Injuries are an unfortunate reality of NFL life, but everyone who follows the league — fantasy football players, sports bettors, and fans of teams — wants the latest health information. In that vein, we’re tracking every NFL injury ahead of Week 9.
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Derek Carr has missed the New Orleans Saints’ last three games after suffering an oblique injury in Week 5. Fortunately, he’s on track to return in Week 9.
Carr began throwing last week, but Wednesday represented his first practice since going down. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, and head coach Dennis Allen said Carr appears to be on track to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Carr was formally removed from the Saints’ injury report on Friday.
Carr’s return to action is good news for all of New Orleans’ skill-position players. The Saints ranked dead last in offensive EPA per play (-0.27) with Carr sidelined from Weeks 6 to 8. New Orleans benched Spencer Rattler for Jake Haener on Sunday, and the latter will back up Carr in Week 9.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Week 9 status: PLAYING
While Jayden Daniels missed most of Week 7 while battling a rib injury, the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite returned in Week 8 to throw the most memorable pass of the season — a 52-yard Hail Mary to give the Washington Commanders an incredible victory over the Bears.
Heading into Week 9, Daniels is already ahead of last week’s practice schedule. While the No. 2 overall pick didn’t participate in a single Commanders practice leading into last Sunday’s game, he was limited on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, Daniels was officially removed from Washington’s injury report. He will play against the NFC East rival Giants on Sunday.
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Jared Goff did not practice on Wednesday after rolling his ankle in the Detroit Lions’ Week 8 win against the Tennessee Titans. However, Goff was a full participant on Thursday, putting him on track to play with no limitations on Sunday. He practiced again on Friday and doesn’t have an injury designation for Week 9.
Unless Goff suffers a setback, he should be available to face the Green Bay Packers in a Week 9 matchup that will determine who controls the NFC North. Hendon Hooker, Detroit’s third-round pick in 2023, is Goff’s backup.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh suggested that Wednesday was a rest day for Jackson, who was a DNP with back and knee injuries. Jackson was a non-participant again on Thursday with the same injuries.
Fortunately, Jackson returned to the practice field on Friday and said he would be ready to play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Lamar said his Week 9 availability was never in doubt, noting that he simply resting his body at midseason. He is no longer listed on Blatimore’s injury report and has no designation for Sunday’s game.
The two-time MVP would probably have been able to suit up in Week 9 without practicing at all during the week. However, a third straight Lamar DNP would’ve raised significant alarm bells.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Will Levis continues to be hindered by the right shoulder injury he suffered in Week 4 and was limited during this week’s practices. He is officially questionable for Week 9.
While Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he has not decided on a starting quarterback for this week’s game, Ian Rapaport reported that Levis is not quite ready to return. Rudolph will make another start.
Despite being listed as questionable, Levis has not been active for either of the Titans’ past two games. It may have been a soft benching for the 2023 second-round pick, who has thrown five touchdowns and seven interceptions in five games. After all, he is practicing in a limited capacity.
However, it’s not as if replacement Mason Rudolph is lighting the world on fire. The journeyman backup ranks 29th in EPA per dropback over the past two weeks, ahead of only Daniel Jones, Caleb Williams, and Rattler.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is officially questionable to play in Week 9 after injuring his groin last Sunday. Love didn’t practice on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday. Head coach Matt LaFleur declined to state whether his QB1 will suit up against the Lions this weekend. However, Ian Rapaport reported that Love is tracking to play in Week 9.
Love was limping throughout the first half of Week 8, then went down after being bumped by a Jacksonville Jaguars defender on the Packers’ first third-quarter drive. When the Packers began their next series, QB2 Malik Willis was under center — and he remained there for the rest of Sunday’s win.
Green Bay listed Love as questionable to return to Week 8 with a groin injury. However, he never re-entered the game.
LaFleur told FOX’s broadcast at halftime that Love “can’t really move” and noted that Green Bay would need to adjust his play-calling for the second half. After the win, LaFleur admitted the Packers are worried about Love’s groin issue.
Jordan Love played about two quarters with an injured groin. Here’s is what happened on his final play. pic.twitter.com/b5qymt9HGh
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 27, 2024
“Obviously high level of concern,” LaFleur said, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. ” ….I think everybody could see him struggling to move around, and I just got to a point where we didn’t, he didn’t feel like he could protect himself.”
According to NFL Network, an MRI revealed that Love has a strained groin. While his injury isn’t considered major, insider Ian Rapoport suggested it could prevent him from playing against the Lions in Week 9. The Packers have a bye in Week 10.
On Wednesday, Rapoport indicated that Green Bay considers Love day to day, while the Packers’ QB is “determined” to face the Lions on Sunday.
“He’s moving around better,” LaFleur said Wednesday. “We’ll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play. We’ll see where he’s at at the end of the week.”
Willis, who won two games as Love’s replacement in Weeks 2 and 3, connected on four of five attempts for 56 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, helping Green Bay move to 6-2.
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Week 9 status: PLAYING
New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye got off to a fast start against the New York Jets on Sunday before going down with a concussion in the second quarter. Maye completed three of six passes for 23 yards while adding 46 rushing yards and a touchdown before exiting.
Before Friday’s practice, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye still was in the NFL’s concussion protocol and would be limited in practice. Because he remains in the protocol, Maye is officially considered questionable for Week 9. Fortunately, Maye cleared the concussion protocol on Saturday and will start Sunday.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett, who began the season as New England’s starting QB, completed 15 of 24 attempts for 132 yards in a 25-22 upset over Gang Green. He’d be back under center if Maye can’t go on Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Patrick Mahomes won’t miss Monday night’s game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he did pop up on the first injury report on Thursday as limited with an ankle injury but was a full participant the entire week.
The three-time Super Bowl champ did see his left ankle get trapped while getting hit on a pass last week vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. Mahomes did not miss any time in the game but was limping afterward.
Patrick Mahomes #chiefs
Ankle gets trapped as he gets tackled here
He’s still playing, and this isn’t likely to be a major issue but he is limping pic.twitter.com/pmr9WwDxRt
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) October 27, 2024
Given that the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t even load managing his practice schedule, Mahomes is a near-certainty to play on Monday. Even so, it’s an injury worth monitoring, particularly given how effective Mahomes has been as a scrambler this season (second in scramble EPA behind Jayden Daniels).
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tank Bigsby picked up an ankle injury in Week 8 and was limited for Jacksonville’s practices all week leading up to Week 9. He’s officially considered questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles.
Bigsby had already begun to steal work from fellow Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. before the latter suffered a hamstring injury and missed two games. Etienne returned for limited practices and is a game-time decision for Sunday. Notably, head coach Doug Pederson did not label Bigsby as a GTD.
Among running backs with at least 75 carries this season, Bigsby ranks No. 1 in yards after contact per attempt (4.55) and No. 5 in explosive run rate (14.1%). He’s surpassed 100 rushing yards in two of the past four weeks, scoring two TDs in both century-mark efforts.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
Week 9 status: OUT
Jonathon Brooks will not make his Carolina Panthers debut in Week 9. While he was initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, head coach Dave Canales said Brooks probably won’t play against the Saints. That proved to be the case when the team did not activate Brooks ahead of Saturday’s 4 PM ET deadline.
Carolina designated the second-round rookie to return from the non-football injury list two weeks ago. This week, he’s been a full participant in each of the first two practices.
Brooks, who tore his ACL with Texas in November, was the first RB off the board in April’s draft after posting 1,425 total yards and scoring 11 touchdowns in 11 games for the Texas Longhorns in 2023. While the Panthers will want to see what Brooks can do, he’ll have to battle veteran RB Chuba Hubbard for playing time.
Through eight weeks, Hubbard has rushed for 593 yards while ranking sixth among running backs in success rate (42.4%) and eighth in EPA per rush (-0.01). Carolina is not required to activate Brooks until Week 10.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jackonsville Jaguars
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
While Etienne is still battling the hamstring injury that sidelined him in Weeks 7 and 8, the Jaguars RB could be closer to returning to action. On Wednesday, Pederson said he “feels good” about Etienne — who was limited on Wednesday and Thursday — suiting up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.
However, on Friday, Pederson labeled Etienne a game-time decision.
Etienne was a limited practice participant on all three days leading up to Week 8 and was considered questionable to face the Packers this past Sunday. Viewed as a game-time decision, Etienne was eventually ruled out.
Bigsby was Jacksonville’s lead running back for the second consecutive week, taking 18 carries for 78 scoreless yards while adding two catches for eight yards. One week after finishing as fantasy’s RB8 against the Patriots, Bigsby ended up as the RB21 vs. Green Bay.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Jerome Ford (hamstring) was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday. Fortunately, he was removed from Cleveland’s injury report on Friday and will suit up against the Chargers in Week 9.
Ford has missed two straight games, but back-to-back limited practices suggested that he was ready to play. That said, with Nick Chubb having reclaimed the top job in the Cleveland Browns’ backfield, Ford’s fantasy upside has taken a notable hit ahead of Week 9 action.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Kareem Hunt has been a workhorse for the Chiefs since returning to Kansas City ahead of Week 4. However, the eighth-year pro popped up on the first practice report of the week on Thursday as limited with a quad injury. He was a full participant on Friday and Saturday and will play on Monday.
Hunt was limited with a hip injury in last week’s first practice before logging full sessions the last two practices of the week. While this is a new injury, there was no indication that Hunt was any worse for the wear after the Chiefs’ Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Since Week 4, Hunt’s 21 carries per game are the second-most in the NFL (Kyren Williams is averaging 21.8). Due to that volume, he’s RB10 overall in that span. Although Hunt’s averaging a meager 3.7 yards per rush, he’s scored in three straight games and has gotten a steady diet of goal-line work.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Bucky Irving did not practice to begin the week with a toe injury. This ended up mirroring last week’s DNP-DNP-LP practice pattern, which saw Irving play against the Atlanta Falcons. He is officially listed as questionable against the Chiefs.
The rookie logged nine rushes for 44 yards and seven receptions for 40 yards in that game as part of a three-headed timeshare with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.
Unfortunately, head coach Todd Bowles has suggested that Irving’s toe could be problematic for the rest of the season.
Todd Bowles said Bucky Irving will be dealing with his toe issue all year. Bucs holding him out of some practices to make sure he can get on the field.
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) October 31, 2024
Tampa Bay’s backfield is a headache for fantasy managers. Over the last two weeks, the carry distribution has gone to Irving (18), White (16), and Tucker (seven). Irving has gotten both carries from the 5-yard line or closer, but that’s not enough of a sample to definitively label him the goal-line back.
Based on their usage this season, White would see a larger bump in value than Tucker if Irving cannot play.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Love wasn’t Green Bay’s only skill-position player to miss practice on Wednesday. Running back Josh Jacobs also missed the session.
LaFleur said the veteran RB is dealing with an ankle injury suffered in the Jaguars’ Week 8 victory over the Jaguars. Jacobs, however, told reporters after practice that he expects to be ready for Week 9.
Josh Jacobs didn’t practice today because of an ankle injury suffered Sunday:
“I’ll be good game time.” pic.twitter.com/ep8eEallVs
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 30, 2024
LaFleur indicated that Jacobs wanted to re-enter Sunday’s game against Jacksonville, but the former believed the veteran RB needed to get his ankle examined.
Jacobs returned to a limited practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session, suggesting that he’s on track to play without significant limitations. He practiced again on Friday and is considered qualified for Sunday’s game.
Detroit is a dreadful matchup. Dan Campbell’s team allows the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Alvin Kamara (hand/rib) was limited for Wednesday’s practice, just as he was for every session leading up to Week 8. He was limited again on Thursday before being removed from the New Orleans Saints’ injury report on Friday. He will suit up again at the Panthers on Sunday.
Kamara recently told reporters that he’s been playing through a broken hand and is dealing with the broken ribs he suffered in Week 3.
Carr’s return to New Orleans’ starting lineup should help all of the club’s skill players, Kamara included. Kamara was fantasy’s RB6 or better three times over the first four weeks of the season. He’s still been effective since, with RB21, RB17, RB33, and RB13 performances over the ensuing four games — but Kamara hasn’t found his ceiling recently.
Fellow Saints RB Jamaal Williams (groin) is doubtful for Week 9, while Kendre Miller (hamstring) has been ruled out. Taysom Hill could work as Kamara’s backup on Sunday.
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Week 9 status: BYE
This past Sunday, Jordan Mason appeared to aggravate the shoulder injury he initially suffered in Week 6. The 49ers RB initially went down on the club’s second drive but then reappeared for the next series, running the ball three times before the Niners were stopped on downs.
Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo handled San Francisco’s backfield work on the club’s fourth and final drive of the first half. While the 49ers announced Mason was questionable to return with a shoulder injury, he never re-entered the contest.
Fortunately, his shoulder injury doesn’t appear to be serious. Head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested that Mason “maybe” could’ve returned to Week 8 if needed.
Christian McCaffrey (Achilles tendinitis) is expected to return in Week 10, leaving Mason as a handcuff — albeit one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy football.
Zack Moss, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 9 status: DOUBTFUL
Late-week injury downgrades are never what you want to see. On Friday, Zack Moss (neck) was added to the Cincinnati Bengals’ injury report for the first time this week. Given that he didn’t pop up until the end of the week, Moss was likely injured during practice.
He’s considered doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Assuming Moss can’t go, fellow Bengals RB Chase Brown should receive a full workload in Week 9. Trayveon Williams is the only other back on Cincinnati’s active roster, and he hasn’t played an offensive snap this season.
Las Vegas represents a decent fantasy matchup for Brown. The Raiders’ defense ranks in the middle of the pack in EPA per rush and rushing success rate but has given up the 10st-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. However, Brown likely won’t have left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (doubtful; knee/fibula) blocking for him on Sunday.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Tony Pollard did not practice all week while battling a foot injury, but the Tennessee Titans are still listing him as questionable for Week 9.
This is a new issue for Pollard, who has not been listed on the Titans’ injury report this entire season.
With fellow RB Tyjae Spears sidelined in Weeks 7 and 8, Pollard hit an 80% snap share in both games. He’s been fantasy’s RB20 or better in five of seven games in 2024.
Fellow Titans RB Tony Pollard (foot) is questionable to play on Sunday after sitting out of practice all week. If neither Tennessee back can play in Week 9, Julius Chestnut — a 2022 UDFA with 24 career touches — will start against the Patriots. New England is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and ranks 21st in rushing success rate.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Brian Robinson Jr. is dealing with a new hamstring injury ahead of Week 9. The Commanders’ RB1 was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
Robinson was limited again on Friday and is considered questionable to play against the Giants on Sunday. Given that he practiced every day this week, Robinson should be expected to suit up unless he suffers a setback over the weekend.
Robinson has already missed one game this season, sitting out Week 6 with a knee issue. He’s returned to handle 28 carries over the past two weeks.
If Robinson can’t go, Washington would likely deploy the same arrangement it used without Robinson in Week 6. Austin Ekeler played 75% of the club’s snaps and took 13 touches, while Jeremy McNichols checked in at 44% playing time and two touches.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Week 9 status: OUT
Tyjae Spears missed the Titans’ past two games with a hamstring injury. Head coach Brian Callahan thought Spears had a chance to suit up in Week 8, but he ended up not playing despite managing limited practices all week.
Spears put in another limited practice on Wednesday, but he regressed to a DNP on Thursday. After failing to participate on Friday, Spears was officially ruled out for Week 9.
Fellow Titans RB Tony Pollard (foot) is questionable to play on Sunday after sitting out of practice all week. If neither Tennessee back can play in Week 9, Julius Chestnut — a 2022 UDFA with 24 career touches — will start against the Patriots. New England is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and ranks 21st in rushing success rate.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has maintained his 1A running back role for the Giants even after Devin Singletary returned from injury in Week 7. However, Tracy suffered a concussion in Week 8 and didn’t practice on Wednesday.
Fortunately, Tracy returned for a limited session on Thursday. On Friday, Tracy officially exited the NFL’s concussion protocol and fully practiced. He’s good to go for Week 9 and will not carry an injury designation into Sunday’s NFC East matchup against the Commanders.
TYRONE TRACY JR. 🔥
A 45-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO KEEP THE GIANTS IN IT 😤 #NYGvsPIT | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MRLgsnavoq
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2024
The fifth-round rookie has out-snapped Singletary 80-40 and out-touched the veteran 31-10 over the past two games. In Week 8, Tracy took 20 carries for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s finished as the fantasy RB18 or better in three of the past four weeks.
Amari Cooper, WR, Buffalo Bills
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Amari Cooper suffered a wrist injury in the Buffalo Bills’ Week 8 win against the Seattle Seahawks and was limited for the club’s first two practices ahead of Week 9.
Head coach Sean McDermott said Cooper is “taking it one day at a time” ahead of the Bills’ AFC East matchup against the Miami Dolphins. On Friday, McDermott officially labeled Cooper as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Cooper hauled in four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in his Week 7 Buffalo debut before being held to one reception for three yards on Sunday.
Even if Copper suits up, his injury may continue to repress his snap count (43% through two games with Buffalo). If Cooper can’t suit up or is limited against Miami, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman will see their opportunities expand.
Gabe Davis, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Gabe Davis went down with a shoulder injury in the first half of the Jaguars’ loss to the Packers and never returned. He was officially limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and wore a non-contact vest for both sessions.
On Friday, head coach Doug Pederson said Davis will be a game-time decision for Week 9. Fellow wideout Brian Thomas Jr. is also a GTD, while Christian Kirk is on IR with a broken collarbone. Parker Washington and Tim Jones could be Trevor Lawrence’s top two wideouts against the Eagles on Sunday.
Davis was listed with a shoulder issue on Jacksonville’s injury report in Week 4 but had more recently been dealing with a knee problem. He’s been listed on the Jags’ practice report as limited for almost every session since Week 5.
Davis didn’t receive a target before departing on Sunday. He entered Week 8 with 19 catches for 217 yards and two scores.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans
Week 9 status: IR
Stefon Diggs exited Week 8’s game after suffering a non-contact knee injury during the third quarter. While the veteran wideout was able to leave the field under his own power, Diggs’ injury was clearly concerning.
Unfortunately, an MRI confirmed that Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8, and he will miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign.
Here is the non-contact knee injury suffered by Stefon Diggs pic.twitter.com/GSTvg1BqPd
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) October 27, 2024
Diggs, whom the Texans acquired from the Bills in March, posted five catches for 81 yards prior to his exit on Sunday and has a 47-496-3 line in his first Houston campaign. He will be a free agent next offseason.
Fellow Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is on injured reserve but is eligible to play in Week 10.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Week 9 status: PLAYING
The Indianapolis Colts have been giving Josh Downs rest days since he injured his toe in Week 5. He hasn’t practiced on Wednesdays in either of the last two weeks. Now also battling a groin injury, Downs continued with that pattern ahead of Week 8.
Unsurprisingly, he did not participate in Wednesday’s practice leading up to Week 9. Downs returned for a full practice on Thursday and Friday and has no injury designation for Sunday’s game. The Colts seem intent on keeping Downs healthy by limiting his reps early in the week.
Downs missed the first two games of this season with a high ankle sprain. After returning, he was a top-20 fantasy WR in three straight games while catching passes from Joe Flacco.
Downs scored on a busted coverage with the more erratic Anthony Richardson under center in Week 8 but had mostly been rendered fantasy-irrelevant with the younger QB throwing passes. Flacco’s return to Indy’s starting lineup on Sunday should get Downs back in good fantasy graces.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9 status: OUT
Mike Evans exited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after three drives with a right hamstring injury. At the time, reports suggested he would be out through Tampa Bay’s Week 11 bye, meaning at least three games missed.
Thus, it’s no surprise to see Evans log a DNP to start the Bucs’ practice week ahead of their Monday night game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. This continued throughout the week, and he was officially listed as out in Week 10.
We got our first glimpse at the new-look Bucs offense in Week 8. Tight end Cade Otton was the fulcrum of the passing game, leading the team in targets (10), receptions (nine), receiving yards (81), and receiving touchdowns (two).
The rest of the passing game distribution was relatively even, with five players receiving between five and seven targets. Jalen McMillan (four receptions on seven targets for 35 yards) is probably the wide receiver to roster in Evans’ absence, but the running backs and Otton will carry this unit for the most part.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 9 status: DOUBTFUL
Tee Higgins missed Week 8 with a quadricep injury and is unlikely to return in Week 9.
On Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor labeled Higgins day to day. He was officially a DNP on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; he’s almost certain to miss Sunday’s game against the Raiders
The Cincinnati Bengals’ WR2 was a late addition to the club’s injury report in Week 8, only popping up after injuring his quad at Friday’s practice. He was considered questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles but did not play.
Higgins missed the first two weeks of the 2024 season after suffering a hamstring injury during practice. The Bengals struggled without him, posting just 224 yards and 10 points in a Week 1 upset loss to the Patriots before losing a tight game to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Cincinnati scored only 17 points in their Week 9 loss to Philadelphia.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Tyreek Hill is off the Miami Dolphins’ injury report and will face the Bills in a critical AFC East matchup on Sunday.
Hill was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a foot injury. On the Dolphins’ first Week 9 injury report issued Wednesday, Hill’s absence from practice was attributed to rest. A day later, the team cited a lingering foot injury as the reason behind the wideout’s reps being capped.
Fortunately, Hill returned for a full practice on Friday.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Jerry Jeudy was a full participant on Wednesday but then was downgraded to a limited participant on Thursday after picking up a knee injury. Fortunately, he practiced on Friday and was removed from the Cleveland Browns’ injury report.
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 9 status: IR
Christian Kirk may have played his final down with the Jaguars. The veteran WR broke his collarbone against the Packers on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.
Kirk was poised to be among the most attractive wide receivers remaining on the trade block after Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, and Cooper changed teams. Now that he’s out for the year, Jacksonville won’t have the option to exchange Kirk 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. He entered Week 8 with 25 catches on 45 targets for 320 yards and one touchdown.
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. Kirk is due a $15.5 million, non-guaranteed base salary in 2025. Jacksonville could release him next offseason while clearing $10.7 million in salary cap space.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
The rookie first-rounder was added to the Panthers’ injury report with a toe injury on Thursday. Xavier Legette was listed as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Legette should occupy a steady starting role in the Panthers’ offense. Although Adam Thielen is nearing a return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Week 3, Diontae Johnson is no longer part of the team after being traded to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week.
Legette has a touchdown every other game for the last five weeks but encouragingly received seven targets last game. That should be closer to his norm for the rest of the season, as he’s also played 74% of the snaps in the last three weeks after logging 58% of the snaps from Weeks 1-5.
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Week 9 status: OUT
DK Metcalf missed Week 8 with a knee injury and will not be ready to return for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. The veteran wide receiver never practiced this week and was officially ruled out on Friday.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that it was “looking optimistic” that Metcalf would play this week, although Seattle needed to see him practice first. Macdonald remained confident that Metcalf would face the division-rival Los Angeles Rams after he missed practice on Wednesday.
However, Metcalf was sidelined again on Thursday, indicating that the rookie head coach may have hopped too far on the Jump to Conclusions mat with his optimism. On Friday, Macdonald sounded less confident about Metcalf’s Week 9 status.
“Unfortunately, it’s still a little bit cloudy on what’s going on on that front,” Macdonald said. “I know he’s trying like heck to get out there as soon as he can, but we’re still taking it day by day.”
Metcalf was carted off the field at the end of Week 7 and later diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain. He never practiced last week and was considered doubtful to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Despite sitting out Week 8, Metcalf still leads the Seahawks with 568 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
With Metcalf out, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will work as Geno Smith’s top wideouts. Jake Bobo will replace Metcalf in three-WR personnel.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Jakobi Meyers is the Las Vegas Raiders’ top wide receiver, so quarterback Gardner Minshew II was pleased to see him return in Week 8 from a two-game absence.
Fresh off an ankle injury, Meyers led the Raiders in targets (seven) and catches (six) while posting 52 receiving yards and a touchdown. That was enough to finish as the WR20 in PPR leagues last week.
Meyers was limited on Wednesday, but Las Vegas was likely trying to keep its best receiver healthy. He returned for full practices on Thursday and Friday and won’t have an injury designation for Week 9.
Assuming he’s not traded before next week’s deadline, Meyers should team with TE Brock Bowers to dominate targets for the Raiders.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Jalen McMillan showed up on the injury report on Saturday with a hamstring injury. He was not listed on Thursday and Friday, so this appears to have been sustained late in the week. His status for Monday night is questionable.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Puka Nacua just returned from a knee injury after a five-game absence. The Los Angeles Rams held their collective breath when Nacua left Thursday’s practice with another knee issue.
While NFL Network reported that the second-year wideout isn’t dealing with a severe injury, Nacua is officially questionable for Week 9. He did not participate in Friday’s practice. However, on Saturday, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Nacua is expected to play on Sunday.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Nacua “banged his knee” on Thursday but added he would not bet against the 2023 fifth-round pick suiting up against the Seahawks on Sunday. McVay also noted that there’s nothing structurally wrong with Nacua’s knee.
While Nacua continues to battle knee issues, McVay doesn’t think the Rams will have to manage his injury throughout the season. Instead, L.A.’s head coach hopes Nacua’s injury was more of a “scare.”
Nacua returned last week to catch seven passes on nine targets for 106 yards. He finished as the WR14 in PPR leagues in Week 8. If Nacua can’t play this week, Cooper Kupp could secure one of the largest target shares of any WR this season.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Michael Pittman Jr. is still battling the back injury that the Colts initially thought would send him to injured reserve in Week 6. Pittman miraculously played that week and suited up again in Week 7.
Indy has been managing his practice reps since. Pittman has gone DNP-Full-DNP the last two weeks, and it appears he’s on track to repeat that again ahead of Week 9. After not participating in Wednesday’s practice, Pittman was a full participant on Thursday.
Pittman was limited on Friday but was then sequentially removed from the Colts’ injury report. He has no injury designation for Sunday night’s game against the Vikings.
Pittman was a top-30 fantasy WR in all three games with Flacco as Indianapolis’ primary quarterback. Meanwhile, his WR37 finish in Week 8 was his best output with Richardson as his starting QB. Flacco’s insertion into Indy’s lineup should be a boon for all the club’s pass catchers.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
Week 9 status: PLAYING
Calvin Ridley, who’d been battling a foot injury in recent weeks, is now dealing with a shoulder problem. Fresh off his best game with Tennessee, Ridley failed to participate in Wednesday’s practice.
The good news is he returned to full practice on Thursday and Friday. Ridley is no longer listed on the Titans; injury report and will play against the Patriots in Week 9.
The Titans took it easy with Ridley entering last week’s game. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday before returning for a full session on Friday. The club seemingly followed a similar pattern this week.
Calvin Ridley balled tf out in Week 8
slot and stacked alignments allowed him to easily attack the Lions secondary pic.twitter.com/EaEmdY6xoV
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) October 29, 2024
Ridley finished as fantasy’s WR4 last week after grabbing 10 receptions on 15 targets for 143 yards. He was the overall WR6 in Week 4 but hasn’t been a top-50 option in any other game.
The Titans traded Hopkins last week, while Tyler Boyd (shoulder) is questionable for Week 9. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and sixth-round rookie Jha’Quan Jackson are the only other wide receivers on the club’s active roster.
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers
Week 9 status: BYE
Deebo Samuel Sr., already banged up coming into Week 8, suffered a rib injury late on Sunday Night Football. While the 49ers labeled him questionable to return, Samuel never re-entered the game, finishing with eight touches for 86 scoreless yards. He appeared to score a long second-quarter touchdown, but it was called back due to offensive holding.
Samuel was active for Week 7 but played just four snaps while battling a wrist injury and pneumonia. Fellow 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL in that game, leaving Samuel as Brock Purdy’s clear WR1 for the remainder of the season.
San Francisco has a bye in Week 9, allowing Samuel to recover from his various maladies.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9 status: OUT
JuJu Smith-Schuster was quickly ruled out of last week’s game vs. the Las Vegas Raiders after aggravating his hamstring injury in Week 7 vs. the San Francisco 49ers. The eighth-year vet didn’t practice all of last week and started Week 9 with another DNP. He also did not participate in practice on Friday and Saturday and has been officially ruled out.
Given the nature of hamstring injuries, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith-Schuster miss another game or two. It’s good news that Kansas City hasn’t placed him on injured reserve yet, suggesting that he could return for the team’s most important remaining game of the regular season.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
Week 9 status: OUT
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Friday that Adam Thielen is not expected to play on Sunday. He started Week 9 with a pair of limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday.
Thielen has been out since hurting his hamstring in Week 3. Last week, though, the Panthers officially designated the 34-year-old to return from injured reserve. Thielen managed limited practices last Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday and not playing in Week 8.
Once he’s healthy, Thielen should be in line for more Bryce Young targets now that the Panthers have traded fellow WR Diontae Johnson.
However, Thielen may not be long for Carolina, either. NFL Network mentioned Thielen as a potential trade candidate ahead of next week’s NFL deadline.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 9 status: QUESTIONABLE
Trevor Lawrence is officially running out of wide receivers.
On Friday, head coach Doug Pederson said first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr. will be a game-time decision for Week 9. Gabe Davis is also a GTD, while Christian Kirk is on IR with a broken collarbone. Parker Washington and Tim Jones could be Trevor Lawrence’s top two wideouts against the Eagles on Sunday.
Thomas has a contusion on the left side of his chest. His MRI didn’t reveal a more significant injury, Pederson told reporters this week. While one report indicated he could miss 2-4 weeks after suffering a chest/rib injury in Week 8, Pederson labeled Thomas day to day.
The LSU product was limited during practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, wearing a non-contact vest throughout both sessions. Given that the Jaguars elevated two WRs from the practice squad on Saturday afternoon, all signs point to the rookie sitting out this week’s contest.
Thomas may have been injured on his third-quarter touchdown catch when he hit the turf hard after hauling in a score. After that play, he remained on Jacksonville’s sideline and did not re-enter the game.
Thomas ranks first among rookie receivers in yards (573), receiving touchdowns (five), and yards per route run (2.68); he’s second to Malik Nabers in receptions (33).
Noah Fant, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Week 9 status: OUT
Noah Fant (groin) didn’t practice Thursday. Considering Fant was listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report, he may have suffered the groin injury in the session that preceded its posting.
Fant remained sidelined for Friday’s practice and was officially declared out for Week 9 vs. the Rams. Fellow tight ends AJ Barner, Pharaoh Brown, and Brady Russell will fill in but will be nearly impossible to trust for fantasy football purposes.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9 status: OUT
Dallas Goedert is still not practicing as he battles the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 6. He won’t be back on the fantasy radar until he can log at least a limited session.
Grant Calcaterra has started for the Eagles in his stead, playing 80% of the snaps over the last three games. Calcaterra posted at least three catches and 50 yards in Weeks 5 and 7, finishing as a top-25 fantasy tight end in both games.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Week 9 status: PLAYING
T.J. Hockenson’s 2024 debut is imminent. The Minnesota Vikings must activate Hockenson from the PUP list before Friday, and NFL Network confirmed that the transaction will take place.
Nearly 11 months after tearing his ACL, Hockenson will face the Colts on Sunday. He fully practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, his first non-limited sessions of the year, and is no longer listed on Minnesota’s injury report.
Hockenson could quickly usurp WR Jordan Addison to become Sam Darnold’s No. 2 target behind Justin Jefferson. He posted a career-high 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns before going down last season and will return to an advantageous matchup.
Indy allows the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and ranks sixth-worst in DVOA vs. TEs.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Week 9 status: PLAYING
David Njoku missed practice on Thursday but returned on Friday and was removed from the Cleveland Browns’ injury report. He will play against the Chargers on Sunday.
Njoku was battling an ankle injury on Thursday, which is especially concerning given that Njoku missed three games with a high ankle sprain earlier this season. Cleveland may have simply given him a maintenance day to allow him to rest ahead of Week 9.
Njoku’s role in the Browns’ passing offense has expanded since the club traded wideout Amari Cooper. Over the past two weeks, Njoku hauled in 15 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns, finishing as fantasy’s TE1 and TE7.