November 1, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles says wide receiver
Jalen McMillan's neck injury includes broken bones, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Smith also notes that McMillan's return timeline remains unclear. The 23-year-old suffered a scary-looking neck injury in the preseason and has spent the entire regular season on Injured Reserve. Tampa Bay has not ruled McMillan out for the 2025 season, but it also does not appear as though he is particularly close to making his return. The Buccaneers are also currently without wide receivers
Mike Evans (collarbone) and
Chris Godwin (leg), although Godwin has a chance to return in Week 10 following Tampa Bay's Week 9 bye. Rookie wideout
Emeka Egbuka is the team's clear WR1. Given the team's other injuries, veteran
Sterling Shepard and rookie
Tez Johnson could both have an extended runway of regular playing time in Tampa Bay.
--Will BradySource: Pro Football Talk - Michael David Smith
November 1, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren has been steady this season but will face a tough test in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis has been stout versus opposing backs, allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game and just five total touchdowns to the position. The good news for Warren is that this home matchup is expected to be high-scoring, giving Pittsburgh's offense as a whole a boost for fantasy. Even if the Steelers are forced to abandon the run to keep up with the Colts' high-powered attack, Warren should remain a reliable pass-catching weapon for quarterback
Aaron Rodgers. Fantasy managers can continue to treat the 27-year-old as an RB2 with a safe floor in PPR formats.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown scored a touchdown in the Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, he had more than a few miserable outings in his following appearances before finally surpassing the 100-yard rushing mark in the Thursday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 25-year-old then had his best performance of the 2025 campaign in the Week 8 one-point loss to the New York Jets, finding the end zone twice (one rushing, one receiving).
Joe Flacco (shoulder) has the offense back on track. While there's a chance Flacco won't suit up in the Week 9 clash with the Chicago Bears, it appears he's (fortunately) trending toward playing. However, even if
Jake Browning finds himself back atop the depth chart, Brown should remain a high-upside option for managers, especially with the game between the Bears and Bengals projected to be one of the highest-scoring contests on the schedule. Granted, Brown's presence in all fantasy lineups isn't without risk. That will apply regardless of who is starting at quarterback.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Flacco (shoulder) is planning to play in his team's Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Flacco has an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, which could certainly impact his performance, but the veteran is at least going to give it a go in Week 9. In three starts for Cincinnati this season, Flacco has completed 64.3% of his pass attempts for 784 yards, seven touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He's also averaging over 40 pass attempts per start with the Bengals, which makes him an appealing high-volume fantasy option. Cincinnati may opt for a more run-heavy game plan in Week 9 to try to protect Flacco. Still, he profiles as a solid fantasy QB2 in a favorable matchup against Chicago. If Flacco is unable to finish the game, the Bengals would likely be forced to turn to backup quarterback
Jake Browning.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
November 1, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has thrown at least two touchdown passes in three straight games, but may need to do even more to keep pace with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The 7-1 Colts boast the league's top-ranked offense, averaging over 33 points per contest. While their defense has been solid overall, it has been more effective against the run than the pass, surrendering the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers. If Pittsburgh falls behind early, Rodgers should have enough passing volume at home to deliver for fantasy purposes. He comes in as the QB18 in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings and can be viewed as a streaming option or high-end QB2 on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will return from a one-week absence to face the Patriots on Sunday. The 25-year-old was a full participant on Friday and heads into the contest without an injury designation. The left-handed QB has thrown just five touchdown passes in six games played this season (three interceptions), and will face a New England defense that is yielding the ninth-fewest passing yards per game (194.7) over their last three and the fourth-fewest points allowed per game on the season (18.3 PPG; 15.0 PPG last three). The second-year pro owns a 1:2 TD:INT in three road games this season, averaging just around 183 yards passing in those contests. The Falcons have an implied point total of under 20 points for Sunday's matchup, which does not foretell great things from Penix, leaving him as a low-end QB2 option in Week 9.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the New York Jets are looking for "at least a third-round pick" in return for running back
Breece Hall ahead of the NFL's November 4 trade deadline. Russini also notes that the Jets "have been getting calls for a while" on Hall. The 24-year-old is in the final year of his rookie contract with the 1-7 Jets. Across eight games this season, Hall has recorded 759 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 138 touches. If Hall does get traded, second-year back
Isaiah Davis would likely dominate backfield work in New York until
Braelon Allen (knee) returns from a knee injury that currently has him on Injured Reserve.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
November 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins caught six of his 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Thursday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he was held to just one catch in the disappointing one-point loss to the New York Jets in Week 8, the reception at least resulted in another trip to the end zone. With a touchdown in three of the Bengals' previous four outings, Higgins will look to stay relevant for fantasy managers versus the Chicago Bears. Granted, his lack of consistent volume from week-to-week is concerning.
Joe Flacco (shoulder) appears to have the offense once again clicking on all cylinders, which is great news for fantasy participants. There's a chance Flacco may not be out there due to an AC joint sprain, meaning
Jake Browning would be back under center. Still, regardless of who is starting, Higgins remains a risky, high-upside fantasy option, considering Sunday's contest between the Bears and Bengals is projected to be one of the highest-scoring games on the Week 9 schedule. Fortunately, Flacco is trending in a positive direction.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase entered the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets by catching at least one touchdown in each of his previous three games. While the former LSU Tiger didn't find the end zone in that one, he still had 12 catches for 91 yards. With the Bengals coming off a disappointing loss, they will try to get on track on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Quarterback
Joe Flacco (shoulder) didn't practice on Wednesday, which is not uncommon for older players, before being limited in Thursday's session. However, panic set in for fantasy managers when he didn't practice on Friday and was slapped with a questionable designation for Week 9. Fortunately, there's reason to believe the signal-caller will be out there on Sunday. It appears Flacco and Chase have quickly developed strong on-field chemistry in a short span, so the duo should continue to connect in the meeting with the Bears. If Flacco can't suit up,
Jake Browning would be back under center. Although Browning's presence would presumably lower Chase's ceiling, the wideout remains a must-start for obvious reasons.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ja'Marr Chase
November 1, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams has an opportunity to feast against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. New Orleans' offense has already been one of the worst in the league this season, and now, they could take a brief step backward with the installation of rookie
Tyler Shough as the starting quarterback over
Spencer Rattler. Shough played the second half last week and struggled, completing 17 of 30 pass attempts for 128 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. If the turnover problem grows and Shough has trouble moving the ball down the field, the Rams could easily have the highest-scoring D/ST in Week 9. For now, RotoBaller's expert rankings have the Rams listed at #2 for the week, trailing only the Los Angeles Chargers D/ST.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee has low-end streaming appeal ahead of Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Higbee has delivered modest production recently, catching seven passes for 59 yards and one touchdown over his last two games. He also commanded six targets during his last contest back in Week 7. Most importantly, Higbee has established himself as the No. 1 tight end in Los Angeles, holding onto his role over players such as
Colby Parkinson and
Terrance Ferguson. This week, Higbee gets a decent matchup against the Saints, who have allowed the eighth-most touchdowns and 12th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2025. He should be viewed as a low-end TE2 with borderline streaming appeal in a productive offense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington has officially cemented himself as the No. 3 option on the depth chart after
Tutu Atwell (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve. Whittington has multiple catches in each of his last three games, but he has been held to fewer than 6.5 fantasy points (PPR) in all seven of his contests so far. Even with
Puka Nacua (ankle) sidelined in Week 7, Whittington was unable to achieve fantasy relevance. As a result, he remains off the fantasy radar in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. With Nacua back and the Rams having a chance to go run-heavy this week, there aren't enough opportunities to go around for Whittington.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams will drop back down to second on the depth chart with
Puka Nacua (ankle) returning against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. Nevertheless, he's still one of the better No. 2 options in the NFL and is a borderline must-start in fantasy football. The 32-year-old comes off his bye week ranking as the overall WR13 in PPR leagues, tallying a solid six touchdowns to this point. Even with Nacua back in action, managers shouldn't overthink this decision. New Orleans is a great matchup for Adams, as the Saints have allowed the seventh-most receiving touchdowns in 2025. Start him as a high-end WR2 or low-end WR1 in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson recorded five receptions on eight targets for 53 yards in the Week 8 blowout loss to the Buccaneers. This marked his second straight game with five catches, a welcome sign after totaling just seven receptions for 60 yards from Weeks 4-6. Johnson has only one touchdown on the season, but with
Tyler Shough now under center, the passing game is unlikely to slow down, and he should remain involved as a receiver. In their limited time together in Week 8, Shough and Johnson connected on three passes for 35 yards. Johnson profiles as a TE2 this week, though building chemistry with the rookie quarterback could raise his value going forward.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua is immediately back in must-start territory as he returns from an ankle injury ahead of Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Nacua ranked as the overall WR1 entering Week 6, but he injured his ankle in that contest, missed Week 7, and was on bye last week. As a result, he has slipped down to the WR5 spot in PPR leagues. Despite the hiccup, Nacua should have no trouble bouncing back as one of the best receivers in fantasy football. His production when healthy was otherworldly, and he should quickly return to that level of play now that he's cleared to suit up. A clash with the Saints bodes well for Nacua, as New Orleans has allowed the ninth-most receiving touchdowns in 2025. He's a must-start WR1 in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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