Sit/Start 2025 Week 9: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players in Every Game

Sit or Start recommendations for EVERY fantasy-relevant player in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season!

Game Info

 

Kickoff: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1:00 PM ET

Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Network: CBS

 

Los Angeles Chargers

 

Quarterback

Justin Herbert: START, QB1

Justin Herbert is 🔥en fuego🔥 right now, tossing eight touchdowns over his past three games and already within seven of matching his season total from last year. Gamescript is likely the only thing that can slow down Sunshine against the Titans. Herbert is locked in as a starter, considering Tennessee gave up five passing touchdowns in the past two weeks, but he may not have the ceiling we’ve recently seen from him.

 

Running Back

Kimani Vidal: START, RB2
Hassan Haskins: SIT

Hassan Haskins still isn’t practicing, but even if he were, the Chargers’ backfield belongs to Kimani Vidal until the return of Omarion Hampton. Vidal had his second 100-yard rushing total in his third game sans-Hampton, scoring over 19 fantasy points in each. He scored his first touchdown of the season against the Vikings, and there’s a pretty good chance he gets into the end zone again in Week 9. The Titans have given up six rushing touchdowns over their previous three games, which is probably a pretty big factor in them allowing the second-most points to the position.

 

Wide Receiver

Ladd McConkey: START, WR1
Quentin Johnston: START, WR3
Keenan Allen: START, WR3

No more Golden Corral metaphors, I promise. You may see two zeros beside Quentin Johnston‘s name over the past three weeks, but he only missed one game. Johston was held catchless against the Vikings while everyone else ate. The most concerning stat was his snap share, on the field for just over 50% of the team’s plays. Johnston still has the upside to go b-a-n-a-n-a-s any given week, but he’s back to being a volatile WR3. The emergence of Oronde Gadsden has put the kibosh on QJ’s post-post-hype breakout. Ladd McConkey is back in borderline WR1 land with a 28% target share over the last three games, tied with Gadsden with six redzone targets, and leads the team with five red zone targets. Keenan Allen is the bizarro-Quentin Johnston, inconsistent with upside, but the blow-ups are fueled by volume versus big plays. Allen has a safer floor but not quite the ceiling of QJ. The Titans are a top 10 matchup for opposing wide receivers, so you’ll want to fire up all the Bolts receivers. Johnston could be in store for a get-right game as Tennessee’s been burned by the deep ball, allowing the second-highest completion percentage (60%) and third-most touchdowns (four) on pass attempts over 20 yards.

 

Tight End

Oronde Gadsden II: START, TE1

As long as his Dad keeps benching him in fantasy, you should keep starting Oronde Gadsden.

Over the Chargers’ last three games, Gadsden has a 17.8% target share but accounted for a team-high 33.9% of team yards. He leads the way in yards per route run (14.7) and tied with Ladd McConkey for red zone targets and receiving touchdowns. Even in a difficult matchup against a Titans team allowing the eighth fewest points to the position, Gadsden is playing well enough that he’s a matchup-proof start. But should you sell high?

 

Defense/Special Teams

Los Angeles Chargers: START

You start any defense facing Cam Ward. 

 

Tennessee Titans

 

Quarterback

Cam Ward: SIT

Until he gets his touchdown-to-interception ratio in the positive (currently 5 TD to 6 INT), he’s not going to sniff start status.

 

Running Back

Tony Pollard: BORDERLINE FLEX
Tyjae Spears: FLEX, RB3

The Titans’ backfield is a full-blown committee, but it may be Tyjae Spears who’s becoming the guy. Spears once again outperformed Tony Pollard on fewer touches and scored the only touchdown between the two. Rumors have begun to surface that the Titans may look to trade Tony Pollard, which would skyrocket the fantasy value of Spears. But until then, they’re both in the FLEX range as they cannibalize each other’s value.

 

Wide Receiver

Elic Ayomanor: BORDERLINE FLEX
Calvin Ridley: BORDERLINE FLEX
Chimere Dike: BORDERLINE FLEX

For the second straight week, Rook Chimere Dike scored the most fantasy points of any Titans receiver and nearly had his first 100-yard game. Ward targeted Dike eight times, and the rookie came down with seven of them for 93 yards and seems to be emerging as his top option. But Elic Ayomanor had a similar stretch to start the season, and neither can be counted on than anything more than a borderline FLEX considering the state of the offense. Calvin Ridley still isn’t practicing at the time of writing, but even if by some miracle he suits up, he’s lumped into the same borderline FLEX status.

 

Tight End

Gunnar Helm: SIT
Chig Okonkwo: SIT

As the Titans are obvious sellers, Chig Okonkwo‘s name has been rumored as a trade candidate as well. No Titans tight end is startable, but rookie Gunnar Helm has come on strong over the past few games and is worth keeping an eye on in case Chig is shipped out of town.  

 

Defense/Special Teams

Tennessee Titans: SIT

No. And in Spanish, no.