RADIO
Caleb Williams to Continue Momentum in Another Tough Outing?
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will look to keep momentum in Week 9 when his team squares off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. Williams and the Bears made a statement win their last time out over the hosting Seahawks. The 24-year-old played exceptionally well - picking apart the league's most staunch pass defense with ease. While it was mediocre fantasy output, it marked his third straight game without an interception and with at least 247 passing yards, a stretch in which Chicago has scored at least 30 points in each outing. Williams faces another tough matchup this weekend against a Buccaneers defense that's exceeded expectations in 2026. Despite that, the former first-overall pick is on a hot streak, and owners should have no trouble slotting him into their lineups as an elite fantasy option. Chicago's tendency to lead with the ground game will sometimes hurt Williams' upside, but he's the ringleader of an ascending attack backed by offensive mastermind head coach Ben Johnson. Williams is RotoBaller's QB7 for his outing with the Bucs.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Justin Herbert is Risky Streaming Choice with Recent Struggles
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is having a season to forget right now. It has gone from bad to worse for Herbert, who hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since Week 5 against the Denver Broncos. Over his last two games, Herbert has thrown zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The 28-year-old has been held to under 250 passing yards in every game besides one this season. He does draw a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans pass defense, which ranks 29th in the league right now. Despite that, fantasy managers have little reason to believe that Herbert is going to turn it around. He remains a risky streaming choice even with a plus matchup against the Texans defense.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dameon Pierce is Released with Injury Settlement
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) was released by the organization with an injury settlement on Friday. Pierce was placed on the Injured Reserve on October 28 due to an undisclosed injury. Pierce would've been forced to miss four games because he was placed on the IR. Now, Pierce is eligible to play once he signs with another team. During his three games with Philly, Pierce carried the ball 37 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He might land elsewhere as a depth option, but it seems unlikely that Pierce will have consistent fantasy value going forward.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Tetairoa McMillan Is a Middling WR2 Start in Week 9 vs. the Broncos
Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is off to an underwhelming start this season, coming in at WR17 in points per game and with a preseason ADP of WR13. The majority of his production came in Weeks 2 and 4, when he totaled 293 yards and two touchdowns in those matchups, accounting for 62% of his total 2026 fantasy production in those two weeks. While he hasn't produced points recently and the Panthers' passing offense has struggled, McMillan still maintains a significant role in the passing game. Compared to all receivers' targets over their last three weeks, he comes in tied for 12th with 26 targets. The opportunity has been there, but strong results might not come in Week 9 when the Panthers face a Denver Broncos defense and secondary that has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs. McMillan has demonstrated that he can deliver game-wrecking numbers; however, Week 9 expectations should be tempered. He still slots in as a middling WR2 and is RotoBaller's WR19 in the latest updated ranking for Week 9.
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Brandon Aiyuk is Not Reinstated on Transaction Report
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) reportedly had his meeting with the organization on Friday. Aiyuk is feeling great and is 100 percent healthy after missing all of last season due to a torn ACL. The 28-year-old is attempting to get reinstated, but it's a bit of a complicated issue. Aiyuk owes roughly $13 million in bonus forfeitures, so we'll see how long it takes for him to get reinstated. He wasn't on the Friday's transaction log as being reinstated, so this could be something that takes time. It doesn't sound like the 49ers want anything to do with Aiyuk anymore, so he'll need to find another team once he does get reinstated. There's some stash value here, but fantasy managers might need to be patient.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Quentin Nelson to Undergo Knee Surgery
Seattle Seahawks offensive guard Quentin Nelson (knee) is set to have surgery to clean out some cartilage in his knee, Ian Rapoport reports. He has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, but the plan is for Nelson to avoid a trip to the Injured Reserve. The Seahawks are hopeful that Nelson can return after the team's Week 11 bye. This is a tough blow for the Seahawks, who recently acquired Nelson in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Nelson made his team debut against the Chicago Bears last week. The hope is that he'll only miss a few games, but his exact timetable isn't known right now. Grey Zabel is expected to start at left guard for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Dalton Kincaid Practices in Full on Friday
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (chest) was a full participant during Friday's practice session. This is good news after Kincaid was limited during Thursday's practice while nursing a chest injury. He was able to shed his red non-contact jersey on Friday, Sal Capaccio reports. It seems like Kincaid is trending in the right direction ahead of Monday's Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Kincaid has been playing some good ball over the last two games, so hopefully he'll be able to keep up that pace. If he does get downgraded, Dawson Knox would likely step into the starting tight end role on Monday.
Source: buffalobills.com
Source: buffalobills.com
Bryce Young Good to Go vs. the Broncos, a Dicey QB2 Play in Week 9
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) has been dealing with an ankle injury but was a full participant throughout the week and is all systems go for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Young has scored the 14th-most fantasy points per game (18.9) and has ranked as a top-12 QB four times in his seven 2026 games. He is off to the hottest start of any season in his career so far, throwing for 1921 yards and 13 TDs, but his run of poor fantasy performances over his past two games may continue through Week 9. The Panthers' passing game has struggled the past two weeks, with Young throwing for only 163 and 209 yards and one touchdown each week, plus three total interceptions. The offensive line has given up the seventh-highest pressure rate in the league (43.5%), which has shown up in their recent production. Combine the line struggles with the fact that their Week 9 opponent, the Broncos, have 23 sacks over their last eight games, and Young could struggle to throw on Sunday. The Panthers' pass offense may continue to flounder in this matchup, making Young Rotoballer's QB19 and a lower-tier QB2 in Week 9.
Source: Joe Person of The Athletic
Source: Joe Person of The Athletic
Tory Horton Set to Benefit Once Again From Teammate's Absence
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton is in line to receive more volume in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle will be without wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee) for a second straight week. Horton earned six targets in his absence in Week 8, catching three for 26 yards. While his efficiency was not great, six targets were a solid mark to hit in an offense so dominated by wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Horton's matchup in Week 9 is solid. Arizona is 22nd against opposing wide receivers in fantasy. The Cardinals are also the 26th-ranked team in pass coverage. As a deep threat, Horton has a chance to get loose in this game. Additionally, Seattle is down several key defensive players, opening the door for a potential shootout, further increasing Horton's potential for more volume. Horton should only be considered in 14-team leagues and larger, but he could be deployed as a potential flex option in deep leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drew Lock a Potential Deep-League Sleeper in Week 9
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (right elbow) is a potential deep league streamer in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. Lock will be stepping in for Sam Darnold (quadriceps), who is slated to miss at least one week. The timing for Lock could not be better, as he already lit up the Cardinals for 235 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. The Cardinals are allowing 237.6 passing yards and 2.3 touchdowns per game, which is good for 31st against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy. Lock has played well in limited action in Seattle. With wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba playing so well, Lock should have no problems racking up yards. He is not necessarily a must-start, but if you are staring down options on the waiver wire, you can do worse than Lock. The Seahawks will be down offensive linemen Charles Cross (ankle) and Quenton Nelson (knee) in this matchup, which will certainly hurt. However, this matchup is too good to pass up should you find yourself in a desperate situation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jason Myers Should Bounce Back in Week 9
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is in prime position to bounce back in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals after a tough outing in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. Myers scored just one fantasy point in Week 8 due to a missed extra point and blocked field goal. Seattle went for two following its second touchdown, limiting Myers' opportunity to score more points. The Cardinals should prove to be a much more porous matchup than what the Bears provided. Arizona is last in the league allowing 29.8 points per game, and they are No. 21 in yards allowed per game. As such, the Seahawks should have no problem moving the ball against this unit and providing Myers with plenty of opportunities to kick extra points and field goals. The Seahawks already hung 31 points on the Cardinals in Week 2, resulting in a solid fantasy outing for Myers. Despite the Seahawks being down quarterback Sam Darnold (quadriceps) in this matchup, expect the offense to move effectively and efficiently. Besides, Seattle already did their damage against the Cardinals in Week 2 with Drew Lock (right elbow) under center.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seahawks D/ST a Top Option Against Backup Quarterback in Week 9
The Seattle Seahawks D/ST is coming off a tough outing in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. However, that should change in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have turned to quarterback Gardner Minshew II and traded Jacoby Brissett to the Raiders, turning over a new leaf in the offense. While Minshew has played solid ball for stretches throughout his career, the last time we got an extended look at him, he threw nine interceptions in 10 games for the Raiders in 2024. Say what you will about Brissett, but he was protecting the ball and producing plenty of yards in this offense. Minshew galvanized this offense in Week 8, but that came against the Dallas Cowboys' defense, which has been one of the worst in the league in 2026. Seattle's defensive unit is expected to make life much more difficult for Minshew in Week 9. Expect plenty of sacks and turnover opportunities, particularly strip sacks. The Seahawks D/ST checks in at No. 4 in RotoBaller's ranking this weekend. Fire them up with confidence.
Source: Seattle Seahawks
Source: Seattle Seahawks
AJ Barner Outside Starting Realm Despite Plus Matchup
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not a starting option in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have been one of the worst defenses in the league all season, and they are No. 24 against opposing tight ends in fantasy. However, Barner is not receiving enough volume in this offense to be a viable fantasy option. Darnold did score a rushing touchdown against Arizona when they first met in Week 2, but he only received one reception. Even in Week 8 when quarterback Sam Darnold (quadriceps) aired it out 34 times, Barner only racked up two receptions. He is consistently scoring in the single-digits in fantasy due to the lack of volume. Barner was viewed as a potential breakout candidate entering the season, but it has become apparent that new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is not keen on using Barner the same way former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak did. Leave Barner on waivers until the Seahawks demonstrate more of a desire to use him.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Treylon Burks Ruled Out For Sunday
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks (foot) did not practice all week and has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game at home against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, according to John Keim of ESPN. Fellow wideout Dyami Brown (calf) is also out after injuring his calf in practice this week. The 26-year-old Burks will miss out on a big opportunity in a game that should feature plenty of positive game script with Terry McLaurin (knee) out for the season. With both Burks and Brown sidelined, veteran Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams should have high target shares as the team's top two wideouts in a banged-up WR corps. Despite Burks' injury, he is worth stashing in deeper fantasy football formats with McLaurin out for the rest of the season. The former first-rounder by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 from Arkansas has caught 12 of his 22 targets for 233 yards and two touchdowns in six games played in 2026 and will be competing with Williams for WR2 duties behind Diggs for the rest of the way. His next chance to return will come next Thursday night in a divisional tilt on the road against the New York Giants.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Jaxon Smith-Njigba in for a Massive Game in Week 9
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have another huge week in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. Smith-Njigba lit up the Cardinals for 155 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2, and he has not slowed down since then. The Cardinals are No. 22 against opposing wideouts in fantasy, not that the matchup has mattered for JSN this season. Smith-Njigba has only finished outside the top eight wide receivers once this season. Additionally, he has logged a staggering seven 100-yard games in eight outings. Seattle will be without Sam Darnold (quad) in Week 9 as well. Backup quarterbacks tend to heavily target their No. 1 wide receiver, which could mean JSN is in for even more volume. We have already seen Drew Lock (elbow) key in on Smith-Njigba in Weeks 1 and 2 in Darnold's absence. You can rest assured that Seattle's struggling offense should have a much-improved outing against this defense, and JSN will reap the benefits.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
