Dallas Cowboys linebacker/edge rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is once again not practicing on Thursday ahead of the Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons. The three-time All-Pro in as many seasons suffered an ankle injury in the Week 4 win over the New York Giants and has not played since. His absence in the Dallas lineup is highly significant, especially since the Cowboys' defense is allowing the seventh-most yards per game (372.6) this season. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Parsons is "not quite there yet," so it's fair to assume he is trending toward missing his fourth consecutive game.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday due to a groin injury. The 25-year-old second-year starter was banged up in the Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and did not finish out the contest. However, his availability on Thursday is a great sign of his potential to play in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. Sunday's NFC North contest is crucial, so it would be somewhat surprising if he does not play. However, Malik Willis, who has looked good in relief of Love this year, would draw the start if Love can't go. The Lions have allowed the 14th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, so Love is a solid low-end QB1 option if he's cleared for Week 9.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) is still not practicing after missing Wednesday's session with a quad injury. The 25-year-old suffered the injury in last week's Friday practice and was ruled out of the Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries have become an issue for Higgins over the last year, as he has already missed three games in 2024 and sat out five games in 2023. The former second-round pick in 2020 had at least 77 receiving yards in each of his last three games and was trending up, but he's trending toward missing Week 9's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. If he can't play, tight end Mike Gesicki has been the greatest beneficiary of his absences this year.

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) is practicing on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with an ankle injury. Hopefully, his Wednesday absence was precautionary and he'll be good to go for the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions. Jacobs is the current RB9 in half-PPR formats, averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game behind 667 rushing yards, 115 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns. The Lions have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season, but Jacobs remains a virtual must-start if he plays since he is averaging 20.3 touches per game (sixth-most). Emanuel Wilson is the clear RB2 in Green Bay, so he'd be a must-add ball-carrier if Jacobs suffers any setbacks and cannot play in the NFC North showdown.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) has been on the Injured Reserve list since Week 2 due to a fractured fibula and is not expected to return to practice this week or next week. However, head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco is "doing fantastic," which is promising considering the team initially did not know if he would return this season. In his absence, veteran Kareem Hunt has taken over the clear RB1 duties in Kansas City and has rushed 84 times for 308 yards and four touchdowns to go along with six receptions for 40 yards. Hunt has not been efficient, but the team has trusted him to carry the load. Whenever Pacheco returns, he'll surely be a significant contributor to the offense, but he could be eased into action and share touches with Hunt. For now, fantasy managers can continue to stash him in an IR spot and hope he returns to make a difference down the stretch.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back/knee) is not practicing on Thursday and did not practice on Wednesday due to knee and back injuries. It's too early to suggest he is at real risk of missing the Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos, but this is a concerning development. Jackson missed 10 total games between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, so the team is likely to be extra cautious with its two-time MVP. Either way, his status should be closely monitored on Friday. If Jackson plays, he's a must-start option in all matchups. If he's out, veteran Josh Johnson will get the start and will be a Superflex-league consideration in starting lineups. The Baltimore wideouts and tight ends will be heavily downgraded in the rankings if Jackson is absent against a strong Denver Broncos defense.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is not practicing to begin the Week 9 prep for Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran has not been in action since his seven-catch, 130-yard day against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, and he looks to be trending toward missing another contest. It's difficult to know what his role will look like when he returns after the team traded for former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. However, fantasy managers in deep leagues might want to pick him up if they are desperate for potential flex options. He has a chance to return to practice later this week and nothing is official, so this will be a "wait and see" situation.

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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion) is working through the league's concussion protocol but was on the practice field in a red non-contact jersey on Thursday. The rookie out of Purdue will be listed as a limited participant on Thursday's official practice report, but being upgraded from a "DNP" to a limited session is promising for his potential Week 9 availability against the Washington Commanders. Tracy has been excellent since taking over the lead-back role from Devin Singletary, posting at least 107 yards of total offense in three of his last four games. He has found the end zone three times during that stretch. If Tracy can suit up on Sunday, he'll face a Commanders' defense that is a neutral matchup for running backs. He has an RB2 outlook, making him a virtual must-start in most leagues. If he can't play, Devin Singletary will be worth consideration in lineups, but he has a lower ceiling than the explosive rookie.

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Tampa Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (toe) will not practice on Thursday and might not practice until the end of the week. According to senior writer Scott Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Irving will probably deal with the toe injury all season. Despite logging one limiting practice last week, the 22-year-old did suit up in Sunday's game against the Falcons. Irving rushed nine times for 44 yards and hauled in all seven targets for 40 yards in Week 8. He has been solid for the Bucs this season, rushing for 395 yards and three touchdowns on 76 rushing attempts while catching 20 passes for 164 yards over eight games. Irving will likely be limited most weeks and not practice regularly due to his toe issue. Tampa Bay is down their two top wide receivers, Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring); the Bucs could lean on the ground game more with Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker. Fantasy managers will have to monitor Irving's practice throughout the week as he will likely be questionable for Monday's game against Kansas City. If Irving is unable to suit up for Monday Night Football, White and Tucker should see an uptick in snaps and carries in Week 9.

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Dynasty | Saints quarterback Derek Carr is set to return this week. Dynasty Analysis: Carr will return to a Saints team suddenly reeling. After scoring 91 points in their first two games en route to a 2-0 record to start the year, the Saints have lost six in a row and face what might be a must-win this week against the Panthers. Carolina seems to cure a lot when teams face them, but it's the NFL and Carr will need to return to form quickly. His dynasty ADP dip should stop should he look like he did prior to his injury to start the year.

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Dynasty | Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks could make his NFL debut this week. Dynasty Analysis: Brooks is coming back from a torn ACL suffered while he was at Texas and the Panthers have been taking it slowly with him. However, it seems they'll finally have what they hope is their future workhorse at running back in the fold as early as this week. Chuba Hubbard has been stellar this season, so don't expect Brooks to come in and suddenly make him irrelevant. Still, this is exciting as dynasty managers who drafted Brooks have been waiting patiently.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) missed Wednesday's practice due to a groin strain. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Love sees a "realistic chance" of suiting up on Sunday against the Detroit Lions despite missing practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old exited last Sunday's 30-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars early with a groin strain and is labeled day-to-day. He has been terrific this season, throwing for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 28 yards on 10 attempts over six games. Love will try to practice later in the week and look to play in a divisional battle against Detroit. Malik Willis would start for Green Bay if Love is inactive. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Love's status heading into Week 9. Love is currently QB10 in the latest RotoBaller Week 9 rankings and is a must-start if active in a plus matchup against the Lions.

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New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Texans. Lazard will miss his second consecutive game due to a chest injury. The 28-year-old has caught a touchdown in three of his last five contests. Overall, Lazard has caught 30 of 44 targets for 412 yards and five touchdowns across seven games in 2024. Lazard's next chance to suit up will be Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams will lead the Jets wide receivers corps on Thursday, and Mike Williams is expected to see an increased role with Lazard sidelined. Despite playing 58% of the offensive snaps, Williams wasn't targeted in last Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. The 30-year-old is off the fantasy radar outside deep leagues in a plus matchup against a vulnerable Texans secondary.

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Dynasty | The Panthers will start quarterback Bryce Young this week. Dynasty Analysis: Hope springs eternal in Charlotte as Young at least showed a tiny glimpse of potential last week when he didn't completely faceplant in a spot start for Andy Dalton. He'll take on a suddenly reeling Saints team with the Panthers hoping upon hope he can build upon last week's game and start looking like the player they thought they drafted. Young's performance this week will be big as the trade deadline is coming and he could be on the block. At this point, his dynasty value is steal near zero.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. The 29-year-old's status suddenly appears to be in doubt ahead of Week 9 versus the New England Patriots. Both Boyd and Calvin Ridley were non-participants during practice, leaving Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the Titans' top healthy receiver. There's still plenty of time for both Boyd and Ridley to get healthy, but if they don't, Westbrook-Ikhine would step up as Tennessee's No. 1 receiver at home.

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Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (personal) has been sidelined with a non-football-related issue for over a month, but head coach Antonio Pierce said that the 23-year-old is "getting close" to making his return. Mayer played a depth role through three games at the start of the season, catching just four passes for 21 yards and zero touchdowns. He remains buried behind rookie Brock Bowers and should be avoided in all fantasy leagues, even if he returns as soon as he's eligible in Week 11.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has missed two consecutive games, but it looks like he's getting closer to returning for Week 9 against the New England Patriots. Through five games as the backup to Tony Pollard, Spears registered 114 rushing yards, 76 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He's a solid bench stash but can't be trusted in fantasy lineups.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (hip) was limited during practice on Wednesday. While it's always noteworthy when someone appears on the injury report, McConkey is trending in the right direction. After all, he was able to get on the field Wednesday and still has four days to get even healthier before the Chargers face the Cleveland Browns. The rookie, who totaled 111 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday, is a low-end fantasy WR3 for Week 9.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (oblique) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The veteran joins DK Metcalf (knee) and Laviska Shenault Jr. (knee) as Seattle's wide receivers on the initial Week 9 injury report. Given that Lockett was able to get on the field in some capacity, it seems like he's trending toward playing on Sunday versus the Los Angeles Rams. Assuming he suits up, he'll rank as a low-end fantasy WR3.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (groin) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice. The veteran wide receiver was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this month and appears to be getting closer to making his return. Chark hasn't played yet this year, but he was solid in Carolina last season, contributing 35 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns. However, with players like Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Josh Palmer making a strong impression, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Chark to carve out a significant role on offense upon his activation.

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