1 day agoNew York Giants rookie running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion) was seen on the field working with the training staff during Wednesday's practice according to Art Stapleton of USA Today. Stapleton further reported that if the rookie running back responds well he could progress to a non-contact participant on Thursday. Tracy sustained a concussion during the final quarter in Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during the week as he could have an outside chance of suiting up to face Washington if he progresses through the concussion protocol. If not, veteran
Devin Singletary should be expected to take the lead in Week 9.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Art Stapleton
1 day agoCarolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young will start in Week 9 according to Steve Reed of the Associated Press. Reed noted that head coach Dave Canales was impressed with how the sophomore QB performed last weekend and that he "wants to continue to find the things that he is confident in." Last Sunday against a tough Denver Broncos defense, Young turned in his best start of the season as he threw for 224 yards and two scores and two interceptions. This was his first time this season he eclipsed the 200-yard mark and tallied multiple scores in a game. He has a much more favorable matchup this weekend facing the New Orleans Saints who have allowed the 17th-most points to opposing QBs.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Steve Reed
1 day agoCarolina Panthers wide receiver
Adam Thielen (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session according to David Newton of ESPN. Thielen has been on the injured reserve since the third week of the season after sustaining an injury against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the veteran wideout was able to practice in a limited capacity last week and seeing him continue to participate is promising sign. Fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout the week as he could return as early as this weekend to face the New Orleans Saints. With
Diontae Johnson being shipped to the Baltimore Ravens, Thielen could eventually serve as the top pass catching option in Carolina down the stretch.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: David Newton
1 day agoBad luck and bad timing make Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud tough to start in one-QB formats on Thursday against the New York Jets. Despite the Jets being dysfunctional, even for them, they rank second in the NFL in yards after catch allowed and tied for third with six passing touchdowns surrendered in eight games. New York boasts two excellent coverage corners in Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, and Houston will face them when top wide receivers
Nico Collins (hamstring) and
Stefon Diggs (knee) are on injured reserve. Backup wide receivers, a short week, and a bad matchup is a lot to dislike, so fantasy managers should strongly consider their other options in Week 9.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
1 day agoDespite the Houston Texans' numerous offensive changes, running back
Joe Mixon remains a RB1 option against the New York Jets on Thursday. The 28-year-old has one of the best fantasy situations in the league as a legitimate feature back who gets targets and red-zone work on a good offense, and he's delivered three straight top-10 finishes among running backs. Now, Houston could lean on its running game even more with top receivers
Nico Collins (hamstring) and
Stefon Diggs (knee) on injured reserve. The Jets are allowing just under 126 rushing yards per game, which ranks 17th in the NFL, and their 10 rushing touchdowns allowed is more than all but three teams. Mixon is a clear starter in Week 9.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
1 day agoInjuries have rearranged the Houston Texans' offense, leaving wide receiver
Tank Dell as the team's top pass-catching option heading into a Thursday Night Football showdown at the New York Jets. The 25-year-old figures to see a significant, if temporary, role increase with fellow receiver
Nico Collins (hamstring) set to miss a minimum of one more game and
Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the season. Unfortunately for Houston, the Jets boast arguably the best cornerback tandem in football with Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Dell caught a touchdown last week and should see more targets, though this matchup isn't ideal, making him a low-end WR2 or flex option in Week 9.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
1 day agoHouston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz's role as a receiver took a major hit in the offseason, but injuries could change that in Week 9 against the New York Jets. Houston will be without their first and second options on Thursday, as wide receiver
Nico Collins (hamstring) will be out at least another week and
Stefon Diggs (knee) will miss the rest of the season. More targets might be on the way for the big tight end, who is a disappointing 25th among fantasy tight ends so far. The Jets are a tough matchup, ranking ninth against tight ends, though Schultz is coming off his best receiving yardage total of the season (52) last week. He's still a TE2 option, albeit with some upside under the circumstances.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
1 day agoCarolina Panthers rookie running back
Jonathon Brooks (knee) turned in a full practice on Wednesday according to David Newton of ESPN. The former second-round selection has been sidelined throughout his entire rookie career due to a torn ACL he suffered last November. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status going forward but a full practice could suggest he may be nearing his NFL debut. However, the Panthers may opt to exercise extreme caution with their young running back given their position in the standings. For now, Brooks remains a high-end stash option.
Chuba Hubbard should be expected to remain as the lead back for the time being,
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: David Newton
1 day agoFantasy managers who drafted Houston Texans kicker
Ka'imi Fairbairn this season likely got the best deal on a kicker relative to draft position, and he once again remains an easy starting option against the New York Jets in Week 9. The veteran has made three or more field goals in five games this year and converted nine kicks from beyond 50 yards, good enough for a No. 2 overall ranking among fantasy kickers. Attached to a capable Houston offense, Fairbairn should be glued into a starting role, even against a good Jets defense.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
1 day agoThe Houston Texans' defense compiled a season-best five sacks last week, but will face a middle-of-the-road matchup against the New York Jets on Thursday. The Jets' offense hasn't clicked, to put it nicely, but still has significant talent at its skill positions. New York running back
Breece Hall has 399 total yards in his past three games, and the wide receiver tandem of
Garrett Wilson and
Davante Adams remains formidable. Houston could capitalize on a shaky Jets offensive line, but it's likely fantasy managers can find a more favorable matchup elsewhere in Week 9.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
1 day agoPhiladelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert (hamstring) was not seen at Wednesday's practice according to Jeff McLane of the Inquirer. The 29-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening quarter of their Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns. If Goedert is unable to return to practice he could be in danger of missing his third-straight game. While Goedert has been sidelined, No.2 tight end
Grant Calcaterra has taken the lead and enjoyed a productive game last weekend as he brought in all three of his targets for 58 yards. Calcaterra should be viewed as a high-end TE2 this weekend if he gets the start facing the Jaguars who have allowed the 23rd-most PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff McLane
1 day agoNew Orleans Saints quarterback
Derek Carr (oblique) was on a pitch count during Wednesday's practice but is still expected to start on Sunday according to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune. Carr has been sidelined since suffering the oblique injury in their Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In his absence, the Saints turned to rookie
Spencer Rattler who averaged 190.3 passing yards and per game and was pulled in his most recent start. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Carr's status throughout the week. If he is able to return to action, he should be viewed as a QB2 with upside facing the Carolina Panthers who have allowed the 28th-most points to opposing QBs this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Matthew Paras
1 day agoSeattle Seahawks wide receiver
DK Metcalf (knee) will not practice on Wednesday according to Curtis Crabtree of FOX13 Seattle. However, Crabtree noted that the team remains optimistic he will practice tomorrow and play this weekend. Metcalf sustained this knee injury during their Week 7 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons. Metcalf was unable to play last weekend. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the week in case he faces a setback. If Metcalf can suit up this weekend, he should be viewed as a high-end WR2, facing the Los Angeles Rams who have allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Curtis Crabtree
1 day agoDetroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff (ankle) is not practicing on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. The veteran said his ankle is sore, but he expects to be fine. Goff posted just 85 passing yards in the Week 8 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans, but he tossed three touchdown passes. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft has at least two touchdowns in each of his last five games and has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league in recent weeks. It would be a surprise if he misses the Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers, but fantasy managers of Goff and the Detroit pass-catchers should monitor his status. Assuming Goff is good to go, he'll face a tough matchup against a Green Bay defense that has surrendered the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs. If he's at risk of being out, second-year quarterback
Hendon Hooker would draw the start.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jeremy Reisman
1 day agoBaltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (undisclosed) is not on the practice field during Wednesday's practice session that is open to the media. The two-time NFL MVP finished the Week 8 game against the Cleveland Browns, so it's unclear what is causing his absence. However, the team's official Wednesday injury report that comes out later in the afternoon will bring clarity. Assuming Jackson is good to go for the Week 9 matchup with the Denver Broncos, he will once again have overall QB1 upside in fantasy football. The Broncos have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, but Jackson has proven to have a nuclear fantasy ceiling in any matchup. Jackson is the QB1 so far in 2024, averaging 25.5 fantasy points per game behind 2,099 passing yards, 501 rushing yards, and 19 total touchdowns.
Josh Johnson would start for Baltimore if Jackson cannot go.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jamison Hensley
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