DeSean Jackson and Davante Adams have become fixtures in our WR injury updates, and Adam Thielen has been right there with them the past two weeks. All are "questionable" heading into Week 9, which means they'll continue to be start 'em, sit 'em headaches for fantasy owners. That's why we're providing the latest injury updates on these players, as well as pass-catchers Curtis Samuel, Cameron Brate, and Chris Herndon, prior to official active/inactive reports.
For updates on banged-up RBs James Conner, James White, and Rex Burkhead, click here; for the latest on Sunday night WRs Marquise Brown and Julian Edelman, click here; for more on Patrick Mahomes, go here. For Week 9 weather updates, click here. Follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy for more news and updates.
WEEK 9 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is DeSean Jackson playing Week 9?
UPDATE: Jackson is officially ACTIVE.
Jackson (abdomen) hasn't played since the first quarter of Week 2, but after practicing on a limited basis this week, he said the "plan" is for him to play in Week 9 against the Bears. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported as much late Saturday night.
Jackson made quite the impression on fantasy owners in his season debut, catching eight-of-nine targets for 154 yards and two TDs against the Redskins. Obviously, that kind of line can't be expected every week, but a dynamic playmaker like Jackson is always capable of big games, especially with a big-armed QB like Carson Wentz throwing to him. Even in a tough matchup against the Bears, he's a solid WR3 option, and his presence will certainly help Wentz. It might even help Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz, as defenses would have to cover much more of the field and potentially leave the middle more open.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Is Davante Adams playing Week 9?
UPDATE: Adams is officially ACTIVE.
Adams (toe) last appeared in Week 4 when he put up a 10-catch, 180-yard performance. He warmed up before last week's game but ultimately couldn't go. This week, he once again got in limited practices and will be a game-time decision for Sunday's late-afternoon kickoff against the Chargers.
Obviously, Adams is a must-start if active, but because of the late kickoff, fantasy owners should be ready with a fill-in just in case Adams can't go. Adams' presence would virtually kill the values of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, and Allen Lazard. Any of those players could perform well, but trying to figure out which one is a total guess. MVS has the most upside, as he will see softer matchups and can still connect on a big gain or two.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS:
Y! cash | Y! GPP | DK cash | DK GPP | FD cash | FD GPP
Is Adam Thielen playing Week 9?
UPDATE: Thielen is officially ACTIVE.
Thielen (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis throughout the week and is "questionable" for Week 9 against Kansas City. He said he feels "good", but also acknowledged he needs to be close to 100 percent in order to suit up. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Thielen is expected to play.
If Thielen plays, he's a must-start against a mediocre Chiefs defense. His activity would also be a big factor in whether fantasy owners start or sit Kirk Cousins. If Thielen is out, Cousins becomes riskier, and it's tough to point to any obvious beneficiaries among the pass-catchers. Olabisi Johnson and TEs Irv Smith Jr. and Kyle Rudolph would likely see a few more throws each, but it would be a major risk to start any of them.
MORE WEEK 9 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup builder
Curtis Samuel injury update
UPDATE 2: Samuel is officially ACTIVE.
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Samuel is expected to play.
Samuel (shoulder) got in a full practice session on Thursday but sat out on Friday, prompting some concern about his status for Week 9's matchup against Tennessee. However, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said that Samuel is more "probable" than "questionable," which obviously points to him playing.
Samuel has been inconsistent all season, and a matchup against a solid Tennessee defense isn't one in which you need to take a chance on him. D.J. Moore is a borderline WR3, while Greg Olsen a decent low-end TE1 for Carolina.
Cameron Brate injury news
UPDATE: Brate is officially ACTIVE.
Brate (ribs) is "questionable" for Sunday's late-afternoon kickoff against the Seahawks. The veteran TE is only notable this week because O.J. Howard (hamstring) has already been ruled out.
Brate saw six targets come his way last week, and if he gets a similar workload this week against a Seattle defense that's struggled against TEs this year, he would be a startable fantasy tight end.
Is Chris Herndon playing Week 9?
UPDATE: Herndon is officially ACTIVE.
Herndon (hamstring) is turning into fantasy football's "Bigfoot". He missed the first four games because of suspension, and now he's expected to miss his fourth straight game because of injury.
It's entirely possible Herndon still has a moment this year, especially with a string of favorable matchups upcoming, but he obviously has to get on the field first. We'll see if that ever happens.
