NFL Week 9 inactives and fantasy tips: Drake Maye cleared, Packers expect Jordan Love to play

Welcome to the Week 9 NFL fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop-shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates Thursday through Sunday to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions.

The latest NFL news and headlines

Last updated: 8:30 p.m. ET, Nov. 2

Injury news | Weather report
Flex Fliers | Fantasy football player rankings
Featured games | Week 9 best bets

Injury news

Updated through 8:30 p.m. ET, Nov. 2

Sunday 1 p.m.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders (ribs) — Expected to play
After a game-time-decision start/Hail Mary miracle in Week 8, Daniels is expected to play in the Commanders’ matchup with the Giants. Terry McLaurin (Ciely’s WR11) could have a big game against a Giants team ranked 23rd in passing yards per game (223.5), according to TruMedia.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (back/knee) — Expected to play
Jackson returned to practice Friday and is expected to play. Coach John Harbaugh indicated Jackson was simply resting on Wednesday when he did not practice, but then he was also out Thursday, causing concern. But he should be good to go against Denver.

Derek Carr, QB, Saints (oblique) — Expected to play
Carr is expected to return in Week 9, which could buoy the Saints’ receiving corps … whatever’s left of it. WR1 Chris Olave had 107 yards receiving last week with QB Spencer Rattler under center and should see high usage again. WRs Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. did not practice Wednesday and are questionable heading into the week, tentatively giving WR Mason Tipton the WR2 role.

Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins (foot) — Expected to play
Hill was limited in Thursday’s practice but is expected to play, according to Ian Rapoport at NFL.com. QB Tua Tagovailoa needs both Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the field to stand a chance against Josh Allen and the Bills.

Drake Maye, QB, Patriots (concussion) — Expected to play
Maye has cleared concussion protocol and is available for Week 9. RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR DeMario Douglas, and TE Hunter Henry are all healthy, and while Patriots players have not been fantasy stalwarts, Week 9 offers the opportunity for decent production against the Titans.

Will Levis, QB, Titans (shoulder) — Questionable
Not much changes for fantasy players if Levis is available in Week 9. Levis’ dismal 70.7 passer rating bests only recently-benched Colts QB Anthony Richardson.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans (shoulder) — Expected to play
Ridley began the week on the injury report but is expected to play. Ridley had a massive Week 8, with 143 receiving yards. But that’s the first time he’s eclipsed 100 yards all season.

Tony Pollard, RB, Titans (foot) — Questionable
Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans (hamstring) — Out
Spears is out, and Pollard is questionable for the Titans in Week 9. With Spears out, Pollard should see the bulk of the carries; Ciely has him as RB18 this week, making him a viable option against the Pats.

Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals (quadriceps) — Doubtful
Higgins is doubtful to play against the Raiders in Week 9. Next-man-up WR Andrei Iosivas had zero receptions the past two weeks, so if Higgins is out, move on from Bengals receivers outside of Ja’Marr Chase (obviously).

Zack Moss, RB, Bengals (neck) — Doubtful
After missing Friday’s practice with a neck injury, Moss is doubtful for Week 9. Without Moss, Chase Brown’s fantasy prospects this week skyrocket.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Giants (concussion) — Expected to play
Tracy suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter in last week’s matchup against the Steelers but is expected to play in Week 9 after clearing protocol. Tracy appears to be the lead back in New York after handling 20 carries in Week 8 compared to Devin Singletary’s two.

Amari Cooper, WR, Bills (wrist) — Questionable
Cooper is a game-time decision heading into Week 9. Allen’s top targets in Week 8 were WRs Khalil Shakir (10), Keon Coleman (7), and TE Dalton Kincaid (7). For the Bills matchup against Miami, Ciely has Shakir as WR29, Coleman as WR30, and Kincaid as TE8.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers (ankle) — Expected to play
Johnston hasn’t played since Week 6, leaving targets galore for rookie WR Ladd McConkey, who has excelled in Johnston’s absence. But with Johnston expected to play, McConkey may come down to earth some; however, Ciely still has the rookie at WR23 this week.

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers (knee) — Out
Brooks is out for at least another week. Whenever he debuts, Chuba Hubbard’s fantasy value will suffer.

Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers (hamstring) — Out
Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers (toe) — Questionable
Thielen, who has been on injured reserve, was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice but has been designated out for Week 9. With Diontae Johnson off to the Ravens and Thielen out, the Panthers will rely on heavily Legette, given he’s available.

Sunday 4 p.m.

Jordan Love, QB, Packers (groin) — Questionable
Love is officially listed as questionable but is expected to start in Week 9. However, if Malik Willis plays, the Packers will lean heavily on Josh Jacobs (questionable, Ciely’s RB16) and Willis’ favorite target Jayden Reed (RB19). Reed is the only player to have over 100 receiving yards with Willis in the game, so beware of Packers receivers if Love isn’t available.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers (ankle) — Questionable
Jacobs was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. While he’s likely to play, backup RB Emanuel Wilson would be next in line for carries. If Love and Jacobs are unable to go and Willis is under center, Wilson could see heavy usage.

DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks (knee) — Out
Metcalf has been ruled out for the second week in a row. Wide receivers Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will share the targets left behind by Seattle’s WR1.

Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jaguars (hamstring) — Questionable
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jaguars (ankle) — Questionable
Etienne and Bigsby practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday. If the two backs are available, they will likely share carries in the backfield. Bigsby has a respectable 5.8 yards per carry on the season and has done well in Etienne’s absence.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars (chest) — Questionable
Thomas was limited in Thursday’s practice. Tight end Evan Engram, along with WRs Gabe Davis (questionable) and Parker Washington, could absorb Thomas’ targets if misses time.

Puka Nacua, WR, Rams (knee) — Questionable
Nacua suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s practice, on the same knee he injured earlier this year. While he is officially questionable at this time, Nacua is expected to be available for Week 9.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles (hamstring) — Out
Goedert hasn’t played since Week 6 and hasn’t logged a full game since Week 5. Grant Calcaterra is the next man up and had 58 yards receiving last week. The TE position has been a thorn in the sides of fantasy players this year, but Calcaterra still isn’t likely to start on many rosters.

Monday Night

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs (quadriceps) — Expected to play
Hunt was limited in Thursday’s practice but is expected to play. Since joining the Chiefs, Hunt has been the lead back, no questions asked. Backup RB Carson Steele has had 15 carries to Hunt’s 84 since Week 4. Samaje Perine has only had seven carries in that time.

Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers (toe) — Questionable
Irving isn’t practicing on Friday. Tampa Bay’s backfield has become a two- to three-headed monster with Irving and Rachaad White solidified in the committee. In Week 8, Irving had nine carries, averaging 4.9 yards per rush, while White had six carries and averaged 4.8 yards per rush. Sean Tucker only had two carries, but he’ll see more work in Week 9 if Irving can’t play Monday night.

Week 9 fantasy football flex fliers

Scott Engel’s weekly guide to last-minute free agent additions.

Mike Gesicki, TE, CIN (20% rostered): Gesicki has been a fantasy tease for seven seasons. His size and athletic ability should translate into quality fantasy production, yet he has annually landed on the waiver wire. Week 9 is a good week to stream him, though.

Get Ciely’s full Week 9 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections.

The weather once again has a limited impact on the NFL slate this week. The only game impacted by rain is in Green Bay when the Packers host the Lions on Sunday afternoon.

According to Rotowire, there is a 92 percent chance for rain heading into the Week 9 Packers-Lions matchup. The temperature remains mild at 55 degrees.

Detroit Lions (6-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (6-2)

Jared Goff has played three games in the rain, and in those games, his completion percentage averaged 56.8 compared to 65.1 percent without rain. While that’s significant, these are career numbers, and Goff’s consistency has improved since joining the Lions. He has an overall passer rating of 98.4 and a completion percentage of 67.3 percent with the Lions, compared to 91.5 and 63.4 percent, respectively, when not on the team. Jake Ciely has Goff as QB14 for Week 9, and he’s still a viable fantasy play.

Rain could mean more groundwork for Detroit’s backfield tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs (RB7) and David Montgomery (RB20). Gibbs has already amassed seven touchdowns and 745 net yards on the season while averaging 19.4 PPR points per game, which puts him at RB7 for the year. Montgomery is not far behind at RB11 with 16.2 PPR points per game, eight touchdowns and 556 net yards.

Love has only one rain game under his belt since entering the league, but he did very well, throwing for four touchdowns, one interception and 258 yards while finishing with a passer rating of 119.5 and a completion percentage of 68.8 percent. The Packers expect that he’ll play on Sunday, but even so, rain may mean more reliance on Josh Jacobs (questionable), given he, too, is available.

Wondering what the weather impact is on fantasy production? Jake Ciely has you covered like a poncho in rainy season.

Featured games

Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game.

• Venue: Lambeau Field — Green Bay, Wis.
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox
• Streaming: Fubo (try for free)

Jared Goff and the Lions enter this NFC North matchup against Green Bay as favorites. Packers QB Jordan Love’s (groin) Week 9 status is unknown, and Goff has the highest passer rating (155.0) in a four-game span (Weeks 4-8, Week 5 bye) in a single season in NFL history (TruMedia). Love is currently questionable, but the Packers expect that he’ll start. Once his status becomes official, the odds could shift slightly, but with the possibility of Malik Willis under center, Detroit has the advantage.

Coming off a 52-14 win over the Titans, in which Goff threw for only 85 yards, the Lions look like a complete team that can rely on running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, along with their special teams unit, when the game script demands it. With a top-tier WR in Amon-Ra St. Brown (16.6 PPR points per game, 9th overall) and TE Sam LaPorta, the Lions have options.

Still, Packers coach Matt LaFleur is up for any challenge and has proved his coaching prowess this year, winning games with Willis under center. With Josh Jacobs (Ciely’s RB16) in the backfield and WRs Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs available for quick slants and deep passes, the Packers aren’t short on weapons. Throw in tight end Tucker Kraft (TE9), and Green Bay has more than a chance to win.

Read the full preview (coming Sunday).

Sunday night

Indianapolis Colts (4-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)

• Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, Minn.
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (try for free)

Desperate for a win, the Colts have benched QB Anthony Richardson, the franchise’s future, in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Richardson came into the league with raw talent — a huge arm, the ability to run, and the potential to make niche throws — but nearly no high-level experience. His development is now officially on hold because the AFC South offers a path to the playoffs, but not with Richardson’s inefficiency (44.4 percent completion percentage, 57.2 passer rating).

Colts wide receivers, especially Josh Downs, have performed better with Flacco under center. Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., and maybe even Alec Pierce (in deep leagues) are viable flex options for Week 9. With Flacco in, Downs averages 9.67 targets, 68.67 receiving yards and 18.53 PPR points per game. If the Colts had consistent quarterback play, Downs could be a top-10 fantasy WR with those numbers. But even with Jonathan Taylor (Ciely’s RB9) in the backfield, the Vikings are heavily favored in this one.

Vikings QB Sam Darnold is a Comeback Player of the Year candidate but struggles under pressure. After starting the season with five wins, Minnesota has dropped its last two. The Vikings’ offensive line lost Christian Darrisaw but traded for Cam Robinson earlier this week. If Robinson can acclimate quickly, Darnold may be okay, and having WR Justin Jefferson as a target helps offset other offensive deficiencies. Fantasy football’s WR5 (19.4 PPR points per game), Jefferson has solidified himself as one of the league’s best, and with T.J. Hockenson’s expected return, Darnold may be able to unload shorter passes more effectively.

But the Colts’ biggest weakness is their rush defense, which ranks 30th in rush yards per game. RB Aaron Jones should find plenty of holes during this contest, and the odds likely have this one right.

Read the full preview (coming Sunday).

Monday night

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)

• Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, Mo.
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, ABC
• Streaming: Fubo (try for free)

Can the Patrick Mahomes-led, Travis Kelce-true Chiefs go undefeated this season? Off to a 7-0 start, the Chiefs are favored over the Bucs by more than a touchdown. Mahomes has struggled this year, but Kansas City recently acquired DeAndre Hopkins, who could inspire this middling offense. For his part, TE Kelce has had over 15 PPR points in three of his last four games and looks truer to top form as the season continues. The Chiefs have already lost many weapons — Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Isiah Pacheco, Rashee Rice — but coach Andy Reid finds ways to win each week.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is running out of receivers, as WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain out this week. Rookie Jalen McMillan, second-year pro Trey Palmer and TE Cade Otton are now Mayfield’s top targets. By now, Otton is likely unavailable in free agency, but if you have him, start him. In Weeks 7 and 8, he’s put up 18.0 and 29.1 PPR points, respectively, and Ciely has him as TE4 this week.

Mahomes and Mayfield lead the league’s quarterbacks in interceptions, but Mahomes has an advantage in Week 9 against the Bucs’ bottom-dwelling defense, ranking near the bottom of the league in nearly all categories, including total yards per game allowed, passing yards per game allowed, and yards per play allowed.

On the other hand, Kansas City’s defense, led by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, is responsible for many Chiefs’ wins. Mayfield and the three-headed running back committee — Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker — could have a tough time scoring against a defense that ranks 5th in yards per game allowed and 2nd in rushing yards allowed. Think twice before you play these Bucs’ backs.

Read the full preview (coming Monday).

Week 9 best bets

Austin Mock scours his weekly projections to spot the top values on the board.

Bet picked Thursday: Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals under 47 (-110)

I don’t know what the identity of this Raiders offense is, but I do know that it isn’t very good. If there is an offense that I think this putrid Bengals defense can stop, it might be the Raiders. Forty-seven is a key number here, and any move off this price is not worth a play, so pay attention to what price you’re getting.

— Mock

• Worst price to bet: Under 47 (-115)

See all of Mock’s best bets for Week 9.