RADIO
Rising T.J. Hockenson An Option Against Buffalo
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson can be considered a starting option when his team plays the Week 9 finale against the Buffalo Bills. While the numbers for most of the Minnesota offense have been ghastly, the former Iowa Hawkeye has produced fairly consistently this season. Hockenson has ranked inside the top 10 among PPR tight ends in three of the past four games, and the only misfire was the result of a first-quarter concussion that forced him out of the game. Minnesota is making a change at quarterback now that Kyler Murray (hamstring) has been ruled out, turning to backup Carson Wentz. That shouldn't change the outlook for the tight end, who caught a touchdown from Wentz in Week 1 and saw at least five targets from him in four of the journeyman's five starts last season. As RotoBaller's No. 10 tight end this week, Hockenson is playable in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
High-Scoring Potential For Will Reichard In Week 9
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard is again a no-thought-required starting option when his team welcomes the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Despite the struggles of the Minnesota offense, their kicker has still performed, scoring double-digit fantasy points in four of the past five games. Behind backup quarterback Carson Wentz, the Vikings have to open up their offense to keep pace with Buffalo, but any improvement likely will mean more chances for Reichard. Additionally, the Bills rank 26th in defensive EPA and 29th against fantasy kickers, so the matchup is favorable. As RotoBaller's No. 4 player at his position this week, Reichard can be started in every format that plays a kicker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings D/ST Is Risky, But Still An Option On MNF
Another difficult matchup is on deck when the Minnesota Vikings' defense takes on the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, though the unit's propensity to cause havoc for opposing offenses still makes Minnesota a fringe starting option. To be sure, Buffalo is among the league's best, leading the NFL in rushing EPA, yards per completion, and scoring percentage. Behind Josh Allen, who is both a rushing threat and the hardest quarterback to take down in the NFL, the Bills don't allow many sacks, but bouts of turnovers have been this offense's downfall at times. While Buffalo is always a threat to score 30-plus points, the Bills also rank 26th in turnover percentage, and the Vikings have excelled at forcing miscues. Through seven games, Minnesota has forced turnovers on 15% of its defensive possessions, one of the highest marks in the league. Playing the Vikings, RotoBaller's No. 12 defense this week, comes with risk, though there is also potential that they can swing the matchup by forcing turnovers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jauan Jennings Ruled Out for Monday Night Against Bills
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) has been ruled out for Monday night's Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, according to Will Ragatz. Jennings was limited in Thursday's practice before being downgraded to a nonparticipant Friday. The 29-year-old caught both of his targets for 11 yards during Minnesota's Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions and has recorded six receptions for 54 yards across six appearances this season. Jennings has been working behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but his absence could move rookie Tai Felton into the No. 3 receiver role. Felton has caught three passes for 41 yards this season, leaving him with limited demonstrated fantasy production despite the potential increase in playing time. Minnesota will also be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring), with Carson Wentz taking over under center against Buffalo.
Source: Will Ragatz
Source: Will Ragatz
Kyler Murray Has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain
Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reports that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) has a Grade 2 hamstring strain that is expected to keep him from being available for a Week 9 Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills in a contest between two 6-1 teams. Pelissero also notes that Murray could potentially miss time beyond Week 9. Earlier this week, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell said that Murray is considered "week-to-week." However, a Grade 2 hamstring strain could force Murray to miss multiple games. In six games in 2026, Murray has completed 100 out of 154 passing attempts (64.9%) for 1,022 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has added 167 rushing yards. With Murray out, the Vikings will start veteran Carson Wentz at quarterback.
Source: Tom Pelissero - The Ringer
Source: Tom Pelissero - The Ringer
Justin Jefferson Suffering from Quarterback Issues in Minnesota
Across six games so far in 2026, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has recorded 28 catches for 335 yards and four touchdowns on 40 targets. While the 27-year-old remains one of the NFL's most talented wide receivers, he's been hurt by the continued struggles of the Minnesota passing game. Jefferson has yet to record 100 receiving yards in a game, and he's been held to fewer than five receptions in three out of six contests. With quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Vikings will turn back to QB Carson Wentz in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills. Wentz may actually provide a lift for Jefferson, as Jefferson's best game of the season so far came in Week 1 with Wentz under center. Still, Minnesota's pass game remains hard for fantasy managers to trust until the team starts getting more consistent quarterback play. Jefferson remains a must-start wide receiver, but he may not have the elite production upside that he's brought for most of his career.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Sees Workload Decline Entering Week 9
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has seen his rushing opportunities decline sharply over the past two games. Jones rushed 45 times for 207 yards in Weeks 4 and 5 but has managed just 13 carries for 48 yards since Minnesota's bye. He aggravated a knee injury in Week 7 and missed Wednesday's practice ahead of Week 8 before returning to full participation Friday. Jones then rushed five times for 22 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards against Detroit. Jordan Mason has outcarried Jones in both games since returning, adding uncertainty to the backfield rotation. RotoBaller ranks Jones RB29 for Week 9 against Buffalo, ahead of Mason at RB34. Jones remains a flex option, but his recent injury and reduced workload raise concerns about his fantasy upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Addison Has High-Upside Matchup In Week 9
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison showed signs of life in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions, seeing a significant increase in targets and downfield opportunities despite another disappointing showing from the Minnesota offense. Addison caught three of his eight targets for 66 yards, and he also saw 173 air yards, the fifth-most among all NFL receivers in Week 8. There are even more signs that Minnesota may be turning it around offensively. In Week 9, Kyler Murray will be sidelined with a strained hamstring (or perhaps a soft benching), and Jordan Addison already has a proven track record with on-again, off-again starter Carson Wentz. In four games with Wentz in 2025, Addison averaged 7.5 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 77.3 yards per game (including two touchdowns). Add that strong connection to their incredible matchup against the Buffalo Bills this week, who have allowed the 5th-most fantasy points to WRs this season, and it's as optimistic an outlook Addison has had in quite some time. With this plus matchup and his solid history with Wentz, Addison is a solid WR3 option this week and lands at WR34 in RotoBaller's Week 9 WR Rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyler Murray Not a Candidate for Injured Reserve
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring), who will miss the team's Monday night matchup with the Buffalo Bills, is not a candidate for Injured Reserve, according to beat writer Alec Lewis. Murray has completed less than 60% of his passes in back-to-back weeks, has thrown only five touchdowns in his six starts, and is now considered week-to-week with what the team has described as a "sore hamstring." With Murray sidelined, the Vikings will turn to veteran Carson Wentz, who came on in relief in Week 1 before starting the team's Week 2 win over the Bears. As a team, the Vikings' 165.6 passing yards per game rank 31st of 32 teams, ahead of only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who recently became the first NFL team since 1974 to finish a game without a completed pass.
Source: Alec Lewis
Source: Alec Lewis
Carson Wentz to Start Monday vs. Bills
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz will get the start under center for Monday night's primetime matchup with the Bills, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who has completed less than 60% of his passes in back-to-back weeks and has thrown only five touchdowns across his six starts, is dealing with what the team has called a "sore hamstring". Wentz has appeared in two 2026 contests, throwing for 133 yards and three touchdowns in relief of Murray in Week 1 before leading the Vikings to victory over the Bears despite throwing for only 143 yards and zero touchdowns in Week 2. Four-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who currently ranks as the fantasy WR24, had by far his most productive outing of the season in that Week 1 pairing with Wentz, recording season-highs of eight receptions, 92 yards, and two scores.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jauan Jennings Heard 49ers' Plans Before Proposed Trade Fell Through
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings was informed of his potential role with the San Francisco 49ers during a FaceTime conversation about a proposed trade, according to David Lombardi. General manager John Lynch confirmed Thursday that San Francisco could have completed the deal without consulting Jennings but wanted to respect the relationship the organization had built with its former receiver. Head coach Kyle Shanahan previously explained that Jennings expressed satisfaction with his situation in Minnesota during the conversation, prompting the 49ers to abandon the reunion. Jennings spent five seasons playing for San Francisco before joining Minnesota this offseason, where he has struggled to establish himself in the passing attack. The 29-year-old has caught just six of 10 targets for 54 yards without a touchdown across six games, including two receptions for 11 yards against Detroit in Week 8. He remains behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the receiving hierarchy, limiting his immediate fantasy appeal in standard redraft leagues.
Source: David Lombardi
Source: David Lombardi
Carson Wentz Trending Toward Starting in Week 9 Against Bills
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Minnesota Vikings could be trending toward starting Carson Wentz over the injured Kyler Murray (hamstring) for the team's Week 9 Monday clash against Buffalo. Wentz played in two games early in the season after Murray suffered a concussion. He was 12 of 19 passing for 133 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against Green Bay, then finished 11 of 20 passing for 143 yards, with no TDs or INTs against Chicago. The matchup against Buffalo is a pretty favorable fantasy test, and Minnesota has enough offensive playmakers around to make any QB a viable fantasy option. Wentz has delivered enough over his career to trust him more than the typical backup as well. Murray is the only Minnesota QB in our RotoBaller Week 9 projections right now, sitting at QB16. Wentz will be a better deep-league starting option, despite the favorable matchup ahead.
Source: Adam Schefter - Get Up
Source: Adam Schefter - Get Up
Kyler Murray's Inconsistent Passing Limits his Fantasy Value
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) has not turned the team's 6-1 start into consistent QB1 production. He has thrown for 1,022 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in six appearances, with no rushing touchdowns to complement his 167 yards on the ground. His first multi-touchdown passing game of the season came against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but the 19-15 loss also exposed his inconsistency. Murray completed 17 of 29 passes for 210 yards with an interception, and a 51-yard connection with Jordan Addison accounted for nearly one-quarter of that yardage. He threw for only 150 yards against Indianapolis a week earlier, despite Minnesota winning that contest. Those uneven returns make Murray more suitable for Superflex leagues than an automatic starter in one-quarterback formats, consistent with RotoBaller's Week 9 QB17 ranking. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has reaffirmed Murray as the starter if healthy, although hamstring soreness from the Detroit game remains under evaluation ahead of Monday's matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyler Murray Does Not Look Comfortable in Vikings' Offense
The Athletic's Ted Nguyen writes that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray does not look comfortable in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense through eight weeks and wonders if the team will hope that he gets better or make a move to add competition at the position ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. The Detroit Lions' defense ranked 28th in points allowed per drive (2.58) and 32nd in explosive play rate (13.2%) going into their Week 8 divisional clash on Sunday, with the Vikings' offense averaging 1.36 points per drive and an explosive play rate of 10%. Murray has been far too inconsistent and out of rhythm and is constantly late on his reads. He currently ranks 27th in rate of off-target passes (13.6%) after throwing for 210 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the team's first loss of the season in Detroit. Murray also ranks 26th in sack rate (8.2%) and 28th in average yardage lost on sacks (6.93). The 29-year-old has been hard to trust, even as a QB2 in superflex leagues, and his struggles have led to a slow start for Pro Bowl receiver Justin Jefferson. Murray will have his work cut out for him in a Week 9 battle against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: The Athletic - Ted Nguyen
Source: The Athletic - Ted Nguyen
DeeJay Dallas Returns to Practice Squad, Holds No Fantasy Value
Minnesota Vikings 28-year-old running back DeeJay Dallas had one carry in Week 8 and played 32 percent of the team's snaps, but has yet to deliver any meaningful performance in the 2026 season. While he had the chance to back up Aaron Jones Sr. when Jordan Mason was on Injured Reserve, he still didn't earn any meaningful opportunities, and now that Mason has returned, Dallas has been reverted to the practice squad and should be dropped in all formats. Dallas has never had much fantasy relevance in his six-year career, never tallying more than 23 carries in any season. Fantasy managers looking to stash a handcuff running back should look elsewhere.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
