Week 9 is here and that means we get Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Amon-Ra St. Brown back! We do lose some good receivers to byes this week, but AJ Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Emeka Egbuka could really use the bye week to get healthy.
Week 9 byes
Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets
Wide receivers on bye
Jerry Jeudy, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Garrett Wilson
WR streamer of the week
Christian Watson, Packers vs. Panthers
Watson returned to the active roster and quickly became a big play receiver once again. The Packers haven’t had a receiver with Watson’s upside for much of the season and they need him. He only had four targets in his first game back, but made the most of them, catching all four for 85 yards. The Panthers have been tough against the pass this season, but they can be beaten and if you need upside this week, Watson is out there to be had on the waiver wire.
WR injuries
Drake London, Falcons
London missed Week 8 with a hip injury and is considered day-to-day moving forward. That at least means he has a chance to play this week against the Patriots, but we’ll need to see him get some practice days in first.
Puka Nacua, Rams
Nacua has had multiple in-game injuries, but has been able to play through them and continue his fantasy WR1 play. Unfortunately in Week 6 he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of Week 7 and then he had a Week 8 bye. All signs point to him being healthy and ready to return to the starting lineup.
Garrett Wilson, Jets
Wilson hyperextended his knee in Week 6 and was considered doubtful and didn’t play in Week 7 or 8. He’ll now get a Week 9 bye, which will give him a good chance to return in Week 10, as his injury timeline was around two weeks.
Ricky Pearsall, 49ers
Pearsall hurt his knee in Week 4 against the Jaguars, but it seemed like he wasn’t going to miss much time. Unfortunately he’s now missed four games. We’ll see if he can get back on the practice field this week.
Calvin Ridley, Titans
Ridley suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and was unable to play in Week 7 or 8. He has yet to practice, so his status for this week appears to be up in the air.
Nico Collins, Texans
Collins suffered a concussion in Week 8 and was unable to get cleared before their Week 9 win over the 49ers. Hopefully he’ll get that clearance this week as the Texans prepare to take on the tough Broncos defense.
AJ Brown, Eagles
Brown is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 9. Reports appear optimistic that he can return after their Week 9 bye when they play the Packers.
Week 9 odds
Highest point totals
Cardinals at Cowboys (53.5)
Chiefs at Bills (52.5)
Bears at Bengals (51.5)
Colts at Steelers (50.5)
Lowest point totals
Broncos at Texans (39.5)
Chargers at Titans (43.5)
Highest implied individual team totals
Rams (29)
Packers (28.5)
Ravens (28.5)
Cowboys (28.3)
Lions (28)
Lowest implied individual team totals
Saints (15.5)
Panthers (16)
Titans (16.5)
Largest point spreads
Saints at Rams (-13.5)
Panthers at Packers (-12.5)
Chargers (-10.5) at Titans
Vikings at Lions (-8.5)
