RADIO
Does Lamar Jackson Have a Shot to Return This Season?
The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's (thumb) odds of playing again in 2026 depend on his recovery from right-thumb surgery and whether veteran QB Jacoby Brissett can keep the Ravens in the playoff picture. Jackson injured his right thumb on the first offensive snap of the Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and he was expected to miss the rest of the season. However, even though the 29-year-old two-time MVP has been placed on Injured Reserve, the Ravens have not completely closed the door on his return this year. Baltimore is currently 4-5 and in last place in the AFC North after their blowout loss on Thursday night to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but if Brissett can keep them afloat late into the regular season, perhaps Jackson will have a shot at making a return if the Ravens have a shot at the postseason. The likelihood of Jackson producing again for fantasy managers in 2026 is still very remote, though. The four-time Pro Bowler has become a much bigger injury risk as a top-flight QB1 in fantasy going into the 2027 season after also playing in only 13 games last year due to various injuries.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Justin Herbert a Tough Superflex Start in Week 9 vs. Texans
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert didn't show signs of turning his season around after his bye. The 28-year-old scored under 10 fantasy points, threw two interceptions, and was QB21 on the week. It marked the third time this season Herbert failed to reach double-digit fantasy points, dropping him to QB27 overall. Herbert enters Week 9 as RotoBaller's QB24 in a tough matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans have allowed the 11th-fewest passing touchdowns but have allowed the third-most 20-plus-yard passing plays this season. Houston hasn't had a menacing defense this season, but it isn't a defense to pick on for fantasy football. Herbert is an uninspiring QB2 and is best left out of fantasy lineups in Week 9.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Colts Have Told Teams They Aren't Trading Daniel Jones
Quarterback Daniel Jones might prefer a trade, but the Indianapolis Colts have told interested teams that they are not trading him, according to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero. Teams have reached out to the Colts about acquiring the 29-year-old signal-caller, but they apparently have not received any offers to their liking, and he is likely to stick around for the rest of the 2026 season. In addition to Jones, it is increasingly unlikely that Indy will trade star running back Jonathan Taylor by Tuesday's deadline unless they receive an offer that they cannot refuse. Jones has mostly struggled this year after tearing his right Achilles tendon on Dec. 7 of last year, completing a career-low 60.4% of his pass attempts for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions in eight starts. The Colts are 2-6 going into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, and Jones may need to turn things around quickly to avoid being benched in favor of Anthony Richardson Sr. It has not helped Jones' cause that his top wideout, Alec Pierce (heel), has missed most of the season. Even in a good matchup in Week 9 against Dallas, Jones is a low-end QB2 option in fantasy football.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Bo Nix Is a Week 9 Superflex Start
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is a QB2 for Sunday's game at Carolina, where the Panthers will be without cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring) and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (hamstring). Neither practiced Friday. Carolina gave up 288 yards and three touchdown passes to Jordan Love on 41 attempts in Week 8 without recording a sack. Nix has shown some improvement through the air, throwing for 222 yards in each of his last two games after being held to 107 and 123 in the previous two. He threw two touchdown passes against Kansas City last week and accounted for two scores at Arizona in Week 7, including a 62-yard touchdown run. He has 114 rushing yards and two scores on the ground through eight games, which helps in Superflex when his passing volume is modest. RotoBaller's weekend rankings have him at QB17. Carolina makes him a reasonable bye-week fill-in in deeper one-quarterback leagues, though his 6.0 yards per attempt this season still leave him dependent on touchdowns or a productive day as a runner.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Geno Smith Loses Top Target Ahead of Week 9
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday without Garrett Wilson (concussion), who leads the team with 43 catches and 527 receiving yards. Smith threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns against Las Vegas in Week 8, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. The Jets have scored 25 and 33 points over their last two games, and Smith has thrown 12 touchdown passes against three interceptions this season. His 15 completions on passes traveling at least 20 yards in the air are tied for the league lead. Adonai Mitchell, coming off a 142-yard game, gives Smith another receiver who can win downfield. Kansas City has allowed seven passing touchdowns in seven games, though Bo Nix accounted for two of them on 222 passing yards last Sunday. Smith has rushed for just 46 yards without a touchdown in eight games, so replacing Wilson's production matters even more to his fantasy outlook. He is a low-end QB2 for Superflex managers and a sit in 12-team, one-quarterback leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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
J.J. McCarthy Hoping for More Touchdown Luck Against Eagles
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy led the team to victory in Week 7 and will look to carry that momentum into Week 9. In five quarters with the Giants, McCarthy has completed 31 of 49 pass attempts for 495 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. In Week 7, McCarthy totaled 252 passing yards but did not throw a touchdown, while running backs Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, and even backup Jameis Winston scored rushing touchdowns. McCarthy will hope for better touchdown luck against the Philadelphia Eagles defense, which has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Injuries have plagued the Eagles on both sides of the ball, so the Giants could dominate and rely less on the pass game in Week 9. Fantasy managers should hope the Eagles' new starting quarterback, Joe Milton, can keep up against the Giants, as McCarthy enters as a low-end QB2 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jared Goff Could Be Set Up for Bounce-Back Game in Week 9
Across seven games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 67.7% of his pass attempts for 1,964 yards, 15 touchdowns, and one interception. Goff is coming off his worst game of the season in Week 8 against the very tough Minnesota Vikings defense. However, the 32-year-old has a much easier matchup on paper in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. Through eight weeks, Miami's defense ranks last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.3) and 29th in passing touchdowns allowed (16). The Lions have shifted to a more run-heavy approach in recent games, as Goff has averaged 29 pass attempts per game since Week 5 after averaging over 40 attempts per game through Week 4. Still, Goff should have a chance to move the ball against the Dolphins and profiles as a must-start fantasy quarterback.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chargers Not Inclined to Trade Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers have answered trade inquiries from rival teams about quarterback Justin Herbert with "hard no's," per ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. The 0-7 Chargers appear to be out of the playoff picture in 2026, but the organization does not seem to be inclined to fully blow up their current team. Herbert is in the midst of an awful season, as he's completed 61.8% of his pass attempts for 1,398 yards, five touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across seven games. However, the 28-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler who has finished in the top 10 of the MVP vote twice in six full NFL seasons. While Herbert would surely fetch the Chargers a massive return in trade, replacing their franchise quarterback does not appear to be an option Los Angeles is considering ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport
Tyler Shough Faces Tough Test Against Browns in Week 9
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 30-of-38 pass attempts for 278 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Week 7's loss to the Steelers. Despite the Saints scoring just 10 points, Shough's 7.3 yards per attempt and 78.9% completion rate were both his highest marks since Week 2. That's an encouraging sign after he averaged 6.1 yards per attempt or fewer and completed 69% or less of his passes in each of the previous four weeks. Things don't get easier for Shough in Week 9, as he'll face a Browns defense that has allowed opposing quarterbacks to average just 175 passing yards and 0.5 passing touchdowns per game over the last four weeks. The difficult matchup, combined with the Saints' inconsistent offensive production in recent weeks, lands Shough at QB14 in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Daniel Jones Receiving Trade Interest from Multiple Teams
The Indianapolis Colts have heard from multiple teams with interest in trading for quarterback Daniel Jones, per ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. Jones has had a rough 2026 season so far, completing 60.4% of his pass attempts for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions across eight games. However, the 29-year-old is just one season removed from the best year of his career in 2025, when he threw for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns over 13 games before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles. The 2-6 Colts have already started trading off key pieces and could look to move on from Jones as well. If Jones is no longer in Indianapolis after the deadline, former first-round pick Anthony Richardson would likely take over under center.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport
C.J. Stroud a QB2 in Return from Bye Week
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has thrown 11 touchdowns and just one interception in his seven games this season, but his team went just 2-5 before a Week 8 bye. The offensive line has been inconsistent this season, without much success in the running game, leaving Stroud to air it out quite a bit this season. However, the 0-7 Chargers have actually been solid at pass defense, allowing the seventh-fewest passing yards per game and giving up only eight passing touchdowns in seven games. While it isn't a great matchup, Stroud is still a viable fantasy option in two-QB or deep formats. He is RotoBaller's QB16 this week and will look to keep the Chargers winless with a strong road showing on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shedeur Sanders To Start, Has Good Matchup Vs. Saints
Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and has a nice matchup against a porous pass defense. Sanders gets the start with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol and questionable to be available against the Saints. Sanders draws a matchup against the No. 28 ranked pass defense in the NFL as the Saints allow 372.7 pass yards per game and have given up 22 passing touchdowns this season. Sanders is a dual-threat quarterback and not only has the good passing matchup but he also carries the threat to run and scramble if plays break down. Sanders has yet to start this season and this is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do. He remains a risky spot start in fantasy but with the excellent matchup he carries a bit of promise as a low-end starting fantasy quarterback. As a fantasy manager, if you are bitten by the injury bug at the quarterback position, look to Sanders as a quarterback to plug into the lineup as a decent one-week option.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Malik Willis A Strong Streaming Option in Week 9
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis has been trending in the right direction the last few weeks and gets a favorable matchup against the Lions in Week 9. Willis has a high ceiling since he is a dual-threat QB with rushing upside that he showcased with a season-high 74 rushing yards in Week 5. That big game against the Bengals started a run of three straight games with multiple total touchdowns. He threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns each of the last two weeks, and he'll need to be very productive again in this matchup against the high-scoring Lions. Since QBs have often had to play from behind against Detroit, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to the position in the NFL. In that favorable matchup, Willis is the No. 13 QB in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings, making him a viable starter in single-QB leagues if you are shopping for a bye week or injury replacement.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gardner Minshew II Faces Tough Test In First Start
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II is going to get his first start of the season in Week 9. Last week, he took over for Jacoby Brissett, who was flailing against a terrible Dallas Cowboys defense. Minshew took the reins late in the third quarter and helmed six drives, going 17-for-23 for 188 yards and three touchdowns. In the wake of Arizona's 33-30 overtime win, Minshew was named the starter, and Brissett was eventually traded to the Ravens. Minshew's first test as the Cardinals' starter is a doozy. He will be up against a Seahawks defense that is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the fewest passing yards in the league. In most leagues, Minshew can remain on the wire despite his promotion. Even in two-QB formats, Minshew is in a tough spot in Week 9 and should be avoided unless truly desperate.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
