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Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph should be viewed as a QB2 if he is given the starting nod on Sunday afternoon. Rudolph has started in each of the past two games and could get his third opportunity with Will Levis (shoulder), who is listed as questionable. Last weekend, Rudolph scored 26.2 PPR points as he threw for 266 yards with a score and added 29 yards and a rushing score on the ground. However, in his first start, Rudolph scored only 16.1 PPR points. This weekend, he faces a tough New England defense that has allowed the eighth-fewest points to opposing QBs. Fantasy managers in deeper Superflex leagues should only view the 29-year-old as a desperation QB2.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is dealing with a knee injury that isn't considered a major issue and is expected to play in Week 9 on Sunday against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. Nacua's injury was described to The Athletic's Dianna Russini as "nothing crazy." The Rams listed Nacua as questionable for the weekend, but fantasy managers should leave the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher in their starting lineups. Just make sure to check he's officially active on Sunday, as expected, after he banged up his knee during Thursday's practice. He's not dealing with any structural damage, though, and will be looking for an encore after going for seven catches (nine targets) and 106 yards in the Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday. Nacua hasn't scored in the two games he's played in this year, but he's a must-start in fantasy when active.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 9, according to Matt McMullen of the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran wideout has been unable to practice all week and will now miss his second-straight contest after suffering a hamstring injury during Week 7. Smith-Schuster enjoyed a nice performance in Week 6, bringing in seven passes for 130 yards but has to have any fantasy impact since. Fantasy managers in deeper 3WR formats should continue to stash Smith-Schuster, as he could eventually have a stable role in the Kansas City passing attack. This weekend, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce should be expected to see the majority of opportunities facing a Tampa secondary that has struggled to defend the pass.

The Carolina Panthers continue to receive calls from interested teams in former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, but the Panthers aren't considering moving him at this time, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Young will make a second straight start in Week 9 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, and Carolina was encouraged by his improvements in the Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos. NFL executives think that if the Panthers eventually decide to trade him, they'll get a better deal in the offseason. Young is apparently off the table for now in a trade, but the Panthers are believed to be open to dealing running back Miles Sanders and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. The 23-year-old Young went 24-for-37 for 224 yards with his first touchdown of the year and two picks last Sunday. Don't expect much improvement, if any, against the Saints this week with Diontae Johnson out of town and rookie receiver Xavier Legette (toe) questionable to play.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner ranks as a high-end RB2 when the Cardinals host the Chicago Bears in Week 9. Conner had over 20 touches last week in the win over the Miami Dolphins. He has benefited from his heavy workload, ranking in the top 10 in rushing attempts this season. His volume makes him an appealing player in fantasy each week, as, despite his inefficiency last week, he still found the end zone. The Chicago Bears rank 10th in points allowed to opposing fantasy running backs, presenting a challenging matchup. Even against the stout Bears front, Conner's workload makes him a viable starter in fantasy.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini doesn't expect the Los Angeles Rams to trade veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline despite being open to moving him this time a week ago. On the flip side, the Rams are trying to move cornerback Tre'Davious White. Kupp returned last Thursday night in the win over the Minnesota Vikings from an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 2. The 31-year-old caught five of his eight target for 51 yards and a touchdown and now has 23 catches on 35 targets for 198 yards and two touchdowns in his three games played in 2024. Kupp took a back seat to second-year wideout Puka Nacua, who was returning from a knee injury he suffered in Week 1, but as long as Kupp is able to remain healthy the rest of the way, he'll be a must-start fantasy receiver. He should be considered a low-end WR1 on Sunday versus the division-rival Seattle Seahawks.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini doesn't expect the New York Jets to move wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams and cornerback D.J. Reed by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. The Jets have been receiving calls about the availability of Wilson and Reed lately. New York needs to do a lot of work to even be in the playoff picture by the end of the regular season, but they took a step forward by beating the Houston Texans on Thursday night to improve their record to 3-6. Wilson caught nine of his 10 targets for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-13 win and is still a must-start for fantasy managers despite the recent addition of Adams. Adams also had a strong game in Week 8, going for seven receptions on 11 targets for 91 yards and a score against Houston. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will continue to lean heavily on his top two pass-catchers.

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and has been removed from the Week 9 injury report on Saturday. Maye was officially listed as questionable on Friday to play in Sunday's contest against the Tennessee Titans after being limited in practice all week as he worked his way through the protocols. The 22-year-old first-rounder suffered a concussion in the Week 8 win over the division-rival New York Jets but won't be forced to miss any time. Maye only attempted six passes before getting knocked out of last Sunday's contest, but he threw for a season-high 276 yards and two touchdowns the previous week in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now that he's in the clear for Week 9, Maye should be considered a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues against a Titans defense that has been stingy against opposing QBs in 2024.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini was told that the Cincinnati Bengals are not trading wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. The Bengals have only landed two players in a trade in 52 years, but they are looking to make a splash in 2024. Cincy has a strong belief that they can get back to the AFC title game despite sitting at 3-5 entering Week 9 play, and they've been looking around for a cornerback and a defensive lineman that could give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a boost. Right now, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is seen as the team's only defensive threat. In fantasy, the Bengals' defense/special teams unit currently ranks 24th. They also rank all the way down at 29th in the NFL with only 12 sacks, so Hendrickson could certainly use the help on the D-line if the Bengals hope to make the postseason.

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker suffered a down week in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. While he made all three of his extra-point attempts, he only made one of two field goal attempts throughout the game. His lone make came from 49 yards, but he still finished as a low-end K2. The Denver Broncos, their Week 9 opponent, only give up 6.6 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, but the Ravens offense should be able to at least move the ball into field goal range. Tucker carries K1 potential, but the tougher matchup does mean there are some better options out there.