November 1, 2025
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Cooper Kupp (heel, hamstring) is trending in the wrong direction for Sunday night's matchup against the Washington Commanders. Kupp missed Friday's practice after tweaking his hamstring, which is usually not an encouraging sign this late in the week. The 32-year-old has served a complementary role this season behind star wideout
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, catching 24 of his 33 targets for 293 yards and a touchdown in seven games. Kupp missed five games last season with an ankle injury and is in jeopardy of missing his first game with the Seahawks in Week 9. Kupp will test out the injury in pre-game warmups and would rank as a low-end flex option if he suits up. If he's unable to play,
Tory Horton's profile is an interesting flex option against Washington's struggling secondary.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver
Tory Horton was held without a catch on four targets across the team's final two games before its Week 8 bye. The 22-year-old has struggled to be consistently productive this season, recording nine catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns on 18 targets in seven games played. However, injuries could allow Horton to play a larger role in Seattle's offense in Week 9 against the Washington Commanders. Seahawks wideouts
Jake Bobo (Achilles) and
Dareke Young (quad) have been ruled out, while veteran wide receiver
Cooper Kupp (heel, hamstring) is listed as questionable after injuring his hamstring in practice on Friday. If Kupp is ruled out, Horton looks like the clear WR2 in Seattle alongside star Seahawks wideout
Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Week 9. The Commanders enter Week 9 allowing the most yards per reception in the NFL (12.8), so Horton will have a favorable matchup as well. Horton profiles as a high-upside flex option for deep-league fantasy managers in Week 9 against Washington if Kupp is unable to play.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen remains at the top of the quarterback hierarchy despite a matchup with an elite Kansas City Chiefs defense. Allen's scrambling ability raises his floor, making him matchup-proof. Last week, the reigning MVP ran for two touchdowns to balance out his limited pass attempts based on the team's blowout win. The Chiefs rank fourth in yards of offense per game (277.8) and second in points allowed per game (16.4), setting the stage for a showdown.
--Shaun AlbinSource: BuffaloBills.com
November 1, 2025
Through eight games this season, Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin has recorded 33 catches for 358 yards and four touchdowns. The 22-year-old has played some of his best football of late, hauling in nine catches for 108 yards and three touchdowns on 18 targets over his last two games. Franklin appears to be emerging as the clear WR2 in Denver alongside
Courtland Sutton. Franklin's target share could be even more solidified in Week 9 against the Houston Texans, as Broncos wideout
Marvin Mims Jr. (concussion) will be sidelined due to a concussion. If there's a concern for Franklin's outlook in Week 9, it's the strength of the Houston defense. The Texans have allowed the third-fewest passing yards (1,375) and the fewest passing touchdowns (six) in the NFL through eight weeks. Still, Franklin profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 9.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown has recorded 32 catches for 316 yards and four touchdowns on 49 targets across his first eight games of 2025. However, Brown has seen his role in the offense shrink in recent weeks. After earning at least five targets in each of his first five games of the season, Brown has failed to reach the five-target mark in each of his last three. He was held without a catch on just one target in his most recent outing in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. With Chiefs wideouts
Rashee Rice and
Xavier Worthy back from the suspension and injury that limited their participation early in the season, Brown appears likely to remain in a marginalized role. Kansas City will play the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 in a matchup that has definite shootout potential. Still, Brown is unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production if he fails to crack 40% of the team's offensive snaps, a number he hasn't reached since Week 6. Brown profiles as a desperation deep-league flex option in Week 9 against Buffalo.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
The Chicago Bears elevated running back
Brittain Brown from their practice squad for the team's Week 9 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Chicago will be without running backs
D'Andre Swift (groin) and
Roschon Johnson (back) against Cincinnati. Rookie running back
Kyle Monangai is expected to step into a workhorse role in Week 9. Brown and veteran
Travis Homer are the most likely candidates to give Monangai a breather when he needs one. Brown has not appeared in an NFL game since 2022, when he played in six games for the Las Vegas Raiders. The 28-year-old exclusively played special teams for Las Vegas, so he's unlikely to take on much of an offensive role for Chicago in Week 9.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
November 1, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have elevated running back
Clyde Edwards-Helaire from their practice squad for the team's Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. With running back
Isiah Pacheco (knee) out, Edwards-Helaire will give the Chiefs a little extra depth in their running back room. Veteran back
Kareem Hunt should be expected to serve as the team's early-down and goal-line rusher, with rookie
Brashard Smith mixing in in a gadget and passing-downs role. However, both Edwards-Helaire and
Elijah Mitchell could steal a few touches away from Hunt and Smith. Edwards-Helaire has not appeared in a game yet this season. Across two games for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, he recorded 70 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. Edwards-Helaire should remain off fantasy radars heading into Week 9.
--Will BradySource: Kansas City Chiefs
November 1, 2025
The Atlanta Falcons defense/special teams will look to bounce back after giving up 34 points last week to a Dolphins team that was just 1-6 heading into that contest. This week brings a matchup with the Patriots, a team that is averaging nearly 30 points per game over their last three games, led by quarterback
Drake Maye, who has a 15:3 TD:INT through eight games this season. Atlanta will be without defensive starters S Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) and DE Zach Harrison (knee) again, in addition to LB Divine Deablo (forearm), who is now on IR. The mounting absences on defense could help explain how ineffective the team was last week, and it could be a problem again this week. There are likely better options available as Atlanta sits outside the top 12 fantasy defenses in Week 9.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker
Chris Boswell drilled all four of his field goal attempts, including three from over 50 yards out, and converted his lone extra-point try in a Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 34-year-old remains a dependable fantasy option against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. Although the Colts haven't given up many fantasy points to opposing kickers this season, this contest is projected to feature upwards of 50 total points scored. If it turns into a shootout, Boswell should be plenty involved as the Steelers aim to keep pace with Indianapolis' high-flying offense. Fantasy managers can count on Boswell as a top-10 option once again on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Saturday that running back
Bam Knight will be the "first one out there" on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 at RB, but the work will likely go to whichever back is most effective, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Knight will be battling for lead-back duties with
Michael Carter, who got work in with the first-team offense at practice this week and will rejoin the active 53-man roster. Meanwhile,
Emari Demercado (ankle) will be active after missing Week 7 with an ankle injury. Knight has operated as Arizona's primary back over Carter the last two games, receiving 25 combined carries for 91 yards (3.6 yards per tote) and a touchdown while adding four catches for 27 yards receiving. He will be the "starter" on Monday, but he might need to perform to hold off Carter. Knight is shaping up as a shaky low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex option in a good matchup against Dallas this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
November 1, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth missed practice on Wednesday with a quad injury but has since been removed from the injury report and should be a full-go against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The fifth-year pro had a massive showing back in Week 7, but followed it up with a quiet three-catch, 13-yard performance in last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. He gets another great matchup on Sunday, as the Colts have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game and fourth-most receptions to opposing tight ends. This contest is projected to be high-scoring, so Freiermuth may see enough opportunities to bounce back for fantasy purposes. Still, with
Jonnu Smith and
Darnell Washington also in the mix for snaps, Freiermuth remains difficult to trust as anything more than a low-end TE2.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) is making progress from his foot sprain and could have a role on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys, but veteran backup
Jacoby Brissett will make another start, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Murray has not started for the Cardinals since spraining his foot in the Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and he's not ready to take over starting duties under center coming out of the team's Week 8 bye. Murray has been limited in practice so far this week. He may be active on Monday night, but in that scenario, he'd be serving as the emergency backup to Brissett. It's been another frustrating season for the 28-year-old signal-caller so far in 2025, and there's no guarantee he'll be ready to return for Week 10 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. Murray so far has 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding 173 rushing yards and another score in only five games.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
November 1, 2025
Atlanta Falcons running back
Tyler Allgeier found the end zone for the fourth time in his last six games last week, although he carried the ball just four times for four yards, adding two catches for 10 yards. Of Allgeier's four scores, three have come in wins, with the 25-year-old mustering just one touchdown on a total of nine rushes for 24 yards in the team's last three losses. If that trend continues, it could be a quiet Sunday in Week 9 for the 5-foot-10 running back, as the Falcons are 4.5-point road underdogs and carry an implied point total under 20 in this one. Not to mention, New England is tough against the run, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, and has allowed just 76 rush yards per contest and 3.5 yards per rush (both second-fewest). The BYU product is a touchdown-dependent RB4/Flex this week, who has a very low floor.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
November 1, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Jonnu Smith has seen underwhelming utilization this season and will hope to turn things around at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The Colts have allowed the fourth-most receptions and fifth-most fantasy points per contest to opposing tight ends, opening the door for Smith to contribute in this matchup. Still, it remains difficult to predict how opportunities will be distributed among the crowded Steelers' tight end room. Between Smith,
Pat Freiermuth, and
Darnell Washington, Smith is the most viable fantasy option, but none can be relied upon with confidence. The 30-year-old checks in as the TE21 in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
November 1, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III will hope to bounce back from a quiet Week 8 in a Week 9 showdown with the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts. Fellow receiver
Roman Wilson had a breakout showing last week, but it was Austin that logged the second-most snaps among Pittsburgh's wideouts behind
DK Metcalf. While the Colts have been difficult to defeat on the scoreboard, they've proven beatable through the air, giving up the third-most fantasy points per game and most receptions to opposing receivers. Austin has the explosiveness to break a big play against this defense and should be involved in what is projected to be a high-scoring affair. However, the fourth-year pro has not been consistent enough to warrant consideration in most fantasy leagues. He should be viewed as a low-end flex option with upside in deeper leagues on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
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