It's been a busy week in the IDP world. In addition to the normal injury situations, we have a slew of underperforming players, coaching changes, lineup changes, and even a trade or two with some impact. Let's see if we can navigate this minefield without tripping one.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

Sean Murphy-Bunting missed week eight with a neck injury. He was supposedly removed from the injury report ahead of the week nine game but was inactive. Rookie Max Melton got the start in week eight and has now played every snap in two straight games. He put up good numbers (8-1 FF, PD) in relief of Murphy Bunting in week seven, adding 8 more stops in week eight. Melton had a slow day versus Chicago last week but if he remains in the lineup down the stretch, there are some strong matchups on the schedule. Arizona has the Jets this week, Seattle in weeks 12 and 14, and Carolina in week 16. All of those teams are top-seven matchups for corners.

The Cardinals boosted a lacking pass rush with a trade for Baron Browning. Injuries have kept Browing from reaching his potential thus far but he he should be a good scheme fit with the potential to be productive if he can stay on the field. With L.J. Collier hopping off the field on one foot late in last week's game, Browning could have a big role immediately.

Kyzir White remains the lead man at the linebacker position in Arizona but keep an eye on Owen Pappoe this week. The 51% snap share he saw last week was a season-high, as were the stats he put up at 4-1 with a forced fumble. Meanwhile, Mack Wilson Sr. logged 71% participation but did virtually nothing with it yet again, at 1-1.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

Troy Andersen returned to practice ahead of week eight. He was questionable in the leadup to the last two games before landing on the inactive list for both of them. This could be the week he finally gets back on the field. That said, If you put him in your lineup, make sure you have a plan B.

There is no need for a plan B if Kaden Elliss is on your roster. He is coming off a great game at 8-5-1 and, like whoever gets the start beside him, be it Andersen or Nate Landman, has a strong matchup with a Saints offense that had provided the fourth most points to linebackers on the season. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

I'm unsure what the Ravens are doing at the free safety position. Marcus Williams was a surprise healthy scratch in week eight with Eddie Jackson making the start. Jackson seemed to play well and was statistically productive. The team threw us another curve in week nine when the two players switched. Williams was back in the lineup with Jackson on the inactive list. Stay away from these guys until Baltimore figures out what they are doing. 

I mentioned in last week's column that Kyle Hamilton has become matchup-proof. He turned the weak matchup with Denver into a big outing at 7-3 with a pass breakup. Cincinnati is a much stronger opponent.

Trenton Simpson played virtually every snap in the last two games. He was 7-2-1 with a batted pass against Denver, giving him three consecutive games with double-digit fantasy points. The Bengals are a mediocre matchup for linebackers. On the other hand, Denver had allowed the sixth-fewest points to linebackers before last week. Interestingly, Simpson has outscored Roquan Smith in two straight as well.

The trade for Tre'Davious White likely has minimal direct IDP impact. It is a boost for the Ravens' defense in general and could mean more opportunity for Marlon Humphrey with Brandon Stephens possibly moving to the slot.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

Gregory Rousseau opened the season with a three-sack bang. He then went into hiding, scoring 19 fantasy points in the next five games before scoring 35 over the last three. Rousseau is streaky for sure. After last week's 4-3-1 against Miami, he is hot right now.  

Von Miller returned in week nine after serving his suspension. It was perfect timing for the Bills who placed Dawuane Smoot and Casey Toohill on IR early this week. Miller did not make an impact versus the Dolphins but that is likely to change going forward. Buffalo is down to a three-man rotation on the edge so Miller will have plenty of opportunity.

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

Jordan Fuller has not played since pulling a hamstring in week three. He was a full participant in practice last week but was ruled out on Saturday after being doubtful on the Friday injury report. He could be ready this week but there might be another factor in play here. Fuller is a marginal NFL starter when healthy. Nick Scott, who is also a marginal NFL starter, moved into the lineup for four and a half games before joining Fuller in the trainers room.

When Scott was lost, the Panthers turned to undrafted rookie Demani Richardson, who has been impressive in two starts, both on the field and in the box scores. In two games, he has 15 tackles, 8 assists, and a pass breakup. The situation makes me wonder if the coaching staff may be thinking about giving the youngster a longer look. I am picking Richardson up in some leagues this week. If Fuller sits, Richardson will be in some of my lineups. If Fuller is active, I'll still sit on Richardson until he returns to the bench.

Charles Harris went 5-1-1 against the Saints, giving him three sacks in the last five games. He is seeing plenty of playing time, exceeding 70% of the snaps on most weeks, and has a matchup in Germany this week with a Giants team allowing the second most points to edge defenders. With four teams on bye, Harris could be a good stream option.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

It was a career day for Trey Hendrickson, who was unstoppable on the way to four sacks, a forced fumble, and a batted pass. The sack explosion pushed him ahead of Dexter Lawernce for the league lead with eleven. Hendrickson is an every-week, matchup-proof, must-start for us moving forward.

For his linemate, Sam Hubbard, it is a little more complicated. Hubbard came on strong after working through the hamstring issue that slowed him early on. In the month leading up to the matchup with Las Vegas, Hubbard reached double-digit fantasy points three times, exceeding 20 twice in four games. That run came to a screeching halt against the Raiders when Hubbard was 0-3. Most importantly, he was on the field for just 28 snaps. As of Wednesday afternoon, there had been no word of an injury issue or any explanation from the team. Considering that Hubbard had his best game of the year, going 7-2-1 against the Ravens in week five, we need to figure this out before Thursday, if possible.  

B.J. Hill was forced out of Sunday's game with a rib injury. If he is sidelined this week, Kris Jenkins Jr. will slide into the starting lineup. The 2-3-1 he recorded versus Las Vegas was Jenkins' best production of the season, but it was no more than a scratch on the surface of his potential. The Ravens are not a good matchup for tackles, but three of the Bengals' four matchups after that are top-six matchups for the position. 

Could there be a changing of the guard on the horizon at safety? Vonn Bell and Jordan Battle worked in a virtually even timeshare in week nine, with Battle outperforming the veteran. There were no big numbers involved but it is a situation worth monitoring.

It was a disastrous week for those who started Germaine Pratt. He finished with one tackle and a pass breakup in this game, but there is nothing to see here. His playing time was down a little to 82%. That may have been due to the lopsided score and the Bengals pulling starters in the fourth quarter. It was simply a bad matchup made worse by the offensive game plan working away from Pratt. He had nine combined stops against Baltimore in their earlier meeting. Similar production this week is a reasonable expectation.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

The Browns have a bye this week but are still making news. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah landed on IR with a neck injury. With Jordan Hicks still nursing his elbow, Cleveland started Devin Bush and Mohamoud Diabate against the Chargers. Bush responded with a strong 6-2-1 on 81% of the snaps. Not so much for Diabate who went 2-2 with a pass breakup on 91%. There is a good chance Hicks will return after the bye. The question is, where will he line up and who will be out there with him? We are unlikely to get an answer before the team takes the field again.  

The Browns shipped Za'Darius Smith to Detroit. While he was a marginal fantasy option, taking him out of the mix could allow Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to be a bigger factor. Okoronkwo has a pair of sacks on the season and is 7-1-1 with 3 tackles for loss over the last two games, after working through the knee injury that bothered him early on. Put him on the watchlist when the team returns to action.