Cabot said it would be a challenge for Deshaun Watson to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol by Saturday and suit up for Sunday’s game. Watson suffered a head injury in Week 8 against the Steelers and reported concussion symptoms on Tuesday, according to the Browns. Sanders in 2025 was the most inaccurate quarterback in the league and struggled to support fantasy-relevant pass catchers. Harold Fannin could see a boost with Sanders under center after Sanders targeted the tight end relentlessly during his 2025 starts.

Steichen mostly dodged questions about why the Colts would play Taylor in Week 9 if the team was in talks with contenders who might want to acquire the star running back before the NFL’s trade deadline. “Teams call all the time,” Steichen told reports. He said the team was focused on the Cowboys, their opponents in Week 9. Taylor seems more than likely to be dealt to another team in the coming weeks. That could be the Vikings, Bengals, Seahawks, or another contending team in need of backfield help.

Further evaluation of Huntley’s toe injury showed it was a season ender. That leaves the Ravens desperate at quarterback for the remainder of the season. Against the Jaguars on Thursday night the team is likely to start Joe Fagnano. It’s unclear who will serve as the team’s backup quarterback this week or going forward. Zay Flowers goes from an elite weekly fantasy option to something closer to a WR3 in this degraded offensive environment. Derrick Henry’s prospects take a major knock too.

Watson took a hit to the head in the first half of the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Steelers. He was evaluated for a brain injury and re-entered the game. He then reported concussion-like symptoms on Tuesday and entered the protocol on Wednesday. It would be somewhat surprising if Watson is able to clear the protocol in time for the Browns’ Week 9 matchup against the Saints. That would likely mean Shedeur Sanders would get the starting nod against New Orleans. Sanders should only be rostered in superflex formats for now.

Aiyuk’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the development on Wednesday, and said Aiyuk would report to the 49ers on Friday. That could expedite his release from the team so he could seek employment with another, presumably wideout-needy NFL team. Aiyuk’s erratic behavior over the past year and questions about his conditioning could prevent some teams from pursuing him. “Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,” Rosenhaus said. He had been closely linked to the Commanders before a series of online meltdowns in the offseason. The Rams could be in the market for Aiyuk with Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined indefinitely. Aiyuk is still unlikely to have any fantasy value this season.

Hollins has been on injured reserve for a month with a calf injury. With a full practice today he’ll have a good chance of suiting up in Week 9 against the Packers. Hollins will likely function as Drake Maye’s primary downfield option if A.J. Brown remains sidelined. Hollins’ return dings the fantasy prospects of DeMario Douglas, who has an 18 percent target share and a 19 percent air yards share over the team’s past three games. Hollins will be flex viable in deeper formats.

The new injury Love picked up in Week 8’s win over the Cowboys has been diagnosed as a high-ankle sprain and will sideline Love for a minimum of four weeks. Love, who has been dealing with multiple ankle injuries this season, has had a tough start to his NFL career. In six career games he’s rushed for 268 yards and one touchdown on 76 carries, while adding 11 receptions for 36 yards and another score. His injury comes as Bam Knight is in the league’s concussion protocol, leaving Tyler Allgeier and Evan Hull as the only two healthy backs on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster. Allgeier could be in line for a significant role in Week 9 against the Seahawks if Knight is unable to clear protocol, and veteran Jerome Ford could also be promoted from the practice squad in the coming days. Love will not be eligible to return until Week 13 against the Eagles.

Nguyen studied Murray’s film in the Minnesota offense and noted the veteran is often late to recognize an open pass catcher. That could be related to Murray’s clear discomfort in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, as Nguyen noted. “When his first read doesn’t open up, he holds the ball and runs backward,” leading to drive-killing sacks. That’s exactly what unfolded a few times in high-leverage situations against the Lions in Week 8. Justin Jefferson on Sunday appeared frustrated by Kyler’s inability to make the proper reads on critical downs. All of this has an outsized impact on Murray’s fantasy prospects. He now ranks 31st among QBs in expected fantasy points per game, below Bo Nix and Daniel Jones.

Jones apparently isn’t happy with Pickens’ usage through Week 8. Pickens has been targeted on 22 percent of his pass routes on the season, well below CeeDee Lamb’s 34 percent rate. He’s accounted for 31 percent of the team’s air yards, nearly the same rate he saw in 2025. In the Cowboys’ humiliating Week 8 loss to the Cardinals, Pickens had nine targets, one short of Lamb’s ten. Perhaps Jerry has not adequately studied the spreadsheets. Either way, Pickens remains an upside WR2 headed into Week 9.

Slovis could, unbelievably, get the start Thursday night against the Jaguars with Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe) out, and Joe Fagnano (ankle) iffy to suit up. If Fagnano can play, Slovis would presumably serve as Baltimore’s backup. Fagnano completed 48 percent of his passes for 91 yards and a pick last week against the Bills. Look for the Ravens to be ultra run-heavy against Jacksonville, one of the league’s best run defenses. It will be tough to trust anyone in the Ravens offense as a viable fantasy option for now.