Week 9 opens with a Thursday Night Football matchup that has been reshaped by injuries, and the Ravens vs. Jaguars DFS picks now revolve around a Baltimore backfield that must carry the offense. Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe) are both unavailable, leaving third-stringer Joe Fagnano under center. That absence pushes Derrick Henry to the forefront of daily Fantasy lineups on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.
Why Derrick Henry Is the Core TNF Play
Henry has a long history of punishing Jacksonville, the area where he grew up. Over his last 10 games against the Jaguars, he has averaged 129.1 rushing yards and scored 14 total touchdowns. With Jackson and Huntley out, Baltimore is expected to lean heavily on Henry against a Jacksonville run defense that has softened recently. After holding opponents to 63.8 rushing yards per game over the first five weeks, the Jaguars have allowed 100-plus yards on the ground in each of the last two.
There is also a receiving angle. Henry is not normally a fixture out of the backfield, but only five teams allow more receptions per game to running backs than Jacksonville. That could create additional value in PPR formats.
Bhayshul Tuten Offers Value on the Other Side
Jacksonville running back Bhayshul Tuten is active despite being listed as a game-time decision with ankle and foot injuries. He is coming off the best game of his career, setting personal highs in rushing yards (104), receiving yards (55) and total yards (159) while scoring twice. Tuten has at least 87 scrimmage yards in all but one game this season and has scored multiple touchdowns in back-to-back weeks. Baltimore has allowed more touchdowns to running backs than all but eight teams, and Buffalo’s James Cook just posted 101 total yards and a score against the Ravens last week.
Other DFS Angles for Thursday Night
With Fagnano at quarterback, the Ravens’ offense could stall in the red zone, making kicker Jake Moody a consideration. Moody is another injury replacement, with Tyler Loop on injured reserve. On the Jacksonville side, the Jaguars’ No. 2 scoring defense is worth a look against a shorthanded Baltimore squad. Trevor Lawrence headlines the passing game options, while Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington and Zay Flowers are also appealing. Brian Thomas Jr. is a potential sleeper after finding the end zone on Sunday following back-to-back games without a catch.
Daily Fantasy players building lineups for this matchup should weigh the heavy reliance on Henry against the uncertainty at quarterback and the opportunities created for Tuten and the Jacksonville defense.
