The return of regular-season NFL action, unfortunately, also brings the return of injuries. 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 from this past week.
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. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Prescott is expected to miss multiple weeks because of his hamstring problem. In fact, his injury is “not looking like a short-term” issue.
#Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury was worse than initially feared. He is expected to miss multiple weeks, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
In fact, this is not looking like a short-term injury. Cooper Rush is the team’s backup. pic.twitter.com/de1R3WSOxy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
Rapoport added that Prescott will receive a second opinion on his injury. But the NFL Network scribe reiterated that Dak is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks, if not longer.
After Sunday’s game, Prescott said he thought he hurt his hamstring on a third-quarter scramble attempt.
“Yeah, we gotta get 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.
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 today. ESPN’s Ben Baby indicated that the Bengals will seek further information on Moss’ injury this week.
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.
Special teamer Trayveon Wiliams is the only other RB on the Bengals’ roster. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that Cincinnati had discussed trading for a running back before Tuesday’s deadline.
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.
He’s been incredibly productive since returning after Philadelphia’s Week 5 bye. Entering Week 9, Brown (102) was second to only Nico Collins in receiving yards per game.
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.
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.
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.
Fox’s broadcast reported that Lamb waved away Dallas’ trainers and the rest of the club’s medical staff. While the Cowboys listed him as questionable to return, Lamb surprisingly came back near the end of the club’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
CeeDee Lamb was slow to get up after this play. pic.twitter.com/wWIutqK5WJ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024
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.
On Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy said Lamb would undergo more tests on Tuesday but was optimistic about his WR1’s status. “I don’t see him not playing [in Week 10] — but that’s why you do the testing,” McCarthy said.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 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 gonna 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.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave stayed down on the field after taking a scary first-quarter hit from Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods, who was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty on the play. The New Orleans Saints’ 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 the Denver Broncos 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.