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Fantasy football buzz: What Prescott's injury means for Cowboys' offense

The Cowboys had struggled to a 3-6 record with Prescott under center this season. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.

Key links: Fantasy depth charts


Nov. 9: What Dak Prescott's season-ending injury means for Cowboys' offense

Eric Moody: Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is planning to undergo season-ending surgery on his partially torn hamstring, sources told ESPN on Saturday. Dallas had hopes Prescott would avoid both surgery and IR but that's not the case.

The Cowboys have struggled to run the ball this season, leaning heavily on Prescott and the passing game, with 76% of their total yards coming through the air -- the highest rate in the league. But even with that volume, Prescott has averaged only 14.6 fantasy points per game.

With Prescott out, Cooper Rush will start for now, though we could see Trey Lance if Dallas falls out of playoff contention. Rush has six career starts, and has averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game with a 5-1 record, seven touchdowns and four picks.

How does Prescott's absence impact other Cowboys in fantasy?

The biggest benefactor from Prescott's injury could be Rico Dowdle. Dallas may lean on the run game more without their starting QB. Ezekiel Elliott, a healthy scratch in Week 9 because of disciplinary reasons, is expected back for Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles. While Dalvin Cook isn't the force he used to be, Dowdle should lead in touches and is a solid flex play.

As for Jake Ferguson, he is actually second on the team in targets with 52, right behind CeeDee Lamb's 84. Ferguson has averaged 10.2 fantasy points per game but hasn't found the end zone yet. He's a solid TE1 candidate and might see more touchdown opportunities with Rush at QB.

The biggest hit in fantasy value goes to Lamb. The target volume should still be there -- Lamb has averaged 18.5 fantasy points per game -- but Dallas lacks a consistent No. 2 receiver to take the pressure off him. Lamb has also been dealing with a sprained AC joint from Week 9. With increased defensive attention, he should be considered as more of a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside.

Nov. 8: What Trevor Lawrence's absence means for Jaguars receivers

Matt Bowen: With Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) expected to be out this Sunday for the matchup versus the Vikings, backup Mac Jones is slated to make his first start in Jacksonville. Against a Vikings defense that will bring pressure, Evan Engram can work as an underneath outlet for Jones, keeping him in the mix as mid-tier TE1. At wide receiver, we have to expect a slight drop off here, with Brian Thomas Jr. now checking in as a fringe WR2 and Gabe Davis remaining a WR3/flex type, while Parker Washington should be considered only in deeper formats.

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Should fantasy managers start or sit Travis Etienne Jr. in Week 10?

Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay and Field Yates discuss Travis Etienne Jr.'s disappointing fantasy season ahead of a matchup vs. the Vikings.

Friday injury updates

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts: Pittman has been ruled out for Week 10 because of his back and while it may come as a surprise, given that he has played each week since Week 6 (when the injury was first announced), it shouldn't. Pittman was originally considered a potential candidate for injured reserve but believed he could play through the issue and did, even finding the end zone in Week 6. After that contest, Pittman indicated he was not entirely out of the woods and this would continue to be an injury management situation, including the possibility he could miss some time. He has consistently been held out of Wednesday practices as part of the management plan.

This week however, Pittman has not practiced at all, a discouraging sign. It's no surprise then that Pittman was ruled out in advance of this game, but he remains week to week. Nothing regarding his longer-term status should be inferred at the moment. --Stephania Bell

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers: The long-awaited NFL debut of the Panthers rookie running back may finally be upon us as Brooks could see his first game action this weekend. The Panthers will be in Munich to face the New York Giants and Brooks, who was activated to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, may see the field, according to head coach Dave Canales.

Brooks is coming off of an ACL reconstruction and the Panthers have been clear about proceeding with caution. Whenever Brooks suits up, his workload is expected to be light to begin and, with how well Chuba Hubbard has been performing, the Panthers have the luxury of bringing him along gradually. --Bell

Who's in?

Who's out?

Keep an eye on ...

Nov. 8: San Francisco 49ers expect Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel Sr. to play

NFL Nation's Nick Waggoner reports that McCaffrey will make his debut on Sunday, and that the team also expects Jennings (hip) and Samuel (rib, oblique) to play. Our Week 10 projections have McCaffrey immediately claiming his lead role in the offense with 13 carries and 4 catches with a touchdown for 18 fantasy points, the sixth-highest projected point total of the week among running backs. Jordan Mason has been limited in practice this week, but even if he plays, it will be in a complementary role better suited for your bench. He should remain rostered as an insurance policy against McCaffrey re-injuring himself.

Samuel projects as a high-end WR2 while Jennings falls outside even flex consideration with Brock Purdy able to prioritize his top two offensive weapons. Considering the matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the offensive power at his disposal, Purdy has the fourth-highest QB fantasy points projection remaining (after Thursday Night Football) for the week.


Nov. 6: Baltimore Ravens stars are making history

Tristan H. Cockcroft: Lamar Jackson's and Derrick Henry's 20-plus fantasy point Week 9 performances kept each atop his respective position's leaderboard for the season, Jackson with a quarterback-leading 225.66 points and Henry with a running back-best 201.5 points through more than half the Ravens' 2024 schedule. They'll play Game No. 10 on Thursday, a massive matchup with the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, who roster the top-scoring wide receiver, Ja'Marr Chase (169.8 points). That's three of fantasy's best on the big stage.

But here's what's extraordinary about what the Ravens' two stars are doing: If they can maintain their positional leads, they'd become the first quarterback/running back duo to top their respective positions in PPR fantasy points in the same season in 25 years. The last to do it? The 1999 "Greatest Show on Turf" St. Louis Rams, who had Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk accomplish the feat most recently.

Additionally, since the first documented fantasy draft in the early 1960s, this feat has been accomplished only four times, with the 1971 Detroit Lions (Greg Landry and Steve Owens), 1985 San Francisco 49ers (Joe Montana and Roger Craig) and 1991 Buffalo Bills (Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas) the other duos on that list.

It was also done six additional times before 1960, when applying traditional fantasy scoring to historical stats: The 1934 Chicago Bears (Gene Ronzani and Beattie Feathers), 1937 Washington Redskins (Sammy Baugh and Cliff Battles), 1940 Redskins (Baugh and Dick Todd), 1941 Bears (Sid Luckman and George McAfee), 1943 Bears (Luckman and Harry Clarke) and 1957 Baltimore Colts (Johnny Unitas and Lenny Moore). -

Nov. 5: Steelers trade for Mike Williams

Eric Moody: The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired wide receiver Mike Williams (rostered in 23.4% of ESPN leagues) from the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth-round pick. News of this trade isn't surprising given the Jets recently traded for Davante Adams, which pushed Williams down the depth chart behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.

Williams now has a chance to become the No. 2 receiver in Pittsburgh, behind George Pickens. He adds another vertical option for quarterback Russell Wilson and although injuries have limited Williams' production in recent seasons, he can still be a fantasy producer in Pittsburgh. Williams is worth considering for managers in deeper leagues. He has averaged 87.6 receiving yards per game over his career when he has seen at least seven targets.

Nov. 5: Bengals trade for Herbert after Moss suffers neck injury

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The numbers behind the Bengals' trade for Khalil Herbert

Take a look at some key stats for Khalil Herbert and the Bengals' running attack.

After news broke Monday that Zack Moss will be sidelined indefinitely with a neck injury, Cincinnati acquired Khalil Herbert in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Herbert joins a Bengals backfield in need of depth and experience behind current lead back Chase Brown. Herbert was in a crowded backfield in Chicago and now has an opportunity to see an increased workload as a complement to Brown in Cincinnati.