Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (knee/shoulder) is officially questionable for Week 9's matchup with the Broncos, but the veteran from Stanford was able to put in a full practice Friday and seems to be on track to play through the injury. He's RotoBaller's No. 20 tight end this week if he does play, and he'll be looking to bounce back from his quietest game of the season. Last week, he had two catches for 24 yards against the 49ers after hauling in nine passes for 98 yards the previous week against Seattle. On the season, he has 32 catches for 308 scoreless yards in his seven games. He can be a PPR emergency start if needed, but with Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) back from their injuries, the Texans have lots of pass-catching options. It's also a very tough matchup for the passing game against a strong Broncos defense, so temper expectations for Schultz this week. He's only a starter if you have bye week issues or are in a very deep league.

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Houston Texans tight end Harrison Bryant has been the team's primary backup since Week 2, but his production has been limited to just one catch for five yards on four targets all year. He could be lined up for more work this week, though, since Dalton Schultz (knee/shoulder) has a questionable tag heading into a tough matchup with the Broncos. Schultz has been a solid PPR producer since tight ends are usually heavily involved in Houston's passing game under C.J. Stroud. Bryant is the No. 64 tight end in RotoBaller's rankings, so he isn't a good play unless Schultz is out or limited, but it is worth monitoring if the sixth-year tight end gets more work this week.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson finally made it into the end zone last week, though it was only to secure a two-point conversion and not a touchdown catch. Robinson's snap share shot up to 55% in Week 8, his second-highest mark of the year, but it resulted in just two catches for five yards on three targets. Even with Ricky Pearsall (knee), Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder), and George Kittle missing multiple weeks due to injury, Robinson has been an afterthought in the 49ers' offense. Pearsall is out again in Week 9, but Jennings and Kittle will play when the 49ers face the Giants on Sunday. They, along with Christian McCaffrey, will dominate the demand for targets, leaving scant opportunities for Robinson. Despite the fact that the Giants allow the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, Robinson can be left off of fantasy rosters entirely.

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Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has been a starting kicker for fantasy teams for most of the season, but there may be a better option available this week. He has converted 17 of his 19 field goal attempts this season, with both misses from beyond 50 yards. He has made five field goals of more than 50 yards as well, though, and has also converted all 12 of his extra-point attempts. Fairbairn was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points last week against the 49ers, but this week, he's facing the Broncos in Houston. In that difficult matchup, he's only the No. 16 kicker in RotoBaller's rankings this week. He's still startable, for sure, but check what the alternatives are as well.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson has found the end zone three times in his last three games and is coming off a season-high five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the 49ers. However, with Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Nico Collins (concussion) returning from their injuries, the Texans suddenly have a lot of receivers to rotate through. Hutchinson was rotating with rookie Jayden Higgins as the perimeter receiver across from Collins prior to all the injuries, and if he returns to that reduced role, he'll have a hard time putting up a big game against the Broncos, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Hutchinson is the No. 74 WR in RotoBaller's rankings this week, so in most formats, there are better flex plays available.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will get another shot at starting when the team clashes with the New York Giants in Week 9. Ricky Pearsall (knee) will miss his fifth straight game, allowing Bourne to stand in again. Mac Jones (knee), with whom Bourne has demonstrated a solid rapport, will get his seventh start on Sunday, in place of Brock Purdy (toe), who is listed as questionable. The Giants have given up the most yards and third-most receptions to opposing wide receivers, but fantasy football managers will have to think twice before plugging Bourne into lineups. With Jauan Jennings' (ankle, ribs, shoulder) health improving and George Kittle back from injured reserve, Bourne's target share over the last two weeks sits at 11%. Bourne is projected as a borderline WR4/5 in Week 9, and deserves consideration only in deeper leagues.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins worked his way into a larger role for the team while injuries to Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Nico Collins (concussion) opened an opportunity. While he still has upside, he's tough to count on in fantasy linesups for Week 9 against the tough Broncos secondary, with both Kirk and Collins cleared to return. Higgins had four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown in Week 8's win, leading the team in targets with eight. He is unlikely to see that much volume this week, but he has shown an ability to make big plays, with two touchdowns on the season. This week, he'll be a touchdown-dependent flier play in a flex spot, and he's only the WR70 in RotoBaller's rankings. There are probably better options available for your lineup in most formats.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) logged three full practices this week and carries no designation on the team's final injury report. Jennings has been rather ineffective when active, catching just 18 of his 36 targets for 212 yards and one touchdown in six games. He has also looked out of sync with quarterback Mac Jones (knee), who has filled in for Brock Purdy (toe) in six starts this season and will get his seventh in Week 9. The Giants give up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, but based on what we have seen from Jennings so far, he will be hard to trust on Sunday. Projecting as a borderline WR3/4, he probably needs to be used in three-WR setups and in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers in shallower leagues can and should find a more reliable option in Week 9.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel has been one of the team's busiest receivers in the last two weeks, hauling in nine of 13 targets for a total of 140 receiving yards in his last two contests. The rookie from Iowa State was filling in for Christian Kirk (hamstring) and showed the ability to make plays out of the slot. This week, Kirk is ready to return in a very tough matchup against the Broncos. While Noel will still likely mix in on a decent amount of snaps and brings big-play upside, he is very high-risk since he'll have a smaller snap share. He's RotoBaller's WR76, so even though he has some potential, there are probably better options available in most standard-sized leagues.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Butker is coming off his third game of the season without missing a kick. The Chiefs' kicker has attempted at least 4 extra-point attempts in each of the last five games and made 19/20 (95%), giving him a solid floor to build on. Butker should be utilized often in this game with a nearly 53-point total, which is the second-highest total in Week 9. Butker is ranked K9 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a startable fantasy kicker this week.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is ready to return to the lineup in Week 9 against the Broncos after missing Week 8 with a concussion. Collins is in a tough matchup against a strong pass defense, but he still brings elite upside. The fifth-year receiver from Michigan has averaged 7.7 targets per game this season and has 26 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Before leaving Week 7's loss to the Seahawks, Collins had four catches for just 27 yards. He has been held under 100 yards in five of his six games this season, and even though he has WR1 upside, he's risky this week returning in such a tough matchup. The Broncos have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points in the NFL to receivers, so Collins checks in as the No. 18 WR in the RotoBaller rankings for the week. Get him back in your lineups this week, but temper expectations.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk is set to return in Week 9 from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, but he steps into a brutal matchup against the Broncos, who have allowed the second-fewest wide receiver fantasy points this season. Kirk has missed two games on two occasions this season with hamstring issues, and in his three healthy contests has totaled 10 catches on 16 targets for 109 yards. The Texans have young receivers who stepped up while Kirk was out, so it will be very interesting to see how the veteran works back into the mix on Sunday. He is the WR58 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 9, so he's tough to start in most formats unless bye weeks and injuries have you desperate for PPR production.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Kelce caught six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against the win over Washington Commanders. The veteran tight end has caught at least six passes in three of the last four games and is averaging 73 receiving yards per game in that span. In the past, Rashee Rice being healthy was a bad sign for Kelce's production, but the two were able to coexist in Week 8. Both Rice and Kelce caught at least six passes and scored a touchdown in their 28-7 victory last week. Kelce could find a way to produce despite facing the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Kelce is ranked TE9 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a solid TE1 option this week.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey turned in his worst game of the season in Week 8. Against the Texans, McCaffrey toted eight carries for 25 yards and caught three of six targets for 43 receiving yards, all season lows and interrupting his streak of seven consecutive RB1 finishes to start the 2025 season. McCaffrey, being who he is, there is hope for a rebound in Week 9 against the New York Giants. Last week, the Giants gave up 174 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns to Saquon Barkley (groin) in three quarters of work and another 104 rushing yards to backup Tank Bigsby. Unfortunately, San Francisco's offensive line does not compare to Philadelphia's elite unit and will be missing starting center Jake Brendel (hamstring). Still, McCaffrey is one of the league's most dynamic playmakers, and if he is on your fantasy roster, he should be in the starting lineup for Week 9.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Worthy caught five passes for 53 yards in the 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Last week marked Worthy's third game of the season with at least five receptions. With Rashee Rice stepping back into the WR1 role and Travis Kelce reemerging as a top option, the speedster may continue to be relegated to a tertiary role in the Kansas City offense. That said, Worthy was able to put up a decent stat line regardless of the blowout, and he may be able to build on that this week. Worthy and the Chiefs face the Bills, who have allowed the ninth-fewest points to opposing wide receivers this season. Even with his diminished workload, Worthy is still an explosive player and can break off a long play at any moment. Worthy is ranked WR28 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, placing him just outside WR2 but firmly in WR3/Flex territory this week.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (knee) has been named the team's Week 9 starter, though regular starter Brock Purdy (toe) has not yet been ruled out and may be available off the bench. Jones has already started six games in Purdy's stead, passing for 1,597 yards and eight touchdowns with a 65.9% completion rate, and throwing five interceptions. In Week 9, the Niners face the Giants, who have given up three straight top-12 finishes to opposing quarterbacks. Jones might struggle to see the same success, as he will be short on help and protection. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is still out, as is starting center Jake Brendel (hamstring). Jones projects as a low-end QB2 and should be avoided given the matchup and the lingering possibility of Purdy being healthy enough to sub in if Jones can't get the offense going.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Rice caught nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs 28-7 rout of the Washington Commanders. Since returning from suspension, Rice has been the focal point of the Kansas City offense, and he has delivered massive fantasy performances. The Chiefs WR1 is averaging 9.5 targets per game since returning, and that trend should continue despite facing the Bills, who have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Rice has an especially strong role around the endzone, which makes his scoring opportunities more plentiful than the average receiver. Rice has the opportunity to put on a massive performance in a game with the second-highest total of the week. Rice is ranked WR5 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a must-start player in Week 9.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith will take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Week 9. Smith was listed on the injury report with a toe injury, but practiced in full all week and does not have an injury designation heading into the weekend. Smith was barely involved in Week 8, handling just three carries for eight yards in the 28-7 victory over the Washington Commanders. The rookie back has been eased into the offense, but should presumably see a larger workload with Isiah Pacheco ruled out with a knee injury. Smith is the most explosive back in the backfield, but Kareem Hunt should continue seeing the most valuable touches in the offense. That said, Smith could still find success against the Bills, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. With plenty of scoring expected for this matchup, Smith could see an uptick in volume with scoring upside. Smith is ranked RB34 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option this week.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will face the Buffalo Bills in week 9. Hunt was on the injury report with an ankle injury, but practiced fully all week and has been removed from the report. Hunt is now in line to be the lead back, with Isiah Pacheco ruled out due to a knee injury. The veteran back has been relatively effective in his last two games, averaging at least 4.4 yards per carry, but he's still only averaging 4.0 yards per carry on the season. Despite his lack of explosiveness, the Chiefs have turned to Hunt near the goal line, and he has converted on four rushing touchdowns. Hunt should continue to get those valuable touches while adding volume between the 20s against the Bills, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. There should be plenty og points scored in a game with a nearly 53-point total, so Hunt's upside is apparent. Hunt is ranked RB20 in our RofoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a startable RB2 this week.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Mahomes continued his dominant run in last week's contest against the Washington Commanders. The Chiefs quarterback completed 25 of 34 pass attempts (74%) for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-7 victory. Mahomes has now completed at least 70% of his passes in four straight games. The 30-year-old will now face the Bills, who allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. That said, the Kansas City offense has been rolling, and they face the fourth-highest scoring team in the league on a points-per-game basis. Mahomes can have a ceiling performance in a matchup with the second-highest Over/Under of the week. Mahomes is ranked QB1 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a must-start player this week

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