Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
Nov. 10: Malik Willis placed on IR
The Miami Dolphins placed Willis on the IR Tuesday due to a groin injury, and he will miss a minimum of four games.
Willis has averaged 13.1 fantasy PPG while throwing 1,396 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He has run for 232 yards and three touchdowns. While he disappointed in fantasy last week against the Detroit Lions, he was trending upwards having thrown five of his six touchdown passes in the past four games.
With Willis out, that leaves Kyle McCord as the Dolphins starter. Not only will that be his first career start, McCord has not thrown a pass in the NFL. Willis was a potential streaming option due to the matchup, but that does not apply to McCord.
Additionally, fantasy managers should avoid the Dolphins pass catchers. Malik Washington had been a safe-floor flex option with Willis while Caleb Douglas has flashed his upside at times. Both could be benched — or even dropped if you have a roster crunch — until we see that they can produce with McCord. Ollie Gordon II is the only Dolphin that should be started in fantasy football for the time being. Gordon has averaged 13.2 fantasy PPG since Week 3 and the Dolphins have the second-best remaining fantasy RB schedule.
The Indianapolis Colts D/ST has struggled to find any sort of fantasy success this season, but are in play as a streaming option this week due to the matchup.
Nov. 10: Cook helps Bills overcome tough Vikings defense
Despite a valiant effort by the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, the Buffalo Bills’ offense won out on Monday night. James Cook III was the lone standout performance, rushing 31 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Only Jahmyr Gibbs has run for more yards against the Vikings this season. Cook finished with 16.7 fantasy points, enough to be the RB8 for the week. His 31 carries are the second most in any game in Cook’s career.
Josh Allen had his worst fantasy night of the season, finishing with only 12.86 fantasy points. He threw for just 234 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also ran the ball six times for 15 yards. That was actually the most fantasy points any QB has scored against the Vikings since Jordan Love in Week 1 (19.48). Allen has a bounceback opportunity next week against the New York Jets.
Other notes from Monday’s game
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Buffalo’s pass catchers were largely held in check. DJ Moore saw only five targets, catching three for 25 yards. In his four full games this season he has a 26% target share and a 41% air-yard share, averaging 14.3 fantasy PPG.
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Dalton Kincaid caught all three of his targets for 28 yards. He has a rebound opportunity next week against the Jets, who have allowed the fourth-most TE yards.
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Khalil Shakir led the Bills with four catches for 58 yards. He’s a “safe floor” option who can be used in deeper leagues or as an injury/bye week replacement.
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Minnesota’s offense was a slog all night. Carson Wentzstruggled to make competitive throws all night long, finishing just 8-of-25 for 81 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also lost a fumble. Wentz was replaced by Max Brosmer for the Vikings’ final drive, with the team down by three scores.
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Justin Jefferson did see 11 targets, but was able to reel in only three of them for 58 yards. He has now finished with single-digit fantasy points in four of his last six games. He’s averaging a career-low 56.1 receiving yards per game. It’s not his fault, but the team’s QB play has dragged him into “boom or bust” WR3 territory! Fantasy managers have to be hoping the Vikings trade for a quarterback.
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Given the current state of the Vikings’ passing attack, fantasy managers cannot trust either T.J. HockensonorJordan Addison. Hockenson finished with 33 yards, while Addison had 28.
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Jordan Mason led the Vikings with 48% of the team’s snaps, Aaron Jones saw 35%. Mason turned eight opportunities into 42 yards, while Jones had six touches for 21 yards. Neither has reached seven fantasy points in the three games since Mason’s return. Both can be benched until we see them produce.
Nov. 9: Nacua likely headed to IR
Puka Nacua is likely to be placed on the IR due to MCL and PCL sprains.
There is no replacing Nacua on the Rams roster or on fantasy waiver wire. Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell will be the Rams’ top receivers. With Davante Adams also on the IR, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Rams trade for a wide receiver before tomorrow’s NFL trade deadline.
If they do not, expect the tight ends and running backs to be more involved. Tyler Higbeeshould be added off waiver wires. Also, Terrance Ferguson was set to return last week before suffering a hamstring injury. He should see a lot of volume if and when he is able to return.
This likely means running back Kyren Williams will see even more targets. Both he and Blake Corum should be started next week against the Cardinals.
For those in need of waiver wire targets, check out Eric Karabell’s Week 9 waiver wire article.
Nov. 9: Cardinals lose Wilson for the season, await word on Minshew
Michael Wilson is out for the season due to a neck injury, the team announced Monday. Wilson had established himself as the Cardinals’ WR1 and as someone fantasy managers could trust on a weekly basis, but he can now be dropped when waivers run this week. Arizona is extremely thin at receiver after losing both Wilson and Kendrick Bourne to the IR and having traded away Marvin Harrison Jr.
Devin Duvernay, Simi Fehoko and Reggie Virgil are the receivers still on the active roster. Zay Jones, James Proche II and Shedrick Jackson are on their practice squad. This likely means more targets and even more defensive attention for Trey McBride. He is the lone Cardinal that is a must-start fantasy option. In fact, with Jeremiyah Love on IR and Jacoby Brissett traded, he is the only Cardinals skill position starter from Week 1 that is currently playing for Arizona. Fantasy managers in need of a Wilson replacement should look for outside options. Eric Karabell’s waiver wire article has you covered!
Gardner Minshew II is feared to have suffered a torn UCL in his throwing arm, per Ian Rapoport. He would miss the rest of the season if so. That would leave third-round rookie Carson Beck, their 3rd-rounpd pick, in line to start the rest of the way for the Cardinals.
Nov. 9: Who got the ball in Week 9?
The box score doesn’t tell you everything. Here are the roles and usage trends from Sunday that stood out to me.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons
Eric Moody: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase are matchup-proof in fantasy
Dohnte Meyers is pulling ahead of Colbie Young in the Bengals’ WR rotation, as he played on more snaps and ran more routes than Young. Meyers caught two out of three targets for 47 yards and added a 16-yard run, finishing with 8.3 fantasy points. Andrei Iosivas remains on IR, but Meyers could keep the job when Iosivas returns. He’s worth stashing in deeper leagues as insurance behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, if either misses time.
Chase Brown is still Cincinnati’s lead back, but fantasy managers have little to show for it. He had 12 touches for 75 yards and 10.5 fantasy points against Atlanta, despite leading the backfield in snaps, routes and targets. Samaje Perine had more carries (11-9) though much of his work came late with the Bengals ahead. Brown is averaging 17.8 touches per game to Perine’s 6.8 this season. He also hasn’t scored since Week 1, despite Cincinnati ranking in the top 10 in both yards and points per game.
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts
Ryan Flournoy played more with both George Pickens and KaVontae Turpin out, but it didn’t lead to much fantasy production. He ran the same number of routes as CeeDee Lamb but saw just three targets and finished with 7.3 fantasy points to Lamb’s 16 targets and 33.5 points. Flournoy remains a flex option in deeper leagues if Pickens misses more time, though he’d have a better chance at consistent targets if Pickens were traded.
Ashton Dulin led all Colts WRs with 12.8 fantasy points, but nearly all of it came on a 55-yard TD catch. He ranked fifth among Colts wide receivers in both snaps and routes run, remaining limited despite the touchdown. What caught my attention was that Dulin lined up in the slot when Josh Downs came off the field. Downs remains one of the most targeted players for the Colts, but with his name coming up in trade rumors ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Dulin is worth monitoring in deeper leagues. A trade could give him a more consistent role, though he’s not a waiver priority yet.
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs
Making sense of the Jets’ backfield in fantasy
Breece Hall’s return ended Braelon Allen’s five-game run as the Jets’ lead back, but Allen maintained his passing-down role. Hall out-touched Allen 18-10 against Kansas City, finishing with 87 yards and 11.7 fantasy points. Allen totaled 54 yards and 5.4 points after losing a fumble. Hall and Allen shared the workload on early downs much more evenly in Week 9 compared to before Hall’s injury, though Allen still led in snaps and ran twice as many routes. Hall is best viewed as a low-end RB2, while Allen remains a must-hold insurance back in most leagues.
Garrett Wilson’s concussion left Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. as the Jets’ primary receivers, with Isaiah Williams filling the third spot. Mitchell led in snaps and routes but caught none of his seven targets one week after his 27.2 fantasy point breakout. Cooper drew a team-high 11 targets, catching eight for 13.8 fantasy points. He also had 115 yards and a touchdown back in Week 7 with Wilson active, giving him flex appeal in deeper formats even after Wilson returns. Mitchell has gone catchless in two of his last three games and could see less playing time when all Jets receivers are healthy.
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins
Jahmyr Gibbs posted season lows in both offensive snaps and fantasy points (13.4) against Miami. It was a disappointing performance, considering the Dolphins entered Sunday allowing the fifth-most RB fantasy points per game. Gibbs remains a must-start option, but his remaining schedule is challenging. According to Clay’s strength of schedule matrix, the Lions have the second-toughest remaining schedule for fantasy running backs.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints
Since returning in Week 7, Dylan Sampson has led Cleveland’s backfield in snaps for two straight games, taking over the third-down work previously handled by Jerome Ford. Quinshon Judkins still led on early downs and out-touched Sampson 16-11 against New Orleans, but Sampson drew six targets to Judkins’ one and scored 7.8 fantasy points to Judkins’ 5.5. Judkins has just four catches in three games since Sampson returned, leaving him reliant on rushing yards and touchdowns. This makes it difficult to trust Judkins as nothing more than a low-end RB2 while Sampson is on the flex radar in deeper leagues in games where the Browns are projected to trail.
Shedeur Sanders gave Cleveland’s passing game a late lift, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns. KC Concepcion led receivers in routes and posted 85 yards and a touchdown, while Denzel Boston matched him in snaps and led the team with 98 yards. Harold Fannin Jr. played the third-most snaps but saw only two targets, catching both for 42 yards and a touchdown. Sanders could improve all three players’ fantasy outlooks if he keeps starting, though much of Sunday’s production came on big plays.
Audric Estime led the Saints backfield with 16 touches and 14.7 fantasy points while playing on nearly as many snaps as Alvin Kamara after the Saints released Kendre Miller. Estime is worth adding off waivers with Travis Etienne Jr. still on IR and CJ Donaldson sidelined. Their eventual returns could create a crowded backfield, making Estime’s workload difficult to trust long term.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Yates: It should be the Cam Skattebo show in Week 10
Devin Singletary led the Giants in snaps, routes and touches (23) while Cam Skattebo was ruled out prior to the game due a hamstring injury. However, he scored just 5.9 fantasy points and averaged 1.5 yards per carry against an Eagles defense that ranks sixth in run stop win rate. The matchup was tough, but still a poor return on that much work. Skattebo’s return could bring back a committee, and the Giants could add another running back before the trade deadline. I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting either player right now.
Saquon Barkley’s snaps have increased with each subsequent game since his return in Week 7 after missing Weeks 5-6 due to various injuries. He led the Eagles backfield in snaps, routes, rushing attempts (13) and fantasy points (8.2) while Elijah Mitchell handled most of the work on third downs. Barkley is a difficult player to bench but he has averaged just 11.9 fantasy points per game over the last three games.
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders
Blake Corum continues to cut into Kyren Williams’ workload, particularly on early downs. Corum rushed 11 times for 58 yards and a touchdown against Washington — his third straight game with at least 11 carries and a rushing score. Williams still led the Rams in snaps and touches (18) but finished with a season-low 9.1 fantasy points. He remains more involved in the passing game, running more than twice as many routes as Corum against the Commanders. Williams is still the preferred fantasy option in the Rams backfield, but the timeshare makes him more of a midrange RB2. Corum is firmly on the flex radar in most formats.
The Commanders continued to split backfield work between Austin Ekeler and Rachaad White against the Rams. Ekeler handled more early-down carries, while White saw more third-down work and was the more productive option, totaling 69 total yards compared to Ekeler’s 34. Neither reached seven fantasy points, making it difficult to trust both in lineups. Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains on IR and is sidelined through at least Week 10. His eventual return could further complicate the Commanders’ backfield rotation.
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
Sean Payton rarely leans on just one running back, but Jonah Coleman dominated Denver’s backfield in Week 9. He played on 77% of offensive snaps against Carolina, the most by any Broncos running back under Payton, finishing with 21 touches and 18.8 fantasy points (while J.K. Dobbins only had five touches). Coleman has had at least 15 touches and scored at least 18 fantasy points in each of his last two games. The eventual return of RJ Harvey or Tyler Badie could cut into his workload, but his recent production gives Denver many reasons to keep him involved. According to Mike Clay’s strength of schedule matrix, the Broncos have the easiest remaining schedule for fantasy running backs.
Carolina used more two- and three-TE sets against Denver, and Darren Waller took advantage. Tommy Tremble led the tight ends in snaps while Waller led in routes run. Waller drew a team-high 10 targets, catching eight passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. At receiver, Jalen Coker narrowly led Tetairoa McMillan in snaps, while both tied for the team lead in routes. McMillan finished with 56 yards and a touchdown, while Coker managed just 29 yards. Waller is worth adding, but Carolina’s TE rotation makes him difficult to trust as a weekly starter.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers
The conundrum picking Broncos’ wide receivers in fantasy
Woody Marks remained Houston’s lead back with David Montgomery missing his third straight game due a groin injury. Marks finished with 19 touches and 8.4 fantasy points against the Chargers. He’s now had at least 17 touches in four straight games but hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 4. Marks’ playing time dipped partly because Emari Demercado handled more work late in the blowout, while Dare Ogunbowale took third-down snaps. Marks should remain in the RB2 conversation while Montgomery is out, although his limited receiving production and lack of touchdowns continue to limit his upside.
Jaylin Noel’s season-ending injury gave Xavier Hutchinson the slot role, but it didn’t solve Houston’s crowded outside receiver rotation. Nico Collins remains the primary outside receiver, while Tank Dell, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kayshon Boutte all split the other spot. Dell led that group in routes and drew nine targets against the Chargers, catching four passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. Boutte was even more productive, posting 125 yards and two touchdowns despite running fewer routes. Collins remains the safest fantasy starter, while Dell and Boutte are volatile options whose big Week 9 performances could be difficult to repeat.
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson’s knee injury makes New England’s Week 10 backfield difficult to project, particularly with TreVeyon Henderson’s return uncertain. Stevenson handled nine touches for 14.8 fantasy points due to a receiving touchdown before his exit. He remains an RB2 if healthy enough to play, otherwise Corey Kiner and Lan Larison could share the backfield. Kiner rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown, but much of his work came after Drake Maye exited. Larison played more alongside Maye and has a slight edge on waivers, although neither backup is a dependable fantasy starter.
Josh Jacobs’ Week 10 status is uncertain after he fractured a finger against New England, exiting with five yards on four carries. Jacobs had reclaimed Green Bay’s lead role with 16 touches in Week 7 and 27 in Week 8, scoring more than 20 fantasy points both weeks. With MarShawn Lloyd (knee) out, Kaleb Johnson rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Pierre Strong Jr. added 22 rushing yards. Jacobs remains an RB2 if healthy, but if Jacobs sits, Johnson has some waiver appeal. Strong’s involvement and Chris Brooks’ possible return does make this a backfield to avoid in starting lineups.
Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers
Ashton Jeanty led the Raiders backfield in snaps in Week 9, but five turnovers and a lopsided loss to San Francisco limited him to 11 touches for 20 yards and a season-low 7.0 fantasy points. He caught five out of seven targets for minus-5 yards, while Mike Washington Jr. rushed six times for minus-3 yards.
Washington has handled most goal-line snaps over the past two weeks, taking away valuable TD opportunities even as Jeanty’s playing time improves. Jeanty’s receiving role keeps him in the RB2 conversation, but he has a difficult matchup in Week 10 against a Seahawks defense that’s allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game. Washington belongs on fantasy benches, not in starting lineups.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Clay: Audric Estime a ‘hot waiver add’ in Week 10
Tyler Allgeier led Arizona’s backfield in snaps, routes and touches (19) with Jeremiyah Love (ankle) on IR. Despite the workload, he managed just 6.6 fantasy points against Seattle’s tough run defense. The Cardinals have the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs If you’re comfortably positioned in the standings and can afford to wait, consider making an offer for Love
Zach Charbonnet led Seattle in both snaps and carries against Arizona after Jadarian Price saw slightly more early-down work last week. Charbonnet ran 16 times for 77 yards, while Price had 24 yards on nine carries but did more damage through the air, catching four passes for a team-high 54 yards. Price did end up outscoring Charbonnet 11.8-9.6 in fantasy as George Holani played on only two snaps, so the backfield is down to Charbonnet and Price. Charbonnet looks like the safer bet for carries, but both are risky flex options, even with Las Vegas up next.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Tez Johnson’s role held up even with Emeka Egbuka back from injury. Johnson played nearly as much as Egbuka and matched him with five targets, while Ted Hurst III was reduced to one snap. Johnson led Tampa Bay with 76 receiving yards, but 58 came on one play and he dropped two third-down passes. Egbuka caught three passes for 38 yards, while Chris Godwin Jr. managed 16 yards despite leading the receivers in snaps. Egbuka is still the safest fantasy starter, while Johnson is a deeper-league stash through the Week 10 bye. Godwin remains difficult to start.
Nov. 8: Week 9 scoring leaders through Sunday’s games
1. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs — 36.3
2. Jordan Love, QB Green Bay Packers — 36.18
3. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans — 35.36
4. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams — 35.0
5. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys — 33.5
6. Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers — 32.4
7. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals — 31.5
8. Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers — 30.1
9. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals — 29.54
10. Kayshon Boutte, WR, Houston Texans — 28.5
10. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 28.5
Click here for the complete list of Week 9’s top scorers.
