Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 9 of the NFL Season

We’re halfway through the season and our bottle of tums. Here’s the fallout going into Week 9 of the NFL season…

Vikings 10 @ Chargers 37 

Aaron Jones(5-15; 2-15) saw his first action since WK2, touching the ball more than any other Minnesota RB on Thursday. The Vikings run-game was largely ineffective all night, so it’s hard to tell what they’ll do moving forward, but it makes sense for Jones to lead the charge. 

Carson Wentz is having season-ending surgery on his non-throwing arm. Let’s hope JJ McCarthy’s planned appearance this week goes as scheduled, because otherwise we’re left with Max Brosmer under center. 

Oronde Gadsden(5-77-1) looks like the real deal, catching all 5 of his targets on Thursday. He’s still available in 40% of leagues. 

Tre’ Harris(2-8-1) played 43 snaps to Quentin Johnston’s(0-0) 38 on Thursday and could supplant QJ as the deep threat in LA. It’s too soon to say if this is the case, but the goose egg from QJ should keep him on benches this week anyway. Harris should be added where you have the room.

Jets – 39 @ Bengals – 38 

The Jets might’ve stumbled their way into a winning formula, using their two talented RBs to lead the way, as their top 2 WRs were out with injury. Breece Hall(18-133-2; 2-14; 1-4-1 is of course owned universally, but Isaiah Davis(7-65; 5-44) is only owned in 9% of leagues. It makes sense to add him, even though the Jets are on bye.

Tyler Johnson(3-64-1) led the Jets in receiving on a day that both Garrett Wilson(knee) and Josh Reynolds(hip) were out. Wilson will probably return in WK10, but Reynolds is on IR and will miss the next few games. Johnson could have some utility in WK10, but he’s nothing to chase. 

Samaje Perine(9-94-1; 1-6) has gone up in touches every game over the last 4 contests, and he out-gained Chase Brown(12-73-1; 3-32-1) on the ground in WK8. Brown is still the lead back, but Perine deserves to be owned if you need RB help this week.  

Bears 16  @ Ravens 30

Kyle Monongai(7-24) had 7 carries to D’Andre Swift’s(11-45-1; 2-26) 11, though his output paled next to his WK7 explosion. He does hold some deep-league appeal this week, as the Bears are facing Cincy’s league worst run defense. 

The Bears were missing all three of their starting corners, so we have to take Tyler Huntley’s(17-186-1; 8-53) performance with a grain of salt. There’s a chance Lamar Jackson returns this week against Miami, but should he not, Huntley could be worth a look in 2 QB leagues. 

Dolphins 34 @ Falcons 10

Ollie Gordon(10-46; 1-20-1) had his best outing as a Dolphin, though it’s hard to say whether or not it was an artifact of the blowout score. HC McDaniels did say he was going to get him involved more going in, so perhaps he’ll stick. He’s probably a bad flex if Lamar Jackson returns though. 

Malik Washington(4-36-1) is starting to gain some traction in PPR formats. He’s had at least 4 catches in each of his last 4 games, and he’ll face a Ravens team this week that has been soft on the pass. 

Kirk Cousins(21-173) is a notoriously slow starter. Always has been and always will be. Here’s hoping he doesn’t have to face New England this week, as Michael Penix(knee) could return. 

Drake London(hip) was a late scratch on Sunday, so maybe he was close to playing. KhaDarel Hodge(3-31) trailed on Kyle Pitts(9-59) in targets(8) and could be the main beneficiary if London can’t go this week. 

Bills 40 @ Panthers 9

Ray Davis(9-16) had close to double-digit touches, but it was predicated on the game script. He’s not usable against KC this week. 

Rico Dowdle(8-54) was out-touched by Chuba Hubbard(12-34-1) in Sunday’s blowout loss, but Dowdle was much more efficient with his touches. Panthers HC Dave Canales said he “cannot ignore the fact that Rico Dowdle has been exceptional”, so maybe he’ll give him more run moving forward.

Andy Dalton(16-175-0-1) didn’t instill much confidence ahead of a WK9 tilt with Green Bay, taking 7 sacks. Micah Parsons and co. are going to tee off this week. 

49ers – 15  @ Texans – 26

The 49ers ran into a buzzsaw on Sunday, getting stifled by the Texans defense at every turn. This week’s matchup with the Giants is a bounceback spot for all involved. 

Jayden Higgins(4-34-1) led the Texans in targets(8), but both Jaylin Noel(5-63) and Xavier Hutchinson(5-69-1) had more catches and yards. All three are in play this week, if Nico Collins(concussion) and Christian Kirk(hamstring) are out, but the Broncos are tops in the league at defending the pass, so you’re taking a chance with any of them. 

Woody Marks(11-62; 4-49) outperformed Nick Chubb(11-56; 2-13) and should see more touches going forward, as he’s Houston’s most dynamic back. Texans play a Denver team that is easier to run on than to pass this week, so both backs are in play. 

Giants 20 @ Eagles 38

Cam Skattebo’s season ended on a gruesome ankle injury, leaving Tyrone Tracy(10-39; 2-14) to regain his role as the Giants’ lead back. Tracy’s only owned in half of leagues, so grab him where you can. Devin Singletary is probably worth having in deeper formats too.

Tank Bigsby(9-104) did work in relief of Saquon Barkley(groin), who exited the game early in the 4th quarter. Bigsby is a major addition this week if Barkley misses time. 

Brown 13 @ Patriots 32

Despite another questionable showing by Dillon Gabriel(21-156-2-2), the Browns are sticking with him through the WK9 bye, probably due in part to Shedeur Sanders being out with a back injury. Browns TE owners can rejoice for another week. 

Quinshon Judkins left the game with a shoulder injury and is day-to-day. The Browns have a bye this week, so chances are he’ll be good to go in WK10. 

TreVeyon Henderson(10-75) had his best showing of the season on your benches on Sunday. He’s so much more explosive than Rhamondre Stevenson(14-34; 1-15), but Henderson did lose a fumble, so an increase in touches is not guaranteed. Still, you need to pick him back up if he’s been dropped in your league. 

Mack Hollins(7-89) also had his best outing this season, but his usage varies depending on the context. It will be hard to use him this week against a formidable Falcons secondary. I feel better about using Kayshon Boutte(3-75-1) who has scored 4 TDs in 3 games. 

Buccaneers 23 @ Saints 3

Sean Tucker(12-42-1) outpaced Rachaad White(13-35; 2-26) on the ground with Bucky Irving sidelined. With the Bucs on bye this week, and Irving potentially returning in WK10, it makes sense to use your waiver priority elsewhere. 

            Tez Johnson(5-43) led the Bucs in receiving, though that didn’t amount to much on     Sunday. Chris Godwin will make his way back eventually, but with Mike Evans down for the count, it makes sense to add Johnson in deeper formats. 

Devin Neal(3-11) didn’t log a carry, but he did catch 3 passes as the backup to Alvin Kamara. Kamara was dealing with a lower body injury, so Neal should be added where you can fit him.

Titans 14 @ Colts 38

Tyjae Spears(9-59-1; 3-23) outplayed Tony Pollard(11-44; 1-9) on the ground and through the air on Sunday, though Pollard got more carries. Both are in play this week versus a soft Chargers front, though Spears possesses more upside. 

Chimere Dike(7-93) led the Titans in receiving again on Sunday, solidifying his rapport with Cam Ward and putting him in play against the Chargers this week, if Calvin Ridley sits again. 

Josh Downs(3-39-1) scored in his 2nd straight game, if you don’t count the one he missed last week with a concussion. He’s an upside play this week against a questionable Steelers secondary. Alec Pierce(2-69) is in the mix too. 

Cowboys 24 @ Broncos 44

Jaydon Blue(8-29) had the longest rush of the day by any Cowboy(14 yards), but he’s still firmly behind Javonte Williams in the pecking order – Most of Blues’ action came with the game out of hand. Still, he’s starting to make splash plays that display his talent. He should be stashed in deeper leagues. 

RJ Harvey(7-46-2; 1-5-1) had the best fantasy outing of his short career, scoring a hat-trick on 8 touches. Sledding will be much tougher against Houston this week, but Harvey could start to develop standalone value behind JK Dobbins(15-111; 2-10). 

Troy Franklin(6-89-2) had his 2nd straight scoring outing, but he’s just as likely to get 15 yards on the day as he is 80. Keep that in mind when the Broncos face Houstin this week. 

Packers 35 @ Steelers 25

Emanuel Wilson(11-61; 3-26) found more room against the Steelers than Josh Jacobs(13-33-1; 3-12) was able to on Sunday, but he’s only been averaging 4.8 touches over his last 6 games. He’s going to need a Jacobs injury to provide any real value.

Christian Watson(4-85) had zero setbacks, coming off a torn ACL, and is a must add in all formats. Owned in 16% of leagues, he needs to be a top priority this week, as the Packers WR corps is wide open behind Romeo Doubs right now. 

Roman Wilson(4-74-1) had season highs across the board, but he’s been able to do little with his opportunity up til now as Calvin Austin’s replacement, while he was out with a shoulder injury. He’ll need to string together a couple more performances like this to be worth adding outside of the deepest leagues.