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FFL: Week 9 | NFL: Week 9

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson lands $180M extension

Wed Oct 29 12:09pm ET
Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions are signing star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a four-year, $180 million contract extension, his agent confirmed to multiple media outlets on Wednesday.

The Lions had not confirmed the reports by late morning, but did post a meme of Hutchinson dancing on the team's official X account.

The reported $141 million guaranteed is the highest ever among non-quarterbacks and the $45 million average salary trails only the Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons ($46.5 million) among non-QBs.

Hutchinson has recorded six sacks, a league-leading four forced fumbles and 13 quarterback hits through seven starts this season with the Lions (5-2).

The 25-year-old defensive end has 34.5 sacks, 78 QB hits, 138 tackles, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, four interceptions and 11 passes defensed in 46 career games (all starts). He made the Pro Bowl in 2023 but missed the last 12 games in 2024 after fracturing his leg in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, already had been signed for $20.86 million for next season on the fifth-year option in his rookie contract.

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The Paur Report

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9

Player Notes
John Metchie III Oct 29 3:20pm CT
John Metchie III

The Philadelphia Eagles are trading wide receiver John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for cornerback Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round pick, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Metchie played the most offensive snaps of the season with the Eagles in Week 8 with A.J. Brown (hamstring) out, but it was only nine snaps, and he didn't record a target in the game. The 25-year-old will join his third team since August, beginning the offseason with the Texans before being dealt to the Eagles in August. Metchie mostly served as a special teamer with Philadelphia, but lands with a Jets team that needs help at wide receiver, with Garrett Wilson (knee) banged up. He could be in the mix for opportunities early in New York, and gets a Week 9 bye to get up to speed with his new team.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Oct 29 2:40pm CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was not seen on the practice field on Wednesday during the portion open to the media, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. It's unclear exactly why Stevenson wasn't seen at practice on Wednesday, but it's worth noting that he wasn't on the field for the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter in Sunday's blowout win over the Cleveland Browns. The 27-year-old played 72% of the offensive snaps in Week 8 and had 49 total yards on 15 touches. Fantasy managers will want to check back in later to see if Stevenson is dealing with an injury as the team begins preparations for a Week 9 tilt against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. If he is limited in any way this weekend or out altogether, rookie TreVeyon Henderson would finally be in line for a heavy workload as the team's RB1.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Oct 29 2:40pm CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. The Titans never reported an injury for Pollard coming out of Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but Pollard did play only 46% of the offensive snaps, his second-lowest mark of the 2025 season. Fantasy managers will want to check back later for an update on why Pollard wasn't on the practice field. Tyjae Spears would have plug-and-play RB2 upside against the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend if Pollard is limited in any way or out completely. Pollard had only two more carries than Spears in Week 8 and finished with 44 rushing yards and nine receiving yards on his lone catch. Even if Pollard is fine heading into the weekend, his role is diminishing as Tennessee looks to get Spears more involved out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 29 2:30pm CT
Bryce Young

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice, according to David Newton of ESPN. Despite Young's return to a full practice, head coach Dave Canales said that the team will decide on the starting QB in the next few days for Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. The 24-year-old is being considered day-to-day for now, but a full practice on Wednesday suggests he has a good chance of returning this weekend after missing the Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills due to a high right-ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 7 against the New York Jets. Veteran Andy Dalton was forced to make the start last weekend and came out of the blowout loss with a right-thumb injury. All signs are pointing toward Young making his return this Sunday at Lambeau Field.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Oct 29 2:30pm CT
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will be a full participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Meanwhile, head coach Pete Carroll said that Bowers has "looked great" and is "playing at full speed," per ESPN's Ryan McFadden. The Raiders were saying before their Week 8 bye that the second-year TE was expected back in Week 9 to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a full practice for Bowers on Wednesday confirms that. The 22-year-old initially suffered a PCL injury and a bone bruise in the season opener and tried to play through it. He hasn't played since Week 4, though, so fantasy managers are certainly itching to get him back into their starting lineups. As long as Bowers doesn't suffer a setback with his knee in practice this week, he should start on Sunday against the Jags, where he'll be a TE1 in all fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Oct 29 2:20pm CT
Jayden Reed

It looks as though Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) has "taken a step toward a return to practice," according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Reed was "running off to the side" while the rest of the team practiced on Wednesday. Although it appears as though Reed is making progress from a broken collarbone that he suffered in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, he still has a way to go before being activated from Injured Reserve, as the Packers have yet to open his 21-day practice window. The 25-year-old had surgery to fix his broken collarbone and is also recovering from surgery to fix a Jones fracture in his foot. There remains no timetable for his return. When Reed returns, he'll be part of a crowded WR mix in Green Bay now that Christian Watson is back from his torn ACL that he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Christian Kirk Oct 29 2:00pm CT
Christian Kirk

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) has been sidelined since the team's Week 5 matchup with the Ravens. Kirk returned to practice on Wednesday, ahead of the team's Week 9 showdown with the Broncos. The 29-year-old's availability would be a major addition to a passing game averaging just 215.3 yards per game. Kirk has tallied 10 receptions for 109 yards over just three games. The Texans have remained in contention, largely due to their defense. As the offense gets healthy, a strong second half could be on the horizon for quarterback C.J. Stroud and the passing game.

From RotoBaller

Nico Collins Oct 29 1:50pm CT
Nico Collins

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) returned to practice as he continues to progress through concussion protocol ahead of the team's Week 9 matchup with the Denver Broncos. The 3-4 Texans hope to have their leading receiver back ahead of a difficult test against the stout Broncos secondary. Through six games, Collins has tallied 26 receptions for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Collins' availability could be a major blow to the usage of Jayden Higgins and Jared Wayne, who filled in during the team's victory over the 49ers last week.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Oct 29 1:40pm CT
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) missed another practice Wednesday, which is especially concerning following his absence in Week 8. Wicks has seen his role diminish in recent weeks, coinciding with the emergence of Matthew Golden. The Packers are taking on a Carolina Panthers team that allows just 198.4 passing yards per game, which will pose a stiff challenge for Jordan Love and the offense. If Wicks continues to miss time, the team will likely utilize Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Golden on most three-receiver sets.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Oct 29 1:40pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) won't be practicing anytime soon, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. Lloyd continues to be an enigma for fantasy owners, as his hype has been consistently derailed by one injury after another. Lloyd joined the Packers as a third-round pick in 2024, but has appeared in just one career regular-season game, gaining 15 yards on six carries last season. The team will continue to operate with Josh Jacobs and change-of-pace option Emanuel Wilson for the foreseeable future. Jacobs has managed 447 yards and nine touchdowns through seven games.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Oct 29 1:30pm CT
Josh Palmer

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) failed to practice on Wednesday ahead of a marquee matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Palmer hasn't played since Week 6, but the team is hoping to have its big-play threat back to stretch the field against an elite Chiefs defense. If Palmer is unavailable this week, expect another Elijah Moore to continue to see an expanded role. Last week, Moore appeared on a season-high 46% of the team's offensive plays. He was targeted four times, hauling in one reception for 14 yards.

From RotoBaller

Marquise Brown Oct 29 1:20pm CT
Marquise Brown

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (illness) was absent from practice on Wednesday. Brown failed to haul in his lone target on Monday night against the Commanders and has struggled to remain fantasy relevant with the return of Rashee Rice. In the two games since Rice returned, Brown has seen a total of five targets, resulting in two catches for 14 yards and a touchdown. If Brown continues to miss time this week, fantasy owners should be comfortable benching the big-play receiver ahead of a Week 9 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 29 1:10pm CT
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 8 due to a high-ankle sprain. Young was seen practicing on a wet field, which bodes well for his availability this week. The Panthers have emerged as a playoff contender behind the 24-year-old signal caller. The team will face the Green Bay Packers on the road this week, in a pivotal NFC matchup. If Young can play, it will set up a matchup of rising signal callers as he takes on Jordan Love. Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could also benefit from a full-strength offense.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Oct 29 12:50pm CT
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not be on the practice field on Wednesday, according to head coach Andy Reid. Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain late in the Monday night win over the Washington Commanders in Week 8 and is considered week-to-week, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he's not practicing. The 26-year-old is unlikely to be active for a Week 9 showdown against the Buffalo Bills, but the good news is that KC will head into their bye in Week 10, so it's possible Pacheco will only end up missing one game. With Pacheco unlikely to be able to play this weekend, veteran Kareem Hunt should take over lead-back duties, with rookie Brashard Smith also having an expanded role and being in play as a flex option for fantasy managers. Pacheco has been a big disappointment in fantasy leagues in 2025, running for 329 yards and just one touchdown on 78 carries over his first eight games.

From RotoBaller

Myles Garrett Oct 29 12:30pm CT
Myles Garrett

According to a source, there's "no chance" that Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett gets dealt ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "People have a better chance of winning the lottery," the source said. The Browns surely would be asking for much more than any team is willing to offer for Garrett, so he will remain with Cleveland for at least one more season. The 29-year-old defensive end is having another fantastic season and is coming off an absolute dominant performance in the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots, in which he had five sacks, six tackles, and a forced fumble. Garrett and the Browns will be on bye in Week 9, but he should be right back in starting fantasy lineups in IDP leagues in Week 10 against the New York Jets. He is already at 10 sacks through eight games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Oct 29 12:30pm CT
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy said that wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) will not practice on Wednesday, per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Ridley was injured in Week 6 and hasn't practiced or played since, and he's trending in the wrong direction early in the week to make his return this Sunday to face the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. Even if the 30-year-old returns to practice in the next couple of days and suits up in Week 9, fantasy managers won't be in a rush to throw him back into their starting lineups. Ridley just hasn't shown much chemistry with rookie first-round quarterback Cameron Ward this year when he's been on the field, catching 16 of his 35 targets for 290 yards and no touchdowns in six games. If Ridley misses another game, rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike will have elevated roles for the third straight contest.

From RotoBaller

Robbie Chosen Oct 29 12:23pm CT
Robbie Chosen

Free-agent WR Robbie Chosen (Commanders) was signed to Washington's practice squad on Wednesday, Oct. 29. He was released from their practice squad on Monday, Oct. 27.

From TheHuddle

Kyle Pitts Oct 29 12:20pm CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. benefitted from receiver Drake London's (hip) absence in the Week 8 upset loss to the Miami Dolphins, catching all nine of his targets from quarterback Kirk Cousins for 59 yards. "He's going out there and executing at a very high level," head coach Raheem Morris said. Although Pitts has scored just once so far in 2025, the 25-year-old former fourth overall pick has been more involved this year under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, catching 39 of his 47 targets for 344 yards through seven games. Those numbers have made him the TE13 in half-PPR scoring through eight weeks. London's potential return in Week 9 against the New England Patriots could put a damper on Pitts' overall fantasy upside this weekend, but he has proven to be a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 every week so far in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis Oct 29 12:10pm CT
Gabriel Davis

The Buffalo Bills activated wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Davis has been on the IR since early September with a knee issue, but he's back now and will practice with the team on Wednesday as they begin preparing for a showdown this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old returned to Buffalo this offseason after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Bills. In 2024, he played in a career-low 10 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars and caught 20 of 42 targets for 239 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury. Davis will be looking to earn his way onto Buffalo's active 53-man roster in the second half of the season, but if he does, he'll be an unpredictable deep threat who probably won't be on the field all that often.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Oct 29 12:10pm CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said on Wednesday that he expects wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring, shoulder) to take "major steps forward" in his play going forward after dealing with hamstring and shoulder injuries this year, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. It certainly didn't happen in last week's upset loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, when Mooney caught only one of his four targets for 11 yards. It was especially disappointing, with Drake London (hip) out due to injury, but it also came with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins making his first start of the year, with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) sidelined. If London is back this weekend against the New England Patriots, fantasy managers will most likely be avoiding Mooney as a WR4/flex option after he has put up two one-catch performances in his last three games.

From RotoBaller