Injuries continue to rock fantasy football managers this season. Thankfully, some big names should be returning to the field in Week 9 in time to make a push for the fantasy playoffs. Make sure to check in on this article throughout the week for the most up-to-date information for your fantasy lineups.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson logged limited practices all last week but did not play in the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 8 win against the Chicago Bears. Thankfully, the extra week of rest has seemingly served its purpose.
Jackson is expected to return to the field for Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. He did not appear on the team’s initial injury report. Jackson averaged 23.3 fantasy points per game before his injury and should be considered a top-three option against the Dolphins in Week 9.
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals | Questionable
Kyler Murray is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing three weeks (two games) with a foot injury. Foot injuries are notoriously fickle, so his status must be tracked throughout the week.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated on Thursday that the team is preparing for Murray to start the Cardinals’ Week 9 matchup against the Cowboys.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels missed the Washington Commanders’ Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a hamstring injury. The hope was that giving him a week to heal would allow him to return for the foreseeable future.
On Tuesday (10/29), head coach Dan Quinn stated that Daniels would have a full week of practice ahead of the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Daniels does not appear on Washington’s injury report heading into the game.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy is finally set to return to the starting lineup after missing six weeks (five games) due to a high-ankle sprain. The Minnesota Vikings gave McCarthy six weeks to heal from his high-ankle sprain, so there should be minimal issues with his mobility upon his return.
“The Vikings traded up in the draft to get JJ McCarthy and this is his team..
I can’t imagine any young QB in the league having more pressure on him right now than McCarthy”@PSchrags #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/L8NcTmWsDq
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 29, 2025
McCarthy was deemed “healthy” by head coach Kevin O’Connell on Wednesday and is expected to log a full week of practice ahead of Week 9’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.
He does not currently appear on the team injury report ahead of Sunday’s game.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers | Questionable
Brock Purdy missed the last four San Francisco 49ers games after re-aggravating his toe injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. Purdy has been logging limited practices recently but has not been healthy enough to play in games.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that Purdy’s return in Week 9 wasn’t considered “a long shot”, but Purdy has struggled to overcome this injury for weeks. Monitor his practice plans closely throughout the week. He logged a limited practice on Wednesday.
Shanahan confirmed on Friday that Mac Jones would be the starting quarterback against the New York Giants in Week 9. Purdy will be available as a backup.
Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals | Questionable
Joe Flacco has revived the Cincinnati Bengals’ passing attack over the last three games. Unfortunately, the veteran quarterback suffered a shoulder injury during the Bengals’ loss to the New York Jets in Week 8.
#Bengals QB Joe Flacco is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder & his status is up in the air for Sunday vs the #Bears, sources say.
Flacco left the loss to the #Jets, then came back late. Coach Zac Taylor called him day-to-day. Jake Browning is the backup. pic.twitter.com/ZxblNXiY5N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2025
Flacco still has a chance to play, but his status heading into Week 9 is up in the air. He did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, but was seen throwing at Thursday’s practice. That suggests that he is making progress towards starting against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
On Friday, head coach Zac Taylor officially stated that Flacco would be questionable heading into Sunday’s game. Jake Browning will return to the starting lineup if Flacco cannot play.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. put together a week of limited practices for the Atlanta Falcons before Week 8, but was ultimately ruled out of the team’s game against the Miami Dolphins. His knee injury was not expected to be a long-term issue.
Penix is expected to take most of the team’s first-team snaps in practice this week, signaling that he is set to return to the field against the Patriots in Week 9. He was a limited practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday.
Penix was removed from the team’s injury report on Friday and will start against the New England Patriots in Week 9.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young couldn’t log a full practice ahead of the Carolina Panthers’ Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. He could consistently work on a side field, indicating that his high-ankle sprain was considered minor.
Young is expected to return to practice and has a chance to start again in Week 9. He participated fully in Wednesday’s practice and does not appear on the team’s injury report.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins suffered a shoulder injury in the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the New England Patriots. Scans have indicated the issue is minor, and he is considered “day-to-day”.
The Browns have a bye week in Week 9, so Judkins will have plenty of time to heal before the team’s next game.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots | Out
Rhamondre Stevenson was listed as a non-participant in the New England Patriots’ practice on Wednesday due to a toe injury. He followed that up with another “DNP” on Thursday (10/30) before ultimately being ruled out on Friday.
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson should finally see an expanded role in the Patriots’ backfield in Week 9’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Terrell Jenings has had a role in recent weeks and should also contribute in Week 9.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears | Out
Due to a groin injury, D’Andre Swift was listed as a “DNP” on Wednesday (10/29). Over the last few weeks, Swift has upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. However, he remained out of practice on Thursday (10/30).
It seems as though Swift has aggravated his groin injury in Week 8. He was officially ruled out for Week 9’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
2025 seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai is set to be the starting running back for the Chicago Bears and should see a considerable workload with Swift and Roschon Johnson ruled out. He’s a priority waiver wire add if he’s still available and can be started in all formats.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs | Out
Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Isiah Pacheco has been in a three-headed backfield for most of the season. However, he suffered a knee injury in Week 8’s victory over the Washington Commanders that is considered “week-to-week”.
READ MORE: Isiah Pacheco Injury Update: What’s the Latest on the Chiefs RB, and Will He Play in Week 9?
Pacheco did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before being ruled out on Friday. Kareem Hunt will have an expanded role in Kansas City’s Week 9 matchup against the Bills, but rookie Brashard Smith could also have a larger role as a pass-catching back.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Woody Marks was added to the Texans’ injury report on Thursday with a mid-week calf injury. He was a limited participant, so there is still a good chance he is able to suit up on Sunday.
Marks was removed from the injury report on Friday and enters Week 9 with no designation. He is set to continue his backfield split with veteran Nick Chubb.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua suffered an ankle injury in Week 6’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. The injury was considered minor, but the team ultimately held their star receiver out of Week 7’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, knowing they could give him another week of rest with a Week 8 bye.
Nacua is expected to return in the Los Angeles Rams’ matchup against the New Orleans Saints, but his practice participation must be monitored.
Nacua was removed from the team’s injury report on Friday. He will be a full participant in Week 9.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars | Questionable
Brian Thomas Jr. suffered an apparent shoulder injury in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Thomas fell hard in the third quarter but played through the injury. Toward the end of the game, he was hit by a cornerback and came off the field holding the shoulder under his own power.
The Jaguars had their bye week in Week 8, giving Thomas plenty of time to heal from the injury. Thomas participated in Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder harness, a positive step towards him playing Week 9. He was also a limited participant on Thursday.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins suffered a concussion in the Houston Texans’ Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That game was played on a Monday night, which made it difficult for Collins to progress through the concussion protocol and return to action in Week 8.
Collins has not had any setbacks and is expected to be ready for Week 9’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Collins cleared the concussion protocol on Thursday and is set to return to the starting lineup.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London was somewhat surprisingly inactive for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 due to a hip injury. Head coach Raheem Morris has stated that London was “feeling better” but still categorized his Week 9 status as “day-to-day”.
London is expected to practice this week and is trending towards playing if he doesn’t suffer a setback. He logged a limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday. London was removed from the team’s injury report on Friday.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze was listed as a “DNP” on Wednesday due to a heel injury. Odunze was able to finish Week 8’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, so there is no reason to believe that he will miss Week 9’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Odunze was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday, setting him up to play in Week 9. After practice, Odunze stated that he had been managing the heel injury for weeks. Odunze was removed from the Chicago Bears’ final injury report on Friday, suggesting he will be full go against the Bengals.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars | Out
Travis Hunter appeared on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ injury report on Thursday with a knee injury after logging a full practice on Wednesday. Hunter was a limited participant on Thursday, so there is a chance he is still able to play in Week 9.
Unfortunately, Hunter was placed on the injured reserve on Friday due to the knee injury he suffered during Wednesday’s practice. Hunter will miss at least the next four games, but it sounds like his absence could be longer.
Dyami Brown and Parker Washington should see expanded roles in Jacksonville’s passing attack as long as Hunter is out.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders | Out
Terry McLaurin returned to the field in Week 8 in the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and made an immediate impact. Unfortunately, he also seemed to re-aggravate his quad injury in the fourth quarter.
After the game, McLaurin stated he was feeling “pretty good” but also acknowledged that his quad was sore and that he was taking it “day-by-day.” His practice participation will tell us just how badly he re-injured it.
McLaurin was already ruled out for Week 9’s game against Seattle on Wednesday.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs popped up on the Indianapolis Colts’ injury report as a “DNP” with a hip injury. Downs missed Week 7 due to a concussion and returned to the field in Week 8, logging a season-high 64.2% snap share. Downs was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday.
Downs was removed from the team’s injury report and is expected to play Week 9 with no limitations.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Out
Ricky Pearsall suffered a “minor” knee injury in Week 4, which has kept him off the field for four weeks. Pearsall has been unable to practice while injured but is expected to be reevaluated this week, hopefully to return to the field.
Pearsall did not participate in Wednesday’s or Thursday’s practice. He was once again ruled out on Friday.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears | Questionable
DJ Moore did not participate in the Chicago Bears’ practice on Wednesday due to a hip/groin injury. This is the same injury that has limited Moore in practice over the last several weeks, so there is minimal concern for him missing Week 9.
Moore was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. He is on pace to play Sunday.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Jakobi Meyers missed the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 7 game due to knee and toe injuries, even though he logged a limited practice the Friday before the game. That allowed the team to use their Week 8 bye to give him extra time to recover from his injuries.
Meyers does not appear on the Raiders’ injury report heading into Week 9.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans | Out
Calvin Ridley has missed two straight games with a hamstring injury. He did not practice on Oct. 29 or 30 either, further casting doubt on his status. Ridley was officially ruled out on Friday.
The Tennessee Titans’ passing attack has been evenly split between rookies Elic Ayomanor (13 targets) and Chimere Dike (12), as well as veteran wide receiver Van Jefferson (12). Dike (11 receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown) has been the most effective player in Ridley’s absence.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Out
Shanahan stated that the 49ers had no intention of activating wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the reserve/PUP list ahead of Week 9’s game against the New York Giants. His return date is still unknown.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders essentially shut down Brock Bowers from Weeks 4 to 7, hoping to get him completely healthy from a knee injury. They believed that by giving him extra rest (including a Week 8 bye), Bowers would be able to return to the lineup at full strength.
Bowers is expected to practice this week and should make his return to the field in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bowers did not appear on the Raiders’ initial injury report, signaling that he is ready to go in Week 9.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans | Questionable
Dalton Schultz was not spotted at the Houston Texans’ practice on Thursday due to knee and shoulder injuries. Schultz also missed Wednesday’s practice.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans stated earlier in the week that he expected Schultz to get a limited practice during the week. Schultz returned to the practice field on Friday and is trending toward playing Week 9.
