Halloween is over and now we are full steam ahead towards Thanksgiving and the fantasy playoffs.  Players continue to get banged up during games and practice, so it is constantly chaotic when it comes to setting lineups and making roster decisions.  It is also important to look at the NFL matchups for the week to determine whether a team is more likely going to let their key players rest if it seems that they can handily defeat an opponent without them (i.e., look at whoever is playing the Bills, Raiders and Giants every week).  So without any further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the 2018 fantasy football emergency room.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR-HOU)

Hopkins was limited in practice on Thursday dealing with a lingering foot injury.  This doesn’t mean anything as Hopkins is a lock to play this weekend and will be an elite option against the Broncos who seem to be playing for next year at this point.  Hopkins has 53 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns making him unquestionably one of the top fantasy wide receivers in the league. 

A.J. Green (WR-CIN)

A.J. Green was in a walking boot earlier this week after he suffered a toe injury late in last week’s game against Tampa Bay.  It is reported that the boot was just a precautionary measure and there is no reason to think he will not be ready to play next week when the Bengals return from their bye.  Green will remain a solid WR1 for Week 10 so GMs can put their minds at ease.   

Tyreek Hill (WR-KC)

Fantasy GMs are still holding their breath about Tyreek Hill who suffered a groin injury last Sunday against Denver.  He returned to practice in a full capacity on Wednesday but then was held to a limited session on Thursday.  We do not know whether this was Kansas City’s plan all along or if he did not respond well to going at full speed.  We should know more after Friday’s practice, but for now GMs should expect him to be on the field this weekend against the Browns in what should be another blowout win for the Chiefs. 

Mike Evans (WR-TB)

Evans has been in and out of practice this week as he is dealing with a knee injury.  He practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday and should be fine to play this weekend against the division rival Panthers.  Evans has thrived with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback and should be able to build off of his 46 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns thus far.  Check back in later today and over the weekend to be sure that Evans will be active on Sunday.

Stefon Diggs (WR-MIN)

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been dealing with a rib injury this week and did not practice on Thursday.  He indicated that he expects to play in Week 9 against the Lions, so there is little reason to doubt him at this point.  The injury is concerning because it is about pain tolerance, but if Diggs claims he is ready to play then Minnesota will want him on the field to continue building on his solid season with 58 catches for 587 yards and four touchdowns.

Melvin Gordon (RB-LAC)

Gordon had the fortune of the bye week to rest and recover from his hamstring injury which cost him a game against the Titans in London.  He has been practicing this week and is expected to play on Sunday against Seattle.  The mystique of the Seahawks’ defense is long gone so Gordon is a must-start RB1 in this matchup where he should thrive both running the ball and catching passes.  If for some reason his status changes or he suffers a setback, then Austin Ekeler enters the mix as a viable RB2. 

Sony Michel (RB-NE)

Michel practiced on Thursday in a limited capacity as he looks to return from a one game absence due to a knee injury.  The Patriots handled the Bills with ease on Monday night without him, but they face a much tougher challenge in the Packers this Sunday night.  It is not clear when we will have clarity on Michel’s status, but things seem to be trending in the right direction for him to return.  Michel is a solid RB2 option if he plays, and James White remains a must-start in PPR leagues either way.  

Cooper Kupp (WR-LAR)

It is expected that Cooper Kupp will return this weekend after missing the last few weeks with a sprained MCL.  This is great news for fantasy GMs who have seen the Rams passing offense slow down a bit in his absence.  Kupp is a solid WR2 option after emerging as one of Jared Goff ’s favorite targets.  He should be in for a huge game in Week 9 against the Saints in what should be a very high scoring game. 

Chris Carson (RB-SEA)

There is some cause for concern for Seahawks running Chris Carson who was limited in practice on Thursday with a hip injury.  This is the same injury which cost him a game earlier this season.  Carson has established himself as a viable RB2 option after rushing for 457 yards and two touchdowns as well as eclipsing the 100-yard mark three times this season.  We should know more about Carson’s status after the team’s practice on Friday, but if Carson cannot play this weekend then will likely see a bulk of the carries against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Corey Davis (WR-TEN)

Davis entered the season as a strong candidate for a breakout season but has failed to live up to those expectations.  He has 30 catches for 395 yards and one touchdown, most of which came in one game earlier this year against Philadelphia.  He was limited at practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury but has the benefit of an extra day to recover with Tennessee playing on Monday night against Dallas.  He should be able to suit up but is nothing more than a WR3 option in deep leagues.

Dalvin Cook (RB-MIN)

The good news is that Cook has been practicing in a limited capacity this week, but we have seen this before.  He has been dealing with a hamstring injury for most of the season but was brought back too quickly earlier in the year and it has cost him the past several games.  The prevailing thought is that the Vikings will wait to bring him back after their bye week, so chances are he will not play this week against Detroit.  Latavius Murray remains a solid RB2 option in Cook’s absence and fantasy GMs will just have to remain patient in order to squeeze any production out of him at all this year. 

Raheem Mostert (RB-SF)

Mostert scored his first career touchdown in Thursday night’s blowout win over Oakland, but he also suffered a horrific fractured arm.  This will likely end Mostert’s season which means Matt Breida will once again have to carry the load while he is still not 100%.  Alfred Morris resumes his backup duties and is only a viable fantasy option if you are in desperate need of an injury replacement or substitute for a bye week.  Mostert rushed for 261 yards and that one touchdown, but he can be dropped in all leagues now. 

Alex Collins (RB-BAL)

Ravens running back Alex Collins did not practice on Thursday officially placing his status for Week 9 in jeopardy.  A lot will depend on what he is able to do on Friday, so GMs should monitor this situation for their RB2 option.  Collins has put up very pedestrian numbers in terms of rushing yards with only 358, but he does have five rushing touchdowns along with one receiving touchdown.  Baltimore also acquired Ty Montgomery at the trade deadline so it is possible he sees a bigger role in his debut with the team if Collins cannot play.

Allen Robinson (WR-CHI)

Robinson has been dealing with a groin injury which kept him out of last week’s game against the Jets.  He has still not been able to practice this week which does not bode well for his availability this coming weekend against the Bills.  Chicago should handily defeat the Bills without Robinson, so there seems to be little reason to rush him back if he is not ready.  Look for Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller to see bigger roles in the Bears offense if Robinson misses another game. 

David Njoku (TE-CLE)

Njoku was not targeted once last week which frustrated fantasy GMs.  Now he is dealing with a knee injury which has limited him in practice this week.  The injury does not appear serious so Njoku is expected to play in Week 9 against the Chiefs.  He should be in for a productive game since Kansas City’s pass defense has been atrocious and the Browns should be throwing the ball all day in an attempt to keep up with the high-scoring Chiefs offense. 

Keke Coutee (WR-TEN)

Keke Coutee was limited in practice on Thursday but appears headed in the right direction to play in Week 9.  Coutee is expected to assume a larger role in the Texans offense after Will Fuller suffered a season-ending knee injury.  We warned you about the possibility of Houston acquiring another wide receiver at the trade deadline, and that did happen when they traded for Demaryius Thomas from Denver.  Even with Thomas in the mix, Coutee should still play a significant role in Houston’s passing attack which has been on fire the past few weeks. 

Khalil Mack (LB-CHI)

Fantasy GMs in IDP leagues would love to have Khalil Mack in the lineup for Week 9 against the hapless Bills.  Unfortunately, this is unlikely going to happen as his status is still up in the air as he tries to recover from an ankle injury.  Mack has 20 tackles with five sacks, one interception return for a touchdown and four forced fumbles on the season making him a great IDP option.  The Bears should easily defeat Buffalo without him, so chances are they give Mack another week to recover.

Derek Anderson (QB-BUF)

The Bills quarterback situation is a disaster that keeps getting worse after journeyman Derek Anderson suffered a concussion and is expected to miss Week 9’s game against the Bears.  He was brought in to replace Nathan Peterman and did not fare any better after throwing for 465 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions over the course of two games.  Peterman will likely be the starter for Buffalo which is great news for GMs who have the Bears defense/special teams.  Peterman has completed less than half of his passes for 108 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.