🥶 The League's Best WR Dodges A Bullet

 I guess the Bengals miss Ja'Marr Chase...

In today’s Fantasy Life Newsletter presented by PFF.

There was a moment during Sunday's Rams-Niners game where it looked like Cooper Kupp might have suffered a severe leg injury.

After collectively holding our breaths, we got the great news yesterday that Kupp only suffered a low-ankle sprain and is likely to play Sunday vs. the Bucs.

I don't even want to imagine what a dumpster fire the Rams (and our fantasy teams) would be without Kupp on the field, so praise the fantasy gods for taking it easy on us with this one.

There were a few other notable injury updates, as well...

🚑 Rashod Bateman will miss a few weeks

Bateman suffered a foot injury in Thursday's night game vs. the Bucs, and there is now concern that he might be placed on IR. It's shaping up to be another lost season for the promising WR. Devin Duvernay and perhaps the rookie TE (more on him below) will need to step up in his absence.

The Ravens seem like prime candidates to trade for a WR before today's deadline or sign a veteran like Odell Beckham. 

🚑 Irv Smith has a high ankle sprain

We don't have official word on the timeline yet, but Smith is expected to miss some time after a teammate rolled up on his ankle during Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals.

If the MRI reveals a multi-week absence, you are safe to cut him in all but the deepest of leagues.

🚑 Mark Ingram has a MCL sprain

Ingram was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and is likely out 3-4 weeks. Dwayne Washington (4-13 on Sunday) looks like your Alvin Kamara handcuff for now.

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Each week during the season, Cooterdoodle walks us through the fantasy trade market from a buy, hold, sell perspective...

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BUY

 🛒 Rashid Shaheed

I’m tired of waiting for Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry. 

While they heal up, I’m swinging for the fences. To be clear, Rashid Shaheed is not a safe bet with Chris Olave & Alvin Kamara carrying the Saints' offense. But he is available in most leagues and has scored in two out of three games. 

Coming up, the Saints face juicy matchups against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, who are both giving up plenty of passing yards per game to make Shaheed more enticing. 

Monitor Thomas and Landry’s health, but I’m personally putting some FAAB down on Shaheed this week.

 🛒 Donovan Peoples-Jones

I have to break the magic and show you behind the Fantasy Life curtain: this is being written before MNF. Currently, DPJ stands out alongside Diontae Johnson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as WRs this season with the most total yards without a TD. The difference between these three players is that the Steelers don’t score often and the Chiefs have too many mouths to feed. 

The Browns are trusting DPJ through the air, and he’s logged 70 or more yards in three of his last four games. With the Browns on BYE in Week 9, you may find DPJ on waivers or at a low cost.

Post MNF update: DPJ had another great game bringing in 4 targets for 81 yards. 

 SELL

🛒 Najee Harris

Look, I know you drafted him early, but I’m ready to cut ties with Harris and the Steelers in general. Not only does QB Daniel Jones have more rushing yards than Harris this year, but Pittsburgh is tied for 31st in team TDs per game (1.4). 

On a scale of 1 to Pete Davidson, the Steelers are a 1; They just aren’t scoring. At this point in the season, I don’t have time to hope things might change. I’m moving on, and I think you should, too. Try to bundle Harris and upgrade at the position.

SELL/ HOLD

🛒 Isaiah Likely

Likely played well in the absence of Mark Andrews in Week 8, logging 77 yards and a TD. However, Baltimore faces a stingy Saints defense in Week 9 and are on BYE Week 10, which makes Likely less exciting. 

As with any Buy, Sell, Hold recommendation, you have to look at the context of your specific team. This could be your sell-high window while leaguemates try to chase ‘the next Mark Andrews’. However, If you’ve got no TE to replace Likely with, I could understand wanting to see this through in the event that Andrews’ injury lingers.

🤮 Week 8 TE usage. Trigger warning.

🚨 TRADE ALERT. The Ravens make a big move.

📣 Does your fantasy team need 1-to-1 attention? Join us on AMP at 4 pm ET to get your fantasy questions answered!

📅 When can we expect to see Kadarius Toney in action? Andy Reid has the update.

😍 Hopkins is fully back, and we love to see it. Pat Kerrane breaks it down on the RotoWorld Football Show

❌ If you drafted Najee Harris, do not click this link. Seriously, this for everyone else.

🐻 You need to pick up this RB if he's on your waiver wire. Run, don't walk. 

👀 DeAndre Hopkins is coming for the ageists. Lol.

Waivers are a crucial component of fantasy football, and nabbing the next league winner ahead of your leaguemates can help you edge out that title. Each Tuesday, Sam Wallace will highlight players to target in your redraft leagues. 

These players are rostered in most leagues, but would be priority adds over anyone mentioned in this column if available in your league:

• Khalil Herbert (Available in 36% of leagues)

• Kenyan Drake(Available in 69% of leagues)

➕ RB Justice Hill

• Available in 96% of leagues

Injuries are starting to pile up for the Ravens once again. RB JK Dobbins is already on Injured Reserve, and No. 2 RB Gus Edwards left Thursday's game with a hamstring injury and did not return. RBs Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill are next in line.

Hill has been one of the more efficient backs this season. Despite seeing limited carries each week, he’s averaged more than five yards per carry in all but one game this season. That level of efficiency and explosiveness could serve him well if he’s called to shoulder a larger load next week.

• FAAB: 15%

➕ WR Demarcus Robinson

• Available in 100% of leagues

Remember the injuries I just mentioned? Yeah, they’re also hitting the pass catchers. WR Rashod Bateman and TE Mark Andrews also failed to finish the Thursday night game. In their stead, veteran WR Demarcus Robinson had his best game of the season. His 49 snaps (PFF) tied a season-high and represented the third time in four games he topped 45 snaps. Keep an eye on injury reports over the next week.

FAAB: 15%

➕ WR Kalif Raymond

• Available in 99% of leagues

WR Raymond is making the most of his opportunity over the last few weeks. Fellow WRs DJ Chark and Jameson Williams will not be available for at least several more weeks to the No. 2 role for the Lions remains wide open. Raymond has at least 55 snaps (PFF) in three straight games and 75+ receiving yards in consecutive games. He’s a fine option in deeper formats especially with six teams on bye next week.

FAAB: 15%

➕ Van Jefferson

• Available in 76% of leagues

Here’s to hoping I was a week early on WR Van Jefferson. He was activated ahead of Sunday’s game and did not record a single target, but he did play 55% of snaps. He’s been a strong producer in this offense in the past and the ankle injury suffered by WR Cooper Kupp late in the game could force Jefferson into a more prominent role. Early reports are that Kupp is day-to-day but keep an eye on injury reports this week.

FAAB: 10%

Need more waiver wire guidance? Check out our NEW Waiver Wire Hub for more picks from Sam & Dwain McFarland!