Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice, Stars to Exploit and Sleeper Options

Week 8 may have brought a little clarity to the NFL landscape, but it didn't do much to settle things in the fantasy football world. Unfortunately, it also brought more injury news, as Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson is set to miss an extended period with a thumb injury.

Injuries will impact many lineup decisions in Week 9, though managers will only have to deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans being on bye. Still, playing the matchups will be important this week.

Here, you'll find some early start/sit advice for some Week 9 fringe stars, along with a few sleepers to consider targeting on the waiver wire. All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Rostered in 57 percent of fantasy leagues, Denver Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman may still qualify as a sleeper. However, that's likely to change after this week.

Coleman will continue to see a prominent offensive role after the Broncos placed fellow running back RJ Harvey on injured reserve. The rookie was Denver's top option on Sunday, and he rewarded managers with 20.4 fantasy points.

This week, Coleman could provide even more.

The Broncos are set to visit the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Carolina is coming off a long week and did a good job of containing the Green Bay Packers' ground game last Thursday. However, the Panthers have also surrendered more fantasy points to opposing RBs than any other team this season. The firing of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero probably won't change things that dramatically.

Sit: Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

The loss of Jackson will negatively impact Derrick Henry, who hasn't been the same weekly must-start he's been in years past. With backup QB Tyler Huntley also injured, Henry will be a very risky option on a short week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jags will visit the Ravens on Thursday night.

Henry did find the end zone against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, which helped him to salvage an otherwise underwhelming (60 scrimmage yards) outing. However, he failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in the two games before that.

Given Baltimore's quarterback situation, Henry projects as a touchdown-dependent flex option in Week 9. That's both unusual for the future Hall of Famer and less than ideal against a defense that ranks first in yards per carry allowed and has surrendered just four rushing touchdowns all season.

Start: Caleb Douglas, WR, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

The Miami Dolphins have relied heavily on rookie receivers Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman Jr. this season. When healthy, Douglas has looked like the closest thing Miami has to a true No. 1 receiver.

The Texas Tech product has only been healthy for four games, but he has seen 19 targets over that span and has reached double-digit fantasy points twice. He delivered 8.3 fantasy points in Week 8, despite a matchup with star New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

Douglas delivered 21 fantasy points two weeks ago and could approach that threshold again in Week 9. Miami will host the Detroit Lions, who have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Managers should view Douglas as a strong flex option this week, and he's a must-add where available. He's currently only rostered in 26 percent of leagues.

Sit: Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker was trending upward in a big way. He has solidified his status as Las Vegas' top perimeter threat this season, and he topped 20 fantasy points in both Week 6 and Week 7.

Tucker also had a fairly favorable matchup against a so-so New York Jets defense in Week 8. However, the Raiders largely ignored him despite engaging in an offensive track meet in New York.

Las Vegas relied instead on its ground game and a heavy dose of Brock Bowers to outpace the Jets 38-33. Tucker was only targeted once and was held without a catch.

Tucker will bounce back this season, but managers should try to avoid him in Week 9. The Raiders have a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, who have been very unfriendly to opposing receivers this season. The 49ers are also coming off their bye and should have a great game plan in place to limit Las Vegas' passing attack.

Other Week 9 Sleepers and Waiver-Wire Targets

AP Photo/Doug Murray)

Dolphins QB Malik Willis

Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins

Gardner Minshew II, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets

Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders

Demario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots

Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Washington Commanders

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.