RADIO
Alexander Nikishin Makes Season Debut Saturday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin is penciled in for his season debut Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Russian rearguard missed the start of the season after failing to agree to a new contract with the Hurricanes. He remained an unsigned restricted free agent until Oct. 25, when he inked a one-year, $3 million deal. Nikishin has a point to prove, but his starting position isn't ideal, as the Hurricanes plan to use him on the third defensive pairing. He will also join the second power-play unit. Still, Nikishin had a strong rookie campaign and is worth watching for fantasy managers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Josh Downs a WR4 Despite Favorable Home Matchup Against Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs drew five targets in Week 8, and although he caught four of them, it amounted to just 23 receiving yards. On the bright side, the UNC product hauled in his first touchdown catch of the season, but at 5-foot-9, he's not a big end zone target, so it remains to be seen if he can continue that trend consistently going forward. The former third-rounder has never caught more than five touchdowns in a single season, however, this week's matchup with the Cowboys is one of the more favorable around, so he certainly has a shot to score in back-to-back weeks. Averaging under four catches and 42 yards per game, the 25-year-old has a low floor and a low ceiling, making him a solid but unexciting WR4/Flex play this week, with slight upside given the forgiving defense he'll be going up against.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kailer Yamamoto Moved to Injured Reserve
Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (upper body) has been placed on Injured Reserve, Chase Beardsley of The Hockey News reports. He will miss a fourth consecutive game on Saturday against Ottawa. After opening the season as a healthy scratch, Yamamoto forced his way into the lineup with strong play last month. He has posted seven points (three goals, four assists) in nine appearances. The former Oiler has also been a physical force, averaging two hits per game. Yamamoto's exit from the lineup has coincided with Michael Carcone's return, but he hasn't made an offensive impact from the fourth line.
Source: Chase Beardsley
Source: Chase Beardsley
Sam Steel Available Against Sharks
Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (personal) is available on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. He missed the Stars' last game for personal reasons. Steel hasn't been impactful in fantasy, recording three points (one goal, two assists) in 13 games. His struggles are well summed up by the fact that Steel has no points and a minus-five rating in his last five appearances. While Steel faces a favorable matchup on Saturday, he is unlikely to be a difference-maker, joining Justin Hryckowian and Tyler Seguin on the third line.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
George Pickens Questionable, but Could Have a Big Day if Active
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice all week with a hamstring issue and has been listed as questionable for Sunday's road matchup against the Colts. There is optimism that he will play, but he would likely remain second fiddle to CeeDee Lamb. Be that as it may, in a contest with a high projected total and with the Colts missing multiple starters on defense, including safety A.J. Haulcy (ankle) and cornerback Justin Walley (knee), there should be plenty of offense to support multiple receiving options in this one. The 6-foot-3 wideout owns a 39-533-2 line through eight games and projects as a high-end WR2 at RotoBaller in Week 9, but fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status prior to the 1 PM EST start time and have a pivot in mind in the event that the 25-year-old is ruled out.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Anderson Won't Play Saturday
Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (personal) will sit out Saturday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, TSN's Mark Masters reports. He's away from the team for personal reasons. Anderson has been one of Montreal's best players recently, posting three goals and one assist in three games. Overall, he has notched 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 16 outings while delivering a team-high 34 hits. Owen Beck will replace Anderson in the lineup and is worth a look in some fantasy formats, as he has finished on the score sheet in each of his last three appearances.
Source: Mark Masters
Source: Mark Masters
Zach Hyman Returning From Neck Injury Saturday
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (neck) will return from a five-game absence on Saturday against Vancouver. Hyman has been unlucky with injuries all season, appearing in just six games. He has one goal and no assists. Saturday's matchup gives Hyman a good chance to kick-start his campaign, as the Canucks allow a league-worst 4.61 goals per game. In his last four outings against Vancouver, Hyman has tallied three goals and two assists.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Devon Levi Returns to Oilers Crease
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi (lower body) has been named the starter for Saturday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. He's ready for work after missing seven games with a lower-body injury. Tristan Jarry (illness) is also available, giving Edmonton its top two goalies back. While Jarry has a better goals-against average and save percentage, Levi has put together an outstanding 6-1-0 record. He is likely to improve it on Saturday night, facing the NHL's worst team.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Keenan Allen a Potential WR3 in Favorable Matchup Against Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen earned seven targets in Week 8, reeling in all seven for 67 yards. It was the fourth time in the last five games in which the veteran garnered at least seven targets, and he should be in line for a similar workload in Week 9 against a Dallas defense that has been generous to opposing wideouts. The Cowboys are yielding the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, allowing eight touchdowns and the sixth-most receiving yards to that position through eight weeks (1313; 164.1 yds/game). The Colts will be missing multiple pieces on defense in this one, so both offenses could have a chance to shine in a game with a high projected total. View the 34-year-old receiver as a borderline WR3/4 or solid Flex play in Week 9, with some upside in PPR formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Campbell Placed on Injured Reserve With Neck Injury
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (neck) has been placed on injured reserve, according to Ian Rapoport. The 26-year-old suffered a serious neck injury while making a tackle during the fourth quarter of Detroit's Week 8 victory over the Minnesota Vikings and was transported to a hospital for evaluation. Campbell recorded 57 tackles across seven appearances this season after registering 176 in 2025. He was listed as a nonparticipant on Wednesday's estimated injury report before missing practice Thursday and Friday, and had already been ruled out for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Campbell will miss at least four games, making Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons his earliest possible return, although his recovery timeline remains uncertain. In a statement Wednesday, Campbell reported full movement in his lower body and continued progress with upper-body movement. Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Trevor Nowaske are expected to help fill the void, with Barnes and Rodriguez preparing to handle Detroit's defensive calls.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
CeeDee Lamb a High-End WR1 Against Depleted Colts Defense
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is coming off his third straight week with double-digit targets and is currently leading the league in that statistic with 92, converting them into 60 catches for 709 yards, both of which rank third-most in the NFL; he has six TDs to boot (second most). The superstar will take on a vulnerable Indianapolis defense in Week 9 that will be missing their top three tacklers, including safety A.J. Haulcy (ankle) and cornerback Justin Walley (knee). Throw in George Pickens' (hamstring) questionable status, and Lamb could be in for another big week. The road matchup in Indy has one of the highest over/unders on the board this week (51.5), so in a game that should have plenty of scoring opportunities, it will be another week where the 27-year-old projects as a high-end WR1, ranking as the No. 4 WR overall at RotoBaller for Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Khalil Herbert Signed to Falcons' Active Roster
Atlanta Falcons running back Khalil Herbert has been signed to the active roster from the practice squad following Brian Robinson Jr.'s (hamstring) placement on injured reserve, according to Marc Raimondi. Herbert served as Bijan Robinson's primary backup in each of Atlanta's previous two games, recording six carries for 21 yards and two receptions for 22 yards. His workload remained modest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, when he played just 10 offensive snaps and recorded four carries for 12 yards and one reception for three yards. Bijan Robinson handled 19 carries for 76 yards in that contest and has accumulated 150 rushing attempts for 780 yards through eight games. Herbert now has a more secure roster spot, but his limited involvement during Robinson's previous absences makes him a speculative insurance option.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Brian Robinson Jr. Placed on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) has been placed on injured reserve, according to Marc Raimondi. The 27-year-old has missed Atlanta's previous two games and was already ruled out for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals despite being limited in practice throughout the week, including Friday's final session. Robinson has recorded 53 carries for 211 yards and four touchdowns across six appearances, with three of those scores coming against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. His earliest potential return is Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns, as Atlanta has a bye in Week 11. Khalil Herbert has been signed to the active roster to replace Robinson, leaving Bijan Robinson with an established backup for the coming weeks. Robinson is now primarily an injured-reserve stash.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Daniel Jones Faces Favorable Cowboys Defense Despite Recent Struggles
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will start against the Dallas Cowboys despite being replaced in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 42-7 loss to Jacksonville. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before Anthony Richardson Sr. took over with the Colts trailing by 35. Coach Shane Steichen attributed the switch to the lopsided score, but Jones has thrown only five touchdowns against nine interceptions across eight games. Dallas presents one of the friendlier passing matchups, allowing 15 touchdowns through the air while ranking 30th in defensive EPA allowed per dropback. The Cowboys were exposed again in Week 8 after Gardner Minshew II replaced Jacoby Brissett late in the third quarter and threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns in Arizona's overtime win. Even so, RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings place Jones at QB27, making him a desperation option in Superflex leagues. He has taken 13 sacks over his last three starts, while right tackle Jalen Travis (thumb, hamstring) is questionable despite a full Friday practice.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dak Prescott Faces Touchdown-Friendly Colts Defense
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott enters Sunday's road game against the Indianapolis Colts as a strong QB1, with RotoBaller's November 7 rankings placing him at QB5. The Colts rank 12th in net passing yards allowed (211.8 per game), but have surrendered 14 passing touchdowns while intercepting only two passes. That vulnerability was clear in Week 8, when Trevor Lawrence needed just 14 attempts to throw for 210 yards and three touchdowns against Indianapolis. Prescott's recent outings have been less consistent: he threw three touchdowns against Philadelphia in Week 7, then managed 195 passing yards against Arizona, scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season. Still, he has 2,046 passing yards and 14 passing touchdowns through eight games, and Dallas averages 37.8 pass attempts per contest. The primary uncertainty concerns his receiving corps. George Pickens (hamstring) was limited in all three practices, while Jake Ferguson (ankle) sat out Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited capacity Friday. Both are questionable, and KaVontae Turpin (ribs) is out.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
