By SCOTT FELTS
Welcome to this week’s edition of Sit, Start, Snipe. The trade deadline is today, waivers are processing in a lot of leagues, and four teams are on bye. Let’s get right to it.
Week 9 Recap
The injury wave kept rolling. Puka Nacua went down late against Washington with sprained MCL and PCL ligaments, plus turf toe, and the Rams are expected to place him on IR, sidelining him at least four games.
Josh Jacobs fractured a finger that got caught in a facemask)against New England and needs surgery, and is out for Week 10 at minimum with a trip to the IR possible.
Lamar Jackson remains on IR after thumb surgery that could end his season.
Joe Milton III made his first career start for the Eagles and finished with 169 passing yards plus 64 on the ground in a loss to the Giants.
Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol but stayed inactive for Cleveland; Shedeur Sanders stepped in and threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns in the overtime loss to New Orleans. Cleveland is expected to go back to Watson for Week 10.
Scheduling
There are 14 games this week with four teams on bye: Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay.
The slate opens Thursday night with Washington at the Giants on Prime Video. Sunday morning features the international game, Patriots at Lions in Munich (9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network). The 1 p.m. window is loaded: Chiefs at Falcons, Texans at Browns, Vikings at Packers, Dolphins at Colts, Panthers at Saints, and Jaguars at Titans. Late Sunday sends the Rams to Arizona. Monday night closes with Chargers at Ravens.
If you own any Bears, Broncos, Eagles, or Buccaneers, this is your week to stash streaming options for Week 11.
SIT
QB: Geno Smith, New York Jets (vs. Buffalo).
Tough matchup against a strong Bills defense and a Jets offense that has been inconsistent. Volume is there some weeks, but the floor is low in a game where Buffalo is favored and can force turnovers or limit explosive plays. Stream elsewhere if you have options.
RB: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at Detroit).
Knee concerns and a messy backfield picture with TreVeyon Henderson also dealing with issues. Detroit’s run defense is no freebie, and the committee risk is real. Better to look for cleaner volume elsewhere.
WR: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at Baltimore).
Recent production has been quieter relative to early-season hype, and the Ravens secondary remains a tough draw. A disappointing season so far overall for McConkey. A target share exists, but efficiency and touchdown upside look limited this week. Flex elsewhere if possible.
TE: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at Green Bay)
Green Bay’s defense has been stingy against tight ends, and Hockenson’s production has been inconsistent even when the volume is there. In a tough road matchup against a Packers team that can control the line of scrimmage, the floor looks low and the upside limited. Better streaming or higher-upside options exist this week.
START
QB: Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina).
Solid recent usage and a favorable home matchup against a Panthers defense that has been exploitable. Projections have him in the mid-to-high teens with rushing upside. Not a locked top-five QB, but a reliable fringe starter who should outproduce many streamers this week.
RB: Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina).
Fresh opportunity after a strong snap/touch share in his return and a soft run defense matchup. Carolina has allowed heavy production to opposing backs. Volume looks real enough for flex or RB2 consideration in a game New Orleans should control.
WR: Konata Mumpfield, Los Angeles Rams (at Arizona) or Tutu Atwell if preferred.
With Puka Nacua headed to IR (and Devante Adams already out), the Rams’ remaining receivers step into bigger roles. Mumpfield has already shown big-play ability in limited opportunities and should see an immediate bump in targets. Low-end WR3/flex with upside in a pass-friendly script.
TE: Isaiah Likely, New York Giants (vs. Washington).
Steady target share in a Giants offense that has leaned on the tight end, and a solid home matchup. Safer floor than many pure streamers and enough upside to justify the start in most formats.
SNIPE
QB: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at Cleveland) (rostered in a healthy but not universal percentage of leagues).
Coming off strong recent starts and facing a Browns defense that has shown vulnerability at times. If Watson reclaims the Cleveland job as expected, Houston’s offense still has the weapons to support a solid streaming week. Worth the claim in leagues where he is available.
RB: Corey Kiner, New England Patriots (at Detroit) (very low roster percentage).
Backfield chaos in New England has opened the door. Limited snaps but real opportunity if Stevenson is limited. Cheap speculative add with path to touches in a game that could feature volume.
WR: Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins (at Indianapolis) or Demario Douglas (NE).
Pick your preferred Douglas here. Both have flashed recently with elevated roles and production. The Miami Douglas has led the team in routes and targets in recent action; the Patriots version has put up multiple 15+ point games. Both are low-to-mid rostered options with clear paths to flex value.
TE: Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans) (low roster percentage in many leagues).
He’s a veteran who can still command targets when healthy and involved. Soft enough matchup and desperation streamer appeal if your TE situation is thin. He was on my bench this week and outperformed most of my starters.
Injury reports continue to update throughout the week, as always double-check statuses before line-ups lock. Waivers process early in plenty of leagues, so act accordingly. Good luck out there.