According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the superstar running back will undergo foot surgery Tuesday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the timeline as six to 10 weeks, with the caveat that eight weeks “is more likely.” That would take him out until Week 17, now the fantasy championship.

At the very least, managers will have to make the playoffs — and likely win at least one round — without Henry, who averaged 23.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) through Week 8. Austin Ekeler (19.5) is the only other running back above 18.0.

The Titans will not find anyone to replicate Henry’s dominance, and neither will fantasy players. They’ll have to get by with the best available options.

Note: Rostered percentages provided via Yahoo leagues.

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Top 5 Waiver Targets of Week 9

Adrian Peterson (RB – TEN): 5% Rostered
Jeremy McNichols (RB – TEN): 8% Rostered
After the bad news on Henry broke, the Titans signed a player who was just as spectacular nine years ago. Peterson is long removed from his MVP days, but he scored seven touchdowns with the Lions last season. His reputation alone could again yield a huge chunk of goal-line opportunities, which is the only way he’d deliver as a weekly fantasy starter. Playing on a better offense could lift him up to low-end RB2 production in non-PPR leagues.

However, the Titans won’t utilize Peterson as a bell cow back at this stage of his career. McNichols received just seven carries in eight games as Henry’s understudy, but he also caught 21 of 27 targets. He should see more consistent work in pass-catching situations with a few more rushing opportunities. Even in a split backfield with Peterson or another early-down runner, McNichols can emerge as a J.D. McKissic-like flex option in PPR formats.

Boston Scott (RB – PHI): 20% Rostered
On one hand, we were right to expect a fragmented Eagles backfield in place of the injured Miles Sanders. Kenneth Gainwell led the way with 13 touches, with Scott and Jordan Howard each trailing at 12 apiece.

However, we were long about the leader. Gainwell’s work mostly came late in a 44-6 rout over Detroit, and he only accrued 27 rushing yards without a single target in a run-heavy outing. The rookie also watched as Scott and Howard found the end zone twice apiece. While Howard’s unlikely breakthrough was context-dependent, Scott keeps performing when his number is called. He got most of the early work, led the trio with 29 snaps, and performed better (60 yards) than Gainwell. Scott has also seen five touches inside the 10-yard line over the last two games.

You can’t trust any Eagles running back on a weekly basis, but Scott needs to be rostered and tossed into flex consideration.

DeVante Parker (WR – MIA): 35% Rostered
After missing three games with a shoulder injury, Parker set season-highs in targets (11), catches (eight), and receiving yards (85) in his return. That’s not to say he struggled earlier in the season; he’s now averaging 65.4 per game while receiving at least seven targets in all five games.

The Dolphins are throwing a lot these days. Tua Tagovailoa attempted 126 passes in their last three games (all losses), and Jacoby Brissett aired it out 118 times in their prior three losses. That should create plenty of volume for Parker, and he’ll remain Miami’s top receiving playmaker since Will Fuller hit a roadblock in his recovery. Add Parker and immediately start him for a favorable Week 9 draw against a Texans defense allowing the third-most yards per reception (12.8).

Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL): 31% Rostered
Don’t forget about Bateman because of Baltimore’s Week 8 bye. The rookie received six targets in each of his first two games, stepping right into considerable playing time with 45 and 46 snaps. This year’s N0. 27 pick netted catches of 25, 25, and 30 yards in Week 7. He has the speed to both make huge plays and demand short passes to work in open space.

Bateman may blossom into a set-and-forget WR3 by the season’s end, and it would only take one breakout performance for the wavier-wire window to slam shut.

Notable Players 36-50% Rostered

New Orleans Saints (D/ST): 46%
Fantasy managers understandably wanted no part of New Orleans’ defense against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. They nevertheless delivered one sack, one fumble recovery, and a pick-six among their two interceptions in a 36-27 victory. The Bills are the only defense with more fantasy points per game this season. As a result, the Saints are a top Week 9 option against an Atlanta offense that mustered 213 total yards Sunday. You can then hang onto them for a Week 10 showdown against the Henry-less Titans and Week 11 clash at Philadelphia.

Mark Ingram (RB – NO): 37%
Days after getting traded back to New Orleans, Ingram turned six carries and two catches into 52 total yards against an often impenetrable Tampa Bay run defense. Although still searching for his first touchdown since Week 1, the 31-year-old received a red-zone carry. He’s no longer a one-two punch on close to even footing as Alvin Kamara, but Ingram could fortify his positioning as a deep flex option on a better team. With Latavius Murray in Baltimore and preseason sleeper Tony Jones on the IR, Ingram is now a valuable handcuff as the clear No. 2 behind Kamara.

Randall Cobb (WR – GB): 36%
Catching three of five targets for 15 yards in a game without Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling doesn’t speak wonders for Cobb’s fantasy value. However, Aaron Rodgers targeted the familiar veteran inside the 10-yard line four times, and they connected for two touchdowns in Thursday night’s victory at Arizona. Rodgers isn’t used to spreading the wealth near the sticks, as Adams drew 47 red-zone targets in his last 21 games.

Although far from a must-add, Cobb is worth rostering as long as Adams remains inactive for Week 9. Lazard and Valdes-Scantling both practiced Monday, but Robert Tonyan tore his ACL on Thursday night.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA): 35%
As mentioned above, the Dolphins are passing a lot because of their poor ground game and offensive line. Another 40 passes would sure be nice against a Texans defense allowing 8.6 yards per attempt. Tagovailoa succeeded as a streamer last month, finishing as the QB10 against Jacksonville in Week 6 before leading all quarterbacks in a four-touchdown Week 7 against Atlanta. He’s the best widely available replacement for an idle Brady.

Notable Players 10-35% Rostered

Justin Fields (QB – CHI): 22%
Good golly.

JUSTIN FIELDS ARE YOU SERIOUS?! #DaBears

?: #SFvsCHI on FOX
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/i8nVWJPukV

— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2021

This is why so many football fans and fantasy players wanted to see Fields in action. In his best fantasy performance thus far, the rookie ran for 103 yards and a touchdown. While he still wasn’t spectacular through the air, he completed 19 of 27 passes for 175 yards and a score. He remains a ways away from the QB1 streamer discussion, but Fields wields tantalizing upside because of his athleticism.

Jamison Crowder (WR – NYJ): 19%
Crowder has caught 23 of 30 targets for 203 yards and a touchdown in four games since returning from the COVID reserve list. Dating back to last season, he’s tallied 82 receptions for 902 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games. The 28-year-old got along swimmingly with Mike White, reeling in eight of nine targets for 84 yards from the substitute star in addition to throwing White a two-point conversion. Crowder offers a solid PPR floor regardless of which quarterback starts for Gang Green going forward.

Russell Gage (WR – ATL): 15%
Calvin Ridley sat out Sunday’s game and later released a statement saying he’s stepping away from football to focus on his mental well-being. Despite Ridley’s absence, Gage was not targeted once in a 19-13 loss to the Panthers. That’s likely the change for the 25-year-old, who registered 67 yards and a touchdown when returning from an ankle injury in Week 7.

Miami Dolphins (D/ST): 13%
Miami’s defense isn’t particularly good, but a home matchup against the Texans is. No other team has given up double-digit fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. Reconsider if Tyrod Taylor returns, as he’s far less turnover-prone.

Notable Players <10% Rostered

Allen Lazard (WR – GB): 7%
Lazard headlined last week’s column following news of Adams going on the COVID-19 reserve, but he joined his teammate there the next day. Although both missed Thursday’s game, Lazard was the only one of the two to get activated and practice Monday. Having reached the end zone in back-to-back games before Week 8, he’s the best option if Green Bay has all of its wide receivers besides Adams back for Sunday’s marquee showdown at Kansas City.

Dan Arnold (TE – JAC): 5%
Although Arnold is still searching for his first touchdown of the season, he’s getting significant opportunities with his new team. In four games since Carolina traded him to Jacksonville, the 6’6″ tight end has hauled in 18 of 25 targets for 188 yards. Trevor Lawrence attempting 52 passes in a 31-7 loss led to eight catches on 10 targets Sunday. Arnold could inch closer to TE1 territory with some better red-zone fortune.

Derrick Gore (RB – KC): 2%
A weird week ended with Gore coming from nowhere to garner 48 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. The 26-year-old previously had one career NFL touch (a seven-yard catch last week), and Darrel Williams seemed to have a firm grip on Kansas City’s starting gig in place of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Besides, Jerick McKinnon was supposed to be next in line.

Is Gore now a priority pick-up? Probably not, as Williams still tallied more touches (19) and snaps. Gore also vanished in crunch time. He might be a one-hit wonder, but fantasy managers can’t ignore a running back getting work in Kansas City’s offense. Just don’t go overboard on an undrafted free agent with limited speed and agility.

Jamal Agnew (WR – JAC): 2%
Arnold didn’t lead his teammates in targets Sunday, as Agnew drew a dozen. While he only secured half of them for 38 yards, he also recorded Jacksonville’s only touchdown. The converted cornerback is carving out a meaningful role over the last three games, catching 17 of 25 targets for 157 yards. Agnew could be a garbage-time hero throughout the second half.

Jaret Patterson (RB – WAS): 2%
Clearly hindered by a shin injury, Antonio Gibson received just eight carries and three targets (all catches) on 23 snaps. Patterson instead led the team with 11 carries and 46 rushing yards. That’s hardly an earth-shattering performance, especially since J.D. McKissic also played a heavy role in the passing game. It also doesn’t help that Washington will return from a Week 9 bye to face Tampa Bay’s stingy run defense, but Patterson could eventually contribute if Washington throws in the towel and shuts down Gibson.

Jordan Howard (RB – PHI): 2%
Howard had zero carries all season before scoring touchdowns Sunday. With 57 rushing yards, he finished three shy of 2020’s tally. This is what we get for trying to make sense of Philadelphia’s backfield. The 3-5 Eagles also aren’t likely to run the ball 46 times — compared to 16 passes — in another 44-6 victory anytime soon. Howard is no more than a goal-line touchdown vulture for deep leagues.

Taysom Hill (QB – NO): 2%
Trevor Siemian (QB – NO): 0%
As Rapoport confirmed Monday, Jameis Winston is out for the season with a torn ACL. Siemian took his spot to go 16-of-29 for 159 passing yards and a touchdown. Since he’ll probably start Week 9 against a soft Falcons secondary, Siemian is a fine replacement in two-quarterback leagues. However, he’s unlikely the Saints’ long-term solution. Unless they successfully beg Drew Brees to come back or acquire someone else, Hill would likely take the reins when cleared from the league’s concussion protocol. His rushing prowess, particularly near the goal line, would make him a sturdy QB2 with streamer appeal in the right matchup.

Mike White (QB – NYJ): 2%
White had a decent first career NFL start, going 37-of-45 for 405 yards, three touchdowns, and two picks in a 34-31 upset win over Cincinnati. He joins Cam Newton as the only quarterback to reach 400 passing yards in his first start and is the last Jets quarterback to hit the threshold since Vinny Testaverde in 2000. While the 26-year-old still may not have the job for long, Robert Saleh didn’t waste any time declaring White his Week 9 starter. Managers in two-quarterback leagues can see if lightning strikes twice.

Tajae Sharpe (WR – ATL): 0%
While Gage was a complete non-factor, Sharpe submitted a team-high 58 receiving yards on five catches and six targets. He matched Gage’s 36 snaps, so this is Atlanta’s likely starting duo. Kyle Pitts and Cordarelle Patterson remain the Falcons’ only pass-catchers to start with any confidence, but Sharpe warrants a roster spot beyond the shallowest formats.

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