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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 9 | NFL: Week 9

Injury Status: Super Bowl

Thu Feb 8 10:35am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

There are just a handful of injuries we are dealing with for the Super Bowl, which is great news. Both teams head into the game pretty close to having a full compliment of players. Sure, guys are banged up at this time of the season, but there aren’t many key guys that are going to miss this big game. It is good to see these teams near full strength. Now let’s hope it makes for a great game.

Joe Thuney, OG, Chiefs. Thunk is trying to return from a pectoral injury. He has been out the last few weeks and head coach Andy Reid said Thuney is a long shot to play. But there is speculation that Thuney still has an outside chance to play in the Super Bowl. He has not been ruled out yet and would be a great addition to the Chiefs offensive line if he happens to play.

Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs. Moore was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. He has a chance to return from his knee injury this week. But even if he is active, it isn’t certain how much Moore plays after missing so much time. He will be a risk for fantasy teams to use.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers. Kittle has been limited in practice the last few weeks because of a toe injury. It is bothering him, but he will be ready for the Super Bowl. He probably won’t be too limited in the game despite the nagging toe injury. Expect him to get his usual amount of playing time.

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs.  McKinnon is trying to return from his groin injury. He remains on Injured Reserve and will need to be activated in the next day or two if he hopes to play this week. He is practicing on a limited basis, so things are trending the right way for him at the moment. He is another player that could be limited in the game if active after being out the last several weeks.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9

Player Notes
Mecole Hardman Nov 4 8:30pm CT
Mecole Hardman

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.

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Mecole Hardman Nov 4 8:20pm CT
Mecole Hardman

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.

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Joe Flacco Nov 4 8:20pm CT
Joe Flacco

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center for at least one more week. There was some speculation that the Colts would turn back to Anthony Richardson after Flacco's struggles in Week 9. However, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter. The veteran signal-caller completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 179 yards and an interception in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's not exactly going to get easier for Flacco against the Buffalo Bills next week. Outside of one strong performance, Flacco has been quiet under center. He'll be low-end QB2 for this Week 10 matchup against the Bills.

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Greg Dulcich Nov 4 7:30pm CT
Greg Dulcich

The Denver Broncos have been open to trading tight end Greg Dulcich. We wonder if there is any interest around the league in Dulcich, a former third-rounder in 2022 out of UCLA. Dulcich has been very injury-prone early in his NFL career and has been a healthy scratch for the Broncos since Week 5. In the first four games of the season, he did very little, catching five of his 12 targets for 28 scoreless yards. The 24-year-old just hasn't been a big part of head coach Sean Payton's offense and is currently behind both Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull on the team's TE depth chart. In two-plus NFL seasons, Dulcich has 41 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games played (10 starts). He will remain well off the fantasy radar in all leagues unless he's traded before Tuesday's deadline to a team that will utilize him as a pass-catcher.

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Darius Robinson Nov 4 7:20pm CT
Darius Robinson

The Arizona Cardinals acquired edge rusher Baron Browning from the Denver Broncos on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to sources. Browning, who has 9.5 career sacks in three-plus NFL seasons, will now head to the desert. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of Ohio State has missed four games in 2024 due to injury but has been healthy each of the last three weeks for Denver. In his five games played (two starts) this year, Browning has recorded only seven tackles (one solo) and one tackle for loss. If he can stay healthy, Browning could have a bigger role in Arizona with rookie first-rounder Darius Robinson (calf) injured. Browning has 114 career tackles (66 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 43 career games (28 starts).

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Luke Musgrave Nov 4 7:10pm CT
Luke Musgrave

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) underwent ankle surgery. "He will hopefully be back later this season," LaFleur said. Musgrave was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 11 due to his ankle injury, but barring a setback in his recovery, he'll have a chance to return to the team later this season. The 24-year-old quickly took a back seat to fellow TE Tucker Kraft as a pass-catcher in the early portion of 2024 before injuring his ankle. The second-round pick in 2023 out of Oregon State had five catches for 22 yards in four games before getting hurt after putting up a 34-352-1 line in 11 regular-season games in his rookie campaign. When Musgrave returns later this season, he'll most likely go back to playing second fiddle to Kraft. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can continue to ignore him.

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Baron Browning Nov 4 7:10pm CT
Baron Browning

The Denver Broncos signed emerging pass-rusher Jonathon Cooper to a four-year, $60 million contract extension over the weekend, according to a source. Cooper has accumulated 5.5 sacks in the first nine games for the Broncos this year, so the team has decided to lock him up for the long term while also adding a sixth-round draft pick from the Arizona Cardinals on Monday in the trade for linebacker Baron Browning. The 26-year-old Cooper, a seventh-round selection in 2021 out of Ohio State, was in the final year of his rookie deal in 2024. In addition to his 5.5 sacks through nine contests, he has 35 tackles (19 solo), six tackles for loss, 11 QB hits and a pass breakup for a strong Denver defense. Cooper had a career-high 8.5 sacks, career-high 72 tackles (44 solo), an interception and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a TD) in 2023.

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Chase Brown Nov 4 7:00pm CT
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (rib) suffered a bruised rib in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it sounds like he'll be OK for the Thursday night game in Week 10 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, Zack Moss (neck) is out indefinitely with a neck injury, which will open up a bigger backup role for Trayveon Williams behind Brown moving forward. Brown has been trending up in fantasy in recent weeks and went off for a season-high 27 carries for a season-high 120 rushing yards while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in the blowout win over the Raiders in an excellent matchup on Sunday. He'll be a must-start on Thursday versus Baltimore. In Week 5 against the Ravens, Brown had 12 carries for 46 yards and caught all three of his targets for eight yards and a touchdown.

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David Njoku Nov 4 7:00pm CT
David Njoku

The Cleveland Browns have received interest on tight end David Njoku but they are "highly unlikely" to trade him by Tuesday's deadline, according to sources. The Browns view Njoku as part of their long-term future. Njoku wasn't as impressive in the Week 9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers as he was in quarterback Jameis Winston's first start in the Week 8 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, but the 28-year-old tight end should maintain a higher fantasy ceiling and floor the rest of the way in 2024 with receiver Amari Cooper now in Buffalo. Njoku has had at least five catches in four straight games and has caught 10 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown the last two games with Winston starting. Consider Njoku to be on the TE1 radar for a much better matchup in Week 11 against the floundering New Orleans Saints after Cleveland's Week 10 bye.

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Tee Higgins Nov 4 6:50pm CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) would have been a non-participant on Monday had the team practiced. Higgins injured his quad muscle two weeks ago and has missed the last two games as a result. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 on Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, there's a good chance the 25-year-old is looking at a third straight missed contest unless he improves on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Higgins' absence this past Sunday in the Week 9 blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincy's offense didn't really miss him, as quarterback Joe Burrow tossed five touchdowns to tight end Mike Gesicki (two), running back Chase Brown, tight end Drew Sample and receiver Andrei Iosivas. Gesicki hit the 100-yard mark and will be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy perspective if Higgins is out again on Thursday.

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Saquon Barkley Nov 4 6:40pm CT
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back) experienced some back tightness in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to an NFL source. However, Barkley said that he will be ready for Sunday's Week 9 divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley had a monstrous day against Jacksonville but was seen for a bit on the sidelines wincing before eventually re-entering the game. He appears to be on track to play in Week 10, but it's something that fantasy managers should monitor throughout the week. Don't be surprised if Barkley misses some practice time but ultimately plays against Dallas, where he'll be a no-doubt, must-start, high-end RB1 in fantasy. Barkley had 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 40 yards and another TD against the Jags and is the RB2 in overall fantasy points in 2024, behind only Derrick Henry.

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Jameson Williams Nov 4 6:40pm CT
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams' two-game suspension has been lifted and he has officially been reinstated by the NFL heading into a Week 10 game against the Houston Texans. In his absence, the Lions won both of their games. Williams was suspended two games for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 23-year-old will give the Lions another speedy field-stretching weapon for an offense that has been humming of late. In six games before his suspension, Williams was in the midst of a breakout season, catching 17 of his 30 targets for 361 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He's currently tied for 29th among all wideouts with 11.0 half-PPR points per game and will return to being a boom/bust WR4/flex option for fantasy managers in what could easily be a shootout against Houston in primetime on Sunday night.

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A.J. Brown Nov 4 6:30pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is considered "day-to-day" after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday after he injured his knee in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Brown's injury was never expected to be serious, but now the Eagles and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that he won't miss extended time. He could even be ready to roll for a Week 10 divisional showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. We'll know more on the 27-year-old's status for this upcoming Sunday once the team releases practice reports from Wednesday through Friday. If Brown doesn't make enough progress later this week to get the green light to face Dallas, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson would start in three-wide sets for Philly. Brown is a high-end, must-start WR1 in fantasy when he's active.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Nov 4 6:20pm CT
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) is officially active for Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. Irving has been playing through a toe injury that he's going to have to manage for the rest of the season, but despite his questionable tag in Week 9, the 22-year-old was expected to play as part of Tampa's ongoing three-man committee backfield that also involves Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Irving has been the team's most explosive ball-carrier this year and had 18 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 receptions for 94 yards in the last two games. His fantasy ceiling will remain capped because of the presence of White and Tucker, but he's proven to be an intriguing RB3/flex in fantasy lineups as the Bucs' most effective backfield weapon this year.

From RotoBaller

Justyn Ross Nov 4 6:20pm CT
Justyn Ross

The Kansas City Chiefs elevated wide receiver Justyn Ross from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Monday night for the Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be Ross' first game of 2024 on the team's active roster with JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) missing his second straight game. KC is also without Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) for the rest of the year, which led them to trade for veteran DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins should have a bigger role on Monday alongside rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman, with tight end Travis Kelce also having a higher ceiling and floor in fantasy. The 24-year-old Ross had six catches for 53 yards in his 10 regular-season games for the Chiefs a season ago. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore Ross.

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Jalen McMillan Nov 4 6:10pm CT
Jalen McMillan

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is active for the Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs, while Jalen McMillan (hamstring) has been ruled out. Both wideouts came into the Week 9 game listed as questionable to play. With Mike Evans (hamstring) previously ruled out and with Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the year, Tampa's receiving corps is much thinner for this matchup against the reigning two-time Super Bowl-champion Chiefs. McMillan tested his hammy during pre-game workouts and wasn't feeling great. On Monday night, Shepard and Trey Palmer are expected to be quarterback Baker Mayfield's top targets, as well as tight end Cade Otton, who could easily lead the Bucs in targets. Additionally, Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Marquez Callaway could have bigger roles against KC.

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Drake London Nov 4 3:10pm CT
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Mostert called both wide receiver Drake London (hip) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (Achilles) as day-to-day on Monday. London suffered a hip-pointer injury while coming down hard on his hip on a touchdown catch early in Sunday's Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It will be a pain-tolerance issue for the 23-year-old as far as his status is concerned for Week 10 versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers should at least be happy that London avoided a long-term injury, but his status for this weekend may be up in the air and could come down to how much he's able to do in practice. For now, consider him questionable for Week 10. If London is out against the Saints, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III figure to serve as Atlanta's top two pass-catchers.

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Jake Moody Nov 4 3:00pm CT
Jake Moody

ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports that it appeared that San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (ankle) was back at practice on Monday coming out of the bye week. Nothing is official this early in the week, but if Moody continues to make progress in practices throughout the week, he could have a real chance to return for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Moody, one of the best fantasy kickers when healthy, hasn't played since Week 5 due to a right-ankle sprain. In the meantime, the Niners have been rolling with second-year man Anders Carlson as their field-goal specialist. Before his injury, Moody made 13 of 14 field-goal tries and all 12 of his extra points in five contests. If he's on your league's waiver wire and you are in need at the kicking position, Moody is a no-brainer pickup if he gets the green light to return this weekend.

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Jauan Jennings Nov 4 2:50pm CT
Jauan Jennings

ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports that it appeared as though San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) returned to practice on Monday as the team comes off their bye week and into a Week 10 battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said last Monday that Jennings was expected to return after the bye week after missing Weeks 7 and 8. With Brandon Aiyuk (knee) out for the season and Chris Conley (hamstring) also banged up, Jennings should return to a prominent role in San Fran's passing attack. Deebo Samuel (oblique, rib) is also banged up. We'll have a better idea of the 27-year-old's Week 10 status once the Niners start releasing official practice reports on Wednesday, but Jennings appears to be on track to play. If he's available on your league's waiver wire, pick him up immediately.

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Jonathon Brooks Nov 4 2:40pm CT
Jonathon Brooks

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he's very optimistic that rookie second-round running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will be ready for Week 10 against the New York Giants in Germany. Canales said a "critical" decision will have to be made on Wednesday as to whether to officially activate Brooks. The 21-year-old rookie has had the start of his first NFL season delayed in 2024 as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee last November while playing at Texas. He was able to practice in full all three days last week and appears primed to be activated in order to make his NFL debut this Sunday in Europe. Brooks should be rostered in all fantasy leagues for his upside potential, but there's a very good chance he's eased in behind Chuba Hubbard and alongside Miles Sanders initially. His impending return has made Sanders a trade candidate.

From RotoBaller