Fantasy Football Today: LAST-MINUTE Week 9 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, Actives/Inactives & Advice (11/02/25)

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This episode of Fantasy Football Today dives deep into the LAST-MINUTE Week 9 lineup decisions with the CBS Sports FFT crew. The focus is on crucial Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em advice, active/inactive updates, injury impacts, and rapid-fire Q&A. The hosts tackle the week’s trickiest situations at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end—helping managers make informed choices ahead of kickoff.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Carousel & Rankings

Major Points:

• QB Injuries and Surprises: Notable shakeups with Mac Jones starting for the 49ers, Joe Flacco possibly starting injured, Michael Penix for the Falcons, and KYLER MURRAY NOT STARTING (but possibly having a limited role), with Jacoby Brissett starting for Arizona (00:48–02:00).
• Top Options & Upside Plays: Seven “lock” QBs for top-12 finishes, with Brissett and Flacco projected as fringe QB1s assuming they play the whole game.
• Risky vs. Safe Options: Brissett and Flacco have big upside due to matchups, but also a lot of risk. Mac Jones is considered a solid option just behind them.

Notable Quotes:

“If I project Flacco and Brissett to play the entire game, they both project as top-12 quarterbacks. That probably sounds really strange with Jacoby Brissett, but he has the dream matchup against the Cowboys.” — Analyst (02:00)

"My current assumption is that Kyler Murray is probably not going to play." — Analyst (02:45)

Timestamps:

• QB News Updates: 00:48–02:00
• QB Tiering Logic: 02:00–03:15

2. Running Back Committee Chaos

Major Points:

• Uncertainty with Donovan Knight: Once a recommended RB, risk now with “hot hand” usage and Amari DiMercado’s return. Knight’s value dips to a high-end flex. (03:23–04:46)
• Clearer Starts:
  • Kyle Manangai – Must-start (RB13 in rankings), prime matchup versus Cincinnati (“they give up the most fantasy points to running backs”).
  • Trevion Henderson – Also startable but slight risk due to possible committee with Tennessee.
• Other RB News: Rico Dowdle to start for Carolina, but faces a tough matchup against Green Bay’s run D.

Notable Quotes:

"I, he's not a, he's a high-end flex for me. I've got him ahead of Pollard ... but behind Kareem Hunt, behind Rico Dowdle, behind Trevion Henderson, and definitely behind Kyle Manangai who everybody should know by this point is just a must-start running back." — Analyst (04:46–05:06)

“This is what we've been waiting for. Hopefully he [Treveon Henderson] takes the opportunity and runs with it." — Analyst (05:17)

Timestamps:

• RB Uncertainty: 03:23–04:46
• RB Rankings & Must-Starts: 04:46–06:29

3. Wide Receiver & Tight End Decisions

Major Points:

• Drake London Update: Expected to play—startable as a low-end WR2, but target share dip with Darnell Mooney healthy. (07:12–07:43)
• Parker Washington & Brian Thomas Jr.: Washington a speculative pickup; Thomas right behind London as a low WR2/high flex. (07:43–07:59)
• In/Out Updates:
  • Cooper Kupp unlikely to play; bump for Rams WRs.
  • Christian Kirk, Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz will play.
  • Cole Kmet active—downgrade for Colston Loveland.
  • Brock Bowers & Jacoby Myers active; Myers slightly ahead of other Raiders WRs.
  • Daniel Bellinger out; if desperate, start Theo Johnson over Loveland.
• Defensive Injuries: Several key defenses (Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Giants) are “beat up” and exploitable for opposing offenses. (08:48–09:10)

Notable Quotes:

"He's a low-end wide receiver two for me. But I think everybody's probably starting him [Drake London]." — Analyst (07:16)

"I've got Nico as a top 20 guy so yeah, I'm starting him as a number two wide receiver." — Analyst (08:08)

"If you have to put him in your flex, feel good: Juwan Jennings. ... Has a 25% target share in their last two games." — Analyst (09:10)

Timestamps:

• WR/Tight End Discussion: 07:12–09:10

4. Lightning Round Listener Q&A

Major Points:

• RB Ranks (Chat Q): Tyrone Tracy > Kareem Hunt > Bam Knight > Woody Marks. (10:05)
• Menangai vs. Chase Brown: Prefer Manangai (10:14–10:20)
• Parker Washington as Flex: Viable, but “just a flex, not more.” (10:33–10:38)
• Keon Coleman: “In the flex group with Xavier Worthy, Juwan Jennings, and Quentin Johnston. There’s hope, but no floor.” (10:38–11:02)
• Lawrence vs. Darnold: Split opinions—Lawrence slightly higher ranked, but Darnold a strong start in bad pass defense matchup (11:49–12:16)

Notable Quotes:

"Tracy's the clear number one ... Kareem Hunt would be next. Bam Knight, then Woody Marks." — Analyst (10:05)

“Parker Washington is a flex.” — Host (10:36)

"It's Darnold for me. I'm high on Darnold. This is one of the worst pass defenses in football." — Host (11:57)

Timestamps:

• Q&A Segment: 09:29–12:16

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If I project Flacco and Brissett to play the entire game, they both project as top-12 quarterbacks. That probably sounds really strange with Jacoby Brissett, but he has the dream matchup against the Cowboys.” (02:00)
• “Everybody should know by this point [Kyle] Manangai is just a must-start running back.” (05:06)
• “Cooper Kupp unlikely to play ... [so] Parker Washington someone you could speculate on.” (07:43)
• “Juwan Jennings ... has a 25% target share in their last two games ... I’m getting a little bit excited about Jennings.” (09:10)
• “It's Darnold for me. I'm high on Darnold. This is one of the worst pass defenses in football.” (11:57)

Segment Timestamps

• Quarterback news & rankings: 00:48–03:15
• Running back ranks & advice: 03:23–06:29
• Wide receiver/tight end recommendations: 07:12–09:10
• Defense notes & flex plays: 09:10–09:29
• Listener Q&A and flex debates: 09:29–12:16

Summary Table: Rapid Start/Sit Index

| Player/Option | Verdict | Notes | |------------------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Jacoby Brissett (QB) | Fringe QB1/Start | High upside, risky, great matchup vs. DAL | | Kyle Manangai (RB) | Must-Start RB | RB13, best matchup, Green light | | Drake London (WR) | Start (Low WR2) | Slight concern re: target share, but health reestablished | | Nico Collins (WR) | Start (WR2) | Top 20 play vs. Denver | | Parker Washington (WR) | Deep Flex | Speculative; bumps up with Kupp out | | Juwan Jennings (WR) | Deep Flex | 25% target share, promising vs. depleted defenses | | Donovan "Bam" Knight (RB) | High Flex | Risk of committee with DiMercado return | | Rico Dowdle (RB) | Flex | Tough matchup vs. GB | | Colston Loveland (TE) | Avoid | Kmet returning, limited usage | | Lawrence vs. Darnold (QB) | Both viable | Lawrence safer; Darnold more upside |

Tone & Language

• Friendly, fast-paced, conversational
• Hosts openly debate and banter; moments of humor (e.g., “I don’t know if anyone cares but I dropped Kendrick Bourne for Parker Washington...” – 09:29)
• Analytical but approachable, keeping advice practical for all skill levels

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode cut straight to the crucial last-minute fantasy decisions for Week 9—rankings shakeups at quarterback and running back, the latest injury updates, and rapid start/sit calls. If you’re scrambling with roster questions or considering a risky flex play, the FFT crew broke down every angle—whether you’re looking to maximize upside or avoid lineup landmines. The hosts’ banter, data-driven takes, and direct Q&A provided listeners with all they need to make sharp lineup decisions heading into Sunday.