NFL Player News

Hockenson will suit up for the first time since suffering a torn ACL and MCL late in the 2023 season. He averaged 6.3 catches for 64 yards last year and will take his spot in the TE1 ranks once he is fully up to speed this year. That may not happen in his first game off injured reserve, so fantasy managers should proceed with caution this week. Hockenson sits at the top of the TE2 ranks for now, though that won’t last long.

Winfield was sidelined by a foot injury in Weeks 2-5. His reappearance on Friday’s report could indicate he re-injured it. The Buccaneers’ defense has dealt with significant injuries all year. This is one to watch ahead of the Buccaneers’ Monday Night Football Showdown against the Chiefs. LB Lavonte David (chest/ankle) has been unable to practice through two days this week.

The veteran wideout is unlikely to suit up this week as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury. DeAndre Hopkins’ role should grow in his second game as a Chiefs while Xavier Worthy will look to contribute as a splash-play artist. Justin Watson rounds out the team’s three-receiver look but is not on the fantasy radar for Week 9.

Hunt has routinely been getting light practice workloads since joining the Chiefs. He has never been at risk of missing a game and isn’t this week either. Coming off his third game in a row with at least 20 carries and a touchdown, Hunt will sit at the top of the RB2 ranks for his Week 9 matchup with Tampa Bay.

Williams will have to wait at least one more week to suit up. First-round rookie DT Darius Robinson (calf) will also miss out on Week 9 action and has yet to make his NFL debut. Both players failed to practice all week. Starting nose tackle Roy Lopez (ankle) is questionable to play.

Lockett got in a limited session on Wednesday before being upgraded to a full participant on Thursday. The light workload for a 32-year-old wideout shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Despite being held to one catch for nine yards in Week 8, Lockett has a solid fantasy outlook versus the Rams. With DK Metcalf out again, Smith should look Lockett’s way more often, keeping him in the FLEX mix for Week 9.

Ravens CB Arthur Maulet (neck) will also play in Week 9. Starter CB Marlon Humphrey (knee) was limited all week and is now labeled as questionable. Backup Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee) was a healthy participant on Wednesday and Thursday but showed up on the Friday injury report as a DNP. He is also questionable to play in Week 9.

Witherspoon missed Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury but logged full sessions on Thursday and Friday. The second-year corner has had a quiet 2024 season with just one pass breakup and no picks. Seattle will need him to make a bigger impact for their Week 9 matchup with the Rams.

Whittington barely played in Week 7 because of the shoulder injury and missed Week 8’s game against the Vikings. With Cooper Kupp back and Puka Nacua expected to play through his lingering knee issue. Whittington is not on the fantasy radar.

Burton is expected to sign with the Broncos’ practice squad tomorrow. The team will then elevate him for their Week 9 matchup with the Ravens. His release is nothing more than some roster management sleight of hand.

Orhorhoro debuted in Week 5, playing in a rotational capacity for the Falcons’ subpar defensive front. This is beginning to look like a lost season for the second-round rookie. Hopefully, Orhorhoro can make a come back at some point later this year.