2023 Fantasy Football: Week 9 Quarterback Rankings (Saturday Update!)

Injuries and bye weeks are wreaking havoc on the Week 9 quarterback rankings. Kirk Cousins is out for the season with a torn Achilles, and injuries could sideline a handful of signal-callers this week, including Matthew Stafford, Tyrod Taylor, and Kenny Pickett. Additionally, bye weeks return in Week 9, keeping Russell Wilson, Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence, and Brock Purdy on the shelf. There’s a lot to go over, so let’s get to it.

Quarterbacks on byes in Week 9

Russell Wilson, Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence, and Brock Purdy

Injuries to monitor for Week 9

• Kirk Cousins tore his right Achilles and is out for the rest of the season. Rookie Jaren Hall will get the start against the Falcons in Week 9. The Vikings traded for Joshua Dobbs on Tuesday, and it’s possible he’ll be the team’s starter in Week 10.
• Tyrod Taylor suffered a rib injury in Week 8 that landed him in the hospital until Monday, making a Week 9 start unlikely. Taylor has been under center for the Giants while Daniel Jones is recovering from a neck injury. On the plus side, Jones was cleared for contact and is expected to practice on Wednesday. He’s likely to start in Week 9, barring a setback. Third-stringer Tommy DeVito is Jones’ backup, with Taylor dealing with a rib injury.
• Kenny Pickett suffered a rib injury on Sunday but has told reporters he’ll play in Thursday night’s matchup against the Titans. Nothing is official, so if Pickett can’t make the short turnaround, Mitch Trubisky will suit up.
• Ryan Tannehill is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and will not start in Week 9. Rookie Will Levis had a strong debut last week and will get another start on Thursday night.
• Matthew Stafford is questionable and will likely be a game-time decision. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rams keep Stafford out since they have a bye in Week 10. Brett Rypien will get the start if Stafford sits out.
• Justin Fields is still recovering from a dislocated thumb and is doubtful for Sunday. Head coach Matt Eberflus announced that Tyson Bagent start in Week 9.
• Kyler Murray is questionable for Week 9. Sunday would be his first game back since tearing his ACL last season. If he can’t suit up, rookie Clayton Tune will get the start.
• Deshaun Watson missed a couple of weeks with a sprained rotator cuff, but will get the start in Week 9.

Quarterback Notes

Bye Weeks: DEN, DET, JAX, SF

• Derek Carr is coming off another solid week, passing for 310 yards and two scores against the Colts. It was his third consecutive 300+ yard game. Carr has capitalized on softer matchups in the past four weeks, averaging 16.9 fantasy points per game in that span. Carr gets another plus matchup in Week 9 against the Bears. Chicago has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points, fourth-most passing yards, and second-most touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Carr should be in line for another strong week and is a top-eight play for me in Week 9.
• Dak Prescott was fantastic in Week 8, throwing for 304 yards, four scores, and an interception in a blowout win against the Rams. He finished as the QB3, marking the second time in as many weeks he posted a top-three finish. Prescott should be able to put up another strong fantasy line in Week 9. He faces a vulnerable Eagles defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points and fifth-most passing yards to quarterbacks. Indeed, Sam Howell just hung 397 yards and four touchdowns on them in Week 8. Prescott is my QB10 this week.
• Sam Howell had himself quite the Week 8. He finished as the week’s top quarterback, completing 39-of-52 pass attempts for 397 yards, four touchdowns, and one pick. Howell is the QB8 on the season due in part to passing volume — his 308 pass attempts on the year rank second among quarterbacks. Howell should continue slinging the ball this week against a Patriots defense that allows the seventh-most pass attempts through eight weeks. They’ve also given up 11 passing touchdowns this season, tied for sixth-most. Howell is a back-end QB1 for me in Week 9.
• Bryce Young could surprise this week. He has a favorable matchup against a Colts unit that has given up the fourth-most fantasy points and seventh-most passing yards to quarterbacks this season. Young has been solid recently. He’s the QB17 over the last three weeks, averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game in that span. If injuries or bye weeks leave you high and dry at the quarterback position this week, Young is a nice streaming option with upside.

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Week 9 Quarterback Rankings