RADIO
Khalil Shakir Gaining Steam Entering Vikings Game
Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir got off to a slow start to the season but is starting to heat up as Buffalo faces off against a challenging Minnesota Vikings pass defense in Week 9. Shakir started the season with just eight receptions in his first three games, but over his last four contests, he has totaled 19 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown. Shakir will now take on a Vikings secondary that has limited its opponents to a league-best -0.28 EPA per pass, according to Next Gen Stats. Last week against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota limited Detroit's shifty receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to an average of just 6.6 yards per reception. Shakir is RotoBaller's 45th-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score eight fantasy points against the Vikings.
Source: Next Gen Stats
Source: Next Gen Stats
Tanner McKee Expected to be Active as Backup Quarterback in Week 9
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (ribs) is expected to be active as the backup for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New York Giants, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. McKee, who was demoted to the backup role earlier this week, is officially listed as questionable after suffering a cracked rib during the opening drive of last week's game against the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old's demotion to No. 2 on the depth chart is not a result of his injury, but rather a direct product of poor play. He has two touchdowns and three turnovers this season, including all three turnovers in his last two starts. McKee was thrust into action back in Week 6 with Jalen Hurts out for the year due to blood clots. McKee went 0-3 in his time as the starter, so the Eagles will turn to Milton in a desperate attempt to save their season. The 26-year-old is known for his strong arm and mobility, but accuracy has been an issue for him in the past.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
DJ Moore Hopes to Build on Solid Return
Bills wide receiver DJ Moore enjoyed a solid return from injury last week against the Ravens and will hope to build on it during a tough matchup on Monday night. Moore and the Bills take on a Vikings defense that has limited its opponents to just 154.9 yards passing per game this season, the best mark in the NFL. Last week, Minnesota limited the Detroit Lions to just 154 yards passing, while Detroit's leading receiver, Jameson Williams, finished with just 70 yards on four receptions. Moore recorded four receptions on seven targets, finishing the game against the Ravens with 82 yards receiving and a touchdown, while also fumbling the ball away. He is RotoBaller's 23rd-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score 10 fantasy points against the Vikings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam Darnold in Jeopardy of Missing Week 10
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (quad, rib) has already been ruled out for Week 9, and he might also miss Week 10, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Schefter points out that the Seahawks have a Week 11 bye, which could influence their decision. Instead of pushing Darnold to get ready for next Sunday's game, they could keep him on the sideline through the bye. Compared to getting Darnold back for Week 10, keeping him out next week would force him to miss just one extra game while getting an extra 14 days to recover. The Seahawks will also likely consider the net loss of having Darnold miss a game. Seattle has plenty of confidence in its backup quarterback, Drew Lock, who performed well when Darnold missed time with a glute injury in Weeks 1 and 2. If Lock plays well against the Cardinals this Sunday, the Seahawks could feel more compelled to play him next week and give Darnold the extra time to rest. There are several factors at play here, but it seems like there's a very real chance we don't see Darnold again until Nov. 29 against the 49ers.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
James Cook III Could Expose Vikings' Run Defense
If there is one way to beat the Minnesota Vikings' defense, which is ranked No. 1 against the pass, it's through the running game. That's what Bills running back James Cook III will look to do on Monday night, when Buffalo takes on Minnesota in a critical non-conference affair. The Vikings have allowed 116.7 yards rushing per game this season, which is ranked in the bottom half of the NFL. Last week against the Detroit Lions, the Vikings allowed Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs to total 153 yards on the ground and score a touchdown rushing. Cook is coming off his worst performance of the season in terms of yards per carry (3.8) against the Baltimore Ravens, but he has scored a touchdown in six straight games and will look to extend that streak vs. the Vikings. Cook is RotoBaller's 10th-ranked running back and is projected to score 13 fantasy points against Minnesota.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Allen Goes Up Against Vaunted Vikings Defense
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is RotoBaller's No. 2-ranked quarterback as Buffalo takes on the aggressive Minnesota Vikings defense on Monday night. The Vikings are blitzing opposing quarterbacks at an incredibly high rate this season, with their blitz percentage sitting at 73.1%, according to Next Gen Stats. Expect Allen, who has been sacked just 13 times this season, to be under duress early and often against Minnesota. How he handles the blitz will be a deciding factor in Monday's contest. Allen has completed 65.7% of his passes against the blitz this season, but he has been intercepted three times while throwing three touchdowns when opposing defenses bring extra pressure. The Bills could be without two starting offensive linemen this week, as left guard Alec Anderson and left tackle Dion Dawkins are both questionable. Allen is projected to score 21 fantasy points against the Vikings.
Source: Next Gen Stats
Source: Next Gen Stats
Deshaun Watson Expected to be Inactive Sunday, Should Return in Week 10
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but he is still expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that Watson is expected to return in Week 10. The Browns are presumably making Watson inactive this Sunday because he was in concussion protocol all week long, which means that he didn't get a chance to practice and prepare for the Saints. Projected starter Shedeur Sanders and backup Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, went through a full week of practice and were able to prepare for the packages that we might see in Sunday's game. Watson will get back to a full level of participation in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Hunter Henry (foot) Has Realistic Chance to Play Sunday
For the #Patriots OT Morgan Moses (foot) is good to go. Meanwhile, TE Hunter Henry (foot) also has a realistic chance to play, despite practicing just once this week. https://t.co/FS00Fi8BCP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2026
Fantasy analysis coming soon
Jaylen Wright Won't Play Sunday Against the Lions
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (quad) is not expected to play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Detroit Lions, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Wright is officially listed as questionable after logging back-to-back limited practices. The 23-year-old has been very disappointing this season, even after De'Von Achane (knee) was ruled out for the rest of the season. Through six games this year, Wright has just 41 rushing yards on 22 carries, and he has failed to haul in either of his two targets. Ollie Gordon II has been the primary ball-carrier, and he remains the only Dolphins running back worth starting or rostering in fantasy football. Kaytron Allen (quadriceps, questionable) and Carlos Washington will round out the depth chart behind Gordon on Sunday, but they're both avoidable in all leagues.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Kyle Monangai Won't Play Sunday, Expected to Return in Week 11
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) will not play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, he is expected to return in Week 11, following the Bears' bye week. Once Monangai is confirmed as inactive on Sunday, he will have officially missed five consecutive games. The Bears left the door open for him to suit up this week, but it was always going to be a longshot after he missed two consecutive practices, followed by a limited session on Friday. The Bears will continue to lean on D'Andre Swift, who ranks as the overall RB4 in PPR leagues this season and is averaging a whopping 20.9 touches per game this season. He also has 10 touchdowns, which ties his previous career high, despite the fact that we're not even halfway through the 2026 season yet. Swift has been impressive, but we do expect Monangai to carve out a meaningful role as a fantasy RB3/flex upon his return. Before he got injured, the Rutgers product was averaging 15 carries per game, although that number was somewhat skewed by a 30-carry effort in Week 4.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Lamar Jackson Out 6-9 Weeks, Plans to Return Later This Season
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (thumb) has told teammates that he plans to return later this season, according to Ian Rapoport of ESPN.com. "Just stay alive" was Jackson's message to teammates in the aftermath of the thumb injury he suffered in Week 8, Rapoport notes. The Ravens fell to 4-5 this past Thursday with Joe Fagnano at quarterback, and the team could be destined for some more ugly losses with Jackson sidelined and backup Tyler Huntley (toe) expected to miss the remainder of the season. While Jackson currently expects to return before the end of the year, we wouldn't be shocked to see the team shut him down if the Ravens are eliminated from playoff contention before he's healthy enough to play again. The 29-year-old was diagnosed with a fractured and dislocated thumb on his right hand, and with a six-to-nine-week recovery timeline, Jackson probably won't play again until Week 15, at the earliest.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Amon-Ra St. Brown Will Play in Week 9
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is "good to go" for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. He had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices this past week. St. Brown, who has missed just two games through six seasons in the NFL, will continue to operate as Jared Goff's No. 1 option in the passing game. The Lions may have to throw a little less than usual against this one-win Dolphins squad, but we also know that head coach Dan Campbell has a tendency to run his typical, aggressive offense deep into the game. St. Brown remains a must-start WR1 for fantasy football, looking to deliver his 10th consecutive double-digit performance (PPR) dating back to last year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emeka Egbuka Expected to Play in Week 9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (foot) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Chicago Bears despite being listed as questionable, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Egbuka is set to return from a two-game absence after recovering from a concussion and a foot injury. The 24-year-old has posted mixed results when healthy last year, but he'll look to pick up where he left off, as he caught 13 of 25 targets for 86 yards and one touchdown between Weeks 5 and 6. He is averaging 8.2 targets per game this season, and he should continue to see similar (or even more) volume in a potential negative game script environment against the Bears. Egbuka is firmly established as Baker Mayfield's favorite target, making him a fringe top-25 fantasy receiver for Week 9.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Emmett Johnson a Promising Bench Stash
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson is a worthy bench stash as we head into the back half of the fantasy season. Johnson has been used sparingly as a rusher this year behind workhorse teammate Kenneth Walker. However, when given the opportunity, he's flashed his ability as an impact player. Most recently, the rookie came alive in a big way in the team's Week 8 loss to the Broncos. The Minneapolis, Minnesota native hauled in all five of his targets for a staggering 128 yards and a touchdown on the back of a 73-yard catch-and-run. Owners can't rely on that kind of volume from Johnson every week, though it's worth noting he's been a strong option when called upon and ranks third on the team in receiving yards (237) on minimal opportunities. Johnson is unlikely to turn the Chiefs' backfield into a committee, but he could siphon off more work moving forward. Head coach Andy Reid is notorious for making rookies earn their stripes. The 23-year-old is one of fantasy's most critical handcuffs.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kaelon Black a Top-End Handcuff
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black may not be a useful fantasy start in Week 9, but presents as an excellent stash candidate off waivers, particularly for Christian McCaffrey owners. Black handled a heavier workload in San Francisco's Week 7 loss to Atlanta while McCaffrey battled an injury. Coming out of their bye, the latter appears healthy despite being listed as a DNP on Wednesday and should resume his role as the unquestioned workhorse. That said, there are still reasons to scoop the rookie up as we head into the back half of the campaign. For starters, the team may choose to manage McCaffrey's reps if he isn't truly healthy. Moreover, any aggravation of the injury would thrust Black into a substantial role in one of the league's top attacks. Despite no immediate standalone value, the third-round pick of April's draft draws appeal as a high-upside bench asset.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
