Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton (foot) is active for today’s game vs. the Commanders. WR Kayshon Boutte is a healthy scratch, leaving Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, and Thornton as New England’s top four WRs.
Cardinals WR Michael Wilson (shoulder) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Browns. He figures to be replaced by WR Zach Pascal. Wilson’s absence could mean an extra target or two for WR Marquise Brown, WR Rondale Moore, and TE Trey McBride.
Bears QB Justin Fields (thumb) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Saints. He returned a limited practice on Friday and reportedly has a chance to start Thursday night’s game against the Panthers. QB Tyson Bagent gets another start today.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini hears that, "there is a strong belief in the building that the Commanders have found their franchise quarterback in Sam Howell, and now it’s about building for 2024." Howell has taken too many sacks this season but has completed 67% of his passes at a decent 7.0 yards per attempt. He's certainly not a finished product, but it sounds like Howell has shown enough to at least be Washington's starter in 2024. He's a solid hold in dynasty leagues.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle hurt his left knee in the first quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Chiefs. He was able to get off the field under his own power and is officially questionable to return. Stay tuned for an update.
Update: Waddle returned on Miami's next possession.
Dolphins CB Xavien Howard (groin) is active for today's game against the Chiefs. He's a low-level IDP option at best but available if you need him.
Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. (lower back) is active for today's game against the Dolphins. He still shouldn't be in IDP lineups, though. Gay is averaging just 3.9 total tackles per game on the year with limited big plays. Drue Tranquill should be the only K.C. LB in consideration for your lineup. We've re-added Gay (low) into the Week 9 LB rankings after he seemed to be trending toward missing the game, and LB Leo Chenal has dropped out.
Dolphins TE Durham Smythe (ankle) is active for this morning's game vs. the Chiefs. Smythe has totaled three catches on four targets over the past four weeks, so he’s not even an attractive option in one-game DFS contests.
Dolphins WR Braxton Berrios (hamstring) is active for this morning's game vs. the Chiefs. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and then limited in Friday's practice. But Berrios is evidently healthy enough to give it a go today. He’s only an option in one-game DFS contests.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is eligible to come off IR and play vs. the Saints next weekend. But there remains "uncertainty" about his status, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Jefferson still has to meet with the doctors, [and] the team has to decide how it wants to handle Jefferson," Schefter adds. Jefferson was originally expected to miss 4-6 weeks, so it's possible that he's just not healthy yet. It's also possible that QB Kirk Cousins' absence impacts Jefferson's return. We'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says there's "optimism" from the Browns that QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is back to pre-injury form. He reportedly looked much better in practice this week than he did leading up to Week 7. Watson, of course, lasted just 12 snaps in that game before giving way to QB P.J. Walker. We'd prefer to see a full and quality game from Watson before trusting him in fantasy lineups.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo says the Bears are "hopeful" QB Justin Fields (thumb) can start Thursday night's game vs. the Panthers. Fields returned to a limited practice on Friday. He "still has issues" with that hand, Garafolo adds, "so he's gonna have to make some progress in a short period of time to be ready for Carolina." We'll track Fields' progress this coming week. QB Tyson Bagent gets another start vs. the Saints today.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (knee) is expected to play vs. the Packers today, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nacua was limited in practice all week, but we don't have any other details on his status. Between the knee injury and QB Brett Rypien likely getting the start, Nacua has fallen in the Week 9 WR Rankings.
Panthers WR D.J. Chark (elbow) is expected to play vs. the Colts today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Chark only got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, so it's safe to assume that he won't be at 100% today. Chark would be a risky Week 9 fantasy start.
Colts WR Josh Downs (knee) is “tracking to play” vs. the Panthers today, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Downs was added to the injury report on Thursday and then limited in Friday's practice. "He still wants to see how it feels pre-game, and he’s not 100 percent, but he wants and intends to play," Schefter adds. Downs will carry elevated risk in Week 9 fantasy lineups, assuming he plays.
ESPN's Adam Schefter hears that Rams QB Matt Stafford (thumb) is "unlikely" to play vs. the Packers today. "The team is giving him all the time it can before it has to make any final decisions about his availability," Schefter adds. QB Brett Rypien is still the favorite to start today, but it sounds like Stafford has a good chance to be ready after Los Angeles' Week 10 bye. We'll get the Rams' inactives around 11:30 am ET.
The Cardinals elevated RB Corey Clement from the practice squad. He joins Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones in Arizona's backfield for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. It remains a situation to try to avoid in fantasy lineups.
Jets WR Allen Lazard (knee) was added to the injury report on Saturday and is questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Chargers. Averaging just 6.9 PPR points per game, Lazard wasn't a viable fantasy play even before the knee issue. His absence would leave behind 4.1 targets for guys like WR Garrett Wilson, WR Randall Cobb, and TE Tyler Conklin.
Chargers TE Gerald Everett (hip) put in a full week of practice and isn't listed on the final injury report for Monday night's game vs. the Jets. Everett has averaged just 3.8 targets per game this season but could see a bit more volume on Monday with WR Josh Palmer out.
Chargers WR Josh Palmer (knee) is out for Monday night's game vs. the Jets. That will pretty much force the Chargers to put rookie WR Quentin Johnston in an every-down role. Palmer's absence obviously makes Johnston a better Week 9 fantasy bet, but he's still a shaky play against the league's top-ranked WR defense. It'll be WRs Derius Davis and Simi Fehoko behind WRs Keenan Allen and Johnston.
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