Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders saw increased involvement in the offense during last week's loss to the Denver Broncos. Sanders only rushed the ball once for seven yards, but was extremely active through the air. The 27-year-old hauled in all seven of his targets for 38 yards which are both season highs for Sanders. The expectation is that Sanders is going to continue having a minimal role behind Chuba Hubbard in the backfield. That seven-catch performance was likely more of a fluke than anything else. Fantasy managers should consider Sanders a risky flex option for the Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

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Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert was a healthy scratch from last week's loss to the Washington Commanders. Now, it's being reported that the organization has given Herbert permission to seek a trade. Herbert has fallen out of the rotation with D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson playing well right now. That being said, the Bears don't have much incentive to play Herbert who is in his final year of his contract. The 26-year-old has rushed for over 600 yards over the last previous seasons. He has a cheap salary and could be worth the risk for a contending team trying to add depth to their roster. Herbert might be worth a stash but there is no guarantee he gets traded.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) has been making progress from his fractured leg he suffered in Week 2. The Chiefs said Pacheco was expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, but rule out the possibility of Pacheco missing the rest of the regular season. Now, Pacheco is expected to make a late-November return. It'll be interesting to see how the Chiefs involve Pacheco once he's back on the field. Kareem Hunt has played well as the lead back over the last four games. The expectation is that the Chiefs have the two backs split up the duties in the backfield. That would likely make for a messy situation for fantasy managers.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (suspension) won't suit up for this week's game against the Green Bay Packers. However, Williams is expected to return next week after serving a two-game suspension for violating the league's performance enhancing policy. It's worth noting that the NFL continues to monitor his legal situation in an unrelated gun case. That could take some time to resolve, but Williams isn't expected to miss time because of that. Fantasy managers can be hopeful to get Williams back in their lineups as early as next week.

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Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime hasn't done much with his chances this season. The rookie back has been barely seen on the field this season, but that's likely to change in Week 9. The Broncos are reportedly hopeful to get Estime more involved during their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He's currently the third string back behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin in the backfield. Estime hasn't done enough to warrant adding in most fantasy formats but he's worth a stash in dynasty formats.

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Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey (knee) is listed as questionable, but is expected to suit up for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Humphrey has been limited in practice all week after missing last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns. The return of Humphrey would be a welcoming sight for the Ravens secondary that is banged up right now. It's possible that Humphrey is limited during his first game back, but his presence would be an upgrade for this defensive unit.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game versus the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. The 26-year-old has delivered modest production in a split role with Chase Brown so far this year, totaling 242 rushing yards, 187 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. His usage had started to dwindle with Brown coming on strong lately, and now he's going to be sidelined altogether as he battles a neck issue. For the time being, Brown is the only Cincinnati running back worth starting in fantasy football. This week, with Moss sidelined, Brown ranks as a fringe top-24 fantasy option at the position.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson will likely play 10 to 15 snaps in his first game with the team on Sunday, according to CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson. Johnson was acquired from the Carolina Panthers earlier this week, and while he isn't fully acclimated to the Ravens' offense yet, it sounds like the Baltimore coaching staff will get him on the field for a percentage of plays in Week 9. Moving forward, he offers Baltimore an experienced weapon that can stretch the field in a supplementary role behind Zay Flowers. Johnson should be benched in fantasy football this week, but he could jump up to the low-end WR3 range by Week 10.

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Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The veteran defender had previously been listed as questionable, but that designation reflected Ward's place in the concussion protocol. Now that he has been cleared to play, that designation seems like a mere formality. We're expecting Ward to suit up as he looks to build on his 15 tackles this season and attempts to intercept his first pass since Week 9 of last year.

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks (shoulder) is expected to play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 despite being listed as questionable, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 32-year-old defender played through the injury last week, registering nine tackles and bringing his season total to 61. He also has two sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception this year.

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (calf) is expected to be a game-time decision against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Even though Diggs is listed as questionable and didn't practice this week, the Cowboys are leaving the door open for him to suit up against Atlanta. The 26-year-old defender is off to a quieter start this season, amassing 28 tackles and just one interception through seven games so far. If he can't suit up, Caelen Carson and Andrew Booth would earn additional opportunities on defense.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Although Thielen did practice earlier this week, he was sidelined Friday and ultimately downgraded to out on Saturday. Sunday will represent his sixth consecutive absence, leaving Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker in line to operate as the Panthers' top receivers.

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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks won't make his NFL debut on Sunday. The rookie has been ruled out for Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. He'll have to wait at least one more week before getting back into a game for the first time since tearing his ACL at the University of Texas last year. Chuba Hubbard will continue to lead the Carolina backfield for the duration of Brooks' absence.

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is expected to play against the Philadelphia Eagles despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Etienne has missed the Jaguars' last two games, and during that time, he lost significant ground to Tank Bigsby in the competition for the starting role. It's unclear what the backfield splits will look like this Sunday, but Bigsby figures to get first dibs on the majority share of carries while Etienne nestles into a supplementary role. For the time being, Etienne is not a reliable starter in leagues with 12 or fewer teams.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) is expected to play in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. There were concerns about the severity of Thomas' injury when he suffered it last weekend, but in the end, it looks like the rookie will be able to avoid missing any games. Instead, he'll play in a favorable matchup against the Eagles, and he figures to see a little extra volume with Christian Kirk (collarbone) done for the year. Thomas ranks as a low-end fantasy WR2 this week.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) appears to be a longshot to play in Week 9 versus the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Davis picked up the injury last Sunday when he exited before commanding a target. Jacksonville is suddenly hurting at wide receiver with Christian Kirk (collarbone) done for the year and Davis temporarily sidelined. In their absences, Brian Thomas Jr. and Evan Engram should see large target shares while Parker Washington also earns extra opportunities.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) is expected to play in Sunday's game versus the New England Patriots. The former Cowboy didn't practice all week, so most had assumed he wouldn't be available. However, it appears he's moving in the right direction, which is good news for fantasy managers. Pollard has struggled this season, amassing only 494 yards and three touchdowns off 114 carries. Still, with Tyjae Spears (hamstring) sidelined, Pollard could be more involved. Yet, his presence could mean a lower ceiling for Julius Chestnut, who has gained waiver attention throughout the week.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (Shoulder) is in line to suit up for Sunday's matchup versus the New England Patriots. With the Titans recently dealing DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs, Boyd has a chance to get more involved on the offensive end. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen, with the 29-year-old most recently accumulating just three catches for 14 yards in Week 8 versus the Lions. With that in mind, until Boyd shows signs of life, which may not happen with Mason Rudolph or Will Levis (shoulder) under center, fantasy managers should leave him on the bench.

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Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) is anticipated to play in Sunday's NFC East matchup with the New York Giants. The Commanders elevated Chris Rodriguez Jr. off the practice squad on Saturday, with many believing the move meant Robinson wouldn't be on the field. However, it appears he'll be out there, which is great news for fantasy managers. The 25-year-old has had a fantastic 2024-25 campaign, accumulating 461 yards and six touchdowns off 101 carries. He's a must-start in Week 9, although his expected participation in Sunday's contest will likely result in lower production from Austin Ekeler.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph is expected to start on Sunday versus the Patriots. Will Levis (shoulder) is still working his way back, so the team will lean on Rudolph once again to handle things under center. But the 29-year-old hasn't played well during the 2024-25 campaign, throwing for 566 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks while completing 58.9% of his attempts. While Rudolph had some quality starts during his time in Pittsburgh, fantasy managers will be taking a gamble by putting him in the lineup in Week 9.

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