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Deshaun Watson QB | CLE
Browns' Deshaun Watson: Listed as questionable, won't start
Watson (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but Shedeur Sanders will start even if Watson is active Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, coach Todd Monken said Friday that he hasn't decided if Watson will be the team's Week 9 backup, as the QB -- who is in the NFL's concussion protocol -- has yet to be cleared. In any case, if Watson is active come Sunday, he'll merely be the backup. He was a limited practice participant Friday, after missing the previous two days.
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Hunter Henry TE | NE
Patriots' Hunter Henry: Listed as questionable
Henry (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
After opening the week with back-to-back missed practices, Henry's designation leaves the door open for him to play heading into Sunday. If he can't play, New England would need to lean more heavily on rookie Eli Raridon at tight end against Green Bay.
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Omar Cooper Jr. WR | NYJ
Jets' Omar Cooper: Primed for key role sans Wilson
Cooper and Adonai Mitchell will be the Jets' top wide receivers with Garrett Wilson (concussion) unavailable for Sunday's game at Kansas City, ESPN's Rich Cimini reports.
After back-to-back 100-yard games in his first two weeks off injured reserve, Cooper ran 26 routes last week without registering a target in the 38-33 loss to Las Vegas. Mitchell caught seven of nine targets for 142 yards and a touchdown, also running 26 routes, and Cimini's report notes that Mitchell "will become the No. 1 receiver" in Wilson's absence. Both Mitchell and Cooper figure to get plenty of snaps and routes, but targets and production aren't as assured.
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Shedeur Sanders QB | CLE
Browns' Shedeur Sanders: Will start Sunday
Sanders will start at quarterback Sunday against the Saints, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Coach Todd Monken said the move is because Deshaun Watson (concussion) missed so much practice time this week. Watson has been one of the worst statistical quarterbacks in the league over the last month, so Sanders could potentially keep the job if he has a good game against the Saints. His insertion under center doesn't change the outlook of the offense, as both Watson and Sanders are game-manager types.
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Nate Boerkircher TE | JAC
Jaguars' Nate Boerkircher: Effective in win Thursday
Boerkircher hauled in two of three targets for 61 yards in Thursday night's 33-10 win over Baltimore.
Boerkircher was tied with Parker Washington for the second-most receiving yards on the team with 61. This game marks the fourth time this season that the rookie has surpassed 30 snaps on offense. Boerkircher has made a name for himself as Jacksonville's No. 2 option at tight end behind Brenton Strange.
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A.J. Brown WR | NE
Patriots' A.J. Brown: Won't play in Sunday's game
Brown (knee) won't be available for Sunday's game against the Packers, Mark Daniels of Masslive.comreports.
Following a trio of consecutive DNPs, Brown is slated to sit out a second consecutive contest. In his absence, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams are available to handle Week 9 duties, while Mack Hollins (calf) -- who has been designated to return from IR -- is a candidate to be activated this weekend, and if that occurs he could step into a key role in his return to the lineup. As for Brown's potential availability for the Patriots' Week 10 contest versus the Lions in Munich, coach Mike Vrabel indicated that he doesn't know yet, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
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Woody Marks RB | HOU
Texans' Woody Marks: Set for RB1 work
With David Montgomery (groin) again ruled out for Week 9, Marks is expected to remain the Texans' clear RB1 for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Even with the Texans coming out of their bye week, Montgomery still isn't ready to return to the lineup. Additionally, Jawhar Jordan (quad) is also still out for Houston. With both backs sidelined in Week 7 against the Giants, Marks handled all 19 running-back carries for the Texans. The volume alone puts Marks in the RB1/2 conversation for fantasy this week.
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Bryce Young QB | CAR
Panthers' Bryce Young: Ready to play, ankle improving
Panthers coach Dave Canales said Friday that Young (ankle) is ready for Sunday's game against Denver after a "great week" of practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Young has been a full practice participant throughout the week, apparently not too bothered by a sore ankle. The bigger concern for Sunday is Denver's impressive pass rush matching up against Carolina's injury-riddled offensive line.
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Zonovan Knight RB | ARI
Cardinals' Bam Knight: Ruled out for Sunday's game
Knight (concussion) is out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
After being concussed early in last Sunday's game against Dallas, Knight will miss at least one contest, as he remains in the league's protocol. With Jeremiyah Love (ankle) also sidelined, Tyler Allgeier projects to handle most of the backfield work, though it's a really tough road draw against a strong run defense.
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Josh Cameron WR | JAC
Jaguars' Josh Cameron: Catches lone target in Week 9
Cameron caught his only target for six yards in Thursday night's 33-10 victory over the Ravens.
Cameron didn't see the ball until the fourth quarter despite playing the third most snaps at wide receiver (25) for the Jaguars on Thursday, behind only Parker Washington (38) and Jakobi Meyers (38). This marks the third game in a row where the 23-year-old played as the Jaguars' No. 3 option at receiver, but his limited use keeps him as a low waiver wire add.