On a more positive note, there are some previously injured players who are set to make their return in Week 9. After being sidelined since Week 2, Minnesota will bring back quarterback J.J. McCarthy, while the Los Angeles Rams will welcome back star wideout Puka Nacua.

For those hearty souls with an appetite for a post mortem on the Commanders’ 14-38 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, here is my weekly summary of who got playing time, where they lined up, who stepped up (yes,

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart continues to turn heads with his play and was one of Pro Football Focus's eight rookies to not only finish with an overall grade of at least 73.0, but he was also credited as having the best first-round rookie quarterback outing despite the Giants' Week 9 loss to the 49ers.

This provides a great example of the power of under-center play action: Just the slightest step forward by Tyrel Dodson (No. 25) and Jordyn Brooks (No. 20) allowed Charlie Kolar to get down the seam, a throw Jackson loves.

The release makes no mention of the comparison to last year’s Week 9 audience. And for good reason. Even without the Nielsen Big Data + Panel bump, Bucs-Chiefs in Week 9 2024 averaged 20.6 million. That makes this year’s Week 9audience a 21.4-percent reduction from Week 9 a year ago.

However, Cleveland Browns rookie Dylan Sampson is a viable boom-or-bust play in PPR leagues only. While Sampson is firmly behind starter Quinshon Judkins on the depth chart and often plays behind Jerome Ford as well, Cleveland may look to get him more reps coming out of the bye.

In Week 9, they came out of the gate sluggishly after their bye, scoring just three points in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders, thanks to an NFL-record 68-yard field goal from Cam Little. Thankfully, they were able to turn it on after the intermission, leading to a roaring fourth-quarter comeback and a clutch, one-point win in overtime.

Brock Bowers returned to the lineup with the best fantasy performance of any player this year. He and Rico Dowdle are two of the hottest names in fantasy as the playoff push heats up.

Thursday night’s Raiders-Broncos game kicked off Week 10, which means we’re officially past the midway point of the 2025 NFL season. The 49ers named Mac Jones as the starter for the sixth consecutive game and the eighth time this season. Starter Brock Purdy is questionable to serve as the backup as he grows closer to returning from turf toe.

This story was originally published in A to Z Sports Cincinnati Bengals, as Bengals Week 9 Snap Counts: Chase Brown seizes increased volume as backfield partner suffers injury. Related: Zac Taylor's bold decision comes as no surprise when considering his own job security