Deebo Samuel Sr. Primed For Heavy Target Share in Week 9
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has turned in two of his quietest performances of the season over his last two games. Samuel missed Week 7 against the Cowboys due to a heel injury, but he's totaled just seven catches for 26 yards on 11 targets in Weeks 6 and 8 as he still seems to be impacted by the injury. The 29-year-old will hope to return to his early-season form on Sunday Night Football against the Seahawks, as Washington will again be without top wideout Terry McLaurin after he re-aggravated his quadriceps injury during their Week 8 loss at the Chiefs. Samuel has averaged 16.4 PPR points per game without McLaurin in the lineup, compared to 12.3 with him, but he'll face a tough Seattle defense getting top cornerback Devon Witherspoon back in action. The former San Francisco 49er wideout will face a familiar division rival he knows well, averaging 110.4 total yards per game with seven total touchdowns in eight career games against the Seahawks, including a three-catch, 102-yard, one touchdown performance in a Week 6 primetime matchup against them last season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Off Fantasy Radars For Week 9
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has seen his snap share decline over the past few weeks. After playing at least 25% of the snaps and handling five or more carries in Weeks 3-5, he's logged just 12 snaps and four carries over the past three games. The backfield touches have consolidated around rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt on early downs, with veteran Jeremy McNichols handling pass downs both as a receiver and pass protector. Rodriguez could see more touches in Week 9, but it's a brutal matchup against a Seattle defense that has allowed a league-best 3.3 yards per carry. Rodriguez should be left on waivers for Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremy McNichols has Deep-League Flex Appeal for Week 9
Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols led the team in receiving in their Week 8 loss to the Chiefs, catching five of his six targets for 64 yards and adding one carry for four yards. McNichols has arguably been Washington's most effective back recently, consistently making plays when his number is called. The 29-year-old is tied for the eighth most receiving first downs (seven) despite ranking just 31st in routes run (82) among 54 running backs with at least 50 routes. His 4.58 yards after contact per reception is the third best behind only Jaylen Warren and James Cook. McNichols has been one of the best third-down backs in the league this season and should benefit from the return of star quarterback Jayden Daniels. The veteran still plays predominantly on third downs with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt filling the early down role. It'll be tough to move the ball on the ground on Sunday Night Football against a Seahawks defense that has allowed a league-best 3.3 yards per carry and tied for the second fewest rushing touchdowns (two) in the league. However, they are tied for the most receptions allowed to opposing running backs (47), which could play in McNichols' favor. McNichols has flex appeal in PPR formats in deeper leagues for Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon McManus Holds Questionable Tag for Week 9
Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus (quad) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. McManus was limited in practice to begin the week, but was able to get through a few full sessions to end the week. Despite that, McManus will carry a questionable tag into Sunday's game. Fantasy managers will likely have to wait until closer to kickoff before getting a final decision on McManus. The 34-year-old returned last week from a two-game absence and missed two kicks. He's not exactly an elite option when healthy, so maybe fantasy managers should look elsewhere.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
Matt Prater Cleared for Week 9
Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater (calf) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Prater was limited in practice throughout the week, but that won't stop him from playing this weekend. It doesn't sound like Prater is 100 percent healthy, but he'll be able to kick through the pain. Prater has been a viable option as he has only missed two kicks heading into Week 9. He'll be a viable streaming option for this tough matchup against the Chiefs.
Source: Buffalo Bills PR
Source: Buffalo Bills PR
Hassan Haskins Ruled Out for Week 9
Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. As expected, Haskins will miss another game as he hasn't practiced since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7. The absence of Haskins will mean that Kimani Vidal will see the bulk of the carries once again. Jaret Patterson figures to be brought up from the practice squad, but Vidal is going to see most of the touches. When healthy, Haskins wasn't doing much anyway, so it's tough to justify holding him outside of dynasty leagues.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Nick Chubb Is a Risky Flex Play in Week 9
Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb continues to share time in the backfield with Woody Marks, with his primary workload coming on early downs. Chubb had 17 carries last week compared to just 11 for Marks, but since he only had two targets and two catches for 13 yards, Marks was a slightly better fantasy play. Chubb hasn't found the end zone since Week 5, and he only has two touchdowns on the year. Since his high mark of the season is only 61 rushing yards, he needs to get into the end zone to be worth a look in Week 9. He'll face the Broncos, who have been tough against the run, allowing only seven touchdowns to running backs this season. Chubb hasn't been able to consistently get big gains, so he is only the RB38 in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings. He's a desperation flex play if you need him, but he is very high risk since he's so touchdown dependent.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Chig Okonkwo Removed From Injury Report
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (foot) was removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Okonkwo was limited to start the week before sitting out of practice on Thursday. Despite that, Okonkwo returned as a full participant on Friday and has been cleared to play this weekend. The 26-year-old has been quiet most weeks and continues to split up the snaps with Gunnar Helm. That being said, Okonkwo isn't an ideal streaming option and at best offers TE2 value.
Source: Titans PR
Source: Titans PR
Tyler Allgeier Ready to Play in Week 9
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Allgeier was limited in practice on Thursday, but that won't stop him from playing in Week 9. The 25-year-old played through the same issue last week and handled a season-high 40 percent of the offensive snaps. The increase in playing time was likely due to the fact that the game was a blowout. Allgeier figures to return to his regular role this weekend. He's a touchdown-dependent option heading into Week 9.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Kyle Pitts Sr. Cleared for Week 9
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (ankle) doesn't carry any injury designation into Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots. Pitts was limited the first two days of practice due to a minor ankle issue. However, Pitts was upgraded to a full participant on Friday and is ready to go for this weekend. The 25-year-old has been heavily involved over the last few weeks. He has 19 targets over the last two games, but could lose some steam with wide receiver Drake London returning this weekend. Despite that, Pitts should still be a playable option for Week 9.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Woody Marks Ready to Go Against the Broncos
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (calf) was limited in practice this week but does not have an injury designation for Week 9's matchup against the Broncos. Marks had a massive breakthrough performance in Week 4 with 69 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns. He took a back seat to Nick Chubb in Week 5's blowout win, but he has been productive in an even timeshare with Chubb in the last two weeks. Marks can produce excellent receiving yards and PPR production when he's at his best, and has scored two of his touchdowns through the air. Last week, he also had one of his best rushing games with 62 rushing yards on his 11 carries. Marks has a tough matchup against the Broncos this week, but he's still the RB25, showing he's a solid RB3 or flex option even against the strong Denver defense.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
C.J. Stroud Is a Fringe QB2 in a Tough Matchup
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has shown positive signs in several of his last few games, with multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games. However, this week, he and the Texans have a tough matchup against the Broncos, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Stroud will get some help, though, with both Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) set to return to the lineup. This could be a statement game for the Texans, who are looking to climb back into the playoff race after their 0-3 start. Stroud led them to a 26-15 win last week against the 49ers, throwing for a season-high 318 passing yards despite being without Collins and Kirk. While he has a high ceiling, the matchup makes him high-risk, which is why he's only the QB22 in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips Drawing Trade Interest
Multiple NFL teams have "reached out and have significant interest" in trading for Miami Dolphins pass-rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, sources told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. The Dolphins have been hesitant to shop both Chubb and Phillips, but with another blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night and with the trade deadline coming next Tuesday, the Dolphins "may now be willing to make a move." After the 28-6 loss to the Ravens, the Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier on Friday and could be changing their stance on several of their assets before next week's deadline. Chubb is probably more attractive to contending teams seeking pass-rush help, as he is under contract through 2027 and has four sacks so far in 2025. Meanwhile, Phillips, who has three sacks this year, will be a free agent next March.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Ollie Gordon II Considered Day-to-Day With Ankle Sprain
Miami Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II (ankle), who suffered an ankle injury in Thursday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, is considered day-to-day with an ankle sprain, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Dolphins have 10 days before their Week 10 divisional contest against the Buffalo Bills, so Gordon "should miss limited time." The 21-year-old was walking without a noticeable limp in the locker room after Thursday's game, but it remains to be seen if he'll be active in Week 10. Before leaving in the first half due to his ankle sprain against Baltimore, Gordon had only two carries while logging 13 offensive snaps. If he is unable to gain clearance to play against Buffalo next week, Jaylen Wright, who was a healthy inactive on Thursday, would be active as the backup to starter De'Von Achane. Gordon hasn't been much more than a handcuff to Achane in fantasy in his first NFL season.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Brian Thomas Jr. Cleared for Week 9, More Targets Coming?
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) was limited in practice all week but has been cleared from Friday's final injury report and will be active for the Week 9 contest on Sunday against the hosting Las Vegas Raiders. Thomas injured his shoulder in London in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams before the team's Week 8 bye, and he's still battling through it. However, he will suit up this weekend as the Jags' WR1 with rookie first-round receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (knee) on Injured Reserve. Jacksonville will look for receivers Parker Washington and Dyami Brown to step up with Hunter sidelined for the foreseeable future, but it should also mean a more consistent target share for Thomas, who is currently in a sophomore slump (one touchdown) after breaking out as a rookie. Thomas should be viewed as a WR2 with upside this week against the Raiders.
Source: Jaguars.com
Source: Jaguars.com
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