Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em: Should you trust Rams' Puka Nacua in Week 9?

The fantasy landscape was shaken up yet again in Week 8, with several upsets, key injuries, lost jobs and an impressive debut for Titans QB Will Levis. Fortunately, the waiver wire offered plenty of viable streaming options, so here's what to do in regard to some players you may be on the fence about plugging into your lineup in Week 9:

Quarterbacks

Start: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

Bears at Saints / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

It's hard to get excited about many of the non-elite quarterbacks this week, but Carr offers as great an upside as one could ask for, especially for someone who may be sitting on your waiver wire. The 32-year-old has hit the 300-yard passing mark in each of his last three games and has thrown the second-most pass attempts among quarterbacks in that time (132). With Chicago allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers (18.8), expect Carr's recent resurgence to continue.

Other starts: Sam Howell, Washington Commanders; Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys 

Sit: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks at Ravens / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Despite Seattle sitting atop the NFC West standings, Smith hasn't been as effective as he was last season, when he finished as a top-five quarterback from a fantasy perspective. Smith hasn't had an outing with at least 15 points in four-point passing touchdown formats since Week 3, and it's unlikely his troubles will be resolved in a challenging road game against Baltimore. The Ravens have been the second-best overall fantasy defense this season and the most difficult matchup for quarterbacks, allowing 11.2 points per game to the position.

Other sits: Daniel Jones, New York Giants; Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Running backs

Start: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Colts at Panthers / 4:05 ET Sunday

Although he produced only 54 total yards in last week's win over the Houston Texans, Hubbard appears to have taken over the leading role in Carolina's backfield. Hubbard out-snapped and earned 15 more touches than former starter Miles Sanders, and while his performance wasn't spectacular, Indianapolis may have trouble stopping him if this type of volume continues. The Colts have struggled against the run all season, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (191.7) and second-most touchdowns (11) to running backs. 

Other starts: Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns; Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sit: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

Vikings at Falcons / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Every piece of the Vikings offense has seen their fantasy value diminish in the wake of QB Kirk Cousins' season-ending Achilles injury. While you may lack the depth to bench WR Jordan Addison or TE T.J. Hockenson, Mattison shouldn't be considered as a flex play. The Falcons have one of the NFL's better run defenses, having allowed just one rushing touchdown this season, and Mattison continues to see his workload cut into by Cam Akers with each passing game.

Other sits: Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans; Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

Wide receivers

Start: Nico Collins, Houston Texans 

Buccaneers at Texans / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Rookie QB C.J. Stroud was kept in check by the Panthers last Sunday, leading to Collins having an underwhelming game, catching only four of his six targets for 30 yards. Houston will be facing another team desperate for a win this week, taking on the Buccaneers, losers of their last three games. Even so, Collins, who ranks 13th in receiving yards (577), should have a better showing against Tampa Bay, given it has allowed the third-most passing yards during its skid (927). 

Other starts: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns; Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

Sit: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Rams at Packers / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Nacua was limited to 43 yards on three catches in Los Angeles' 43-20 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which saw QB Matthew Stafford suffer a UCL sprain in his right thumb. Stafford hasn't practiced this week, putting his availability in doubt and threatening Nacua's fantasy outlook. Brett Rypien would get the start if Stafford doesn't play. In Dallas, he favored Cooper Kupp over Nacua, throwing five of his 10 passes to the Super Bowl LVI MVP compared to just one to the rookie phenom. 

Other sits: Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills; Demario Douglas, New England Patriots 

Tight ends

Start: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

Bills at Bengals / 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday

The first-round rookie is establishing himself as a key piece of Buffalo's passing attack and could finally be the weekly TE1 many hoped for when selecting him in fantasy drafts. Kincaid is averaging 16.5 PPR fantasy points over his last two games and has been heavily relied upon by QB Josh Allen, earning 15 targets during that span. Since the Bengals defense has allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends (9.9) along with the most touchdowns (four), Kincaid is well-positioned to have another strong performance in prime time. 

Other starts: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints; Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Sit: Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

Giants at Raiders / 4:25 p.m. ET

Mayer, another rookie, has flashed the potential that made him one of the top prospects at his position, ranking sixth among tight ends with at least five catches in yards per reception (13.5). However, with the personnel turnover and the switch from QB Jimmy Garoppolo to Aidan O'Connell, Mayer's promise doesn't outweigh the risks associated with him for this week. The Giants are already the eighth-worst matchup for tight ends this season, and it wouldn't be surprising if interim HC Antonio Pierce's game plan centers on WR Davante Adams. 

Other sits: Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers; Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers