Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will line up against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday in one of the juiciest matchups on paper this weekend. The 27-year-old has been excellent in his first season in a Vikings uniform and has the chance for another strong performance in Week 9. Indianapolis has allowed the eighth-most passing yards to opponents this season and the seventh-most yards per pass attempt (6.7). The only thing that could prevent the former first-round pick from having an above-average outing would be Minnesota leaning on the run, as Indy's D is worse against opposing ground attacks than they are through the air. Still, fantasy managers can confidently start Darnold in Week 9. He's RotoBaller's QB7 in this week's rankings.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold started out hot, but he cooled off after the first few drives. Darnold threw touchdowns on back-to-back drives to open the game, but didn't have a ton of success after that. He completed 18-of-25 passing attempts for 240 yards and two scores in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold now has thrown for 1,610 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions through seven games. He hasn't been lighting up the box score lately, but he doesn't make silly mistakes with the football. Fantasy managers should be able to keep riding him as a QB1 for next week's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has cooled off from his electric 11 touchdowns over the first four games. Since then, Darnold has one touchdown and two interceptions over his last two games. It's worth noting that Darnold did throw for nearly 260 yards during last week's loss to the Detroit Lions. He was consistent as he completed 22-of-27 passing attempts during the two-point loss. He'll get a Los Angeles Rams defense that has struggled to contain the pass. They currently rank 18th in the league, which is good news for Darnold. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Darnold to throw four touchdowns, but he should be a viable option for Week 8.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) was not seen at Friday's practice according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Irving was also sidelined during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Saturday's practice as he may carry an injury designation into Monday's tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie running back has been dealing with this lingering injury for the past few weeks but has yet to miss any time due to it. If Irving is able to play he should be expected to split time with Rachaad White facing a tough Kansas City defense who has allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

Tampa Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (toe) will not practice on Thursday and might not practice until the end of the week. According to senior writer Scott Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Irving will probably deal with the toe injury all season. Despite logging one limiting practice last week, the 22-year-old did suit up in Sunday's game against the Falcons. Irving rushed nine times for 44 yards and hauled in all seven targets for 40 yards in Week 8. He has been solid for the Bucs this season, rushing for 395 yards and three touchdowns on 76 rushing attempts while catching 20 passes for 164 yards over eight games. Irving will likely be limited most weeks and not practice regularly due to his toe issue. Tampa Bay is down their two top wide receivers, Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring); the Bucs could lean on the ground game more with Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker. Fantasy managers will have to monitor Irving's practice throughout the week as he will likely be questionable for Monday's game against Kansas City. If Irving is unable to suit up for Monday Night Football, White and Tucker should see an uptick in snaps and carries in Week 9.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (toe) is playing through a toe injury, but the rookie said he does not expect the ailment to limit his playing time. The fourth-round pick out of Oregon has handled at least 10 touches in seven of his eight games this season, and he caught a career-high seven passes in the Week 8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Although he's not a must-start stud in a shared backfield with Rachaad White, he has provided solid value for fantasy managers considering his late-round cost in preseason drafts. However, he is set the face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has surrendered the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season, so his ceiling and floor could be limited in Week 9. Expect him to be a fixture on the injury report, but it sounds like he's not at risk of missing time.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave had his first 100-yard game of the season in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 9, Olave has a weaker opponent in the Carolina Panthers and a better quarterback as Derek Carr is set to return to the field for the first time since injuring his oblique in Week 5. Injuries to Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Bub Means (ankle) have thinned out the wide receiver room so Olave will have less competition for targets. In the Saints' Week 1 blowout of the Panthers, Olave was targeted just twice and caught both for a disappointing 11 yards. Expectations can be set closer to last week's performance rather than the season debut but his production may still be hampered if New Orleans take advantage of Carolina's porous run defense. Olave looks like a mid-range WR2 in Week 9.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was targeted 14 times and made eight catches for 107 yards in Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He led the team in each category in his first action since suffering a concussion just minutes into Week 6's game against the Buccaneers. It was the first time the third-year wideout crossed the century mark this season and tied his season high in receptions. Olave failed to score in Week 8 which leaves his touchdown count for the season stuck on one. That may change in Week 9, though, as the Saints are heading to Carolina to face the Panthers. Olave had just two catches for 11 yards in the teams' lopsided matchup in Week 1 but should be more heavily involved in the next meeting.

After starting the week with a limited practice session, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave logged back-to-back full practices ahead of the team's Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Olave suffered a concussion on the Saints' third play from scrimmage in Week 6 and was removed from that game accordingly and sat out last week's defeat at the hands of the Broncos. Olave is set to take the field once again on Sunday but the circumstances surrounding his return leave little hope for a productive day. Derek Carr (oblique) is officially listed as doubtful, leaving Spencer Rattler the projected starter for New Orleans. Also, the Chargers have had one of the best defenses in the league in the first half of the season and are allowing the second-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers. Olave will be at the top of the Saints' depth chart upon his return but he projects as a risky WR3 in Week 8.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney drew six targets from Kirk Cousins last week, the sixth time in eight games he's done so. The 27-year-old hauled in four of them, turning them into 86 yards and a score, his fourth TD of the season. His 59 total targets equate to 22.84% target share and 31.77% of the team's air yards, giving him a solid role in the offense with a reliable floor for fantasy, especially in PPR. In Week 9, the Falcons take on the Cowboys on their home turf, a team that has held receivers somewhat in check by allowing the 12th fewest points to WRs so far this season but have yielded a league-worst 12.6 yards per reception. The Cowboys have allowed 77 points over the last two games combined, this game sports a 51.5 over/under, and Atlanta throws the ball at nearly a 57% clip. All of this is a recipe for involvement from the Falcon pass catchers, making Mooney a low-end WR2 this week.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney led the team with seven targets in Sunday's 31-26 win over the Buccaneers, hauling in five of them for 92 yards and a touchdown. The 26-year-old recorded six or more targets for the sixth time in eight games, giving him a reliable role in this offense, and now has four touchdowns on the year -- although three of them have now come at the expense of the Tampa secondary. The former fifth-round draft pick will take on a Dallas defense that has had trouble slowing teams down lately, so Mooney likely profiles as a WR3 heading into Week 9.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney garnered eight targets last week, the fifth time in seven games that he's totaled six or more looks in a contest. With a 22.84% target share and 31.77% of the team's total air yards, the 26-year-old has a solid role in this offense, giving him a decent weekly floor in fantasy leagues, particularly in PPR. The Falcons will take on the Buccaneers in Week 8, a team that Kirk Cousins roasted for 508 yards through the air back in Week 5, with Mooney having his best performance of the season (9-105-2). While another 16 targets for Mooney likely isn't in the offing, the fifth-year pro will be involved plenty, especially with all the attention Drake London will command. The Bucs have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game and in Week 7 they allowed five passing TDs to the Ravens. The product out of Tulane projects as a high-end WR3 this week with WR2 upside in this enticing matchup.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a banged-up receiving core, making it hard to trust him in a difficult matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Darius Slay is out for the Eagles, which could mean the secondary is weaker than usual. However, with Christian Kirk out for the season and Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis potentially out, the only certain reliable option for Lawrence this week is Evan Engram. Even Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby out of the backfield are questionable. The former top pick is coming off a 308-yard performance against the Green Bay Packers, but it is hard to imagine Lawrence improving on that performance with the surrounding uncertainty. Lawrence can be viewed as a solid QB2 with potential for more if all his weapons play in Week 9.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a good fantasy outing in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The former top pick finished with 21 completions on 32 attempts for 308 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble. The Packers have been one of the top teams and passing defenses in the NFL this year, so this effort from Lawrence and the Jaguars should leave people optimistic about their season going forward. The offense has steadily improved as the season has gone on, especially now that top target Evan Engram has returned from injury and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has developed. Lawrence did lose Christian Kirk for the season with a broken collarbone, but he still has great weapons to continue playing like he did against the Packers. Lawrence and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has looked better of late but might struggle against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Lawrence has averaged just under 15 fantasy points per game this season, which should be his expected output against Jaire Alexander and the stout Packers secondary. Evan Engram, Brian Thomas Jr., and Christian Kirk have all been serviceable weapons for Lawrence and the Jaguars offense, but that hasn't translated to great fantasy success for the former top pick. While the Packers have been one of the top defenses against quarterbacks in fantasy, one reason fantasy managers can be optimistic is that the Chicago Bears have been even better against quarterbacks, who Lawrence put up a solid 17 fantasy points against in Week 6. In a tough Week 8 matchup, Lawrence should be considered a solid QB2 with limited upside.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is not expected to play despite being listed as questionable according to David Newton of ESPN. Head coach Dave Canales noted that the rookie running back is progressing well but is not expected to play this weekend. Brooks was able to participate in full during all of the practices this week which is a great sign for his availability heading into Week 10. The Panthers are opting to exercise caution with their former second-round pick who suffered a torn ACL last November. Brooks remains a high-end stash candidate. Chuba Hubbard should be given another heavy dose of work this weekend and is a viable RB2 in all formats.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) practiced in full for a second straight day, suggesting he is close to making his NFL debut. The rookie is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered at Texas in late November of last year, and with the Panthers struggling to begin the season, he has been eased into action. If Brooks plays against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, he should likely be left on the bench in fantasy football until we get an idea of what his potential workload will be. Chuba Hubbard has been productive as the RB1 for the Panthers, so it would be a surprise if Brooks enters a workhorse role right away. Either way, fantasy managers should monitor his status for Friday's practice and his official game designation which will be announced on Friday afternoon. He could have legitimate RB2 value down the stretch.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) turned in a full practice on Wednesday according to David Newton of ESPN. The former second-round selection has been sidelined throughout his entire rookie career due to a torn ACL he suffered last November. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status going forward but a full practice could suggest he may be nearing his NFL debut. However, the Panthers may opt to exercise extreme caution with their young running back given their position in the standings. For now, Brooks remains a high-end stash option. Chuba Hubbard should be expected to remain as the lead back for the time being,

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday but is listed without an injury designation on the team's final injury report heading into a Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jeudy was one of the beneficiaries of the Jameis Winston era beginning in Cleveland last week as he caught five passes for 79 yards in an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns may have a tougher time passing the ball in Week 9 as their opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts this season. Jeudy is on the map as a flex option this weekend but he is unlikely to post a ceiling game in this tough matchup.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught five of his eight targets for 79 yards in a 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. Jeudy turned in his best game of the season in the upset win of the Ravens, topping his previous season-high in receiving by six yards. The entire Cleveland passing attack benefitted greatly by having Jameis Winston and not Deshaun Watson under center as they set season-highs in points scored and passing yards in the win over their AFC North rivals. Jeudy will be on the map as a flex option heading into Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) practiced fully all week despite being listed on the team's injury report with a knee injury and is without an injury status heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Jeudy failed to take advantage of the trade that sent Amari Cooper to Buffalo last week, catching just one pass for 18 yards in a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He will look to bounce back against a Ravens defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts this season. Jeudy has a chance to turn in a big game thanks to the plus matchup but he should be treated as a WR4 in fantasy heading into the weekend.