November 2, 2025
Green Bay Packers kicker
Brandon McManus (quadriceps) is officially active and will kick in Week 9 on Sunday against the visiting Carolina Panthers. McManus was listed as questionable on the final injury report despite putting in two full practices this week. The 34-year-old veteran placekicker came out of the team's Week 5 bye with a quad injury that sidelined him in Weeks 6 and 7, but he returned in last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to make two of his four field-goal tries and all three of his extra-point attempts. He has gone 9-for-13 on field goals in 2025 and 14-for-15 on extra points. With McManus active for the second straight week,
Lucas Havrisik is a healthy scratch. McManus might not be completely healthy, which makes him a borderline streaming option for fantasy managers in Week 9.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sleeper Packers
November 2, 2025
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps) could return by the first week of the playoffs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Oliver tore his biceps against the Carolina Panthers last week and will undergo surgery, shutting him down for the remainder of the regular season but leaving the door open for him to play in the first or second round of the playoffs. In the interim, Buffalo is looking for defensive line help in the trade market to fill Oliver's void. Rapoport notes that there aren't many big defensive line names available this fall, but the Bills are exploring their options nonetheless. The 2025 NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
November 2, 2025
Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver
Hunter Renfrow will be a healthy scratch once again on Sunday as the team takes on the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 at Lambeau Field, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. It's the third straight week that Renfrow has been a healthy scratch, and it coincides with
Jalen Coker's return from Injured Reserve. The 29-year-old did have seven catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns (his only two on the year) in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals back on Sept. 14, but he has done little else in his six games played with the team. Renfrow has 15 catches on his 26 targets for 89 yards and the two touchdowns in his first year with Carolina, and he's now buried on the WR depth chart behind Coker, rookie first-rounder
Tetairoa McMillan,
Xavier Legette, rookie
Jimmy Horn Jr., and
Brycen Tremayne.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
November 2, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey will play free safety during Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Mike Tomlin told Bob Labriola of the team's official website. Ramsey's position change comes in the wake of the Steelers placing safety DeShon Elliott (knee) on injured reserve and ruling out Jabrill Peppers (quadriceps) and Chuck Clark (illness) for this week. Pittsburgh does have several other safeties who can fill the void, and they added Kyle Dugger via trade last week. However, Tomlin noted that Ramsey is being shifted to safety to offer constant communication and assist some of the new or lesser-experienced defenders. "Given the circumstances, we felt it was prudent to lock him down specifically at free safety, and so he'll be a constant hub of communication to assist [his teammates] in processing and playing," Tomlin said. The 31-year-old has primarily played cornerback this year, but he did log some reps at safety during training camp and the regular season. Through seven games, he has 30 tackles, two sacks, and one interception.
--Andersen PickardSource: Bob Labriola
November 2, 2025
Carolina Panthers veteran quarterback
Andy Dalton (thumb) is active for the Week 9 contest against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and will serve as the backup to
Bryce Young, who is returning from a one-game absence due to an ankle sprain, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The 38-year-old Dalton made his first start of the year in place of the injured Young last weekend and fell flat in the blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, going 16-for-24 passing for 175 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The Red Rifle sustained a broken right thumb in the process, which limited him in practice this week. Dalton is apparently good to go as the backup this weekend, though, so third-stringer
Mike White will be a healthy scratch.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
November 2, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Daniel Bellinger (neck), who was listed as doubtful to play in Week 9, is officially out on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Bellinger suffered a neck injury in last Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and will not suit up. His next chance to play will come next Sunday, Nov. 9, versus the Chicago Bears on the road. With the 25-year-old sitting out this weekend,
Chris Manhertz will see more time on the field as a blocking TE, but he shouldn't be an option in any starting fantasy options.
Theo Johnson should see more targets in the passing game as the G-Men look to get back on track after two straight losses. When healthy, Bellinger is more of a TE3 in fantasy as he shares playing time in New York with Johnson. In his eight games played in 2025, he has only 11 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets.
--Keith HernandezSource: Giants.com - Dan Salomone
November 2, 2025
Indianapolis Colts running back
DJ Giddens (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Giddens opened the year as the primary backup and handcuff behind
Jonathan Taylor, but he seems to have fallen out of favor as the season goes on. Now, the rookie will watch from the sideline for the second week in a row.
Ameer Abdullah and
Tyler Goodson have both surpassed Giddens on the depth chart and will occupy depth roles behind Taylor once again this Sunday.
--Andersen PickardSource: Indianapolis Colts
November 2, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers right guard Mekhi Becton (knee) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Tennessee Titans. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The 26-year-old has played every snap in just two games this season, struggling with availability as he plays for his third different team in three years. Foster Sarell is expected to take over as the primary right guard in his absence.
--Andersen PickardSource: Los Angeles Chargers
November 2, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) has officially been ruled out for the Week 9 contest on Sunday on the road against the New York Giants, the team announced. Purdy came into the weekend with yet another questionable tag after aggravating his turf-toe injury back in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 25-year-old has made slow and steady progress, but he has not been able to practice in full yet, so the Niners will hold him out for another week. It's been an incredibly frustrating season for fantasy managers who drafted Purdy, as he's played in just two games in 2025 due to his toe injury. The good news is that all signs are pointing toward him potentially returning next Sunday for a big divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10. Purdy has QB1 potential still when he's fully healthy, but using him in fantasy next week if he returns will be a risky prospect given his long layoff and the less-than-stellar matchup.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco 49ers
November 2, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Will Dissly (illness) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Tennessee Titans. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. This marks the fifth absence of the year for Dissly, who was a healthy scratch last week against the Minnesota Vikings.
Oronde Gadsden II will continue to lead the position group as a mid-range TE1 in fantasy football while
Tyler Conklin and
Tucker Fisk occupy depth roles.
--Andersen PickardSource: Los Angeles Chargers
November 2, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) and linebacker Logan Wilson (calf) are both inactive for Week 9 against the Chicago Bears. Neither player practiced this week, so their absence on Sunday is not much of a surprise. As Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline approaches, Hendrickson and Wilson may have played their final snaps for the Bengals. The former had requested a trade back in March, but seemingly rescinded his request after signing a new one-year contract to kick the extension saga down the road. Now, midway through the season, Hendrickson is unpaid, and trade rumors surrounding the defensive star continue. Meanwhile, Wilson formally requested a trade in October, setting the stage for a partial divorce between the two sides.
--Andersen PickardSource: Cincinnati Bengals
November 2, 2025
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder) is officially active for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Denver Broncos. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The veteran tight end started to turn the corner in October, but he finished the month with a disappointing two-catch, 24-yard showing against the 49ers. He posted that stat line despite Houston playing without its top two receivers,
Nico Collins and
Christian Kirk. Both Collins and Kirk are back this week, so he'll have even more competition. Schultz could bounce back against a Broncos defense that might lock down Houston's receivers, forcing
C.J. Stroud to target his tight ends more. However, that's far from a guarantee, especially with Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II (pectoral) sidelined. Fantasy managers should view Schultz as a high-end TE2 with TE1 upside.
--Andersen PickardSource: Houston Texans
November 2, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Minnesota Vikings did not want to head into this season without an experienced veteran backup quarterback, which is why they signed
Carson Wentz (shoulder). However, Wentz underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last week. Sources think that if that was the Vikings' thought process before the season, it will be the same now as they look for depth behind inexperienced QB
J.J. McCarthy.
Kirk Cousins makes sense, but the Atlanta Falcons "haven't shown any willingness to trade him." League sources think the Vikings still "could make a move for a quarterback" by Tuesday's deadline. Schefter mentions New York Giants backups
Russell Wilson and
Jameis Winston as possibilities. Right now, McCarthy's backup is
Max Brosmer, so it's understandable why they'd want to trade for a veteran signal-caller for the remainder of the 2025 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
November 2, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco (knee) is expected to return in Week 11, following the team's bye, according to head coach Andy Reid (via CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson). Pacheco has already been ruled out for Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, and he'll use the bye week as a little extra time to rest and recover. In the meantime, Kansas City's backfield will be led by
Kareem Hunt, while rookie
Brashard Smith also figures to get involved.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire and
Elijah Mitchell round out the running back depth chart. Pacheco should rank as a high-end RB3/flex against the Broncos when he returns.
--Andersen PickardSource: Tracy Wolfson
November 2, 2025
Team Penske's Austin Cindric will start in fourth place for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Cindric's starting position for this week's race is a new career-best for the No. 2 Ford driver at the site. In seven Cup starts at Phoenix, Cindric has three top-20 finishes with a best finish of 11th, which he acquired earlier in the season. Through 35 races in 2025, Cindric has one win and only five top-10 finishes, with only one of them being at a short track. In practice, Cindric ranked 33rd in overall lap averages and only displayed top-10 speeds in the five-consecutive-lap-average category. With his underwhelming history, high starting position leaving no upside, and limited top-10 results this season, Cindric is a driver who cannot be trusted for DFS lineups on Sunday.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
November 2, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Flacco (shoulder) will play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday, but Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the veteran signal caller is healthy enough to suit up on Sunday. Having Flacco healthy and available offers the Bengals a major sigh of relief ahead of a potential must-win game against the Bears. Cincinnati sits at 3-5 ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline, and a win on Sunday could be the difference between buying and selling. From a fantasy perspective, Flacco is a high-end QB2 option given his impressive passing skills, which have led to 784 yards, seven touchdowns, and zero interceptions over the last three weeks. He'll also boost the fantasy values of his offensive weapons, including
Ja'Marr Chase,
Tee Higgins, and
Chase Brown, all of whom are startable in fantasy football this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
November 2, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named the 2025 World Series MVP on Saturday night after the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings at the Rogers Centre to win back-to-back championships. After going six innings for his second win of the World Series on Friday night in Game 6, Yamamoto tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on zero days of rest on Saturday to cap off an amazing performance in the Fall Classic. In his first start of the series, Yamamoto threw a complete game, his second straight of the postseason. The 27-year-old Japanese hurler threw 17 2/3 innings over three appearances in a week to win MVP honors for the Blue. He went 3-0 against Toronto with a 1.02 ERA and became just the 14th pitcher in history to record three wins in a single World Series, and the first since Randy Johnson did it for the Diamondbacks in 2001.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony Castrovince
November 2, 2025
Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will start in the eighth position for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Bowman qualified inside the top 10 for the first time at Phoenix since March 2022 this week. In 20 races in his Cup career at the site, Bowman has three top-10 finishes and an average finish of 21.2. The No. 48 Chevrolet driver also placed in the top 20 in each of his last five Phoenix appearances. After 35 races this season, Bowman has 16 top-10 finishes with an average finishing position of 17.5. In practice, Bowman ranked 15th in overall lap averages and 15 consecutive lap averages, while displaying top-10 speeds in the 20 and 25 consecutive lap average categories. Phoenix has not been Bowman's best track statistically and holds low upside from his starting position. With solid practice speeds, however, the No. 48 Chevrolet driver can be considered a playable tournament play for this week's race.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
November 2, 2025
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel "is staying for the foreseeable future" despite speculation that he could be fired, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 2-7 Dolphins fired general manager Chris Grier earlier this week, but McDaniel was not part of any personnel changes. According to Rapoport, the Dolphins will retain McDaniel for the remainder of the 2025 season, and they hope he can remain their head coach beyond then as well. He is currently signed through 2028. "Owner Stephen Ross likes McDaniel, respects him, has invested in him, and hopes he's the coach for the future," Rapoport wrote. At the very least, it appears the Dolphins' ownership will have some patience with McDaniel, even if things continue to go south during the back half of the 2025 season. In the meantime, Miami could look to tear apart some of its roster, as interim general manager Champ Kelly is reportedly more willing to trade away key players than Grier was.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
November 2, 2025
Several NFL teams have shown interest in acquiring Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (calf) ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The veteran defender requested a trade earlier in October, but the team has not yet honored his request. Through eight games in 2025, he has 44 tackles and one fumble recovery. The Bills, Cowboys, and Colts are among the organizations that have called the Bengals about Wilson. He's currently dealing with a calf injury and is not expected to play in Week 9, which means there's a chance he has played his final snap in a Bengals uniform and could be with a new team at this time next week.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
November 2, 2025
The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported before the Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday to win back-to-back World Series championships that right-hander
Tyler Glasnow (side) had been dealing with discomfort in his side, according to FOX Sports' Tom Verducci. Despite starting Game 3 and closing out Friday's Game 6 win, the hard-throwing right-hander appeared in Game 7 on Saturday in relief and threw 2 1/3 frames, allowing an earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out two. It was the first time that the 32-year-old had ever pitched on back-to-back days in his professional career. In addition to Glasnow, the Dodgers used starters
Shohei Ohtani,
Blake Snell, and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the 5-4, 11-inning victory at Rogers Centre. In his 21 1/3 innings pitched (three starts) during this year's postseason, Glasnow gave up six runs (four earned) on 15 hits with 11 walks, 25 strikeouts, a hold, and a save.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
November 2, 2025
Noah Gragson of Front Row Motorsports is starting 18th in this week's NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway after qualifying for the event. This will be just the second time in his Cup career that Gragson will start a Phoenix race inside the top 20. In four races at the Arizona track, Gragson has two top-15 finishes, but also collected positive Place Differential three times. In 35 races this year, Gragson has nine top-20 finishes and an average finish of 25.1. In practice for Sunday's race, Gragson ranked 30th in overall lap averages, 20th in 10 and 20 consecutive lap averages, and 16th in 15 consecutive lap averages. With his practice speeds being indicative of a top-20 finish, Gragson is a DFS option to consider for tournaments this week, especially as his starting position does not provide high upside.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
November 2, 2025
New York Giants running back
Devin Singletary will likely see an increased snap share and target share in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. The 28-year-old is headed for a larger role as he operates as the backup to
Tyrone Tracy Jr. on Sunday. Singletary's increased volume will be the direct result of New York losing rookie sensation
Cam Skattebo (ankle) to a season-ending injury. The Florida Atlantic product totaled over 550 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns as the backup to Tracy last year, but he's still searching for his first touchdown of the 2025 campaign. We fully expect Tracy to handle around 15 touches per game in the lead-back role, but Singletary's role will grow, too. He could see five-plus carries and a couple of targets in this upward-trending offense, all while serving as a valuable handcuff to Tracy.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 2, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Travis Homer is expected to operate as the backup to
Kyle Monangai after the team ruled out
D'Andre Swift (groin) and
Roschon Johnson (back). Homer spent the first six weeks of the season on injured reserve, and he has not yet registered an offensive snap in his two games since returning. He has played exclusively on special teams so far, but that should change this week. Not only will he handle some offensive snaps, but he'll likely see at least a handful of touches as the Bears look to take some of the workload off Monangai. It's unlikely we'll see Homer have fantasy relevance this week, but we'll certainly still hear his name called from time to time.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 2, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Jaret Patterson has been elevated to the active roster for Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, which means he'll likely serve as the backup to
Kimani Vidal once again. The Bolts have been forced to make plenty of running back moves this season with
Najee Harris (Achilles),
Omarion Hampton (ankle), and
Hassan Haskins (hamstring) all on injured reserve. Vidal has played quite well as the de facto lead back, but having someone like Patterson for a change of pace is important. He played 21 percent of the snaps last week, rushing for 30 yards on 11 carries. We could see him handle a similar workload if the Chargers take an early lead on the Titans and pull some starters, but it probably won't be enough to get Patterson on the fantasy radar unless he scores a touchdown. Managers can continue to leave him on waivers in most leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 2, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Chimere Dike continues to ascend into one of the team's top offensive weapons ahead of Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie now has 11 catches, 163 yards, and one touchdown over his last two games, scoring over 16 points (PPR) in each of those contests. He has taken advantage of
Calvin Ridley (hamstring) being sidelined, and he has also been more productive than
Elic Ayomanor despite trailing the fellow rookie in snap count. Dike has earned both trust and public praise from the Titans' coaching staff, and it's clear that rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward feels comfortable throwing him the football often. In an offense that will need to throw the ball a lot to stay competitive, being the primary target directly translates to fantasy football success. Dike should continue to rank as a WR3/flex with WR2 upside as long as Ridley remains sidelined. That remains the case this week as Tennessee enters as the underdog.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
November 2, 2025
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams has posted a few duds in recent weeks, but he is looking to turn it around in Week 9. Williams will get a plus matchup against a struggling Cincinnati Bengals team that can't seem to stop anyone. Williams has shown an ability to pick apart bad secondaries, considering his four-touchdown performance in Week 3. Since then, Williams has totaled two passing touchdowns with three interceptions, but desperately needs to rebound in Week 9. All the signs are pointing to Williams having success in this game. Fantasy managers should give him the benefit of the doubt and plug him in as a QB1.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
November 2, 2025
Legacy Motor Club's Erik Jones will start in the 15th position after qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Jones will start inside the top 20 for the sixth consecutive race in a row at Phoenix. In 18 races at the site, Jones has 10 top-20 finishes with four inside the top 10. Through 35 races this season, Jones has 19 top-20 finishes with an average finish of 20.3. In practice for Sunday's race at Phoenix, Jones ranked 17th in overall lap averages, eighth in 10 consecutive lap averages, and seventh in 15 consecutive lap averages. Compared to most other drivers around his salary range of $6,400, Jones does not have as much upside due to his starting position. Based on his recent Phoenix results with only three top-20s in the past six races at the site, Jones is a bit of a risk to consider for DFS. However, he is worth considering for tournament lineups as his practice speeds are greater than most around his salary.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: DriverAverages.com
November 2, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter is heading into a plus matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. A defensive unit that has struggled to stop anyone all season long. That being said, it should be a good night on the ground for the Cardinals running backs. However, this is a frustrating situation for fantasy managers given the three-back committee.
Bam Knight was announced as the starter, which means Carter and
Emari Demercado will see work behind him. Last week, Carter struggled as he rushed for 11 yards on seven carries in the loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite that, the Cardinals figure to continue giving Carter the ball as the change-of-pace back. For desperate fantasy managers, Carter could offer flex value for Week 9, but is probably better off on the bench in most formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
November 2, 2025
New York Jets running back
Breece Hall has been the subject of trade rumors over the last few weeks. Given the state of the Jets team, it's not shocking to see them considering trading Hall. The Jets are sitting with one win, and Hall is in the final year of his rookie deal. Despite that, Hall is unlikely to be traded unless the Jets get blown away with an offer. The 24-year-old has rushed for 581 yards with two touchdowns on the ground. If he's traded,
Isaiah Davis figures to handle the bulk of the Jets for the rest of the season. However, most organizations are unlikely to give up a ton for a soon-to-be free agent.
--Andy WebbSource: Rich Cimini
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