Entering Week 9, injuries continue to ramp up, and fantasy football owners with serious aspirations of taking home a championship are reminded weekly about the value of a deep roster with viable streaming options. This week, two running backs (Jonathan Taylor and Gus Edwards) exited during game action, and while it looks like both backs avoided serious issues, it’s still worthwhile to read up on their latest injury news. Should either RB be out for Week 9, it won’t be easy finding a fill-in on the waiver wire with six teams on bye.
Below, we’ll give you the latest news on these RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 9 fantasy landscape. For news on ailing pass-catchers Cooper Kupp, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman, click here.
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WEEK 9 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups
Jonathan Taylor injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Taylor (ankle) exited Indianapolis’ 17-16 loss to Washington in the first half with an ankle injury but did return to game action, finishing with 16 carries for 78 yards. It was certainly concerning to see Taylor’s right ankle wrapped up on the sidelines after he’d already missed two weeks dealing with an ankle sprain. Taylor wasn’t as effective once he returned to Sunday’s game, losing a key fumble for the Colts in the red zone late in the third quarter.
Even with Taylor returning to game action, it’s worth monitoring his status as the week progresses. Taylor and the Colts draw a tough matchup in Week 9 against a Patriots defense allowing the third-fewest FPPG to RBs (16.1). If Taylor ends up being a surprise inactive, fellow RBs Deon Jackson and Nyheim Hines both garner flex appeal regardless of the matchup, with Hines holding a little more value at the moment. Both are worth speculative free agent adds this week.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Gus Edwards injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
Edwards exited Baltimore’s 27-22 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday night with a hamstring injury and failed to return to game action.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the hamstring injury is considered minor and shouldn’t result in Edwards missing much time. That’s good news for the fifth-year running back who missed all of last season and the first six games of 2022 recovering from a gruesome knee injury. Edwards has led Baltimore in carries in each of the past two games, but Kenyan Drake was the more effective back last Thursday. Should Edwards miss Baltimore’s Week 9 contest against New Orleans on Monday Night Football, expect an increased role for Drake, making him a must-have handcuff.
