight day. LaPorta injured his left knee in the win over the Minnesota Vikings in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday and is up in the air to play on Sunday in the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 22-year-old was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise and was given an outside chance of playing this weekend. The second-rounder was the top-scoring fantasy tight end in his first year in the league, so Detroit would be losing a key weapon in the passing game if LaPorta is unable to practice on Friday and play on Sunday night. Brock Wright (hip), who missed the last three games of the regular season, is practicing in full and would serve as Detroit's primary pass-catching tight end on Sunday if LaPorta is sidelined.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown posted a career year this season, compiling 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and ten touchdowns. The second-year pro was one of the most reliable options in all of fantasy football, as he posted at least 16.6 PPR fantasy points in 13 of his 17 games. To begin postseason action, he draws a matchup with the struggling Los Angeles Rams' secondary. L.A. allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers during the regular season, and this game will be played at Ford Field, where Detroit has been its best in the passing attack. St. Brown is one of the most bust-proof players in the NFL, so likely worth paying up for at his $8,000 price tag in six-game DFS tournaments this weekend on DraftKings.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery enjoyed the best season of his career in his first year with the organization, rushing for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. He began the season as the clear lead back, but rookie Jahmyr Gibbs steadily ate into his workload as the season progressed. Still, he remained a fringe RB1 due to his goal-line role in one of the best offenses in the NFL. However, his Wild Card opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. While Gibbs is more matchup-proof as a pass-catching weapon, Montgomery could be at risk of busting in this spot. He'll need a touchdown to be worth using $6,200 of your budget on him in six-game contests on DraftKings.