A.J. Green's Updated 2014 Fantasy Outlook Heading into Week 9

Much like the Terminator—someone with similar physical traits—once promised, A.J. Green is back. Well, hopefully.

The Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver has missed the last three weeks with a lingering toe injury, but optimism for his return in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars is rising.

He practiced Wednesday and is confident he will play Sunday, via ESPN's Coley Harvey and NFL Network's Stacey Dales:

Oftentimes with extended absences such as this one, you want to see how the player looks for a week before putting him back into your lineup. Is he actually healthy? Will he be used as a decoy? Does he still have chemistry with the quarterback? There are a lot of variables when someone hasn't seen the field in nearly a month.

But as long as Green is active on game day, he belongs in your lineup. The 26-year-old is too talented, and the matchup is too tantalizing.

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

The Jaguars have actually slowed down the likes of Antonio Brown (five catches, 84 yards) and Mike Wallace (two catches, 59 yards) in the last several weeks, but they can be beaten through the air. They are 22nd in the NFL in yards per pass allowed (7.7).

With the emergence of Mohamed Sanu, who will take some of the pressure off, Green is a top-10 option in Week 9.

Beyond that, the arrow is only pointing up. With the Cleveland Browns (twice), New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers still on the schedule, Green could easily return top-five value for the rest of the season.

If you're still fighting for the playoffs, trading for him may be too risky, as we still don't know how his toe will hold up. But if you're sitting pretty at the top of your standings, it may not be a bad idea to try to acquire Green while his price is still relatively low.