Fantasy Football Buzz: Jacoby Brissett, Marvin Harrison Jr., Cards RBs and key injuries from Sunday

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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Jacoby Brissett and Marvin Harrison Jr. shine, Dak Prescott struggles and Arizona RBs confound on Monday Night Football

Jacoby Brissett looked sharp against a vulnerable Cowboys secondary, finishing with 24.8 fantasy points while filling in for Kyler Murray. The Cardinals have averaged 25.7 points and 357 total yards per game in Brissett’s starts compared to 18.8 points and 288.4 yards with Murray. Brissett has also averaged 256 passing yards per game compared to Murray’s 170, and converted 56% of their third downs with Brissett under center compared to 40% with Murray. Head coach Jonathan Gannon insists the starting job remains Murray’s once healthy, but Brissett’s steady production, with 19 or more fantasy points in each of his three starts, makes that stance harder to defend each week.

Marvin Harrison Jr. led the Cardinals with 10 targets and posted a season-high 22.6 fantasy points in one of the best performances of his young career against a Cowboys defense that has been shredded by opposing wide receivers all season. This is an encouraging sign for his rest-of-season outlook, as Arizona has the 13th-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy receivers.

Emari Demercado led the Cardinals’ backfield with 15 touches and 8.8 fantasy points, compared to Bam Knight’s 11 touches and 6.7 points. Demercado found success on the ground, finishing with 79 rushing yards, his second-best total of the season. Trey Benson is eligible to return in Week 10, and none of the Cardinals’ running backs have performed well enough in his absence to threaten his workload. Once Benson returns, Demercado, Knight, and Michael Carter can all be dropped.

Dak Prescott struggled, finishing with just 15.4 fantasy points against the Cardinals after managing only 6.6 against the Broncos in Week 8, a far cry from the 26.2 points per game he averaged from Weeks 4 through 7. Prescott had major issues under pressure, completing only five of 12 passes with an interception and taking five sacks. He was pressured on 19 dropbacks Monday night, the second most for him in the past three seasons, and both the pressures and sacks were season highs for the Cardinals’ defense.

Ryan Flournoy further solidified his role as the Cowboys’ No. 3 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Although he had just three targets and 3.3 fantasy points, Flournoy played more snaps and ran more routes than KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert combined. This is notable since most of Turpin’s 9.2 fantasy points came from his touchdown, while Flournoy’s snap count points to a more consistent role.

Players injured in Sunday’s games (Updated)

By Stephania Bell

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (left elbow): Late in Sunday night’s game against the Seahawks, Daniels appeared to get his left arm caught behind him as he was being tackled and the forces going through his elbow from the ground and his and the defender’s weight resulted in a dislocation. His left elbow was placed in an immobilizer brace and Daniels was escorted off the field with the medical staff. Early reports indicated no fracture and as of now, Daniels is out indefinitely.

For more on the details of the injury and how the Commanders will move forward, check out this piece: Jayden Daniels injury FAQ: Dislocated elbow info, recovery time

Puka Nacua, WR, Rams (chest): Nacua exited Sunday’s game halfway through the third quarter with what was described as a chest injury after going to the ground hard on top of the football. Although he didn’t return to the game, he remained on the sideline and appeared to be in good spirits. McVay later said Nacua „got his ribs“ and said he could have potentially returned to the game but the team opted to err on the side of caution. He was also scheduled for follow-up imaging Monday but the Rams remained hopeful that Nacua might not miss time with the injury.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers (right knee): The Packers’ initial fears of a torn ACL for their star tight end were confirmed on Monday after Kraft underwent an MRI. An unfortunate roll up on Kraft’s right knee while he was blocking for Josh Jacobs appears to have been the culprit and the season comes to an early conclusion. Once Kraft undergoes surgery to reconstruct the ACL, he is looking at an average recovery window of nine to 12 months.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans (concussion): As he slid to the ground while appearing to give himself up on a scramble in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, Stroud was hit by a defender and his head slammed backwards to the turf. Stroud was removed from the game for a concussion evaluation and did not return. He was feeling better Monday according to coach Demeco Ryans but he remains in the concussion protocol and his status for Week 10 is uncertain.

Aaron Jones Sr., RB, Vikings (right shoulder): Jones exited Sunday’s game in the third quarter and did not return. He was ruled out with a right shoulder injury, reported to be an AC sprain by the NFL Network. Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that Jones was sore but that further testing resulted in „positive news early on“ and the hopes are he will be able to practice at some point this week.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars (ankle): Thomas injured his ankle late in the game’s regulation time against the Raiders and did not play in overtime. He had come into Week 9 still recovering from a shoulder ailment sustained in Week 7 and was limited in practice early in the week but was off the game status report heading into Sunday. The shoulder did not appear to be a factor in Sunday’s game but the addition of an ankle issue isn’t ideal. With teammate Travis Hunter going on injured reserve late last week, Thomas’s status will be important to monitor as the week progresses.

Matthew Golden, WR, Packers (shoulder): Golden exited the game in the third quarter with what was reported to be a shoulder injury. Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Monday that Golden’s injury was not a long-term issue and that the receiver would be day-to-day. The Week 10 game for the Panthers is Monday night, giving Golden an extra day to get healthy…but unfortunately it also means the team’s first official injury report isn’t due until Thursday.

Luke McCaffrey, WR, Commanders (collarbone): McCaffrey looked to be in a good deal of pain while being evaluated on the sideline after getting injured on the opening kickoff return. It didn’t take long for the team to rule him out for the rest of the game, hinting at a more significant injury. After undergoing further testing Monday, McCaffrey was reported to have a fractured collarbone (clavicle) and is expected to be placed on injured reserve shortly, according to ESPN’s John Keim. Typically it takes an additional six to 10 weeks following surgery to get medical clearance for football, depending on the combination of treatment (surgical vs non-surgical) and healing.

Sunday Notebook: Who got the ball?

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Why Caleb Williams hasn’t proven himself to be an every-week fantasy QB

Tristan H. Cockcroft weighs in on Caleb Williams’ Week 9 performance and says he hasn’t proven himself as a consistent starting fantasy quarterback.

by Eric Moody

Sharing selected notes from Sunday’s games on which players were used and in what situations. I use these notes to inform my rankings and other fantasy football decision-making.

Running Backs

With Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined by a toe injury, rookie TreVeyon Henderson started for the Patriots and handled most early-down and passing snaps against the Falcons. He finished with 18 touches and 12.7 fantasy points. Terrell Jennings rotated in for short-yardage work and scored a 3-yard touchdown, while D’Ernest Johnson saw limited action after being elevated from the practice squad. Henderson was the more valuable back due to his receiving role, but his workload could shrink if Stevenson returns or the Patriots add another running back before the trade deadline

Samaje Perine exited early with an ankle injury against the Bears and didn’t return. Before that, he was set for an expanded role after finishing with 10 touches and 17 fantasy points last week. His absence forced Chase Brown into an every-down role, and he finished with 19 touches and 19.2 fantasy points, eerily similar to his usage late last season. If Perine misses time, Brown could be a top-10 fantasy RB moving forward. Rookie Tahj Brooks played only three snaps and remains a depth option.

RJ Harvey led the Broncos in receptions (5) and receiving yards (57), but Troy Franklin paced the team in targets (10). Harvey played 31% of the offensive snaps compared to J.K. Dobbins, who played 46% and led the team with 61 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Harvey’s workload has been limited, but he’s made the most of it, scoring 16 or more fantasy points in back-to-back games thanks to his touchdowns.

Ashton Jeanty set a new career high in offensive snaps coming out of the Raiders’ bye week, finishing with 18 touches and 19.9 fantasy points.

Tony Pollard played more snaps than Tyjae Spears, which typically happens when the Titans are in a neutral game script. Pollard finished with 11 touches and 7.8 fantasy points, while Spears had 10 touches and 9.2 points. Spears has recorded three or more receptions in four straight games, but it’s hard to trust either back in lineups given how poor the Titans’ offense has been this season.

Woody Marks led the Texans backfield in snaps played, routes run, and targets (3), but Nick Chubb led the way with 11 rushing attempts and 3.4 fantasy points compared to Marks’ 10 carries and 2.7 points. It’s a frustrating situation for fantasy managers, as Houston continues to use both backs in a committee.

Tight end Taysom Hill led the Saints in rushing with four carries for 30 yards, while Alvin Kamara struggled with a season-low seven touches and 0.7 fantasy points. Rookie Devin Neal continues to cut into Kamara’s workload following Kendre Miller’s placement on injured reserve. Despite the decline, Kamara should remain rostered, as the Saints have one of the easiest remaining schedules for fantasy running backs.

The Seahawks’ backfield continues to operate as a committee between Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Walker played 56.8% of the offensive snaps, while Charbonnet logged 35%. Walker finished with 13 touches for 8.1 fantasy points, and Charbonnet had nine touches for 5.6.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders’ backfield in snaps played, routes run, and touches (13) but finished with just 5.1 fantasy points while Chris Rodriguez Jr. had 12 touches for 12.5 points, thanks to a rushing touchdown. That said, the bulk of Rodriguez’s touches came late in the game after Washington pulled its starters due to the deficit.

Kareem Hunt operated as the Chiefs’ lead back against the Bills with Isiah Pacheco ruled out, playing over 70% of the offensive snaps and finishing with 12 touches for 12.5 fantasy points, highlighted by a rushing touchdown. Brashard Smith played just 20% of the snaps and logged three carries.

Receivers

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Why Eric Karabell advises fantasy managers to keep Tee Higgins in lineups

Eric Karabell explains why Tee Higgins is a top-20 fantasy wide receiver after his nice game vs. the Bears.

The Jaguars’ receiver room was decimated by injuries, positioning Parker Washington to lead the group in snaps played, routes run, targets (9) and fantasy points (17). With Travis Hunter on injured reserve and both Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown leaving late with injuries, Washington stepped up. Even if the starters return, he’s set for an expanded role after operating as Jacksonville’s primary slot receiver in an Jaguars offense that relied heavily on three-receiver sets against the Raiders.

Romeo Doubs led all Packers skill players in snaps played, routes run, targets (10) and receiving yards (91). He finished with 16.1 fantasy points, his second-highest total of the season. With Tucker Kraft out for the year, Jordan Love could lean on him even more moving forward.

Alec Pierce finished with a season high 13 targets and 17.5 fantasy points against the Steelers. He has had 10 or more targets in two of his past three games, scoring 14.8 and 17.5 fantasy points.

Keenan Allen finished with just five targets and a season-low 6.1 fantasy points against the Titans. The Chargers once again leaned heavily on single-receiver sets, with Tre’ Harris logging more snaps (though he was targeted only twice) than Allen for the second straight week because of those formations.

Rashid Shaheed finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Rams, playing over 80% of the offensive snaps for the first time since Week 1. He emerged as rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s go-to receiver. Shaheed’s nine targets led the team, while Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson each had four. His role could continue to grow as his chemistry with Shough develops.

Tre Tucker led the Raiders receivers in snaps played and routes, but it was Jakobi Meyers who led the way with six targets while Tucker had four. Tyler Lockett who was signed last Monday surpassed the Raiders’ rookies in snaps played and routes run against the Jaguars. This shouldn’t be surprising, as the veteran wide receiver reunited with his former coach and quarterback.

Wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy played over 80% of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps for the second consecutive game. Both ran a similar number of routes against the Bills and each finished with seven targets against the Bills, but it was Rice who had the more productive fantasy outing with 18.6 points, boosted by a receiving touchdown.

The Chiefs had no answers for the Bills’ tight ends, as Josh Allen threw for a career-high 149 yards when targeting Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Jackson Hawes. Kincaid finished with six targets and a season-high 22.1 fantasy points. He led the tight end trio in routes run but not in snaps played, something to be mindful of if you plan to start him in lineups.

More from Sunday: Week 9 fantasy winners and losers

Early Sunday fallout: Dowdle takes control of Panthers’ backfield, Loveland saves Bears

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Liz Loza: Colston Loveland will be tough to ignore for fantasy in Week 10

Liz Loza reacts to Colston Loveland’s big fantasy performance in the Bears’ win over the Bengals.

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

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Is Rico Dowdle a fantasy RB1 or RB2 going into Week 10?

Matt Bowen labels Rico Dowdle an RB2 going forward based off his Week 9 performance.

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.