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Steve Grogan Est. 2004
FFL: Week 9 | NFL: Week 9

Patriots, RB Rhamondre Stevenson agree to 4-year extension

Thu Jun 20 4:12pm ET
Field Level Media

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and the New England Patriots have agreed to extend his contract for four years and $36 million, including $17 million guaranteed, ESPN and NFL Network reported on Thursday.

Stevenson, 26, is slated to earn a base salary of $3.116 million in the final year on his rookie contract, which he signed after the Patriots selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. His extension takes him through the 2028 season.

He told reporters earlier this month that the sides were "pretty close" to getting a deal done.

"It's not frustrating, but it's just a long process," he said on June 10. "This is my first time going through it, but just hearing from all the other guys, this is how it goes. It's a negotiation process, and I'm respecting the process."

Last season, Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13 and sat out the rest of a 4-13 campaign. In 12 games, he rushed for 619 yards and four touchdowns and caught 38 passes for 238 yards.

In 41 games (21 starts) over three seasons, the 6-foot, 227-pound Oklahoma product has 2,265 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns along with 121 catches for 782 yards and one receiving score.

Stevenson shared the backfield with veteran Ezekiel Elliott last season, but Elliott rejoined the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. This spring, former Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson is in the fold after signing a three-year, $11.25 million deal, but Stevenson remains the starter.

"I think he's one of the better backs in the league, no doubt about it," first-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said of Stevenson at the Patriots' mandatory minicamp two weeks ago. "I'm excited to see what he does this season, and look, he's earned everything that he gets. He is our starting running back and, hopefully, we do get something done."

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9

Player Notes
Desmond Ridder Nov 4 12:30pm ET
Desmond Ridder

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce refused to name a starting quarterback as the team gets ready to head into their Week 10 bye. In addition, Pierce said on Monday that he hasn't decided on an offensive play-caller after firing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy following Sunday's blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The team's decision to part ways with Getsy was "100% my decision," Pierce said. Gardner Minshew II got the start under center on Sunday against Cincy and was eventually benched for the third time in his seven starts this year after going 10-for-17 for 124 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and a lost fumble. Former Falcons QB Desmond Ridder replaced Minshew and went 11-for-16 for 74 yards, a touchdown and a fumble. Aidan O'Connell (thumb) is on Injured Reserve, so it will be either Minshew or Ridder starting in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Nov 4 12:30pm ET
Drake London

The belief is that Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) suffered a right hip-pointer injury on Sunday in the Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys, although he's going for additional tests on Monday, according to a source. Hip-pointer injuries can be frustrating for players, but they usually aren't long-term issues, which is great news for the Falcons and London's fantasy managers. The 23-year-old suffered the injury while making a nine-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and he was eventually ruled out for the rest of the game. It sounds like he won't have to miss additional time, but it doesn't mean he won't be ruled out for Week 10 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. If London misses any time, it will mean added targets and opportunities for receivers Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III and tight end Kyle Pitts.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Nov 4 12:20pm ET
Bucky Irving

FOX Sports' Greg Auman reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) is expected to play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs and could play well despite dealing with a toe injury that he's been playing through. The Buccaneers will continue to manage the injury, and apparently nothing has changed since last week. Tampa listed Irving as questionable to play on Saturday for Week 9 against the Chiefs, though. The 22-year-old will have to manage his toe issue for the rest of the season. In the Week 8 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, Irving had nine carries for the second straight week and produced 44 rushing yards while adding a season-high seven catches for 40 yards. Irving has been the team's most impressive ball-carrier in 2024, but his injury and the presence of Rachaad White will keep him as an upside RB3/flex play on a weekly basis in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Nov 4 12:20pm ET
A.J. Brown

Although Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown's knee injury that he suffered in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday isn't considered serious, he will undergo an MRI exam later on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury. Brown could miss some practice time later this week as the Eagles play it safe with their star receiver, but it sounds as though he may not have to miss any time. As long as the 27-year-old is cleared later this week, he'll be a must-start for fantasy managers in Week 10 for a divisional showdown against the fading Dallas Cowboys. Brown had two receptions for 36 yards on his four targets on Sunday against Jacksonville before leaving the contest and never returning, but he should bounce back against Dallas this Sunday as long as he's cleared. Check back later for the results of his MRI exam.

From RotoBaller

Boston Scott Nov 4 12:10pm ET
Boston Scott

Free-agent running back Boston Scott (knee) is reportedly fully healthy and ready to return to the NFL after suffering a partially torn meniscus in his knee before the start of the regular season, according to sources. The former Philadelphia Eagles RB has been rehabbing the injury the last two months but it now prepared to join a team soon. The 29-year-old was with the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp but was cut with an injury settlement after injuring his knee. The former sixth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2018 out of Louisiana Tech should latch on somewhere as a change-of-pace option, but he won't necessarily be worth a waiver-wire pickup for RB-needy fantasy managers once he finds a new team. Scott's fantasy value for the rest of 2024 will depend on where he lands. Stay tuned. In 15 games with Philly last year, he had 20 carries for 86 yards and caught four passes for 52 yards.

From RotoBaller

Dennis Allen Nov 4 12:10pm ET
Dennis Allen

After firing head coach Dennis Allen on Monday following the team's seventh straight loss in Week 9 to the division-rival Carolina Panthers, the New Orleans Saints have named assistant head coach/special teams coach Darren Rizzi as their interim head coach. The 54-year-old Rizzi has been with the team since 2019, when he was hired as special teams coordinator. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 2022 when Allen became the head coach. Rizzi previously worked as the Miami Dolphins' special teams coordinator from 2010-18 and he was also the associate head coach in 2017. He was the head coach in college at New Haven from 1999-01 and at Rhode Island in 2008. The 2-7 Saints will move forward with Rizzi as the man in charge, beginning with a Week 10 tilt against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Nov 4 12:00pm ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was limited to one catch for 11 yards in Sunday's 27-21 victory over the Cowboys. Even with Drake London exiting with an injury early on in the game, it was surprising to see Pitts get targeted just one time all game. After four straight weeks of 65 or more yards receiving and at least three receptions, the 24-year-old reverted to his status of non-factor in the offense. If Drake London were to miss time, his targets could be up for grabs which could be good for Pitts, but he'll face the Saints in Week 10, the same team that held him without a catch in Week 4 despite allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to TEs so far this year. It appears he'll return to the back-end, volatile TE1 range next week.

From RotoBaller

Matt Gay Nov 4 11:50am ET
Matt Gay

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay hit two of three field goals in Sunday's 21-13 loss to the Vikings, accounting for all six of the offensive points that his team was able to muster in the contest. The 30-year-old's two makes were from 42 and 54 yards out, while the one miss was a 53-yarder. He also made the PAT on the defensive TD scored by Indy. The Colts could struggle to move the ball again in Week 10 versus the Bills, so there may be better fantasy options for managers to choose from, but at least the game will be played indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium next Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Nov 4 11:40am ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught one of four targets for 14 scoreless yards in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings. So much for Joe Flacco boosting the fantasy value of the receiving group. After catching no less than three passes in any of the season's first seven games, Pittman now has back-to-back weeks with just a single catch. Perhaps he and Joe Flacco can get back on the same page in Week 10, with the two previously hooking up for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the three prior games they played together earlier this season. It won't be easy though, as the Bills are on tap next Sunday, a defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so far in 2024. Until he displays some chemistry with Flacco again, Pittman will be hard to trust as anything more than a WR3/4.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Nov 4 11:30am ET
Lamar Jackson

We warned fantasy managers that the Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit was one to fade in their Week 9 matchup against the high-octane offense of the Baltimore Ravens. The stingy Broncos defense was thoroughly outplayed by the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday, allowing 396 total yards of offense, 269 passing yards, 127 rushing yards and a season-high 41 points in the 41-10 blowout loss. In addition, they were unable to force any turnovers and sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson just once. Jackson threw three touchdown passes, and running back Derrick Henry went over 100 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Despite the poor performance, the Broncos D/ST remains a top-five unit and should be much more playable in Week 10 against a Kansas City Chiefs team that has lost some of their best playmakers to injuries.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Nov 4 11:10am ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs led the receiving corps in targets, receptions, and yards in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings, hauling in six of nine balls thrown his way for 60 yards. No other receiver on the team caught more than three passes. Unfortunately, Downs and the rest of the offense were unable to find the end zone, with the lone TD for the Colts coming on the defensive side of the ball. The good news is that the 23-year-old has garnered at least nine targets in five of the seven games he's played this season, making him the most reliable fantasy asset out of all the pass catchers on the team. The bad news is that the Bills are his Week 10 opponent, and they've allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to WRs thus far. The UNC product is likely a WR3 in that matchup, perhaps borderline WR2 in PPR leagues.

From RotoBaller

Lil'Jordan Humphrey Nov 4 11:00am ET
Lil'Jordan Humphrey

Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey contributed very little in the team's 41-10 blowout loss to the hosting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 9, catching two of his five targets for a measly 11 yards. The good news is Humphrey played the second-most offensive snaps among wideouts behind Courtland Sutton, and his five targets were also second-most on the team behind Sutton's 10 in a game in which the Broncos were shut down by a Ravens defense that had been struggling coming into this contest. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Texas has impressive after-the-catch abilities and should continue to have an expanded role for as long as Josh Reynolds (finger) remains out, but fantasy managers just can't trust any Broncos receiver outside of Sutton for weekly production. Through nine games, Humphrey has 21 catches, 188 yards and no touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Nov 4 11:00am ET
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz only attempted two kicks in the team's 41-10 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on the road on Sunday in Week 9. Both his field-goal attempt (successful from 37 yards out) and his lone extra-point try came in the second quarter of action, and the Broncos offense wasn't able to score the rest of the day. Lutz has now put up back-to-back disappointing showings for any fantasy managers that have used him as a streaming option -- he made just four extra points in the Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers. The 30-year-old veteran has missed just one of his 19 field-goal tries in 2024 and has made all 17 of his extra points to make him a top-10 fantasy kicker, but the volatile nature of the Broncos' offense makes him a boom/bust play heading into Week 10 versus the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Nov 4 10:50am ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held to just 48 yards on 13 carries in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings while adding three receptions on five targets for a paltry 11 yards. It was projected to be a tough assignment coming into the contest and the Vikings' rush defense lived up to its billing, although the Indy offense as a whole never really got anything going, as it accounted for just six of the total points (two FG) with the lone touchdown coming on a defensive scoop-and-score. On the bright side, Taylor draws a Bills rush defense in Week 10 that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to the running back position, with De'Von Achane gaining 121 total yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) against them in Week 9. The 25-year-old is probably a mid-range RB1 in that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Troy Franklin Nov 4 10:50am ET
Troy Franklin

After leading the team in receiving in the Week 8 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin was barely heard from in the 41-10 blowout loss to the hosting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 9, catching one of his four targets for a 19-yard pickup. He has had more opportunities in the Broncos' passing attack since Josh Reynolds (finger) landed on Injured Reserve, but it's led to only nine receptions on 15 targets for 106 yards and a touchdowns in four games. Rookie QB Bo Nix has spread the ball around quite effectively in recent weeks, and it's clear that it's impossible to trust any receiver beyond Courtland Sutton in fantasy in this offense. The 21-year-old Franklin has a 14-135-1 line in his first eight NFL games and won't be a recommended fantasy play in Week 10 versus the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on the road.

From RotoBaller

Keon Coleman Nov 4 10:20am ET
Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) is set to undergo tests on his wrist on Monday after a disappointing performance in Week 9. The rookie wasn't forced to leave the game against the Miami Dolphins with the injury, so the severity of the injury is unclear. He's had a solid start to his career as he sits in WR3 territory so far at the WR34 in half-PPR formats. If he's forced to miss some time, Amari Cooper (wrist) could be back in Week 10 while Khalil Shakir has been a steadying force.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Nov 4 10:20am ET
Joe Flacco

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco was unable to lead his team to victory after being named the team's starter, completing 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings. The 39-year-old was also charged with a fumble in the game after a handoff to running back Jonathan Taylor was not handled cleanly. It was a disappointing performance against a defense that hadn't been great against the pass thus far (seventh-most fantasy points allowed to QBs coming into the week), although it does lead the league in interceptions (14). The Colts have a home date with the Bills in Week 10 who have been stingier, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to QBs, so things may not get much better. The veteran figures to be a low-end QB2 again next Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Nov 4 10:10am ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was one of three different offensive players ruled active on the day of their game but was unable to get into much of a rhythm. The rookie wideout finished with four targets, two receptions, and 22 yards. The Philadelphia Eagles defense was doing a great job with nine passes defended, three QB hits, two sacks, and two interceptions, so Thomas didn't have much of a chance for fantasy points. His next chance to bounce back will be against another tough defense in the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.

From RotoBaller

Dennis Allen Nov 4 10:10am ET
Dennis Allen

The New Orleans Saints have fired their head coach Dennis Allen according to Ian Rapaport and Mike Garafolo. Following a terrible loss to the 1-7 Carolina Panthers, it was clear something needed to change. It looks like the team decided they'll be heading in a different direction coaching-wise. The Saints started 2-0 and looked like the best offense in the league, but have lost seven consecutive games since then. There hasn't been any word yet on who the front-runner is to take over as interim head coach.

From RotoBaller

Tank Bigsby Nov 4 9:50am ET
Tank Bigsby

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby was deemed active not too long before kickoff on Sunday but wasn't able to produce a big performance in the 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 23-year-old saw eight carries for 22 yards and didn't get targeted at all in the passing game. Bigsby has been seeing a higher percentage of snaps this season but hasn't been able to produce many fantasy points when Travis Etienne Jr. is also active. The ground game in general was shut down in this contest and they had to play catch up almost the entire time. The Jaguars will take on another tough defense in the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.

From RotoBaller