Fantasy football owners are reviewing all the news and injuries that came out of another wild week in the NFL. Fortunately, we did not have a ton of significant injuries, but key pass-catchers Cooper Kupp, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman all exited their respective games early. With six teams on bye in Week 9, it’s important to have your waiver-wire streamers lined up if these fantasy starters can’t get back on the field.
Below, we’ll give you the latest news on these pass catchers and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 9 fantasy landscape. For updates on ailing RBs Jonathan Taylor and Gus Edwards, click here.
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WEEK 9 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups
Cooper Kupp injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Kupp (ankle) told reporters on Sunday that he has to see how his ankle responds over the next few days but feels like he “dodged a bullet,” according to ESPN’s Sarah Bishop. The star wide receiver picked up the ankle injury late in the fourth quarter when the game was already in hand for the Niners. Kupp was seen “noticeably limping” in the locker room on Sunday night.
Kupp should be considered truly “questionable” ahead of L.A.’s Week 9 game in Tampa. If Kupp can’t go, Allen Robinson would bump up to a solid WR3, while Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek would merit some flex consideration. Kupp being out would also crush Matthew Stafford’s QB1 value.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Mark Andrews injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Ravens head coach Jon Harbaugh told reporters after Thursday’s win against the Buccaneers that Andrews’ shoulder injury is not serious, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. The veteran tight end exited Thursday’s game in the second quarter, and that’s on top of failing to practice last week because of a knee injury that has been bothering him since Week 7.
Considering Baltimore has a Week 10 bye on the horizon, it would not be a shock to see it give Andrews the week off to deal with his various ailments. If he’s out, fantasy owners should grab Ravens’ rookie TE Isaiah Likely off waivers. Likely led the Ravens with six receptions (seven targets) for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers, and he would be heavily involved in a tough matchup against the Saints, too.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Rashod Bateman injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Head coach Jon Harbaugh said after Thursday night’s game against Tampa Bay that Bateman tweaked his foot injury, but it’s not serious, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. The 22-year-old wide receiver has been dealing with this injury on and off since Week 4. Bateman missed two games but returned to the field in Week 7 against the Browns before struggling with the injury on a short week in Week 8.
It’s good to hear it’s nothing serious with Bateman, but this nagging foot injury will be worth monitoring throughout the week. If Bateman is sidelined for Week 9, Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson are viable waiver wire options ahead of a favorable WR matchup in New Orleans. Robinson was Baltimore’s second-leading receiver with six receptions (eight targets) for 64 yards on Thursday, and Duvernay turned six touches in 64 yards and a TD. Both have WR3 potential.
