Welcome to the Week 9 waiver wire. It was a crazy Sunday, with Minshew Mania returning, the Buccaneers winning without completing a pass!, Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase going fantasy ballistic, and Tony Pollard scoring five touchdowns in his last two games! Oh, and how is Kirk Cousins still putting up big numbers? There are some great pickups this week, so let’s get straight to it!
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans are off next week for rest.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB
Things couldn’t get any worse for the Ravens this week. On their very first offensive play, Lamar Jackson hurt his hand after hitting a defender’s helmet on his follow-through. He was quickly announced as out and that he needed surgery on his thumb. He has been placed on IR, meaning he will have to miss at least four games. We’ll have to learn more about his chance to return to the fantasy era before we leave him, but that could be just around the corner.
Tyler Huntley, Ravens, QB
Huntley suffered a turf toe injury after subbing Jackson, forcing him out of the game. Undrafted free agent Joe Fagnano had to step in as the emergency quarterback, which happened as you’d expect. At this point, it certainly looks like Fagnano will be forced to start against the Jaguars on Thursday night.
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Jeremiah Love, Bam Knight, Cardinals, RBs
Love was forced out of this game with a re-injury to his ankle, while Knight suffered a concussion. Those injuries and the play of Gardner Minshew helped Tyler Allgeier take over and put up huge numbers.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals, WR
Wilson had a big game in Week 8 against the Cowboys, as he caught 8-of-15 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also revealed after the game that he had two broken ribs. He seems to have played through this injury, so I’m not too worried right now.
Kendrick Bourne, Cardinals, WR
Bourne suffered a high ankle sprain, according to Pam Oliver on the broadcast. Neither receiver is really ready to take on a big workload behind Bourne, but expect plenty of work for Michael Wilson and Trey McBride in his absence.
Palmer suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8 and did not return to the game. He has been dealing with injuries on and off. Keon Coleman Probably gets more help if Palmer misses games.
Zachariah Branch, Falcons, WR
Branch was forced out of their Week 8 game with a hamstring injury and did not return. This could push Olamide Zaccheaus into a greater percentage of snaps out in the slot if Branch misses time.
Hunter Henry, Patriots, TE
Henry suffered a foot injury against the Dolphins in the second quarter. He got off to a good start with three receptions for 30 yards, but despite trying to come back, he couldn’t. If he misses any time, Eli Raridon will be next and has already shown that he can play well in the NFL.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys, TE
Ferguson hurt his ankle early in their loss to the Cardinals and was unable to return to the game. Brevyn Spann-Ford is starting to eat into Ferguson’s snaps, so he should be set to be the TE1 if Ferguson misses any time. Unfortunately he doesn’t see many targets, but if you’re in a 2TE league, he’s worth a look.
Malik Willis, Dolphins (18%)
Willis had a down game against the Patriots in Week 8, but it wasn’t a terrible one. He threw for two touchdowns and 211 yards, but also threw a pick and ran just once for two yards. It’s not great, but next week he gets a matchup with the Lions. I’m all in on him as a streaming starter in Week 9.
Gardner Minshew, Cardinals (0%)
Minshew Mania is real and amazing. He came in for the struggling Jacoby Brissett and completely turned the game around. He completed 17-of-23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns and won the game in overtime. It would be malpractice if he doesn’t start next week against the Seahawks. In his career, we’ve seen Minshew play great one week and then look terrible the next. But, the Cardinals offense is interesting and in good matchups I want Minshew to be available for a spot start. Unfortunately, the Cardinals’ schedule is pretty tough over the next three weeks, but it gets a little easier after their Week 11 matchup with the Chiefs.
Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (52%)
What a turn of events for Allgeier this week! We watched him step up while Jeremiah Love was out with an ankle injury. In the rookie’s two missed games, Allgeier ran the ball 26 times for 57 yards. But this week against the Cowboys, both Love and Bam Knight were forced from the game with injuries. Allgeier then took off completely, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and catching all five targets for 44 yards and another touchdown.
We’ll find out how long Love and Knight miss the chance before going to Allgeier. In their next three games against the Seahawks, Rams, and Chiefs, things will likely be tough for the Cardinals offense.
Seth McGowan, Colts (31%)
The Jaguars boat ride the Colts 42-7 in Week 8. Reports heading into the game were that All Pro RB Jonathon Taylor was firmly on the trade block. Taylor still played a ton of snaps, while McGowan continued to back him up. The Colts’ running backs had very little offense against a good Jaguars run defense. But, next week they have a matchup with the Cowboys, and if Taylor is traded or even just sits while he gets traded, McGowan will be set up for a strong matchup in his first start.
Mike Washington, Raiders (27%)
Washington led Ashton Jeanty and rushed 25 times for 83 yards. Jeanty actually has more PPR fantasy points, as he caught three passes for 64 yards, while Washington saw no targets. With the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos on the docket, it’s hard to see him actually breaking out. But, if he’s seeing anywhere near 25 attempts per game and this move isn’t a one-week deal, then he’s very good to take in that amount alone.
Dylan Sampson, Browns (17%)
Sampson is a reliable pass catching running back, giving you a decent fantasy floor in PPR leagues. He rushed just once for seven yards against the Steelers in Week 8, but he caught 6-of-8 targets for 62 yards. And last week, his other game this season, he rushed six times for 45 yards and caught all three of his targets for 32 more yards. In a game against the Saints next week, he could make a decent starting spot.
Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (19%)
Johnson caught 5-of-5 targets for 128 yards and a touchdown, adding a rushing attempt for 10 more yards. Kenneth Walker is still the leader and nothing will change that. But, Johnson showed enough that he could see more touches moving forward. He will always be a boom or bust player behind Walker, but sometimes boom or bust players start booming more than busting.
The Jets’ receivers have been difficult to predict so far this season, but there’s no doubt they’re putting up fantasy-relevant plays. After rookie Omar Cooper Jr. left. over the last two weeks, it was Mitchell’s turn this week, as he caught 7-of-9 targets for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Malik Washington, Dolphins (48%)
Washington caught 5-of-6 targets for 40 yards and his first touchdown of the season. The six targets tied for the team lead, while he led the team with five receptions. It wasn’t a big day, but he showed the ability to get targets in this offense. And with a matchup against the Lions coming up, I like his upside next week.
Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (58%)
Flournoy has seen an uptick in work recently, catching 14 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns over the past three weeks. That had a little to do with George Pickens playing through some injuries, but Flournoy clearly played well enough to continue to see work. And with Jake Ferguson hurt, it could help Flournoy see more work.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals (18%)
Gesicki saw his snap rate increase this week, helping him to the most targets, receptions and yards since Week 1. Injuries to the tight end have helped him a bit, and could help him continue to improve. There is one thing he is very consistent about and that is scoring touchdowns. He has caught a TD in all seven games he has played this year. Of course, he had three games with three or fewer targets, but he still found the end zone. If he sees his targets increase enough, he has a chance to become a consistent fantasy tight end.
Terrance Ferguson, Rams (16%)
We don’t know exactly when Ferguson will return from his ankle injury, but I want to try to get him into my team if possible. Ferguson is likely to be more of a wide receiver than a tight end because of the Rams’ loss of Davonte Adams, which would give him great upside at a position that lacks that much size. Hopefully we’ll learn more about when he can return before the waiver runs out.
Darnell Washington, Steelers (3%)
The Mt. Washington has been more consistent of late, with three touchdowns to the Steelers in the last five games. And in Week 8 he showed off his explosive skills with three receptions for 94 yards. Unfortunately, he still doesn’t see many routes, as he is often used for blocking. The good news is that we know he’s one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets in the end zone, so more touchdowns are likely to come. With a bye next week, I’d probably hold off on adding him, but a matchup with the Bengals coming off the bye could be a good place to see him start if needed.