Quarterback rankings for Week 9 fantasy football

Final Friday injury report

The Jaguars have ruled out Gardner Minshew due to a thumb injury and will start Jake Luton. The Cowboys have placed Andy Dalton on the Covid-19 IR and are expected to start Garrett Gilbert. We’re still awaiting final word on Sam Darnold’s status, but Adam Gase has said he’ll play on Monday.

Thursday injury report

Drew Brees was limited on Thursday again, so his Friday status will be critical this week. The odds seem to favor him playing, but it would be good to see him get a full practice in. Matthew Stafford continues to test negative for Covid-19, which gives him a chance to play this Sunday. Cooper Rush and Garrett Gilbert continue to battle for the right to take on the Steelers, yeesh. Gardner Minshew misses practice, but is already considered out and Jake Luton will start.

Wednesday injury report

The biggest news is that Matthew Stafford was placed on the Covid-19 injured reserve list as a high risk close contact. Due to the timing of it, if he has no positive tests this week, he can return in time for Sunday’s game. He won’t be able to practice with the team all week, but will be able to attend meetings virtually.

Elsewhere, the Jaguars are switching to Jake Luton this week. Minshew is dealing with a thumb injury but there has been talk of a change for a while now. Otherwise, we’re just keeping an eye out for Brees’ shoulder. He should be fine, but it’s a new addition worth tracking.

DNP: Gardner Minshew (thumb)
Limited: Drew Brees (shoulder)
Full: Teddy Bridgewater (neck), Josh Allen (left shoulder)

Week 8 brought us seven passers with three or more touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes was the clear fantasy winner with 416 yards and five touchdowns though. Playing the Jets can give anyone a boost and when Mahomes gets a boost, watch out.

Lamar Jackson was stifled by the Steelers again. His numbers are way down from his MVP 2019, as he sits at QB10 in fantasy points per game. He was never going to duplicate his huge numbers from last season, but there is still time for him to push his way back into the Top 5. Finishing the fantasy season with Dallas, Cleveland, Jacksonville and the New York Giants could be the recipe for a big fantasy finish.

Injury news

Jimmy Garoppolo is going to I.R. after re-injuring his ankle. Nick Mullens should get the start this Thursday against the Packers, but will be without George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Tevin Coleman among others.

Andy Dalton is out against the Steelers after going on the Covid-19 list. Ben DiNucci has been demoted, so it will be between Garrett Gilbert and Cooper Rush, who will compete for the job. The Steelers D/ST is a coveted commodity in fantasy this week.

Gardner Minshew is out with a hand injury. Jake Luton appears to be the starter in a good matchup with the Texans.

Week 9 byes: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles

No Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff or Carson Wentz this week for your fantasy lineups. Amazingly, Burrow is the biggest loss of those four, but overall it’s a light bye week for stud quarterbacks.

Streaming options

Drew Lock, Broncos

Streaming quarterbacks against the Falcons has been a mostly productive endeavor this season. Only the Seahawks have allowed more fantasy points to the position. Lock is coming off a productive fantasy game against the Chargers, where he tossed three touchdowns and could get Tim Patrick back

Cam Newton, Patriots

Newton has been hot garbage, but he still manages to put up a high floor due to his rushing ability. This week he gets the Jets and you can’t ask for a much better matchup.