Entering Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season, there are plenty of notable players who have suffered serious injuries that required a stint on injured reserve. Both NFL teams and fantasy football teams have been impacted by these unfortunate injuries.
Which players on IR are nearing a return, and who will miss the remainder of the season? Each week, we examine the latest news and recovery timeline for every fantasy-relevant player on IR.
Christian McCaffrey
RB | San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey was the consensus No. 1 overall player in fantasy football drafts this season. However, he hasn’t played in 2024 due to Achilles tendinitis. He was a surprise inactive in Week 1, and he was placed on IR in Week 2.
The banged-up 49ers enjoyed a much-needed bye week in Week 9, as McCaffrey continues to work toward a potential return. Multiple reports have suggested that McCaffrey could return in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"We have some positive Christian McCaffrey news..
So far has has not had any setbacks during his recovery..
Right now he's poised to get back and play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" @AdamSchefter #PMSLive #FTTB pic.twitter.com/crXXZvcZ2v
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
Shanahan offered a promising update regarding that potential timeline.
“It depends on how this week goes,” Shanahan said during his conference call with reporters ahead of the bye week, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. “He’s had no setbacks, so it looks like we’re on track.”
Nico Collins
WR | Houston Texans
Houston Texans WR Nico Collins was off to a scorching hot start before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Collins was well on his way to earning first-team All-Pro honors before being placed on IR in Week 6.
The Texans are eagerly awaiting Collins’ return, as Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. Collins is eligible to return for the Texans in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Collins hasn’t suffered any setbacks and is progressing well in his recovery from the hamstring injury.
Wilson’s sources mentioned that Collins has reached 20 miles per hour during training and has quickly regained his flexibility, strength, and mobility.
Jonathon Brooks
RB | Carolina Panthers (NFI)
Carolina Panthers second-round pick RB Jonathon Brooks is on the non-football injury (NFI) list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered last November while at Texas. The Panthers opened his 21-day practice window in Week 7, and he was a limited participant in practices.
Brooks was not activated ahead of the Panthers’ Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, meaning that he must be activated this week or be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Jonathon Brooks is not expected to play this week but he has to be activated before early next week or miss the season. Week 10 is in Germany and Week 11 is the Panthers bye. Maybe Week 12 is when we will first see Brooks with an outside chance at Wk10. pic.twitter.com/F89o5uze4a
— Jeff Haseley (@JeffHaseley) November 1, 2024
The good news is that his activation appears likely, as Panthers reporter David Newton noted on Sunday.
Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks is expected to make his NFL debut next week against the Giants in Germany. OLB D.J. Wonnon is expected to make his Carolina debut in that game, and WR Adam Thielen is expected to return from injury — unless he's a last-minute trade.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) November 3, 2024
Although Chuba Hubbard has thrived as Carolina’s starting running back, Brooks would add a much-needed offensive threat to the Panthers’ underwhelming offense. If Brooks returns, he will likely split time with Hubbard in Carolina’s backfield moving forward.
Isiah Pacheco
RB | Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs starting running back Isaiah Pacheco was placed on IR after he fractured his fibula and suffered damage to his ankle ligaments in Week 2. While Pacheco’s return timeline is unclear, there have been encouraging signs since the injury.
Pacheco recently shared a video on social media of him moving at a relatively quick pace on a treadmill. Initial reports suggested that Pacheco could miss six to eight weeks, meaning that he should be nearing his return.
Ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 9 Monday night game against Tampa Bay, head coach Andy Reid provided a promising update.
Andy Reid on Isiah Pacheco's progress:
"He's getting there, but he's doing fantastic. He's really doing well. Between the trainers and doctors and all that, that's out of my hands there. But he's making great progress."
— Jordan Foote (@footenoted) October 31, 2024
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport had a more specific update on Sunday, suggesting that Pacheco would be back by “late November.”
From @NFLGameDay: The #Rams are expected to have WR Puka Nacua (knee) today despite an injury scare, while the #Chiefs eye a late-November return for Isiah Pacheco (broken fibula). pic.twitter.com/Mj3nVYQPtd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2024
Pacheco would likely be eased back into the mix, initially splitting carries with Kareem Hunt. But the Chiefs have largely leaned on a lead back under Reid, and a healthy Pacheco would likely resume a bellcow role by the fantasy playoffs.
Brandin Cooks
WR | Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys placed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks on IR due to a knee infection on Oct. 5. Cooks will be eligible to return for the Cowboys in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Saw Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks walking on the practice field and said, I see you got those knees out.
He responded with a smile and said, “you know what that means.”
Cooks is ready to return but he has to miss four games due to being placed on injured reserve.
Two more games then… pic.twitter.com/sof4sa3FxR— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 24, 2024
Cooks was initially expected to miss just one game due to a knee injury, but the procedure on his knee resulted in an infection. Therefore, Cooks was forced to undergo a clean-up procedure, which has sidelined Dallas’ second-best wide receiver for at least four weeks.
Gus Edwards
RB | Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers placed backup running back Gus Edwards on IR due to an ankle injury before the team’s matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Edwards will be eligible to return for Los Angeles’ game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 10.
While many expected Edwards to have a fantasy football-relevant role in Los Angeles, he was a disappointment before suffering an ankle injury. Edwards totaled just 113 yards and zero touchdowns on 38 rushing attempts.
MarShawn Lloyd
RB | Green Bay Packers
MarShawn Lloyd has been plagued by injuries since being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd dealt with injuries to his hip, hamstring, and ankle throughout the offseason and training camp.
After finally being available for his NFL debut in Week 2 of the regular season, Lloyd suffered an ankle injury against the Indianapolis Colts. The Packers placed Lloyd on IR, and he has been eligible to return since Week 7.
However, Lloyd has yet to practice as the Packers continue to wait for him to get healthy. In Lloyd’s absence, Emanuel Wilson has stepped into the RB2 role, rushing 47 times for 221 yards while also contributing 47 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Keaton Mitchell
RB | Baltimore Ravens (PUP)
Keaton Mitchell showcased his game-breaking speed during his rookie campaign for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. Mitchell averaged a ridiculous 8.4 yards per carry on 47 total rushing attempts.
Unfortunately, Mitchell suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 15. Mitchell was on the PUP list for training camp and remained on the list to start the regular season.
However, the Ravens opened his 21-day practice window on Oct. 23. He practiced in full leading up to the team’s Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos, and while he wasn’t activated, it indicates that Mitchell’s season debut is imminent.
"Having quality depth…guys that can come in and function at a really high level."
Todd Monken on adding Diontae Johnson and Keaton Mitchell progressing: pic.twitter.com/8F5fY6tFo2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 31, 2024
Derrick Henry has cemented himself as Baltimore’s workhorse running back in 2024, but Mitchell’s explosiveness would provide a dangerous dynamic alongside Henry for the Ravens.
While Mitchell showed flashes toward the end of last season, it’s unclear what role he will play in Baltimore’s backfield once he returns.
Allen Lazard
WR | New York Jets
Allen Lazard was injured during the New York Jets’ Week 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While his absence was initially expected to be a short-term one, Lazard was placed on injured reserve ahead of the Thursday night Week 9 game versus the Houston Texans with a chest injury.
Lazard will be eligible to return in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins. The seventh-year veteran has had a surprisingly large role as one of the few Jets players to earn Aaron Rodgers’ trust. Through seven weeks, he led the Jets with five receiving touchdowns and ranked second with 412 receiving yards.
Adam Thielen
WR | Carolina Panthers
Panthers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen was injured in Week 3 after hauling in a 31-yard touchdown from Andy Dalton. While Thielen appeared to be trending in the right direction with Dalton at quarterback, he landed on IR due to a hamstring injury.
Carolina opened Thielen’s 21-day practice window on Oct. 23. Thielen appeared to be moving well after riding a golf cart to the practice field.
More returns! Adam Thielen and Clowney both here to kick off the week. Thielen came off the golf cart bouncing and excited. pic.twitter.com/S7pVu9T0cp
— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) October 23, 2024
Thielen was not activated ahead of the team’s Week 9 game versus the Saints but appears to be nearing his return. Panthers reporter David Newton said he would be activated ahead of the team’s Week 10 game in Germany vs. the New York Giants – if he isn’t traded first. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are among the teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Thielen ahead of the trade deadline.
Tyler Higbee
TE | Los Angeles Rams (PUP)
Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL and MCL against the Lions in the playoffs last season. Higbee has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp and has yet to return to practice for the Los Angeles Rams.
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reported this summer that Los Angeles always expected Higbee to miss more than the minimum four games.
After the team’s Week 6 bye, head coach Sean McVay said Higbee was ahead of schedule with his rehab. While McVay’s update was certainly encouraging, it’s been silent since, and it’s still unclear when Higbee will return to action for the Rams.
Stefon Diggs
WR | Houston Texans
Stefon Diggs went down with a non-contact knee injury during the Texans’ Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Unfortunately, the team’s worst fears were realized when Diggs was confirmed to have suffered a season-ending torn ACL.
Before getting hurt, Diggs was averaging 5.8 receptions and 62 yards per game. He had three receiving touchdowns and one rushing TD on the season.
Diggs will turn 31 in November and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after re-working his deal upon being traded to the Texans from the Buffalo Bills in the offseason.
Brandon Aiyuk
WR | San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk was having a tough start to his 2024 season, which ended with a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee against Kansas City in Week 7.
After a protracted holdout and rumors of a trade, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco before the start of the season. That extension kicks in next season and keeps him under contract with the team through 2028.
Given the severity of this injury, it’s possible that Aiyuk won’t be ready to return by the time the 2025 season kicks off. He finished his fifth season with 25 receptions for 374 yards.
Chris Godwin
WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin suffered a gruesome ankle injury at the end of Tampa Bay’s Week 7 loss to Baltimore. He was carted off with an air cast on his leg and later diagnosed with a dislocated ankle.
The only good news is that NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Godwin was expected to make a full recovery before the 2025 season after his scheduled ankle surgery.
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle this week, sources say. He’ll see a doctor today to determine the damage & is expected to make a full recovery for 2025 — when he’ll be a FA.
Godwin was in a career year with 576 receiving yds — 2nd in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/UPVOqFwjXT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2024
Sports Injury Central compared the injury to the severe left high ankle fracture/dislocation Dak Prescott suffered in 2020, which ended his season. It will require surgery and end his season, according to SIC.
Godwin turns 29 this February and will be an unrestricted free agent. He finished the season with 50 receptions for 576 yards. Only Ja’Marr Chase had more receiving yards in the league at the time of Godwin’s injury.
Christian Kirk
WR | Jacksonville Jaguars
Christian Kirk went down during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 8 loss to the Packers. The play turned out to be his last of the season, as Kirk suffered a broken collarbone and will miss the rest of the 2024 campaign, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Kirk was poised to be among the most attractive wide receivers remaining on the block after Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins changed teams. Now that he’s out for the year, the Jaguars won’t have the option to exchange him for draft capital before the trade deadline.
Kirk posted 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns for Jacksonville in 2022 and was on a similar pace in 2023 before suffering a season-ending groin injury in Week 13.
The 27-year-old inked a four-year, $72 million free agent deal with the Jaguars in 2022 after spending four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He’s due a $15.5 million, non-guaranteed base salary in 2025. Jacksonville could release Kirk next offseason while clearing $10.7 million in salary cap space.
Rashid Shaheed
WR | New Orleans Saints
Shaheed finished the Saints’ Week 6 game against the Buccaneers, seemingly coming out unharmed. However, shortly after, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Shaheed suffered a concerning knee injury.
His knee ultimately required season-ending surgery to repair the meniscus, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that he’ll be out for 4-6 months as he recovers. This timeline indicates that Shaheed underwent a full repair of his meniscus, which is better for the long-term health of his knee. Had he opted for a trim, he would be sidelined for 4-6 weeks but could have some issues down the road, though it may not have been an option.
Shaheed can be dropped in redraft leagues since he’s out for the year. Fortunately, he’s expected to be fine for the start of the 2025 season (potentially even in time for spring OTAs and minicamp).
Hollywood Brown
WR | Kansas City Chiefs
Hollywood Brown fell awkwardly on his shoulder in the Chiefs’ first preseason game. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution, and it was determined that he suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation.
Kansas City placed him on injured reserve after Brown underwent surgery on Sept. 16 to repair the joint.
Unfortunately, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brown is not expected to play for the remainder of the 2024 regular season, so he can be dropped in all redraft leagues.
Rashee Rice
WR | Kansas City Chiefs
The second-year wide receiver had knee surgery on Oct. 8, and Reid noted that the timeline for recovery is similar to that of a torn ACL, meaning Rice’s season is over.
Rashee Rice had surgery on his posterolateral corner (PLC), per Coach Reid, who added the following:
"It's probably the same result you would get timewise for an ACL. It takes a while…He'll get into his rehab and get rolling on that."
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) October 14, 2024
Rice will remain on IR for the remainder of the regular season, so there’s no need to hang onto him in redraft leagues.
While Rice is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2025 season, he may have to miss additional time since the NFL is expected to suspend him for his role in a high-speed hit-and-run in March 2024. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that Rice may try to serve his potential suspension while injured.