Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is expected to return in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. However, with veteran quarterback Carson Wentz (shoulder) dealing with a significant shoulder injury, undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer is now the next man up in Minnesota if McCarthy's injury woes continue. Brosmer has appeared in three games so far this season, mostly in mop-up duty. While playing for the University of Minnesota in 2024, Brosmer completed 66.5% of his passes for 2,828 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 13 games. Given that McCarthy has been unavailable for 23 out of 25 possible games in his career, there's a real chance that Brosmer could be pressed into action. He could be a name to monitor in deep two-quarterback fantasy leagues until McCarthy establishes himself as the clear QB1 for the Vikings.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku could be made available for trade with the deadline coming up on November 4th, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Njoku is currently in the final year of the four-year, 54.75 million contract signed back in 2022, and would be among the top tight ends available. The 29-year-old has caught 27 of his 41 targets for 260 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season for Cleveland. He has been overshadowed a bit by third-round rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., and his emergence would make sense as to why the Browns may move Njoku. In addition, the Browns claimed tight end Brendan Bates off waivers on Monday after their loss to the New England Patriots, perhaps signaling what could happen at the trade deadline with Njoku.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) has missed the last two games, but is expected to return for their Week 9 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Murray has struggled a bit in five games this season, averaging 192 passing yards per game to go with 35 rushing yards per game and a career low 6.0 yards per attempt. Veteran Jacoby Brissett filled in admirably in his place, but head coach Jonathan Gannon has made it clear that Murray is the team's starting quarterback when healthy. The 28-year-old gets a great spot in his return out of the bye week against a Dallas defense that just got torched by the Broncos for 44 points in Week 8. Murray should be the top quarterback add wherever he is available.

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San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges has been pushed down the depth chart and back into his former special teams role now that George Kittle is back in action. Tonges saw just eight offensive snaps in Week 7 and was on the field for five in the 49ers' 26-15 loss to the Texans in Week 8. He managed to add another touchdown to his resume, though, securing his lone target for a score from two yards out. During Kittle's stint on injured reserve, Tonges made for a TD-dependent streaming option that paid off with three top-12 finishes among tight ends. On the season, he is up to 26 receptions for 226 yards and four touchdowns. With minimal involvement on offense now, he doesn't belong on fantasy football rosters. He won't be a factor in the 49ers' Week 9 matchup against the Giants.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt found the end zone twice in Monday night's 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders, rushing for 40 yards on nine carries with a touchdown and adding a two-yard touchdown reception. Hunt leads Kansas City in total touchdowns on the season with five and continues to be very effective at converting short-yardage situations. The veteran has been outcarried by fellow running back Isiah Pacheco this season, but Hunt has gotten the majority of the rush attempts inside the 10-yard line, with seven compared to Pacheco's three. That should continue moving forward, making Hunt a viable add off the waiver wire this week. While he is dependent on scoring touchdowns, the 30-year-old is in one of the best fantasy situations to capitalize on.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off his fifth career game with five touchdown passes, completing 21 of 33 pass attempts for 182 yards in their 35-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Stafford and the Rams were on bye in Week 8, and they'll return for a soft home matchup against the New Orleans Saints, who are tied with the Jets and Titans for the worst record in the league. The 37-year-old is expected to have his star receiver Puka Nacua back, who missed Week 7 with an ankle injury. Stafford is a prime streaming candidate for Week 9 and ranks as RotoBaller's QB9.

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New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal didn't have a carry in Week 8, but he played almost half of the team's offensive snaps, logging 33 snaps compared to 37 for veteran Alvin Kamara. He was the clear second running back this week, following the loss of Kendre Miller (knee) for the season in Week 7 against the Bears. The sixth-round rookie from Kansas did haul in all three of his targets for 11 yards in his first opportunities as a receiver out of the backfield. While he only had three carries for 10 yards all season, he is clearly the next man up for the Saints, which could make him extremely important for fantasy if the team decides to trade Alvin Kamara. If you are in a deep league and looking to get ahead of a rush to the waiver wire, stashing Neal is a move that makes sense. He could get more of a chance to audition for a role in the young offense even if Kamara sticks around, so he makes sense to at least monitor in all leagues when the Saints face the Rams in Week 9.

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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford is worth a look on waiver wires in deep leagues this week, if you're trying to get ahead of a roster crunch down the road. Ford has been playing behind rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, but he could be in a much bigger role after the team's bye in Week 9 since Judkins is day-to-day, dealing with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. Ford hasn't gotten much work lately as a rusher, but he did have multiple catches in five of his last seven games, including a pair of five-catch performances. While Sampson would likely headline the backfield if Judkins misses the team's Week 10 contest with the Jets, Ford would also likely get enough playing time to be a deep-league flex consideration. Last season, Ford led the team with 565 rushing yards, while scoring three rushing touchdowns and posting eight plays of at least 20 yards.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) will miss at least one more game before his potential return, but he could be worth grabbing from the waiver wire this week if you have the roster flexibility to do so. Before his meniscus injury that required surgery, he had stepped in as the early-down workhorse after the season-ending foot injury to James Conner. The Cardinals released Michael Carter, which indicates something is in motion at the position, which could mean a trade or that Benson will be back to take over the job very soon. Bam Knight will likely continue to carry the load this week, with Emari Demercado potentially mixing in as well. The Cardinals have a great running back schedule the rest of the way, so whoever gets the playing time should have good value, and Benson would seem to have the inside track for that spot once he returns.

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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks led the team with 62 rushing yards on his 11 carries in Week 8 against the 49ers, outproducing Nick Chubb, who had 56 rushing yards on 17 carries. Marks also added four catches for 49 yards, hauling in all four of his targets in the Texans' balanced passing game. Marks and Chubb split time almost evenly in the Week 8 victory, with Chubb playing 35 snaps and Marks 32 snaps. While Chubb still has a grasp on early-down work and clock-killing responsibility, Marks is the preferred option in passing situations. In Week 7 against Seattle, he out-snapped Chubb 48-to-19 based on the game script of Houston having to play catch-up against the Seahawks. Both running backs will continue to get work, but Marks is definitely worth a look on the waiver wire since he's a dynamic playmaker getting enough work to be a flex consideration, and he has a high ceiling when he gets the work, as he has shown in several games this season.

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Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai continues to share time with D'Andre Swift and has had about a 50% snap share the last two weeks. In Week 8, he played 29 snaps while Swift played 31 against the Ravens. The rookie from Rutgers had 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Saints, but he only managed 24 yards on seven carries against the Ravens. Swift had a little more success, but Monangai had the longest running back run with his 15-yard carry. He wasn't targeted in the passing game this week, but he has shown he can be a good receiver out of the backfield when called upon. Even though he didn't have huge numbers this week, he remains a strong pickup from the waiver wire based on his playing time. He's also in a great matchup in Week 9 against the Bengals, who have been an exceptional matchup for running backs this season.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier found paydirt again in Week 8's 34-10 loss to the Dolphins, scoring the team's only touchdown of the day. The six-yard score came late in thefourth quarter and marked Allgeier'sfourthtouchdown of the season, which is tied for the team lead with Bijan Robinson, who has two rushing scores and two scores through the air. While the touchdown volume can't be ignored, the pace feels tenuous at best, as the 25-year-old garnered onlysix touches in the game and had three rushes fornegativetwo yards prior to the TD plunge. For the season, the BYU product has registered just 3.4 yards per carry, compared to Robinson's 5.2 YPC. Had the score been closer and not 34-3 at the time of the touchdown run, Allgeier may not have even been in the game. Nevertheless, he's become a potential Flex option due to his nose for the end zone, but fantasymanagers need to be aware that there is a high chance of busting if he doesn't score. Things won't get easier in Week 9 on the road in New England against a defense allowing the fourth-fewest points per game (18.3), second-fewest rush yards per game (76.0), and second-fewest rush yards per attempt (3.5).

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Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols only had one carry for four yards against the Chiefs in Week 8, but he had a strong game as a receiver out of the backfield. He actually led the team in catches, targets, and receiving yards, hauling in five of his six targets for 64 yards. Marcus Mariota wasn't able to get much going, especially in the second half, so the team will hope to have Jayden Daniels (hamstring) back next week against the Seahawks. McNichols remains in a backfield committee with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr., but for now, it looks like he's the preferred passing-down option. He played 42% of snaps since the Commanders were trying to rally. Next week, he'll be a high-risk flex play against the Seahawks, getting a boost if Mariota has to start again since the two have such a strong connection.

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AtlantaFalcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. was the lone bright spot on offense during theteam's 34-10 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, reeling in all nine of his targets from Kirk Cousins, albeit for just 59 scoreless yards. With No. 1 receiver Drake London (hip) out, the 25-year-old was able to gobble up looks, with no other pass-catcher tallying more than three receptions on the day. While the absence of both London and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) led to some unexpected results in this contest, Pitts has at least shown that he has a role in this offense regardless of the personnel around him, and it appears he can be trusted to be in the TE1 conversation most weeks based on volume alone. He's registered just three red zone targets all season, but that is only two fewer than London, so he's not far down in the pecking order when they get in close. The fifth-year pro has several tight-end-friendly matchups in the coming weeks that should hopefully translate to some touchdowns, and he'll take on the Patriots in Week 9, a defense that allowed 10 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns this past week to Browns tight ends.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota threw a pair of tough interceptions, and the team only managed seven points in their Monday night loss to the Chiefs. The fill-in starter completed 21-of-30 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown, and he also led the team in rushing with 28 yards on eight carries. Mariota and the offense looked decent in the first half, and the game was tied at halftime, but they struggled in the second half against a strong Chiefs' defense. Mariota could be in line to start again this week at home against the Seahawks, but the Commanders will hope that Jayden Daniels (hamstring) is able to return. Mariota would be tough to trust for fantasy against the solid Seahawks defense next week, and Daniels' return would boost the rest of the Commanders' playmakers as well.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) led the team in targets and yards in their 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 8. Jennings mirrored his Week 7 totals with four catches on seven targets, but produced more yards this time around, finishing with 45. It was a tepid offering on a day when Mac Jones (knee) and the 49ers generated only 223 net yards on offense. It is yet to be seen if Brock Purdy (toe) will be healthy enough to resume starting quarterback duties in Week 9. Regardless of who is under center, Jennings should be one of the 49ers' top target earners alongside Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. Ricky Pearsall (knee) is awaiting evaluation on Wednesday, and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is still likely a few weeks away from his return. The 49ers next face the Giants, who have given up the most receiving yards and the second-most receptions to opposing wide receivers.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) will be reevaluated on Wednesday and thereafter monitored day-to-day, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Pearsall suffered a PCL injury in Week 4 and has not appeared in a game since. Pearsall thrived in the absence of Brandon Aiyuk (knee), George Kittle (hamstring), Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder), catching 30 passes for 327 yards in his four games. With Jennings and Kittle back in action and Aiyuk potentially returning to practice this week, one wonders how the 49ers' target shares will look upon Pearsall's eventual return. If Pearsall can get back to game shape in time for Week 9, he would benefit from a meeting against the Giants, who have given up the most receiving yards and second-most receptions to opposing wide receivers.

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught four of his five targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans. It was a lukewarm observance of National Tight Ends Day for the unofficial holiday's founder, but on a day when the 49ers' offense generated just 223 net yards, Kittle's performance stood out. The production was reassuring for fantasy managers who were left hanging in Week 7, when Kittle posted a goose egg in his first game back from injured reserve. Kittle's five targets were third-most on the team, after Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) and Christian McCaffrey. He should remain a priority target even after Ricky Pearsall (knee) returns to action. Next on the docket for the 49ers is a potential rebound game against the Giants, who allowed Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert two touchdowns in their Week 8 meeting.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt logged nine carries for 40 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on a two-yard reception in Monday night's 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders. Hunt has recorded exactly one target and one reception in six of eight games this season and caught his first receiving touchdown since Week 1 of the 2022 season, back when he was with the Cleveland Browns. The 30-year-old back has been a reliable, high-success rate runner for Kansas City this season, helping to keep the offense on schedule. He's only averaging 3.9 yards per carry, but he's scored four rushing touchdowns, and his 47% success rate is the seventh highest among running backs with at least 50 carries this season, per SumerSports. Hunt is a touchdown-dependent option in fantasy, but he gets another good matchup in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught six of his eight targets for 99 yards and a touchdown on Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders. It was a milestone day for the legendary tight end, scoring his 83rd career regular-season touchdown, tying Chiefs' legend Priest Holmes for the most in franchise history. He also became the fifth tight end all-time with at least 80 receiving touchdowns, joining Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, and Jimmy Graham. Kelce has put together a nice bounce-back campaign in his age-36 season, and has now caught at least six balls in three of his last four games. He'll be overshadowed a bit now with Rashee Rice back in the mix, but he's still racked up 37 receptions for 474 yards and three touchdowns on 48 targets in eight games this season. The veteran tight end will be firmly in the TE1 mix for next week's highly anticipated matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

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