Entering Week 9, the QB position is in disarray. Not only are Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, and Russell Wilson unable to start due to bye weeks, but several fantasy-relevant QBs (Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, and Deshaun Watson) also popped up on their team's Week 9 injury reports. Furthermore, Ryan Tannehill (ankle) will not start on Thursday night, and Justin Fields (thumb) will also sit out Week 9.
What's the current playing status of these fantasy-relevant signal-callers? Below, we'll give you the latest news on these quarterbacks and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 9 fantasy landscape.
For updates on ailing pass-catchers Drake London, Darren Waller, and David Njoku, click here. For news on hurting RBs Emari Demercado, Gus Edwards, and Dameon Pierce, go here.
WEEK 9 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Matthew Stafford injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
After exiting in the second half of the Rams' Week 8 road loss to the Cowboys, Stafford (thumb) did not practice on Wednesday. Additionally, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Stafford has a UCL sprain in his right thumb.
Stafford is known to have a high pain tolerance and has played games at less than 100 percent health before, but if he logs two more DNPs to end the practice week, there's a good chance backup QB Brett Rypien makes the spot start in Week 9. The Rams have a bye in Week 10, so if Stafford sits this Sunday, he'll have two weeks to heal up before returning to the field in Week 11. At this point, we anticipate Rypien being under center and limiting the ceilings of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Kyler Murray injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Murray (knee) was a full participant in Arizona's Wednesday practice, but he's still awaiting his promotion to the team's active roster. Despite dealing QB Josh Dobbs to Minnesota after Dobbs started each of the Cardinals' eight games this season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that "Barring a significant change of plans, rookie Clayton Tune is expected to start this week."
It's also worth noting that Murray was seen throwing to Arizona's practice squad WRs while Tune threw to Arizona's active WRs in the open portion of Wednesday's practice, indicating Murray's likely a week away from taking over QB1 duties. Tune garners little to no fantasy appeal in his NFL debut against an elite Browns defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs. We're also not excited about WR Marquise Brown this week.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Daniel Jones injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Jones (neck) is trending toward returning in Week 9, as he logged a limited practice session on Wednesday. With backup QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs) logging a DNP to begin the practice week, the Giants will either start Jones or third-string QB Tommy DeVito.
Earlier this week on the Up and Adams Show, Jones confirmed he has been cleared for contact and is getting ready to play on Sunday. Given the injury-depleted QB situation across the league, Jones profiles as a low-end QB1 in Week 9. While Jones has been a fantasy disappointment when healthy, a matchup against a subpar Raiders defense could result in a respectable fantasy day for New York's QB1.
Deshaun Watson injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Watson (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. He showed strong zip on his passes, which could point toward a potential return this Sunday. We'll have a better feel for Watson's playing status in the coming days, but fantasy owners shouldn't rule out a return for Cleveland's QB1.
If Watson suits up in Week 9, he profiles as a back-end QB1 in a favorable matchup against a struggling Cardinals' stop unit. If Watson can't go, backup P.J. Walker will make his third start of 2023. Due to Walker's inconsistencies as a passer, should he start, Walker carries little fantasy appeal, but he's proven he won't be a total drain on guys like Amari Cooper and David Njoku.
