Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon said Monday that QB Kyler Murray will start Sunday against the Falcons, assuming he has another good week at practice, according to Darren Urban of the team website. This has been the expected return date for weeks now, despite Murray rejoining practices in Week 7. Arizona's caution and patience in bringing Murray back from his ACL tear should mean we get something close to a full-strength version. Of course, we can't know how often or how effectively Murray will run until we see him in games. His return can only help a passing game, though, that got just 58 yards, 2 INTs and 7 sacks from rookie Clayton Tune in Sunday's shutout loss to Cleveland. We're hoping for Murray to bring top-12 fantasy upside among QBs. We're betting on him enhancing the fantasy outlooks for other Arizona skill-position players.
Update: The Cardinals officially activated Murray from the PUP list on Tuesday.
The Bears on Monday designated RB Khalil Herbert to return from IR. Herbert missed the past four games after suffering a high-ankle sprain against Washington. His designation doesn't necessarily mean he'll return to the active roster for Week 10. But it does allow him to return to practice and give Chicago three weeks to decide whether to activate him. We'll have to see how Herbert fits in with D'Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and Darrynton Evans once he returns, but Herbert had been the backfield's top guy before the injury.
Bengals HC Zay Taylor labeled WR Ja'Marr Chase "day-to-day" with back soreness. Chase took a hard fall right on his back in Sunday night's game vs. the Bills (which Cris Collinsworth then talked about for the next 15 minutes). "It's not trying to raise warning signs or anything like that," Taylor added. "Right now, it's sore." Unless there's any structural damage here, we'd expect Chase to be ready for this weekend's game vs. the Texans. We'll keep a close eye on him throughout the week.
Packers WR Christian Watson was not diagnosed with a concussion after exiting in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Rams, HC Matt LaFleur said Monday. "We're still following it closely just to make sure," LaFleur added. He also said that the chest and back injuries that were reported on Sunday are not a concern. It sounds like Watson should be available for this weekend's game vs. the Steelers, but we'll keep tabs on him throughout the week.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday the team is "working through" when WR Justin Jefferson will return from the hamstring injury that has him on IR, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis. O'Connell did promise an update Wednesday, so we should at least have a good idea of Jefferson's chances before setting any Week 10 lineups. But if your league runs waivers on Tuesday night, approach them as though you'll be missing Jefferson again this week.
Has continued light usage for Broncos rookie WR Marvin Mims frustrated you? Well, HC Sean Payton might be ready to change that coming out of the Week 9 bye. "I'm looking at my notepad and his number on it," Payton said Monday, according to Denver7's Troy Renck. "We are going to work our tails off to move that needle [to get him more involved]." Mims saw season highs in total snaps (28) and snap share (39%) his last time out. But he also hasn't seen more than 1 target in a game since Week 4. And he has exceeded 2 targets just once through eight games. So Denver and the rookie will have to show significant changes before Mims can approach fantasy-starter contention. But coming out of the bye should enhance the potential for big changes. Mims is down to 14% rostered in Sleeper leagues. Consider picking him up in your Week 10 waiver wire runs. If nothing meaningfully changes, we can always drop him again.
Lions HC Dan Campbell said Monday that it's "looking good" for RB David Montgomery (ribs) to return for this weekend's game vs. the Chargers. Montgomery missed Detroit's last two games with a rib cartilage injury. RB Jahmyr Gibbs played extremely well in his absence, ripping off 220 rushing yards on 6.0 yards per carry and catching 14 balls for 95 yards. Montgomery has been Detroit's clear lead back when healthy this season, though. Figuring out how touches will be distributed this Sunday will be a key to the Week 10 slate.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Monday that WR Drake London (groin) is trending "in the right direction" for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. London didn't practice at all last week, but his injury never sounded like a long-term deal. We'll keep you updated on his progress throughout this week.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell made the only announcement he could Monday, saying that he expects to start QB Joshua Dobbs next Sunday against the Saints. Dobbs, of course, relieved an injured Jaren Hall (concussion) to throw for 158 yards, run for 66, and total 3 TDs in leading Minnesota to victory over Atlanta in Week 9. it was a particularly impressive performance for a guy who had just joined the team five days earlier and famously didn't even know the playbook yet. But keep in mind that he averaged just 5.3 yards per pass attempt, fumbled three times (losing two), and took a safety against Atlanta. It's also important to remember that Dobbs became available to the Vikings because Arizona deemed him expendable even before Kyler Murray was ready to return. Dobbs has a shot to give you useful fantasy numbers against New Orleans in Week 10 -- especially because of his rushing ability -- but he could also let you down against a tougher defense than Atlanta's. Dobbs' matchups at Denver in Week 11 and vs. Chicago in Week 12 look more inviting than this Sunday's vs. New Orleans.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith announced Monday that QB Taylor Heinicke will start again Sunday against Arizona. It's not a surprise. Heinicke played just OK in the Week 9 loss to the Vikings, completing 55.2% of his passes for 268 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. His lone score came on a short throw that TE Jonnu Smith took 60 yards for the TD. Heinicke looks interesting for Week 10, though, if you need a streaming QB. He'll face a Cardinals defense that has been sixth most friendly to QB scoring by our adjusted fantasy points allowed. Arizona also ranks just 31st in pass-defense DVOA. Check back Tuesday afternoon (and beyond) to see where Heinicke settles in our Week 10 QB rankings. QB Desmond Ridder does remain stashable in superflex leagues -- if you can afford the spot. Heinicke's no lock to keep the job the rest of the way if his coach is announcing the starter one week at a time.
An MRI has confirmed a torn right ACL for Giants QB Daniel Jones. That will obviously end his 2023 season. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says to expect a nine-month recovery, which would put Jones potentially back on the field during 2024 training camp. His injury did occur about five weeks earlier than Cardinals QB Kyler Murray's 2022 ACL tear. We obviously can't assume the same return timeline for any player based only on a similar injury to another guy. But those timelines should give Jones a better chance of returning at least by sometime in the first half of next season. We'll certainly be watching for updates on his recovery in the meantime -- as well as watching how the Giants address the position in the offseason. Jones' contract still carries a $47 million cap hit for 2024 -- and a $69 million dead-cap number if the team were to move on from him. So you can at least bet on Jones staying central to the 2024 plays. Even beyond that, the dead-cap penalty would be $22.2 million for 2025 vs. a $41.6 million cap hit if Jones remains on the roster. Whether the Giants draft a QB early will likely tell us how much longer they hope to have Jones at the helm. The level of investment into the 2024 backup plan can give us hints on how optimistic they are for Jones' recovery. For this season, QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs) will be on IR for at least three more weeks, and HC Brian Daboll says it's not yet clear whether Taylor will make it back this season. So it could be Tommy Devito the rest of the way, which lowers the floor and ceiling for all Giants offensive players.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert is expected to have surgery on his fractured forearm on Monday and miss "about four weeks," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Eagles have a Week 10 bye, so it's possible that Goedert ends up missing only three games. If he ends up landing on IR, he'd be out four games. We'll see how Philly handles the situation. Goedert, who sits ninth among TEs in PPR points, is worth keeping stashed on fantasy benches in most cases.
Panthers Edge Brian Burns suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to the Colts. That likely means he'll miss a high-ceiling Week 10 matchup with the Bears, as players nearly always need at least the following week to pass through the concussion protocol. We'll watch for more details this week on Burns' situation, but make sure you have an IDP replacement option ready.
Chargers LBs Kenneth Murray and Eric Kendricks are both questionable for tonight's game against the Jets. Murray looks like the iffier of the two after sustaining a shoulder injury in Friday's practice that limited him Saturday. Kendricks is dealing with a rib injury that limited him Thursday and Friday. But he finished the week with a full Saturday workout. Nick Niemann would likely be the next LB up if either starter misses the game, with rookie Daiyan Henley at No. 4.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert suffered a fracture in his right forearm in Sunday's win over the Cowboys, according to multiple reports. Goedert will have an MRI Monday morning to determine the severity of the damage and how long he'll be out. A Week 10 bye can only help, of course, but we'll be surprised if he doesn't land on IR for at least the minimum of four games. TE Jack Stoll gained the most playing time after Goedert left, with TE Grant Calcaterra out. TE Albert Okwuegbunam would also be in the replacement mix. That likely replacement committee will make it tough for any single player to emerge as fantasy relevant. We'll update as we hear more on Goedert's expected return timeline.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins entered Week 9 vs. the Bills with a 47.5% catch rate that ranked lowest among 48 WRs who've seen at least 40 targets this season. Those who stood patient with him were rewarded as his fortunes changed on Sunday night with 8 catches on 9 targets for a team-high 110 receiving yards. This is the first time that Higgins went for 100+ yards in a regular season game since Week 16 of 2022. While it’s disappointing that teammate Ja’Marr Chase didn’t post major stats (4 catches, 41 yards), fantasy managers ought to be encouraged to see the Cincinnati passing game as a unit firing on all cylinders for the fourth game in a row. The duo should be considered top-15 options next week vs. a Texans defense that ranks 24th in pass defense DVOA.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon logged 14 carries for 37 rushing yards and a TD in Week 9 vs. the Bills. The veteran also added 5 catches for 31 yards as a pass-catcher in the contest. He’s now seen no fewer than 15 touch opportunities in all eight games played in 2023. Mixon’s volume-laden role is about as safe as it gets barring injury. Next week’s showdown against the Texans (12th-best matchup for RBs in adjusted fantasy points allowed) should present Mixon with solid RB2 fantasy value.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow completed 31 of 44 passes for 348 yards with 2 TDs in Week 9 vs. the Bills. It’s evident at this point that he’s over that right calf injury that slowed him down early in the year. Over the past four games, Burrow ranks fourth in passing yards per game (283.2), third in fantasy points per game (21.8), and first with 2.5 passing TDs per game. The former No. 1 overall pick can now be safely treated as a high-end QB1 regardless of matchup.
Bills WR Stefon Diggs roped in 6 of 7 targets for 86 yards and a TD in Week 9 vs. the Bengals. His teammate TE Dalton Kincaid also delivered on Sunday with 81 receiving yards on 10 catches. Among 31 TEs who’ve seen at least 20 targets in 2023, Kincaid’s 88.9% catch rate ranks first. This duo will be must-start options in Week 10 vs. the Broncos, a defense that ranks 32nd in pass defense DVOA.
Bills RB James Cook had a tough outing in Week 9 vs. the Bengals. The second-year back racked up just 39 total yards on a combined 10 touches in the contest. Fellow RB Latavius Murray was also minimally impactful, contributing a mere 10 total yards on 3 touches. It’s also notable that recent free agent signee Leonard Fournette was not promoted to the active roster on Sunday. The Bills’ run game has been largely ineffective of late, but there’s reason for fantasy managers to be optimistic moving forward. Buffalo’s remaining schedule ranks 12th-easiest for RB in adjusted fantasy points allowed.
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