Injuries continue to add up throughout the NFL. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 9, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more.
Let’s round up the most notable injury updates looking ahead to Week 10.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
For a moment, it looked like the entire NFL season had turned on its head when Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down on a non-contact play.
Mahomes fell to the turf on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Samaje Perine. While he was very slow to get off the field, it turned out to be a minor re-aggravation of a pre-existing left ankle sprain he suffered in Week 8 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Came into game with left eversion ankle sprain
Aggravates it on the poor footing
Not severe
Mahomes is "gumby" https://t.co/pkYw2W9ZVO— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) November 5, 2024
Mahomes ended up toughing out the rest of the team’s Week 9 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, maintaining the team’s unbeaten start. After the game, Mahomes said he expected some swelling but that the ankle started feeling better once he began walking.
The Chiefs have already had their bye, so Mahomes won’t have extended time to rest until the Wild Card Round if Kansas City clinches the top seed. They’ll host the Denver Broncos in Week 10. While we should expect some limited practice participation for Mahomes, it would be stunning if he was forced to miss any time.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott entered the medical tent along the Dallas Cowboys’ sideline at the start of the fourth quarter. Dallas subsequently announced that he was questionable to return with a hamstring injury, but Prescott never re-entered Sunday’s game.
Prescott underwent an MRI on his hamstring on Monday, and the news was not positive. The Cowboys quarterback was placed on injured reserve, knocking him out until at least Week 14.
From @GMFB: #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is headed to IR. pic.twitter.com/ahODagAB5L
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2024
After Sunday’s game, Prescott said he thought he hurt his hamstring on a third-quarter scramble attempt.
“Yeah, we gotta get it looked at,” Prescott said. “Felt it on the little scramble to the left. Felt it, didn’t think much. Then on the next play, throwing that the stop route to the field, pulled something, I felt something I never felt. It was tough to walk on it at that point.”
Cooper Rush, who went 4-1 after relieving Prescott as the Cowboys’ starter in 2022, will be under center moving forward. Pro Football Network ranks Rush as the NFL’s 15th-best backup quarterback.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Speaking on Monday, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni noted that Saquon Barkley was dealing with “back tightness” in the wake of Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Barkley did say he would be ready for the Week 10 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, so this appears to be a minor injury. Barkley seemingly tweaked something on his sensational 180-degree hurdle over a defender.
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Barkley’s first season in Philly has been a smashing success. He ranks second in scrimmage yards (1,071) behind only Derrick Henry and has scored eight touchdowns.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
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.
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.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
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 San Francisco 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 Tampa Bay. Monday saw his return to practice.
Back from the bye.
Time to get to work 😤 pic.twitter.com/YE8Vqu6yCK
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 4, 2024
Kyle Shanahan offered a promising update regarding McCaffrey’s potential return.
“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.”
Zack Moss, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Zack Moss (neck) popped up on the Cincinnati Bengals’ injury report last Friday, didn’t play on Sunday, and is now facing an indefinite absence, as head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Monday. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported that Moss is expected to miss at least the rest of the regular season.
Context on the #Bengals trading for Khalil Herbert from @gmfb: RB Zack Moss is expected to miss at least the rest of the regular season with a neck injury, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. pic.twitter.com/9QaWl6js8d
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 5, 2024
Moss’ absence led to 2023 fifth-rounder Chase Brown’s first bell-cow workload. Brown set career highs in attempts (27) and rushing yards (120), adding five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown in Cincinnati’s 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the Bengals traded for Khalil Herbert on Tuesday, giving Brown some support in the backfield.
Brian Robinson Jr., WR, Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. was seemingly a go in Week 9 after being limited with a hamstring injury all week. However, pregame warmups did not go well, and Robinson was made inactive for the Washington Commanders’ win over the New York Giants.
The third-year back may practice again this week, but it’s important to consider that Washington has a short turnaround to a Week 11 Thursday night game in Philadelphia. That could theoretically lead the Commanders to save him for the more important game that could decide first place in the NFC East.
Without Robinson, Washington had a three-headed committee in its backfield of Austin Ekeler (28 snaps), Jeremy McNichols (23), and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (20).
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown went down in the first half of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the club received good news on Monday.
Per NFL Network, Brown did not suffer a significant knee injury on Sunday. He doesn’t have any structural issues and is dealing with more of a contusion. Brown could suit up against Dallas in Week 10.
#Eagles WR AJ Brown received good news from his MRI today, sources say. No structural issues with his knee, more of a contusion than anything.
Brown has a chance to play this week. pic.twitter.com/OJMIbPcvEQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
Brown had been targeted four times on Sunday, catching two Jalen Hurts passes for 36 scoreless yards.
The 27-year-old has already dealt with injury problems this season. Before Week 2, Brown suffered a hamstring injury that cost him three games.
Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman appeared to suffer a wrist/hand injury on Sunday. He was injured while trying to haul in a deep pass from Josh Allen with 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Coleman went to Buffalo’s locker room before the game was over. After Buffalo’s victory, he had a brace on his right wrist. On Monday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Coleman’s injury was still being evaluated, and there was no update as of Tuesday afternoon.
Despite Amari Cooper’s absence (wrist), Coleman wasn’t heavily involved in Week 9. The Florida State product had managed just one 21-yard reception on two targets versus the Dolphins before departing.
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 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 this week against the Detroit Lions.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans was evasive on Collins’ return when speaking on Monday, saying only that the team would “continue to evaluate” the wide receiver throughout the week. However, 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.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys placed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks on IR due to a knee infection on Oct. 5. Cooks is eligible to return for the Cowboys this week against the Eagles, and reports about his progress were encouraging last week.
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.
Amari Cooper, WR, Buffalo Bills
Amari Cooper was a surprise inactive on Sunday after suffering a wrist injury in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks. Although Cooper practiced in limited fashion earlier in the week, the wide receiver was ruled out on game day.
There haven’t been any concrete updates on his status early in the week, but Cooper was seen walking into Sunday’s game with a wrap on his left wrist.
Bills WR Amari Cooper arrives at the stadium. He appears to have a wrap on his wrist but it could be a fashion thing which I would have zero idea about. Any fashion experts want to weigh in? Cooper hurt the wrist in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/9Zu9lFuhL5
— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) November 3, 2024
The 10-year pro has five receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown in two games with Buffalo since being traded from the Cleveland Browns. Cooper was still ramping up his participation before this injury, playing only 43% of the snaps so far with the Bills.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins has been out the last two weeks for the Bengals since suffering a quad injury in practice. With the Bengals facing a short week with a Thursday night game in Baltimore, Higgins was listed as an estimated non-participant on Monday. Head coach Zac Taylor did not necessarily rule out Higgins playing this week, however.
Taylor says both Tee Higgins and Orlando Brown want to play on Thursday. Just have to get them through week dealing with trainers to see if they are capable.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 4, 2024
Higgins also missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. The fifth-year pro has 29 catches for 341 yards in 2024 and is set to enter free agency this offseason after playing on the franchise tag.
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are down numerous offensive weapons but could be getting healthy soon. After missing the team’s last two games before bye week with a hip injury, wide receiver Jauan Jennings returned to practice on Monday.
Jauan Jennings sighting 👀 pic.twitter.com/4GkM7rSGG8
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 4, 2024
Jennings is in line for the No. 2 WR role with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season. He had a spectacular Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams, posting 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. However, Jennings recorded only seven catches for 128 yards and no scores in three games combined before his injury.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb seemed to be battling a right shoulder issue throughout Sunday’s game. He received attention from trainers throughout the first half but never entered the medical tent or exited the contest. However, Lamb landed hard on that shoulder while trying to reel in an end-zone attempt from Rush at the start of the fourth quarter.
After the game, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that Lamb “is dealing with a right AC joint issue with his shoulder” and added that he will have an MRI to evaluate the severity. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is hopeful that the star wide receiver can play through the injury since he was able to return on Sunday.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s first-round rookie WR Xavier Legette went to the club’s locker room just before halftime on Sunday and was considered questionable to return with a hand injury. Fortunately, Legette was back on the field for the start of the third quarter, finishing Week 9 with four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s hurting, but I’m going to be alright,” Legette said on Sunday. “It’s a little sore, but I’m good.”
Legette became the Panthers’ de facto No. 1 wide receiver when the club traded fellow wideout Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens last week.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London caught a nine-yard touchdown on the second drive of the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 9 win over Dallas. However, he was seen talking to trainers after the play and this ended being his final play of the contest.
London was initially listed as questionable to return with a hip injury. However, at halftime, the Falcons officially ruled out London for the remainder of the game.
The good news is that London was diagnosed with a hip pointer, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. It isn’t expected to be a long-term issue, and head coach Raheem Morris called his top receiver “day-to-day” on Monday.
#Falcons WR Drake London will have tests done, but the belief is he suffered a hip pointer, source said. While those can be frustrating, they are not long-term issues. pic.twitter.com/XDEp1Hxe1R
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
London leads the Falcons this season with 50 receptions, and his 552 receiving yards are second on the team to Darnell Mooney. His six touchdown receptions are also already a career-high and as many as he had his first two seasons combined.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are in desperate need of wide receivers, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin already out. Rookie Jalen McMillan looked like the new potential No. 1 target but missed Monday night’s game versus the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury suffered on Saturday.
It’s not the first time McMillan has missed time with a hamstring injury this season, as he was out Weeks 4-5 with the same injury. At the time, head coach Todd Bowles noted how missing practice time was especially damaging for the rookie.
McMillan ran a team-high 46 routes in Week 8, the first game without both Evans and Godwin. However, it’s unclear if that hierarchy would remain after Sterling Shepard recorded six touches for 69 yards as the team’s top receiver on Monday.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave stayed down on the field after taking a scary first-quarter hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods, who was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty on the play. New Orleans’ medical staff immediately tended to Olave, placing him on a backboard before carting him off the field.
While Olave suffered a concussion, he thankfully had movement in all his extremities. After spending time at a local hospital, he was discharged and traveled home to New Orleans with the rest of his team.
Olave’s injury is especially concerning, given that he suffered a concussion in Week 6. He missed the Saints’ Week 7 loss to Denver before returning against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Olave was evaluated for a concussion against the Chargers but was cleared to return to the game.
The former first-round pick has a lengthy concussion history. He missed Week 6 during his 2022 rookie campaign with a brain injury, then was sidelined for Week 12 in 2023. Olave also suffered a concussion during Ohio State’s season opener in 2020.
Olave told reporters that he considered wearing a Guardian Cap — a padded helmet covering that can help reduce brain injuries — after his Week 6 concussion. However, he did not don the Guardian Cap for Weeks 8 or 9.
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.
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 against the Giants.
The 34-year-old demonstrated a strong rapport with Bryce Young last season, recording 103 catches for 1,014 yards. It was his first 1,000-yard season since 2018, the year of his last Pro Bowl berth with the Minnesota Vikings.