Everything that happens in the NFL has some 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 in fantasy football.
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.
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Early Sunday fallout: Dowdle takes control of Panthers’ backfield, Loveland saves Bears
By Liz Loza
C.J. Stroud exits early
Stroud left Week 9’s contest versus the Denver Broncos after attempting just 10 passes in the first half. He was later ruled out with a concussion for the remainder of the outing. Davis Mills took over under center, falling to the Broncos in a closely heated tilt. Despite the QB substitution, Nico Collins posted solid numbers, converting seven of 11 looks for 75 receiving yards and 14.5 fantasy points. The Houston Texans host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.
Justin Jefferson hobbled in second half
Jefferson appeared to be shaken up on a play in the second half. After reportedly taking a few shots of pickle juice, however, the issue appeared to be cramps. The star wideout returned to the contest. He finished the day leading the team in looks, hauling in six of nine balls for 47 receiving yards and a score (16.7 fantasy points). With J.J. McCarthy looking capable, Jefferson’s fantasy stock remains, mercifully, intact.
Devin Singletary splits touches with Tyrone Tracy Jr.
With Cam Skattebo out of the lineup, Tracy was expected to handle the bulk of the backfield’s duties. Instead, he was out-carried by Devin Singletary by a margin of three totes. Not surprisingly, Tracy was more active as a receiver, converting three of four targets. Tracy finished the day with 37 scrimmage yards while “Motor” managed 51 total yards. The New York Giants backfield is shaping up to be a headache of an RBBC moving forward.
Colston Loveland takes advantage of thin roster
The Loveland breakout appears imminent. With Luther Burden III sidelined and Cole Kmet and DJ Moore in and out of the lineup, the rookie tight end emerged as a reliable option for Caleb Williams. Loveland saved the day for the Chicago Bears, making good on six of seven looks for 118 receiving yards and two heroic touchdowns (29.8 fantasy points) in a wild win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The matchup should stiffen versus the Giants in Week 10. However, it will be hard to put this genie back in the bottle. Expect Loveland to remain on the starting/streaming radar.
Looking ahead
Rico Dowdle thrives as the engine of Carolina’s offense
Dave Canales toyed with a split backfield after Chuba Hubbard returned to action two weeks ago. That phase appears to have passed, however, as Dowdle dominated the RB touches in Week 9. The former Cowboy pushed the Carolina Panthers offense forward, touching the ball a decisive 27 times for 141 scrimmage yards and helping Carolina pull off a stunning upset at Lambeau Field. The effort earned him (and his virtual investors) 28 fantasy points. Dowdle is a must-start option versus the New Orleans Saints in Week 10.
Updates on the returning QBs for Week 9
By Stephania Bell
Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders (right hamstring): Daniels will return to start in Week 9 after missing just one week with a mild right hamstring strain. He injured his leg in the Week 7 contest and, despite wanting to reenter the game, sat out the bulk of the second half. The team ruled Daniels out early in advance of the Week 8 Monday night game, making it easy for him to focus on rest and recovery.
Daniels was back in practice as a full participant Wednesday and maintained that status throughout the week. He was removed from the game status report on Friday leaving no doubt as far as his availability. It should be noted that the injured hamstring is on the opposite side of the knee Daniels injured earlier this season, which resulted in a two-game absence (Weeks 3 and 4).
Still, it’s critical for a mobile quarterback such as Daniels to be fully past even a mild strain so as to avoid compensations that could stress other areas, or, result in an aggravation of the hamstring. The week of full practice sessions had to provide the team with the proof they needed that Daniels could be cut loose for full speed game action.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings (right high ankle sprain): McCarthy was injured in Week 2 and is finally on the brink of returning to action. The term “finally” reflects the sentiment of everyone outside the organization who believed McCarthy would be back sooner (he has missed five games plus a bye). But head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s determination to not return his young quarterback to lead the offense until he was completely past his ankle injury might end up shaping the back half of the Vikings season. Why? Because McCarthy appeared to be struggling mightily at times, his inconsistency reflective of his youth at the position.
A high ankle sprain on the back leg of a quarterback can cause multiple issues such as difficulty driving the ball down the field, challenge when pivoting to the left or pushing off the right leg toward the left, or slowing down simple dropbacks if there is any residual discomfort or stiffness. Understandably, O’Connell did not want McCarthy thinking about anything other than his duties as the quarterback when in a game situation.
This week McCarthy told reporters his ankle feels “amazing” and that he’s “ready to go.” A week of full practices and his removal from the team’s game status injury report support the notion that he is indeed fully healthy. Now it’s up to McCarthy to show his readiness at the position.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons (knee): Penix was visibly uncomfortable in the final minutes of the Week 7 game against the 49ers but limped through to the finish. Later diagnosed with a bone bruise in his knee, Penix only managed limited practice sessions in the leadup to Week 8 and was held out of that game.
This week, Penix started with two limited practices but upgraded to a full session Friday and was removed from the game status injury report indicating his readiness to start. Given that the biggest indicator of healing progression from a bone bruise is activity tolerance, Penix looks to be in good shape heading into Sunday.
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers (ankle): Young was reportedly diagnosed with a right high ankle sprain after being forced out of the Week 7 contest but appears on track to return Sunday. Coach Dave Canales told reporters Wednesday that Young wanted to return and they would try to force different movements on him in practice to challenge him and test the ankle. Apparently the tests were satisfactorily passed as Young practiced in full each day and was removed from the game status injury report Friday.
Still, this is a quick return, even for a low grade high ankle sprain, so it will be interesting to see how well Young moves around the field and in the pocket on Sunday. It is worth noting that backup quarterback Andy Dalton (who started in place of Young in Week 8) is listed as questionable with a thumb injury on his right (throwing) hand.
What to expect from Puka Nacua in his return against the Saints
By Stephania Bell
Nacua has missed only one game (with an additional week of recovery thanks to a well-timed bye), but it feels like forever to his fantasy managers. Aside from the Week 6 contest where he left early as a result of injury, Nacua’s least amount of yards from scrimmage this season was 85 in Week 5. Every week prior he amassed over 100 total yards, including 170 in Week 2.
With that type of productivity, the last thing the Rams want to do is bring him back early and indirectly alter his style of play which, in turn, would likely yield lesser results. Coach Sean McVay said as much when talking about Nacua’s imminent return with reporters Friday.
“You want him to feel as good as possible because of all the different things we ask of him for his game to fully come to life,” McVay said. He went on to note Nacua has looked “really good” in practice and will be ready to play Sunday.
Coming off an ankle sprain, the key for Nacua has been functionality all along. If the ankle has healed to the point of feeling stable, then functional performance is high. He should return without limitation.
Jaguars place Travis Hunter on IR
By Eric Moody
Travis Hunter (knee) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games, a major blow to both the Jacksonville Jaguars and fantasy managers. The rookie had been breaking out before the injury, setting season highs in targets (14), receptions (8) and yards (104), and he scored his first touchdown in Week 8. With Hunter sidelined, Parker Washington (rostered in just 1.9% of leagues) is the top beneficiary, as he’s likely to see more slot snaps.
Brian Thomas Jr. remains the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver despite battling a shoulder injury, though his reliability will depend on his health heading into Sunday. Dyami Brown and Tim Patrick could also see increased roles if healthy, while the Jaguars’ banged-up receiver corps further limits Trevor Lawrence‘s fantasy outlook. Jacksonville’s Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is favorable, as Las Vegas’ defense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Washington is my preferred player to stash and can be viewed as a low-end flex in deeper leagues while we see how the Jaguars’ receiver room shakes out against the Raiders.
Lamar Jackson targets TEs in 4-TD performance
By Eric Moody All three of the Ravens tight ends had success against the Dolphins. Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar combined for 35.9 fantasy points, with Andrews leading the way with 16.6 points thanks to two receiving touchdowns. It was his 12th career game with multiple receiving touchdowns, the most by any tight end since he entered the league in 2018 and tied for the fourth most among all players in that span. Likely finished with 60 receiving yards after accumulating just 24 yards over the last four games. The Ravens’ tight end rotation in this game mirrored last week’s usage and was consistent with last season when everyone was healthy. Andrews was preferred over Likely in 11 personnel; the two were on the field together in 12 personnel; Kolar handled 21 personnel; and Likely and Kolar split snaps in 22 personnel. Andrews and Likely are the tight ends fantasy managers should have on their radar, and according to our strength of schedule cheat sheet, the Ravens have the easiest remaining schedule for tight ends this season. Derrick Henry led the Ravens’ backfield in snaps played, routes run, touches (20), and fantasy points (13.1), which shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, there’s one detail managers should be aware of. Justice Hill‘s role continues to shrink as Keaton Mitchell has started to siphon early-down snaps. If Henry misses time, Mitchell is the insurance back fantasy managers will want on their watch list. Jaylen Waddle led all Dolphins pass catchers in snaps played, routes run, targets (9), and fantasy points (14.2). He’s the only Miami receiver managers can truly rely on. Waddle has topped 80 receiving yards in four of his last five games and has seen at least six targets in four of them. Despite Tua Tagovailoa‘s up-and-down play, Waddle belongs in lineups every week as a high-end WR2, and Miami’s rest-of-season schedule for receivers is very favorable. As expected, De’Von Achane led the Dolphins’ backfield in snaps played, routes run, touches (20), and fantasy points (16.6). Monitor Ollie Gordon II‘s health after he left with an ankle injury and didn’t return. He has served as Achane’s insurance back all season, while Jaylen Wright has played very few snaps and has often been a healthy inactive. It’s also worth noting that the Dolphins have the second-easiest rest-of-season schedule for fantasy running backs. If you have Achane, hold him. If you don’t, consider trading for him. Don’t underestimate the Ravens’ defense. Over the past three games, Baltimore’s defense has allowed just 13.0 points per game after giving up a league-worst 35.4 per game through Week 5. By Tristan H. Cockcroft It’s never too soon to prepare your fantasy football team for those stretch run weeks — particularly the Week 14 regular-season finale in which four NFL teams (Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers) are on bye — and the fantasy playoffs. Beginning this week, we’ve got a new tool to help you make those critical trade and pickup decisions: The Fantasy Football Strength-of-Schedule Cheat Sheet, which breaks down each team’s past and remaining schedule at each of the six traditional fantasy football positions (QB, RB, WR, TE, K and D/ST). Before completing any trades, always make sure to check the cheat sheet to see where your players rank. Here’s a look through some of Week 9’s notable statistical takeaways, using the SOS Cheat Sheet as well as other tools available on ESPN’s fantasy football pages: Here’s a remarkable truth: Christian McCaffrey, the second-highest scoring player for the season (196.9 fantasy points), has scored 3.1 fewer touchdowns than expected, the largest such differential, and rushed for a league-worst 92 fewer yards than expected (per Next Gen Stats). McCaffrey’s league-leading 214 expected fantasy points are 64 more than the actual leader, Jonathan Taylor, has. It’s in stark contrast to McCaffrey’s last fully healthy season, when he scored a running back-leading 68 more fantasy points than expected in 2023. He has faced the second-toughest running back schedule, however, meaning a narrowing of that margin should be in order over the season’s second half. Ja’Marr Chase has a wide-receiver-leading five games among the top five scorers at his position, four of which have come in the past four weeks. To illustrate how much Joe Flacco‘s arrival has improved Chase’s fantasy outlook, Chase has finished fifth, first and fourth in scoring among wide receivers in Flacco’s three starts for the Cincinnati Bengals. Chase’s 45.3% target share in that time is also second best, behind only Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s 51.9%. Speaking of Smith-Njigba, he’s one of five players, and the only non-running back, to have warranted your fantasy start in every game thus far. For the season, his 38.8% target share leads Chase’s 36.8%, with both players more than 5% ahead of the next-closest player. Smith-Njigba’s massive role in the Seattle Seahawks offense tempers some of the concerns that he has scored 36 more fantasy points than expected, the second-largest differential among wide receivers (Amon-Ra St. Brown, plus-41). Drake Maye‘s breakthrough this season has been fueled by a bit of good fortune, as he has scored a quarterback-high 38 more fantasy points than expected, but his 26.28-point performance against an elite Cleveland Browns defense in Week 8 reflects that he can rise to the occasion even in tough matchups. He has enjoyed a top-10 finish in six of eight weeks, second best among quarterbacks, and has scored within 10 points of his 21.7 seasonal average in every game. That’s a level of consistency most managers aren’t getting from their quarterbacks this season. With Breece Hall finally filling the touchdown column in Week 8, Jerry Jeudy has taken over as the most unlucky of the zero-TD players on the board. Jeudy has seen 54 total targets, an 18.3% target share and seven red zone targets, a role that was expected to result in 2.3 touchdowns. He’s coming off his worst performance of 2025, a two-target, zero-point game in New England, and is now in his bye week, so it’d be understandable if fantasy managers facing a roster crunch let him go. Matt Bowen: With New Orleans Saints rookie Tyler Shough expected to make his first pro start this Sunday on the road versus the Los Angeles Rams, let’s discuss the quarterback change for Kellen Moore’s team and the fantasy implications. Shough did see work in relief of former starter Spencer Rattler last week in the home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, completing 17-of-30 passes for 128 yards and an interception while adding 12 yards rushing on three carries. Shough did operate mostly underneath in this game (4.3 YPA). However, he did take some shots (which fell incomplete) to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed on boundary throws, plus he targeted tight end Juwan Johnson on a deep seam ball. Shough has the arm talent to attack down the field, and I would expect Moore to scheme some vertical throws for the rookie on Sunday. Think max protection/two-man routes here that give Shough a clear picture down the field. Plus, Moore can define the reads for Shough underneath, while using the quick passing game to get him into a rhythm. However, with a rookie making his first start versus a Rams defense that can rush the passer and ranks in the top-10 versus opposing quarterbacks, we should expect to see some teachable moments on the field. Shough will not warrant enough fantasy value to be played in 2QB Superflex formats this Sunday. However, his ability to throw down the field could open the door for both Olave and Shaheed to make some splash plays. I’ll have Olave in the mid-to-low tier WR2 range for this matchup, with Shaheed sticking as a boom/bust WR3. Plus Alvin Kamara will remain a fringe RB2 due to his receiving ability, which can be utilized on outlet throws from Shough.Beyond the numbers: What’s in store for McCaffrey, Chase down the stretch?
What does Saints’ move to Shough mean for Olave, Kamara?