Week 9: Fantasy Football Weekly

Quarterbacks

Robert Griffin IIIwill start this Sunday for the Redskins. He returned ahead of schedule from his dislocated ankle and has a nice matchup against the Vikings. Colt McCoy, who led the team to a win last week in Dallas, will be his backup … Michael Vick has been named the starting QB for the Jets, replacing the woeful Geno Smith. Vick said that he has "to play with some type of control." He fumbled the ball four times in a little more than three quarters last week … Tony Romo is "very questionable" for Sunday's game with a back injury. It is looking like we may see Brandon Weeden under center … According to Browns' head coach Mike Pettine, Johnny Manziel is "frustrated" that he's not starting, but the team doesn't plan to "force the issue"… The Packers' medical staff feels "very confident" about Aaron Rodgers' hamstring. He tweaked it during Green Bay's loss in Week 8 but should have no limitations moving forward … Giants general manager Jerry Reese said the team's offense needs to be more aggressive. Perhaps this will lead to an increase in deep shots from Eli Manning … After suffering a strained shoulder on Sunday, Alex Smith looks like he's good to go against a terrible Jets pass defense. He is listed as probable … The Rams waived Case Keenum this week. He didn't play in a game as the No. 3 QB in St. Louis.

Running Backs

Giovani Bernardwill be sidelined for Week 9, leaving Jeremy Hill to take the lead-back role. Cedric Peerman will be the complementary back. Bernard is nursing hip, rib and collarbone pain, and the Bengals are going to rest him in hopes of getting him back for Thursday's game versus Cleveland … Donald Brownis probable to return this week from a concussion. He is expected to be a mere change-of-pace back behind feature back Branden Oliver. Ryan Mathews is also making progress from his knee injury and practiced Friday. He will most likely come back after the Chargers' Week 10 bye … WhenKhiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas return from injury, Mark Ingram is expected to have a role in "some form of timeshare" in the New Orleans backfield, according to Saints reporter Mike Triplett … Doug Martin is listed as doubtful due to an ankle injury. Bobby Rainey is expected to start this weekend against the Browns. The Bucs are expected to activate rookie RB Charles Sims on Saturday. He should play a major role in Tampa Bay's backfield at some point this season … Isaiah Crowellsaid he hopes to play more this week after getting just one carry in Week 8. Mike Pettine said the RB rotation in Cleveland is decided by the week of practice leading up to the game … Rashad Jennings said the "goal" is to be cleared for Week 10. He has been out since Week 6 due to a knee sprain. Andre Williams will continue to start in his absence … DeAngelo Williams returned to action on Thursday and was the starter for the Panthers. He and Jonathan Stewart each took on eight carries against the Saints … Chris Johnson said that he has "nothing to be excited about or look forward to" as a secondary option in the Jets' backfield. He has fallen way behind Chris Ivory in the pecking order… Ben Tate is blaming his offensive line for his lack of production in the past two games. He says he hasn't had any running lanes … Montee Ball has missed the past three games due to his groin injury and is still not practicing. It's unknown as to when he'll return … Antone Smith will reportedly be fine after suffering a stinger last Sunday … Stepfan Taylor will miss 2-4 weeks with a calf injury. This could lead to more goal-line touches for Andre Ellington… Marcus Lattimore returned to practice this week after a very length recovery from a gruesome knee injury he suffered while in college in 2012. He could be a true fantasy football wildcard in the not-so-distant future.

Wide Receivers

A.J. Greenwill return to action this week and will get a great matchup against the Jaguars. He does not expect to be fully healthy for the rest of this season, but he also believes he can still be very productive … Great news for frustrated Calvin Johnsonowners: Megatron "definitely" plans on returning after his Week 9 bye … Reggie Wayne returned to full practice on Friday, and it looks like he'll be ready to go on Monday night after missing Week 8 due to an elbow injury. On that same WR corps, head coach Chuck Pagano stated that he'd like to get rookie Donte Moncrief as many touches as possible … The Rams' surprise No. 1 WR, Brian Quick, will require season-ending surgery on his shoulder and has been placed on injured reserve … A shock to no one, Mike Wallace is expressing his frustration with the Dolphins' offense yet again … Martavis Bryant split No. 2 WR duties with Markus Wheaton in Week 8. Bryant has received more targets than Wheaton in back-to-back games … Davante Adams has clearly surpassed Jarrett Boykin as the No. 3 WR in Green Bay. The former played 57 more snaps than the latter last week … Brandon Lafell led all Patriots WRs in offensive snaps in Week 8 (60-of-73). He is quickly emerging as the Pats' best fantasy option at WR … Allen Robinson has led all Jags WRs in snaps for three straight weeks … Cordarrelle Pattersonleft the stadium last week in a walking boot, however, his health appears to be fine. He is not on the Week 9 injury report … Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians claimed that John Brown reminds him of a young Marvin Harrison … After missing time for personal reasons, Kenbrell Thompkins was back at practice on Friday and will play Sunday… A.J. Jenkins will continue to see increased snaps this week while Donnie Avery remains out. That would be usually irrelevant, but the Chiefs are playing the Jets this week.

Tight Ends

Jordan Cameron has been ruled out for Week 9 due to a concussion, his third in the past two years. His nightmarish season continues to spiral south … With 83 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night, Jimmy Graham appears to over his shoulder injury … Owen Daniels reportedly moved well in practice on Friday and will be a game-time decision for Sunday night's contest against the Steelers. He has made a quick recovery after undergoing a knee scope on Oct. 24 … In sad news, doctors do not know if Dennis Pitta will ever be able to play football again … Kyle Rudolph continues to sit out of Vikings practice but is still hoping to return in Week 11 following sports hernia surgery … When Marcedes Lewis returns from IR, the Jags will still likely use Clay Harbor and may go to more two-TE sets. Harbor has played well to this point … According to Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, it's "going to be a while" before Zach Miller returns from injury. He underwent ankle surgery in late September.

Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings