Bad 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.

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Carolina 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.

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Carolina 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,

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Houston 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.

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Injuries 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.

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Despite 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.

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Philadelphia 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.

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New 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.

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Seattle 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.

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Baltimore 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.

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Detroit 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.

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (undisclosed) is not participating in Wednesday's practice. It will be unclear what is holding Jacobs out until the team releases its official injury report after practice wraps up, but hopefully, it's more of a rest absence instead of a notable injury. The former Las Vegas Raider has gotten out to a solid start with his new team, rushing 145 times for 667 yards and three touchdowns. He also has one receiving score. His lack of touchdowns is hurting his fantasy production, but he ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yards. If Jacobs is good to go for Week 9 against the Detroit Lions, he carries a mid-level RB2 outlook for the upcoming slate. The Lions have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season, but Jacobs' workload in a high-powered offense gives him a favorable fantasy floor and ceiling in any matchup. If he's at risk of missing Sunday's game, Emanuel Wilson will become a hot waiver wire add worth starting.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) is not suited up for Wednesday's practice, signifying he will log a "DNP" to begin the week. The 25-year-old was a late addition to the team's injury report last week with a quad injury and did not play in the Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It has become a theme for Higgins to miss a few games each season, which is not ideal for fantasy managers and the Cincinnati offense. Higgins was beginning to heat up before suffering the quad injury, racking up at least 60 receiving yards in each of his last four games and scoring three touchdowns during that stretch. In Higgins' absence last week, Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton combined for just one catch on six targets. Meanwhile, tight end Mike Gesicki racked up seven catches for 73 yards on eight targets. Outside of Ja'Marr Chase, none of the Bengals' pass-catchers are sure things to produce if Higgins misses another contest, but it's worth noting the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bengals' Week 9 opponent, present a neutral matchup for tight ends and an unfavorable matchup for wideouts.

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Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) will not be active against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football due to a groin injury. The former Florida Gator has only played in four games this season due to nagging injuries and is set to miss another contest. With Joe Mixon occupying a workhorse role, Pierce has rushed just 14 times for 98 yards and one touchdown in his third NFL campaign. In Pierce's absence, Dare Ogunbowale is the clear RB2 behind Mixon, but he does not have fantasy appeal with Mixon leading the NFL in touches per game (23.2). Mixon is set to face a tough matchup for RBs in Week 9, but his overall workload keeps him a must-start against any defense.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) is practicing on Wednesday following his two-game absence with a shoulder injury. The 2023 second-round pick has not missed a practice over the last two weeks, but he has been limited. The team will get a feel for how he throws and looks in a full week of practice to determine if he can start against the New England Patriots in Week 9. Veteran backup Mason Rudolph has had his ups and downs in relief of Levis, throwing for 481 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in losses to the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. Neither quarterback is on the fantasy football radar, but it's worth noting Calvin Ridley had his best game (10 catches, 143 yards) of the season in Week 8 with Rudolph under center. With DeAndre Hopkins out of town, Ridley will likely continue to be the team's target hog, but Levis could be a slight downgrade for his fantasy outlook.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (pectoral) missed the Week 8 game against the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury and was limited in Wednesday's practice ahead of the Week 9 AFC East matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Samuel was labeled a preseason fantasy football sleeper, but he has caught just 12 of his 18 targets for 92 yards and no touchdowns so far this season. With Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and Keon Coleman coming on in recent weeks, there's little hope for Samuel to become a legitimate fantasy factor moving forward. The team also acquired Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper ahead of Week 7. Cooper is dealing with a wrist injury and could miss Sunday's game, but either way, Samuel should not be trusted in any starting fantasy football lineups.

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The Dallas Cowboys are activating cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) off of the Injured Reserve list on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 2023 first-team All-Pro and NFL interceptions leader (nine) suffered a foot injury in the preseason that required surgery, so he has not made his 2024 debut. However, Bland's status is still up in the air for Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, but the team had to activate him now after opening his 21-day practice window on October 9. Whenever he returns to the lineup, it could provide a major boost to a defense that has surrendered the seventh-most yards per game this season (372.6).

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is not practicing on Wednesday due to a wrist injury. The former Cleveland Brown sustained the injury in the Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks and could be at risk of missing Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. In Cooper's first game with the organization, he caught four of his five targets for 66 yards and a touchdown despite playing just 19 snaps. He played 38 snaps last weekend but was limited to one reception for three yards on two targets. The former first-round pick has been known as a boom-or-bust fantasy option throughout his career, but between his injury and working to get comfortable with his new team, it could be a few weeks before he produces a big spike week. The Dolphins have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts this season, so even if Cooper suits up, it's tough to trust him in Week 9.

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The Baltimore Ravens traded for former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, raising questions about the fantasy football outlooks of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. However, NFL insider Josina Anderson said she was told the acquisition of Johnson "does not reflect a change in the view of Flowers and Bateman as the team's current WR1 and WR2," according to sources. Both Baltimore wideouts are inside the top 20 pass-catchers in total receiving yards this year, and the team remains confident in them. However, it's tough to believe Johnson will not make an impact or take at least some volume away from the young pair of wideouts. In all likelihood, he'll be eased into the offense, but the target pecking order could switch week-to-week later in the year. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the biggest fantasy football winner in this trade, while Johnson, Flowers, Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely could all have lower floors in a suddenly crowded pass-catching group.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston made his first start for the organization in Week 8 following the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Deshaun Watson (Achilles) in Week 7. Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, completed 27 of his 41 passing attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions en route to an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Winston is viewed as the starter for the rest of the year, but the NFL is "day-to-day." Second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson came off the bench for the injured Watson in Week 7 and was somewhat in the running to be the starter in Watson's absence, but unless Winston puts a few disastrous performances together, Thompson-Robinson is likely stuck in the QB2 chair.

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