With four teams on bye and so many prominent injuries surfacing, almost every fantasy football lineup will be altered in Week 9.
In addition to constantly updating our award-winning fantasy football rankings and staying on top of breaking news in the FullTime Discord server, we wanted to present some of the relevant news and notes that fantasy football fans should know in Week 9.
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Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and his status is very much up in the air this week. However, Arizona Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim commented that the team may have to think “big picture” and “be smart” in regards to their franchise player… Aaron Rodgers has been placed on the reserve/Covid list and will sit out the Green Bay Packers Week 9 matchup. Being that he’s unvaccinated there is a chance he could also miss next week as well. Jordan Love will get the start in his place. The team also signed Blake Bortles… Dak Prescott looks poised to return this week as the Dallas Cowboys did not list him on their final injury report… Taysom Hill has cleared the concussion protocol and will be active for the New Orleans Saints this week. However, Trevor Siemian has been named the team’s starter for at least one more week… Matthew Stafford ended the week with a DNP due to a back injury but the Los Angeles Rams do expect him to be out there on Sunday… Sam Darnold is struggling with both concussion and shoulder issues. According to Carolina Panthers Head Coach, Matt Rhule both are of equal concern in regards to his availability on Sunday. The team is hopeful he plays but he’s very questionable… Tua Tagovialoa is questionable with a finger injury this week. He seems to be trending in the right direction but we have seen the Miami Dolphins be overly cautious with him in the past… Mike White was forced from Thursday Night Football with a forearm injury in the first quarter and could not return. Josh Johnson came in and finished the game out. It is unclear who will be the starter for the New York Jets next week. White and Zach Wilson both may or may not return to practice this week. This could come down to a choice between Johnson and Joe Flacco… Tyrod Taylor will return to start for the Houston Texans this week. The team did not trade DeShaun Watson at the trade deadline.
Running Backs
Derrick Henry suffered a Jones fracture in his foot this week and is likely out the remainder of the regular season or very close to it. The Tennessee Titans expect him to return at some point but it’s not a lock he plays again this season. The team has signed Adrian Peterson who is expected to handle the bulk of the early-down work. They also signed D’Onta Foreman and Dontrelle Hilliard… The San Francisco 49ers have listed Elijah Mitchell questionable with a rib injury and he will be a game-time decision. They also activated Jeff Wilson from injured reserve… The Los Angeles Chargers have ruled out Justin Jackson… Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid says that Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still weeks away from returning… The Baltimore Ravens have listed Latavius Murray as doubtful for Week 9… The Jacksonville Jaguars have listed James Robinson as questionable with a heel injury. He is in real danger of sitting this one out and will likely be a game-time call… Christian McCaffrey is questionable this week and has a chance to suit up… The New York Giants will once again be without Saquon Barkley this week after he again failed to practice… The Chicago Bears have activated David Montgomery from IR and activated his 21-day window to return. They hope he will be out there in some capacity on Monday Night Football. Damien Williams left last week’s game with a knee injury and is yet to practice this week.
Wide Receivers
The Las Vegas Raiders have cut Henry Ruggs after he was in an accident that took the life of a young woman and her dog. Ruggs was believed to be driving 156 miles per hour with a loaded gun in his car and his blood-alcohol level was over twice the legal limit. He has been charged with multiple felonies including but not limited to DUI resulting in death and firearms charges. He faces up to 46 years in prison and his career is more than likely over… Calvin Ridley has informed the Atlanta Falcons he will be leaving the team to deal with his mental health. The team has placed him on the reserve/NFI list and he will miss at least three games. There is no word on when or if he will return to the team… Michael Thomas announced this week he has had another issue with his troublesome ankle and he will not play this season. After re-tooling his contract the Cleveland Browns will waive Odell Beckham on Monday. If not claimed off waivers he will become a free agent… DeAndre Hopkins will be a game-time decision this week… Michael Gallup has been practicing this week and has a chance to return on Sunday. Amari Cooper and Ceedee Lamb are both listed as questionable as well. Cooper seems likely to play while there is a bit more concern for Lamb… Deebo Samuel is questionable this week with a calf injury and will likely be a game-time decision… Devante Adams and Allen Lazard have been activated from the reserve/Covid list… Darnell Mooney is listed as questionable with a groin injury. We are waiting for more information on his status for his MNF matchup… Despite logging DNPs with a foot injury Robert Woods is expected to play this week. The team also cut DeSean Jackson… The Titans have once again listed A.J. Brown as questionable this week with a knee injury. Julio Jones is not on the injury report… DeVante Parker has landed on IR after re-aggravating his hamstring injury… The Detroit Lions have waived Tyrell Williams… Sterling Shepard will not play this week after injuring his quad on MNF. The Giants also may get Kenny Golladay back this week and expect to have Kadarius Toney out there. Both are listed as questionable. Dante Pettis has been placed on IR… The Ravens have listed both Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins as questionable this week. Neither is a lock to play… Cole Beasley is questionable for the Buffalo Bills this week with a rib injury.
Tight Ends
George Kittle has been activated from IR and is expected to play this week… Robert Tonyan’s season is over after the team confirmed a torn ACL… Noah Fant is on the reserve/Covid list and will not play for the Denver Broncos Week 9… Dawson Knox will miss another game while recovering from minor hand surgery… Eric Ebron’s status is up in the air for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ MNF matchup… Blake Jarwin is not expected to play this week.
