Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 34 of 44 pass attempts (77%) for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the 30-24 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs quarterback added nine rushing yards on two carries in the contest. Mahomes followed up his best fantasy performance of the season with an even better game. The former MVP passed for three touchdowns for the first time this season. Mahomes also finished a game without an interception for the first time this season. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins gave Mahomes another reliable outlet to turn to, and he did not disappoint. Mahomes picked up an ankle injury on a touchdown pass to Samaje Perine in the fourth quarter and required assistance on the sideline. It was officially reported as an ankle injury, but it was minor enough that he returned on the team's next drive. Given that he returned to the game, the injury will likely not cause Mahomes to miss any time, but the injury reports will be telling. That said, Mahomes will look to continue this strong run against the Denver Broncos in Week 10. The Broncos rank 10th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season, so it will be a tough matchup. Nevertheless, the Chiefs quarterback has shown signs of improvement lately, and that strong play could continue into next week. Mahomes will likely find himself in the low-end QB1 range again for Week 10.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.

The Kansas City Chiefs elevated wide receiver Justyn Ross from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Monday night for the Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be Ross' first game of 2024 on the team's active roster with JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) missing his second straight game. KC is also without Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) for the rest of the year, which led them to trade for veteran DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins should have a bigger role on Monday alongside rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman, with tight end Travis Kelce also having a higher ceiling and floor in fantasy. The 24-year-old Ross had six catches for 53 yards in his 10 regular-season games for the Chiefs a season ago. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore Ross.

New England Patriots wide receivers K.J. Osborn (coach's decision) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are both healthy scratches for Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. Neither player had been listed on the injury report, so their absence on Sunday is the direct result of a decision made by head coach Jerod Mayo. Both Osborn and Thornton have been mentioned in trade rumors, so perhaps keeping them sidelined is linked to a potential deal looming ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.