After several four-team byes, NFL fans will be treated to a simple two-team bye in Week 9.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans will be the two teams that get the week off. That will leave fantasy managers searching for replacements for the likes of Jaylen Warren, Tony Pollard and DK Metcalf, among others, but there should be extra streaming depth with 30 of the league's teams in action.
Of course, the bigger issue for many fantasy football managers will be finding a replacement for Lamar Jackson. The star quarterback lasted just one snap in his return from an ankle injury before suffering a thumb injury that could be season-ending.
Luckily, a couple of great-looking streaming options are available this week for fantasy managers to target
on the waiver wire.
Who can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season? USA TODAY Sports outlines eight players to start and eight to sit:
Fantasy football players to start in Week 8
Quarterbacks
- Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins (vs. Detroit Lions)
Willis is starting to round into form for the Dolphins and has scored multiple touchdowns in three consecutive games. During that span, he has averaged 37.7 rushing yards per game, which will raise his floor in most matchups. The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season, so Willis should be positioned to have a strong showing in what figures to be a favorable, high-scoring matchup.
- Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
The Cardinals are one of just three NFL teams to allow 18 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, along with the Lions and the Las Vegas Raiders. Unsurprisingly, Arizona has allowed a league-high 29.8 because of that, so Darnold should be positioned for a nice outing in which he could toss multiple touchdowns.
Running backs
- Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns (at New Orleans Saints)
Judkins has been boom-or-bust as a touchdown-dependent fantasy option, but he should be poised for a good outing against the Saints. New Orleans has allowed the most FPPG to running backs this season, including a league-high 11 rushing touchdowns to the position. With that in mind, Judkins should be able to find his way into the end zone.
- Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos (at Carolina Panthers)
Coleman took on a lion's share of Denver's backfield touches in Week 9, posting 104 total yards and a touchdown on 15 touches (11 carries, four receptions). The rookie should continue in that role and has a great matchup against a Panthers defense that has allowed the second-most FPPG to running backs this season.
Wide receiver
- Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins (vs. Detroit Lions)
As mentioned, the Lions have been weak against the pass this year. If we're recommending to start Willis, then Douglas should get a nod too, as the rookie has notched six receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns in two games since returning from an early-season ankle injury.
- Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Houston Texans)
Trusting McConkey may seem risky, given that Justin Herbert has struggled under pressure this season. That said, the Texans are allowing the second-most FPPG to receivers this season and McConkey is fresh off a four-catch, 86-yard outing that was one of his best of the season. He should be in line for a solid showing against the Texans.
Tight end
- Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (at Atlanta Falcons)
Gesicki has scored in five consecutive games and six of the seven he has played this season. Joe Burrow has thrown 13 touchdown passes over his last three games, so Gesicki should continue to have high touchdown upside regardless of his opponent.
Defense/special teams
- Jacksonville Jaguars (at Baltimore Ravens)
The Jaguars are playing the Ravens on a short week. Baltimore is expected to start third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie, after injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Fagnano completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and an interception while being sacked three times against the Bills. The Jaguars should pressure him into numerous mistakes while their top-ranked run defense should be able to bottle up Derrick Henry.
Fantasy football players to sit in Week 8
Quarterbacks
- Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (vs. Denver Broncos)
Young has regressed over the last two weeks after a torrid start to the season, completing just 54.4% of his passes for 372 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions during Carolina's two-game losing skid. The main issue? Young has been pressured a lot in those contests, and he has just a 64 passer rating when pressured compared to 106.3 when kept clean, per Pro Football Focus. The Broncos rank fifth in pressure rate league-wide, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats, so they should be able to limit Young in this favorable spot.
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at Carolina Panthers)
The Panthers have a banged-up secondary, but it still won't be easy to justify starting Nix. The Broncos quarterback has looked better recently, throwing for exactly 222 yards in back-to-back games and scoring twice in each. Still, the Panthers are typically more susceptible against the run, so Nix has a lower ceiling than most streaming options this week.
Running backs
- Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders (at San Francisco 49ers)
Can you really trust Jeanty after the Raiders gave him just two carries against the Jets while giving Mike Washington Jr. a whopping 25? Jeanty will remain productive as a receiver, but his uncertain between-the-tackles workload makes it hard to trust the former first-round pick, especially against a 49ers defense allowing just 3.6 yards per carry to running backs this season. It's better to wait and see if Jeanty's decrease in carries was a punishment for trash-talking the Jets before Week 8 or a sign of things to come in Klint Kubiak's running back rotation.
- Breece Hall, New York Jets (at Kansas City Chiefs)
Hall seems likely to return from a nagging quad injury this week, but he gets a tough matchup against a Chiefs defense that has largely bottled up opposing running backs this season. Hall may also be splitting carries with Braelon Allen, who has thrived in his stead, so this doesn't seem like an ideal spot to trust him.
Wide receivers
- Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (at Seattle Seahawks)
Wilson finally had a breakout game for the first time since Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded, generating eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. He'll have a much tougher matchup against a Seahawks team that has been excellent against receivers this year, especially after Wilson suffered a couple of broken ribs on his touchdown catch.
- Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (at Kansas City Chiefs)
Mitchell just logged seven catches for 142 yards a touchdown against the Raiders in Week 8. He gets a much tougher matchup in Week 9 against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the second-fewest FPPG to receivers this season. Add in that Omar Cooper Jr. could also siphon targets from him and Mitchell may be a hit-or-miss play each week.
Tight end
- Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (at Minnesota Vikings)
Kincaid scored a touchdown last week for the first time since Week 2, but he will be hard-pressed to repeat that feat against the Vikings. Minnesota has yet to allow a receiving touchdown to tight ends this season, so Kincaid figures to be limited.
Defense/special teams
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. Buffalo Bills)
No NFL team has allowed fewer points per game than the Vikings (13.3). No NFL team has scored more points per game than the Bills (33.3). Something will give in this matchup, but if there's one quarterback that's built to beat Brian Flores' pressure-happy scheme, it's Josh Allen.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 9
