October 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Jaret Patterson was elevated from the practice squad last week, playing 15 snaps and carrying the ball 11 times for 30 yards, mostly in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of reach. Patterson is now expected to be elevated to the active roster this Sunday after the team parted ways with
Nyheim Hines. While Patterson showed promise in college, with a 409-yard, eight-touchdown game at Buffalo,
Kimani Vidal has become the clear lead back and will face a weak Tennessee Titans run defense. Patterson's role will likely be limited to spelling Vidal during the game or taking additional carries if the Chargers build a large lead. He should not be started and can be safely kept on the bench. His only fantasy value is strictly as a handcuff to Vidal.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris scored his first career touchdown last week, but it came on only two targets and two catches for eight yards. His 40.7% route rate increased only because the Chargers rested starters in their dominant win against the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday night. Although the Tennessee Titans are weak on defense, the expected run-heavy game plan suggests another low-volume passing day, leaving few targets for the depth players. With rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden emerging, the target hierarchy is clear, and Harris remains low in the pecking order. He can be safely sat on the bench. He should only be considered in deep dynasty leagues or if multiple starters are injured.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers D/ST dominated last week with five sacks, an interception, and only 34 rushing yards allowed, demonstrating significant improvement from previous weeks. This week, they face the struggling Tennessee Titans, who are last in most offensive categories and rely on rookie quarterback
Cam Ward, who leads the league with 34 sacks taken and has thrown an interception in six straight games. Although the Chargers' secondary is dealing with injuries (CB Tarheeb Still and safety Tony Jefferson are out), the matchup against a turnover-prone offense is too good to pass up. The Titans' difficulty in sustaining drives and Ward's tendency to turn the ball over make this a high-upside play. The Chargers' D/ST is a must-start this week, as RotoBaller ranks them D/ST1.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder) is dealing with multiple injuries and is questionable to play this weekend against the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Week 9. Schultz did not practice with the team on Wednesday or Thursday, but he returned to a full practice on Friday, giving him a chance to play. Despite the two DNPs earlier this week, the 29-year-old is expected to play on Sunday, although he still won't be all that attractive to fantasy managers. The former fourth-rounder of the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 out of Stanford will have a lower ceiling this weekend against a tough defense due to the returns of both receivers
Nico Collins (concussion) and
Christian Kirk (hamstring). Schultz has yet to find the end zone in 2025 and has caught 32 of his 40 targets for 308 yards. If he's active, fantasy managers should treat him as a touchdown-dependent TE2.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans PR
October 31, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has struggled since his Week 5 breakout against the Chargers, where he racked up 150 total yards and two touchdowns, finishing as the RB5 in PPR points for the week. Croskey-Merritt has recorded 39 carries for 119 yards to go with only two receptions for six yards on four targets and no touchdowns in the last three games. The rookie seventh-rounder has maintained a healthy snap share at 57.3%, but No. 2 running back
Jeremy McNichols has served as the pass-down back and performed well in his opportunities. Croskey-Merritt is clearly the preferred option on early downs, but the lack of receiving is a hit to the ways he can produce for fantasy. The return of star quarterback
Jayden Daniels will certainly help open up some rushing lanes, but Croskey-Merritt has a tough matchup against a Seahawks defense that is allowing the fewest yards per carry (3.3) and tied for the fewest rushing touchdowns (two) in the league through seven games. He is ranked as RotoBaller's RB30 in PPR formats for Sunday Night Football.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers kicker
Cameron Dicker experienced his first missed field goal of the season last Thursday but still went 3-for-4 on field goal attempts and made all four extra points. Dicker now faces a struggling Tennessee Titans defense that is expected to give up plenty of points. As 9.5-point favorites, the Chargers are likely to move the ball efficiently, creating multiple scoring opportunities. Given the team's high scoring projection, Dicker is poised to easily capitalize with several extra points and field goal attempts, even in a run-heavy game. RotoBaller ranks Dicker as K2 this week. He is a must-start in all formats.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. (concussion) has been officially ruled out for the Week 9 contest on the road this Sunday against the Houston Texans. Mims suffered a concussion in last week's blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys and was unable to practice at all this week. With a quick turnaround coming for a Week 10 divisional matchup on Thursday night next week against the Las Vegas Raiders, Mims may miss another game. The 23-year-old pass-catcher has been a borderline rosterable bench player in 12-team fantasy leagues this year with 22 receptions for 234 yards and just one touchdown. Mims has had a couple of boom games, but outside of that, he's been a bust in fantasy. With Mims sidelined this Sunday, look for
Troy Franklin to have a higher ceiling as the team's WR2 behind
Courtland Sutton.
--Keith HernandezSource: Denver Broncos
October 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden continued his red-zone success last week, catching all five of his targets for 77 yards and his second touchdown of the season. He has become a key part of the passing attack, but now faces a Tennessee Titans defense that has been among the toughest against tight ends this year, allowing only three touchdowns to the position. While the Titans' struggles against the run may lead to another low-volume passing game (Gadsden only ran 29 routes last week), his size, speed, and proven chemistry with Herbert near the goal line keep him relevant. RotoBaller projects Gadsden as TE5 this week. He has proven himself a must-start and should be viewed as a solid low-end TE1.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Houston Texans rookie running back
Woody Marks (calf) popped up on the Week 9 injury report with a calf injury, but he returned to a full practice on Friday and has been cleared to face the visiting Denver Broncos this Sunday in Week 9. Marks was limited by his calf injury on Thursday, but it's obviously nothing serious enough to keep him from suiting up this weekend. The 24-year-old has seen his usage increase out of Houston's backfield the last two weeks, and he has a total of 146 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 28 touches in the last two games. Veteran
Nick Chubb is still the team's preferred option on early downs, but Marks has had a raised floor in point-per-reception leagues of late due to his involvement in the passing game out of the backfield. Fantasy managers should consider him an acceptable RB3/flex play in PPR leagues this weekend against Denver.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans PR
October 31, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (hamstring) will start on Sunday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks after missing last week. Daniels practiced in full every day this week and will only end up missing one game this time because of a right hamstring injury after missing two games earlier in the season due to a left knee injury. The second-year QB will be without his top wideout,
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) again as he re-aggravated the injury that caused him to miss the four previous games during Washington's Week 8 loss at Kansas City. In his Week 5 return against the Chargers, Daniels completed 15 of 26 pass attempts for 231 yards and a touchdown while adding eight rushes for 39 yards on the ground. Daniels faces a tough Seattle defense that is set to get top cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) back on Sunday Night Football. He currently ranks as the QB9 in points per game and is listed as RotoBaller's QB8 for Week 9.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston experienced his first zero-target game last Thursday during a run-heavy win over the Minnesota Vikings. While his 96.3% route rate was promising, his low snap share (52.8%) highlights his expendability when the team is protecting a big lead. The Tennessee Titans struggle against the pass, but their tendency to be beaten on the ground suggests another run-heavy game plan is likely. Johnston still should see a good amount of Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed, who allows a high ADOT of 14.1 yards, indicating big-play potential is always present. However, with rookie
Oronde Gadsden cutting into targets, Johnston's role remains volatile. RotoBaller ranks Johnston as WR32 this week. He's best used as a high-ceiling, boom-or-bust FLEX option if you need a player with upside.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Christian Kirk (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday and has been cleared to play in the Week 9 tilt on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos. The Texans will also have top receiver
Nico Collins (concussion) back in the fold after he missed the Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers. With both Collins and Kirk back in action this weekend, it will make it more difficult for rookies
Jaylin Noel and
Jayden Higgins, and
Xavier Hutchinson to stand out in the passing attack against a stingy Broncos defense. The 28-year-old Kirk has missed the Texans' last two games, but he should return to starting slot duties this Sunday. It's been a forgettable year so far for Kirk in his first season in Houston, as he's aught 10 passes for 109 yards and no touchdowns on 16 targets while playing in only three games due to hamstring injuries. Kirk won't be a recommended flex play in fantasy in his first game back.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans PR
October 31, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins (concussion) has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol and will play in Week 9 on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos. Collins was limited in Wednesday's practice, but two full practices on Thursday and Friday put him on track to return to the lineup after missing the Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday due to a concussion he picked up the week prior on Monday night. The 26-year-old doesn't have the ideal matchup to return to, but the good news is the Broncos' secondary will be without All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II (pectoral). When healthy, Collins is typically matchup-proof and should be quarterback
C.J. Stroud's top target on Sunday. The former third-rounder has one 100-yard performance and has scored three times in his six games in 2025. Throw Collins back into your starting fantasy lineups this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans PR
October 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen had a quiet game last week, with only four catches for 44 yards on five targets, as his route run rate (25%) decreased when the Chargers shifted to a run-heavy game script in their blowout win. He remains among the league leaders in receptions (48) and targets (70). This week, Allen faces a Tennessee Titans pass defense that has struggled, and he gets a favorable matchup against Titans CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, who is allowing 11.6 yards per target. Still, Allen's ceiling might be limited by the possibility of another early lead and a sustained ground game. Despite that, his target consistency provides a solid floor. RotoBaller has Allen ranked as WR24. He should be a dependable mid-to-low-end WR2 this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 31, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee) missed practice all week and has been ruled out for another game this Sunday against the New York Giants in Week 9, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Pearsall hasn't practiced or played since spraining the PCL in his knee in Week 4. He'll be missing his fifth straight game this weekend, and it's unclear if he'll have a shot to play in a big divisional clash next weekend against the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old former first-rounder had a huge opportunity earlier this year to step up in San Fran's passing attack with tight end
George Kittle on Injured Reserve and fellow wideout
Jauan Jennings also injured, but he could not take advantage of it. Pearsall has quickly developed the injury-prone label, as he's only played in four games through nine weeks in 2025 after playing in just 11 games due to injury in his rookie season in 2024.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
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