San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is currently "ramping up" and set to take part in practice during the team's Week 9 bye. According to Ian Rapoport, McCaffrey has targeted Week 10 for his return and he is currently on track to hit that date. The superstar back hasn't played in a regular season game yet this year, and with Jordan Mason (shoulder) getting banged up, it's the perfect time to rejoin the backfield. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status through the bye week and into Week 10 before committing to him in their starting lineup.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) was forced to leave their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a groin injury and did not return. According to Ian Rapoport, the star QB seemed to avoid a major injury but his status for the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions is "in doubt." The Packers go into their bye in Week 10, so they could play it safe to give him an extra week of rest before returning in Week 11. If that's the case Malik Willis would make another start against a strong Lions defense.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram saved his fantasy day with a late touchdown in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The veteran tight end finished with four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, which he scored to tie the game with a minute and 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Engram was outgained by backup tight end Brenton Strange, who finished with five receptions (team-high) and 59 yards (1 off the team lead). While it is reassuring Engram caught a touchdown, he has been very up and down this season. After missing a few games, Engram returned with a 10 reception performance, but now has just nine receptions combined in the last two games. Despite that, Engram should be considered a top tight end play in fantasy in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ribs) left Sunday's game with a chest injury and he will now have an MRI on his ribs to determine the severity. According to Ian Rapoport, there isn't much more information at this time, so the MRI will be the best source for fantasy managers to find out if he'll need to miss extended time. Christian Kirk (collarbone) has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, so the Jaguars receiving corps will be reduced to Gabe Davis (shoulder), Parker Washington, and Tim Jones if Thomas has to miss any games.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange surprised in Week 8 with a solid outing backing up Evan Engram. The second year tight end finished with five catches for 59 yards. Strange surprisingly led the team in receptions in what was somewhat of a down game for Engram. He also was just one yard shy of the team lead, behind Brian Thomas Jr.'s 60 receiving yards. While anyone who for some reason started Strange should be happy with this performance, it doesn't mean much for his fantasy prospects going forward. With Christian Kirk out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, Strange could be next in line to step up, but that still leaves him behind BTJ, Engram, Gabe Davis, and the running backs on the target order for Trevor Lawrence. Strange and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the year in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The rookie receiver finished with just three catches on four targets but made the most of them with 60 yards and a touchdown. Despite the now 6-2 Packers having a top passing defense, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense were able to move the ball through the air on the back of some long receptions. BTJ led the team with 60 yards on 20 yards per reception. The young receiver out of LSU has already established himself as a reliable fantasy option and real-life receiver for Lawrence through 8 weeks. BTJ and the Jaguars passing offense will look to continue their upward trajectory when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday afternoon.

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby had a solid fantasy day in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The second-year running back finished with 78 yards rushing on 18 carries and eight receiving yards on two receptions. With Travis Etienne Jr. out, Bigsby dominated touches once again. In fact, backup running back D'Ernest Johnson touched the ball just two times. Bigsby wasn't as efficient as he has been, producing 4.3 yards per carry, but the volume he got was enough to provide a solid fantasy output despite no touchdowns. This has been a bit of a breakout year for the young back out of Auburn, who whether Etienne Jr. has been in the lineup or not, has been a startable fantasy running back. Bigsby and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a good fantasy outing in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The former top pick finished with 21 completions on 32 attempts for 308 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble. The Packers have been one of the top teams and passing defenses in the NFL this year, so this effort from Lawrence and the Jaguars should leave people optimistic about their season going forward. The offense has steadily improved as the season has gone on, especially now that top target Evan Engram has returned from injury and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has developed. Lawrence did lose Christian Kirk for the season with a broken collarbone, but he still has great weapons to continue playing like he did against the Packers. Lawrence and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

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Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette caught his third touchdown of the season in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Legette, a striking 6-foot-2, 227-pound figure, is proving to be a solid red-zone threat, with all three of his touchdowns coming inside the 10-yard line. Legette's game has shades of A.J. Brown, as he can physically dominate defensive backs at the point of attack. However, his down-to-down consistency still leaves much to be desired. He finished with four receptions for 34 yards and has recorded just one 50+ yard game this year. Granted, the quarterback situation in Carolina has been among the most questionable in the league. With New Orleans up in Week 9, it would be encouraging if the South Carolina product started to show week-to-week consistency but is on the flex radar in deep league formats.

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For several weeks, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders had been rendered insignificant in their offense, recording just four touches in three straight games. However, Sanders was Carolina's receptions leader in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching all seven targets for 38 yards. Still, his lack of rushing opportunities remains discouraging, especially considering he produced a productive, gritty third-down conversion early in this game and did not receive another carry. Sanders averages 4.6 yards per carry, but Carolina brass views him as a pure receiving back, as he has averaged just two carries per game over his last four bouts. Despite facing a poor Saints defense in Week 9, Sanders remains off the fantasy radar next week.

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Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard recorded his worst fantasy outing since Week 1 in the Panthers' 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Hubbard finished the day with 15 carries for 56 yards and two receptions for 15 yards. He did not reach the end zone. While still the featured back in Carolina, Hubbard has been trending down in recent weeks as he has recorded progressively fewer points since his Week 3 explosion against Las Vegas. Still, this is his first sub-10-point performance since the season opener. Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) completed his first whole week of practice in the ramp-up to this game, indicating his debut should be on the horizon. Hubbard should remain Carolina's primary back if Brooks doesn't suit up for Week 9's matchup against the Saints.

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Undrafted Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker recorded the best outing of his young career in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Coker, a Holy Cross product, hauled in four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdowna 15-yard back shoulder catch in the game's waning seconds. With Adam Thielen (hamstring) and Diontae Johnson (ribs) out, Coker took full advantage of his opportunity, becoming a fan favorite and beacon of hope for crestfallen Panthers supporters. The status of Thielen and Johnson is unclear heading into Week 9, and their designation will determine the outlook on Coker's expectations. However, Carolina's diamond in the rough prospect could garner more exposure in next Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

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It had been five weeks since Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced the benching of second-year quarterback Bryce Young in favor of the veteran Andy Dalton (thumb). In Week 8, with his two top receivers Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) out, Young got another shot in a Sunday afternoon tilt against the Denver Broncos. While his performance was a mixed bag, Young showed more confidence and capability than in his previous two starts. He finished the day with 224 passing yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 64% completion rate in a 28-14 loss. His two touchdowns went to rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Cokeran appropriate snapshot of the infantile nature of this Carolina team. Dalton was inactive, and it is still unclear who will start in Week 9 against New Orleans. When asked postgame, Canales said, "We'll make that decision, and we'll have an answer for you in the next couple of days."

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught two passes for 29 yards in the 27-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Hopkins joined the Chiefs this week after being traded from the Tennessee Titans. Hopkins was being eased into the offense, considering his lack of knowledge of the Kansas City playbook, but he will be more involved moving forward. The Chiefs traded for the veteran receiver, and Andy Reid is among the best at scheming plays for his playmakers, so fantasy success should be on the horizon. The height of Hopkins' ceiling in this offense is still unknown, but he could be successful as soon as Week 9. The Chiefs face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Hopkins could be in for a big game with such a favorable matchup. Hopkins should be viewed as a high-upside flex play until we see a more defined role for him in the Kansas City offense.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 27 of 38 pass attempts (71%) for 262 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Mahomes also rushed six times for 17 yards in the contest. Mahomes threw at least one interception for the eighth straight regular season game. The Chiefs quarterback continues to lead the league in interceptions this season, with his total up to nine now. Mahomes put together his best game of the season from a fantasy perspective in the win over the Raiders. The Chiefs field general surpassed 17 fantasy points in a four-point per passing touchdown league for the first time this season. Mahomes will look to keep this momentum rolling into next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs rank 31st in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season, making them one of the most favorable matchups for the position. However, with the loss of star wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to injury, the Buccaneers offense may not provide the firepower needed to make this contest a shootout. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay sports a weak secondary, which Mahomes will have the opportunity to exploit in Week 9. Mahomes is still not in the must-start category amongst quarterbacks, but he could be trending in that direction if the Chiefs become more pass-heavy with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt had 21 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown in the 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Hunt also had one catch for four yards in the contest. Despite being minimally involved in the passing game, Hunt dominated carries out of the backfield for the fourth straight week since rejoining the team. The Chiefs running back now has four touchdowns in his last three games. It remains to be seen how the carries will be split when Isiah Pacheco returns from injured reserve, but it looks like Hunt's job is safe for now. Hunt will try to keep his scoring streak alive in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, so Hunt should be able to succeed in the matchup. Tampa Bay's high-powered offense lost their top two options last week, so the Chiefs defense may be able to slow them down significantly. If the Chiefs defense can hold the Buccaneers at bay, Hunt could be in for another healthy workload in Week 9. As long as he is healthy and Pacheco is still out, Hunt should be considered an RB2 most weeks.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had 10 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in the 27-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Kelce dominated in this contest, leading the Chiefs pass catchers in catches, targets, and receiving yards. The veteran tight end was the only player on either team to earn double-digit targets in this game, as Kelce finished the game with 12 targets. Despite the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, Kelce did not see a reduction in usage. Kelce will look for another strong performance in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs rank 23rd in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, so it will not be a difficult matchup for Mahomes' top target. There is a chance that Kelce's volume will decrease as Hopkins becomes more integrated into the Chiefs passing attack, but Kelce should still be viewed as a set-and-forget TE1 in the foreseeable future.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown in the 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Worthy was not involved in the run game in this contest. The Chiefs rookie receiver garnered the second-most targets on the team with eight, just behind Travis Kelce's 12. Worthy found the endzone with a fourth-quarter score to essentially ice the game. Despite being heavily involved in the offensive game plan, Worthy came down with just half of his targets in this game. Worthy will look to build on this performance next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, so Worthy will have an advantageous matchup in Week 9. The arrival of DeAndre Hopkins may negatively impact Worthy's volume, but it could be beneficial for his efficiency. Hopkins should draw the defense's attention, leaving Worthy with lighter coverage. It remains to be seen how the targets will be divided amongst the pass catchers, but Worthy will remain a vital part of the offensive game plan. Worthy should continue to be viewed as a low-end WR3/flex play with upside for now.

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New Orleans Saints "quarterback" Taysom Hill had 20 rushing yards on four carries, caught two of four targets for 21 receiving yards, and connected with Alvin Kamara on his lone pass attempt for a three-yard gain in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. A jack of all trades for the offense, his biggest contribution in Week 8 came as part of the special teams unit. Chargers punter J.K. Scott mishandled a snap and attempted to scoop it up in his own end zone. Hill raced in and knocked the ball loose, getting credit for the forced fumble which ultimately resulted in a safety. This was Hill's first game back after missing the previous three with a rib injury suffered in Week 4. He should be good to go for Week 9's matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was targeted 14 times and made eight catches for 107 yards in Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He led the team in each category in his first action since suffering a concussion just minutes into Week 6's game against the Buccaneers. It was the first time the third-year wideout crossed the century mark this season and tied his season high in receptions. Olave failed to score in Week 8 which leaves his touchdown count for the season stuck on one. That may change in Week 9, though, as the Saints are heading to Carolina to face the Panthers. Olave had just two catches for 11 yards in the teams' lopsided matchup in Week 1 but should be more heavily involved in the next meeting.

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