With the first half of the fantasy season officially in the rearview mirror, fantasy football owners are looking forward to Week 9 and seeing who they can pick up off the waiver wire to solidify their rosters. As always, that’s affected by the RB injury report, which includes Cordarrelle Patterson, Chuba Hubbard, James Conner, and Kyren Williams this week. All of these backs have the potential to shake up Week 9 fantasy RB rankings and start ’em, sit ’em decisions if they’re active.
Below, we’ll give you the latest updates on these RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 9 fantasy landscape. For news on ailing pass-catchers Mark Andrews, Cooper Kupp, and Rashod Bateman, click here; for updates on more hurting receivers, including Darren Waller, Allen Lazard, Treylon Burks, Michael Thomas, and Josh Palmer, go here; for the latest on banged-up backs Jonathan Taylor and Gus Edwards, click here.
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WEEK 9 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Cordarrelle Patterson injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
The Falcons placed Patterson (knee) on injured reserve after Week 4, but after sitting out the requisite four games, he could be activated for this week’s game against the Chargers. Head coach Arthur Smith told reporters on Monday that he’ll know more about Patterson’s health on Wednesday, according to beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter.
With Patterson on the shelf, the Falcons turned to the running back duo of Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley, who have been solid as RB2/flex options for fantasy owners. If Patterson is active for Week 9, we have to assume he’ll get close to a full workload and be a borderline RB1 against a struggling Chargers’ run defense that’s allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to RBs this season. If Patterson does not play, owners should pivot to Huntley and Allgeier with six teams on a bye week.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Chuba Hubbard injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Hubbard (ankle) said on Monday that he feels good about his chances to get back on the field this week against the Bengals, according to beat writer Joe Person. The second-year running back did not play last week against the Falcons after suffering the injury in Week 7.
Hubbard started and saw the majority of the early carries for Carolina in Week 7, but after back-to-back 100-yard games from D’Onta Foreman, it seems likely that Hubbard will be the “1B” option if he returns. That could still mean 10-plus touches, but this situation is tough to handicap. In a tough matchup against a Bengals’ defense allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to RBs this season, Hubbard will be tough to trust as anything more than a deep-league flex.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
James Conner injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Monday that Conner (ribs) is day-to-day, according to beat writer Bob McManaman. The veteran running back has missed the past three games, but he did manage to practice in a limited fashion last week.
The last time we saw Conner on the field was in Week 5 against the Eagles when he had 55 yards on nine carries. If the 27-year-old can make it through practice this week, he will have a favorable matchup against the Seahawks. Seattle’s defense is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to RBs this season, so Conner would be a solid RB2 if he’s active. However, if Conner cannot go, fantasy owners should look to start Eno Benjamin, who can be a factor in the running and receiving games.
Kyren Williams injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
The Rams officially listed Williams (ankle) as designated to return from injured reserve last week after he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1. He’ll have 21 days to be activated, and there’s a decent chance that will come this week ahead of L.A.’s game in Tampa.
This season, Los Angeles’ backfield has been a crapshoot with Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr., and Ronnie Rivers all significant receiving carries. If Williams is activated, there’s a decent chance he that heads up the backfield in Week 9 considering Rivers led the way last week. Either way, Williams is worth stashing, as he has the talent to put up solid numbers when given the chance.
