NFL Player News

The electric rookie receiver missed Week 1 after appearing to suffer a setback with his quadricep. He logged limited sessions on Wednesday and Thursday last week before being downgraded on Friday. It now appears as if the ailment is more serious than initially reported, meaning his professional debut could have to wait another week with the Dolphins on a short week for Week 2.

Lockett reeled in a 30-yard touchdown just before halftime but was used as an ancillary weapon in this game. With DK Metcalf out for a second game because of a knee injury, Jaxon Smith-Njigba stepped up in a major way, corraling seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. This was Lockett’s fifth game over 60 yards but his ninth under 80. With no ceiling games in sight and Metcalf likely to return after Seattle’s Week 10 bye, Lockett will be relegated to the WR4/5 ranks when he returns in Week 11.

Hurts had yet another rushing touchdown in a game that saw the usually-unstoppable tush push fail three times. In another run-heavy game plan, Hurts made the most of his limited pass attempts, hitting Saquon Barkley for an early wheel route touchdown before connecting with DeVonta Smith for a back-of-the-end-zone score in the fourth quarter. It was only the third time this season Hurts had more than one touchdown pass in a game. Hurts will be an elite fantasy option in Week 10 against the terrible Cowboys defense.

Kupp saved a quiet Week 8 box score with a touchdown. His stat line didn’t need saving this week as he was able to dominate LA’s targets and top 100 yards for the first time since Week 1. Kupp’s lofty target total could be written off as the product of Puka Nacua getting ejected at the end of the first half, but Kupp had nine targets to Nacua’s four before the second-year wideout was tossed. The more likely explanation is that Nacua is still working through his knee injury and his opportunities were limited. If Nacua isn’t at full strength for LA’s Week 10 matchup with Miami, Kupp will jump him in the fantasy rankings in route to a WR1 projection.

Returning from a multi-week injury absence, Etienne played behind Tank Bigsby, who had eight carries on the day. Etienne was the Jaguars’ primary pass-catching back, though it didn’t amount to much. The split Jacksonville backfield won’t amount to much for fantasy purposes going forward. Etienne won’t be playable next week against Minnesota.

Robinson scored twice for the second week in a row. He put together a far more complete box score this time around after going for just 35 yards (plus the pair of touchdowns) on two grabs last week. Robinson’s uptick in target volume came as the result of Puka Nacua getting ejected for throwing a punch late in the first half of this game. His first score was an easy grab from one yard out. His second score was a game-winner in overtime. Robinson reeled in the 39-yard strike from Matthew Stafford with one hand while winning a hand fight with the other. Robinson’s role will fade with Nacua not likely to miss half of Week 10 because of an ejection, but his touchdown potential will keep him on the WR5/6 periphery versus Miami.

Dortch’s athleticism and gadget usage occasionally yields fantasy-friendly results but with four targets over the last three weeks, he is not worth starting in 12-team re-draft leagues. Dortch can be dropped.

Puka Nacua got ejected late in the first half freeing up some routes for LA’s depth receivers. With Jordan Whittington out this week, Johnson was the next man up. He reeled in a 24-yard grab in overtime that led to a Demarcus Robinson game-winning touchdown four plays later. Johnson isn’t on the fantasy radar for Week 10 but is a good depth option for the Rams.

Parkinson drew a short target in the third quarter, but Seahawks corner Tariq Woolen committed an illegal contact penalty, negating the play entirely. Fellow LA tight ends Hunter Long and Davis Allen each caught one pass. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp mostly healthy, Parkinson’s role in the Rams’ offense has vanished. Fantasy managers can cut ties with him ahead of Week 10.

Demercado was the featured player in the Cardinals’ two-minute drill, touching the ball on 2-of-4 plays. On third-and-five from the Cardinals’ own 47-yard line, Cardinals’ OC Drew Petzing called a strong-side run play against the Bears’ six-man box, gifted to them by Matt Eberflus and his prevent-style coverage defense. Demercado simply followed his blocks before breaking loose for a 53-yard score. Demercado later bobbled a handoff from Kyler Murray, though Murray was dinged with the lost fumble in the box score. Demercado is a worthwhile bench stash in 12-team PPR leagues.

Sean McVay nearly got Williams his government-mandated weekly touchdown, but the third-year back failed to find paydirt on attempts from one and two yards out. Demarcus Robinson scored a play after Williams gained a yard from the two-yard line. LA was later forced to settle for a field goal after Williams was stonewalled for a two-yard loss from the two. Williams only ceded one carry to Blake Corum and no other Rams back earned a target. He is a volume-based RB1 heading into Week 10 against Miami.