The NFL is back for Week 9, and we’re picking up after a fun Thursday Night Football that saw a late comeback by the Cardinals come up short against the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo had the best game of his young career, with a career high four touchdowns. Kyler Murray had a great game in his own right, throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns and adding 34 rushing yards.

We get a nearly balanced schedule of football thanks to an early London game. The Texans and Jaguars are underway as we speak after a 9:30 a.m. kickoff. We get six games in the 1:00 p.m. slot and then four more in the 4:05/4:25 p.m. slot. Considering it’s often nine and three or something off like that, we’ll take it!

This week’s byes include the Bengals, Falcons, Rams, and Saints. That removes some notable receivers like Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, and Cooper Kupp. We’ll also be without Drew Brees. The off week will give players like Matt Ryan, Alvin Kamara, A.J. Green, and Brandin Cooks extra time to get healthy.

There are plenty of notable names on the injury reports and lineups will be dependent on 11:30 a.m. inactives. Davante Adams in a later game is a big one, while Patrick Mahomes appears to be unlikely to play after some last minute Ed Werder buzz that he might. The Patriots have several questionable players and are not playing until Sunday Night Football, so we’ll be looking for any info we can scratch out.

If you’re trying to figure out your fantasy football lineups, this information is critical to getting the right players in the right spots. If you’ve got key players in the Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football slots, you’re looking for any grain of information that will help you make the decision early rather than waiting until it’s too late tonight or tomorrow night.

We’re all figuring out last minute roster decisions, and that means not only who is not playing this week, but who is playing but might not be the best start in your Week 9 fantasy football lineup. We’ll provide updates on injuries, key start/sit decisions, and more leading up to kickoffs.

Patriots-Ravens inactives

The Patriots will have Julian Edelman, James White, and Rex Burkhead all active. Rookie receiver is inactive in his first game on the 53-man roster. The Ravens will have wide receiver Marquise Brown active, and importantly for their defense, cornerback Jimmy Smith.

Cameron Brate active

The Bucs tight end is active after entering the day as questionable with a rib injury. He sat out Wednesday practice, was limited on Thursday, and then full on Friday. O.J. Howard was already out due to his hamstring injury, so the Bucs wanted to avoid being down another option. Seattle has struggled against tight ends, so Brate offers some upside at a weak tight end position.

Davante Adams officially ACTIVE

The Packers released their inactives report and wide receiver Davante Adams will be active and playing vs. the Chargers.

Davante Adams reportedly starting at WR

NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington reports that he has it from a high-level source that Adams is good to go against the Chargers. He’s obviously Aaron Rodgers’ favorite receiver and as long as he’s playing, he is a fantasy start. He could see plenty of top cornerback Casey Hayward, but he has won in tough matchups before. There is some reason to be apprehensive but he looks like a good WR2 play this week.

Zach Pascal, Chester Rogers starting at WR with T.Y. Hilton out

The Colts will be without wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, and will start Zach Pascal and Chester Rogers, according to beat writer Stephen Holder. Pascal had been starting opposite Hilton prior to the injury. Holder expects extensive rotation at the wide receiver spots. Pascal is an intriguing start, but otherwise it’s tough to say who other than tight ends Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron and running backs Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines will see regular targets.

1:00 p.m. inactives report

Active

WR Adam Thielen
WR DeSean Jackson
TE Chris Herndon

Inactive

QB Patrick Mahomes
QB Case Keenum
RB Chris Thompson
RB James Conner
WR T.Y. Hilton
TE Vernon Davis

Packers operating as though Davante Adams will play

The Packers are optimistic Adams will play Sunday afternoon, according to Ian Rapoport. He tweeted the Packers will put Adams through a pre-gam workout, “but they are planning as if Adams will be back.” If he returns, that decreases the value for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Allen Lazard and Jake Kumerow. Lazard and Kumerow have been more productive in stretches than MVS and Allison, but it’s hard to tell who would get the snaps and targets behind Adams in Week 9.

Patrick Mahomes not expected to play

Ed Werder tweeted on Saturday that there was a chance Mahomes might be able to play. Adam Schefter squashed that report Sunday morning. Matt Moore is expected to start, with a recently activated Chad Henne as his backup.

Optimism DeSean Jackson will play

The Eagles wide receiver has been out since suffering an abdomen injury in Week 2, but he appears close to returning. He is pushing to return, and head coach Doug Pederson is optimistic about his chances, according to Ian Rapoport. He’ll likely get a look in pre-game warmups before a formal decision is made.

James White toe injury described as minor

The Patriots running back was added to the injury report on Friday with a toe issue and listed as questionable. Ian Rapoport described it as very minor, which suggests that even though White is listed as questionable, fantasy owners should plan on him playing Sunday evening against the Ravens.

Curtis Samuel expected to play

The Panthers expect to have Samuel on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport. He was a DNP on Wednesday and Friday and was a full participant on Thursday. It’s not ideal, but if he’s active, he’s a solid start at home against the Titans.