By MIKE HERNDON

The list of curious names that are now starting quarterbacks in the NFL grew even longer this week. We’ve already had Tyson Bagent, P.J. Walker, Josh Dobbs, Tyrod Taylor and Will Levis. This week, we’ll add Jaren Hall. Aidan O’Connell, Taylor Heinicke, and likely Clayton Tune.

If you need to look a few of those names up, we won’t blame you. Hopefully, you won’t be forced to start any of them – except maybe Levis, who tossed four touchdowns in his first start to lead the Titans past Atlanta. But with Kirk Cousins now joining Justin Fields and Deshaun Watson on the sidelines – and Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence and Brock Purdy on their bye week – who knows? Levis, who may only start for a week or two until Ryan Tannehill returns, was a hot waiver wire add this week.

For players we won’t have to turn to Google to identify, here are Week 9’s starts and sits:  

QB:

Starts:

Derek Carr, Saints: He’s had his struggles, but he’s thrown for over 300 yards in his last three games and this week’s opponent, the Bears, allow the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Sits:

Geno Smith, Seahawks: You may not have the luxury of sitting him with the state of the quarterback position these days, but expectations should be tempered on the road against the Baltimore defense.

RB:

Starts:

Breece Hall, Jets: The rushing numbers haven’t been there the last two weeks, but he’s still putting up fantasy numbers with receiving and touchdowns. The Chargers’ soft run D might represent an opportunity to get the rushing numbers back up, too.  

Zack Moss, Colts: The Panthers allow the most fantasy points to running backs in the league. You’re obviously starting Jonathan Taylor in this pristine matchup, but there may be enough to go around for Moss as well. Despite Taylor’s return, he’s had double-digit carries in each of the last two games.

Sits:

Dameon Pierce, Texans: Devin Singletary is starting to eat into his workload and this week’s opponent, Tampa Bay, has allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs. And oh yeah, he missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury.

D’onta Foreman/Roschon Johnson, Bears: If this were a two-man backfield, there might be enough to go around. But it was a three-way split between Foreman, Johnson and Darrynton Evans last week, making none of them playable for fantasy. And the Saints defense is a tough assignment to boot.

WR:

Starts:  

Diontae Johnson, Steelers: In his first game back off IR, he immediately re-established himself as Pittsburgh’s go-to receiver, commanding 14 targets and turning them into eight catches and 85 yards. Tennessee’s pass-funnel defense should give him plenty more opportunities.

Davante Adams, Raiders: Call it a hunch, but with Josh McDaniels fired and Jimmy Garoppolo benched, this might be just the spot for Adams to get right against the Giants. O’Connell fed Adams targets during his one prior appearance when Garoppolo was hurt earlier this season.      

Sits:

Christian Watson, Packers: In the Packers’ two games since the bye, he’s caught three balls each for 27 and 33 yards. With how much Jordan Love is struggling right now, it’s tough to imagine a breakout against the Rams secondary.

Jordan Addison, Vikings: He’s been remarkably consistent this season and he’s reached the end zone seven times, but with Kirk Cousins lost for the year, he’ll be catching passes from Hall, a rookie from BYU making his first NFL start.  

TE:

As always in these trying times, start whoever you can find that’s getting targets. Arizona’s Trey McBride was a popular waiver wire add, but might be a dicey play this week if Kyler Murray isn’t activated from the PUP list and the Cardinals turn to Tune. 

Categories: Fantasy Football