More games, more surprises, more upsets, more frustration, and more injuries. It goes without saying that we are talking about another week of the NFL season. But before we get going, let’s circle back here because there is something important, I missed. This is fun. A whole bunch of fun in fact and this is a great roller coaster we get to ride every fall and winter. Our NFL injury report for Week 9 is headlined by Kirk Cousins' Achilles injury and updates for Matthew Stafford, Kenny Pickett, and others. As news breaks, be sure to update your Week 9 fantasy football rankings and NFL projections either way. This information can also help to focus on important Week 9 start/sit lineup decisions and fantasy football advice surrounding some injured players. The first step though is the NFL injury report as you set Week 9 fantasy football lineups. 

 

Week 9 NFL Injury Report for Quarterbacks

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (Shoulder)

With a full practice on Thursday, there doesn’t appear to be anything to worry for Josh Allen. Heading into what should be an exciting matchup against Cincinnati, Allen should be ready to go as a QB1. 

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (Thumb)

After injuring his thumb, Justin Fields has yet to return to practice. At this point in the week, it looks like it will be another week of the Chicago offense struggling and Tyson Bagent under center. 

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (Achilles)

We received confirmation that Kirk Cousins is done for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. With Nick Mullens having to spend at least one more week on Injured Reserve, Jaren Hall is in line to start. In a limited sample size, Hall did complete three of his four pass attempts for 23 yards. After this week, it will likely be Joshua Dobbs under center after being acquired from Arizona. 

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (Thumb)

The game was already out of hand in the second half, so it is hard to truly judge how serious Matthew Stafford’s thumb injury truly is. Brett Rypien entered in relief and should Stafford be forced to miss time; he would be in line to start. While there is ultimately a downgrade between quarterbacks, it is not vast enough to truly have an impact on Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. 

DeShaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (Shoulder)

Here we go again with DeShaun Watson. He is back in practice on a limited basis, but his status for Week 9 is still very much up in the air. Watson is doing more this week than he previously did. Not only did his throws look better, but he was also out there with the first-team offense. Right now, things are trending towards Watson returning for Week 9, but we have been down this road before. Even if he does return, what can we expect from Watson? But at the same time, he is still probably better than a lot of the other quarterbacks taking the field this week. 

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Knee)

Ultimately it didn’t limit him on Thursday, but Baker Mayfield is dealing with a knee contusion. He did have an MRI but didn’t reveal anything concerning. The initial thought process is that the 10 days between games will serve Mayfield well and he should be good to go for Week 9. He is practicing in full this week, so everything appears to be good to go. 

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (Knee)

While Kyler Murray is getting his work done in practice, we received clarification that the earliest he will be starting in Week 10. At this point, that is still up in the air though. Murray is off the Injury Report, but still on the PUP list. Murray has also yet to practice with anyone but the practice squad, so we should plan for a Week 10 return, but stay on top of any weekend updates. 

Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons (Concussion)

Despite being cleared to return in the second half, the Falcons played things cautiously with Desmond Ridder as he remained sidelined. Ridder wasn’t exactly dominating to that point, and if you need him, it doesn’t appear that his health will keep him off the field for Week 9. 

Daniel Jones, New York Giants (Neck)

Daniel Jones has already been cleared to return for this week. Additionally, Jones practiced in full on Thursday and everything appears to be ready to for Sunday. The problem though, is what can we expect from Jones as he has struggled to this point?

 

Week 9 NFL Injury Report for Running Backs

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (Ankle)

After 91 touches over the last three weeks, the Giants are clearly not taking it easy with Saquon Barkley on gameday. The fact that Barkley continues to be limited in practice is truly a maintenance thing and will not impact his performance once again on Sunday. 

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (Ankle)

Things appear to be moving in the right direction with Raheem Mostert and his ankle. There is an issue, but Mostert is moving in the right direction with a limited practice on Thursday, and so far, we have nothing to worry about. If Mostert has a setback, then Jeff Wilson is the player to watch here. 

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (Toe)

It was concerning to see Gus Edwards held out of practice on Wednesday, but he did return in full on Thursday. Last week, Edwards played about half the snaps for Baltimore and found the end zone on three of his 19 carries. With 80 rushing yards, it was the busiest and best game of the season for Edwards. While we can’t look for three touchdowns every week, the volume was a nice development. 

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (Hamstring)

Aaron Jones has been limited by his hamstring injury all season, and we have yet to see him get going. He continues to practice on a limited basis, and it’s difficult to trust him just yet. 

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (Chest)

We know that Joe Mixon is the unquestioned leader in the Bengals backfield, and that should continue this week. With a full practice on Thursday, we can move forward without issue here. 

Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (Ankle)

There had been concerns about Devin Singletary taking work from Dameon Pierce, but it now appears that it will be taking place sooner than later. Pierce has not been able to practice with an ankle injury this week, and things are not looking great for his status on Sunday with Singletary being the clear pivot. 

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (Ankle)

While Jerome Ford hasn’t missed time with his ankle injury, his role has seen a decrease as the volume trends towards Kareem Hunt. Ford gained 37 yards on nine carries last week in a supporting role with Hunt, and it remains to be seen how things will look moving forward. At this point, Hunt should have the edge again for Week 9. 

Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (Groin)

After a limited practice on Thursday, Jerick McKinnon should be good to go on Sunday. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire already out with an illness, there should be a little more work available for McKinnon this week in a supporting and passing down role. 

Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals (Toe)

Between two missed practices for Emari Demercado and the elevation of Tony Jones off the practice squad, things are not looking too good for the former. At this point, it is looking like Keaontay Ingram and Jones in the backfield for the Cardinals for what will be a rough offense. 

Week 9 NFL Injury Report for Wide Receivers

Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (Knee)

The knee injury is nothing new for Joshua Palmer, but it was a good sign to see him return to action on Sunday after briefly leaving the field. With Mike Williams out for the season, the opportunity for Palmer to step up is there. A missed practice on Thursday does put that in doubt, but with the Chargers playing on Monday, they do have an extra day of prep. If Palmer is unable to go, this could be the opportunity for Quentin Johnson to take on a larger role. 

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (Hamstring)

It has been a little bit for Tyler Lockett, and he is still not truly 100%, but after a limited practice on Thursday, he is trending toward being available in a tough matchup against Baltimore on Sunday. As the status of his teammate is also in question, that is a good sign for Seattle. 

DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (Hip)

As we continue with the Seattle portion of our program, DK Metcalf didn’t practice on Thursday. He appears to be past any rib issues and it is just his hip holding him back. At this point though, it does appear that he will be good to go on Sunday as well. If either is limited, rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba has proven he can take on a larger role. 

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (Knee)

Nothing has slowed down Puka Nacua to this point, and some knee swelling doesn’t appear to be either. The rookie phenom is practicing on a limited level and should be good to go for Sunday’s game but the status of Matthew Stafford is of larger concern. 

KJ Osborn, Minnesota Vikings (Chest)

After a limited practice on Thursday, KJ Osborn should be good to go for Sunday. Last week he carried the Minnesota passing game as he caught eight of 10 targets for 99 yards. He should have a similar workload this week. 

Brandon Powell, Minnesota Vikings (Shoulder)

While flashing potential, Brandon Powell has yet to really distinguish himself with Justin Jefferson out. With some limited practices this week, his status shouldn’t be in question, but there will likely be limitations on the offense with Jaren Hall starting at quarterback. 

Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (Illness)

With an illness behind him, Michael Gallup returned to practice on Thursday and is good to go for a favorable matchup against the Eagles on Sunday. 

Odell Beckham, Baltimore Ravens (Stomach Contusion)

A stomach contusion forced Odell Beckham out of action, briefly, but he did return prior to the end of Sunday’s game. From a performance standpoint, Beckham has struggled from a fantasy perspective, but health shouldn’t hold him back for Week 9. With a full practice on Thursday, he should be good to go. 

Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots (Knee)

Over the past few weeks, Kendrick Bourne has emerged as the number one receiver for the Patriots. It was not good to see Bourne exit Sunday’s game with a knee injury as he is now headed for an MRI. Without additional clarity, I would prepare to be without Bourne for Week 9. The other problem is that DeVante Parker also left with a head injury so we could be looking at a reduced New England receiving corps next week. We now have confirmation that Bourne is done for the season with a torn ACL. 

Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders (Toe)

After catching four passes for 22 yards, Curtis Samuel was forced out of action with a toe injury. The fact that he didn’t return is concerning as this will be something to keep an eye on. Samuel hasn’t returned to practice through Thursday so it is looking like there will be some available targets in Washington’s offense beyond Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. That work will likely flow through to Dyami Brown. 

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (Knee)

It is never a good thing to see a player come through as a late add to the injury report. Josh Downs was a late add on Thursday with a knee injury that forced him to be limited at practice. The initial thought is that he should be fine on Sunday, but it is something to pay attention to. 

Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (Groin)

Just as we are starting to see more out of Drake London, he was forced out of action with a groin injury. It occurred in the third quarter and he did not return so London’s day ended with five receptions for 55 yards. The hope is that it doesn’t carry into Week 9, but we will be monitoring. Another missed practice on Thursday is not a good sign, and there is some concern here. Ultimately, the extra work will flow through to Van Jefferson, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. 

Week 9 NFL Injury Report for Tight Ends

Darren Waller, New York Giants (Hamstring)

It is not like the Giants generated much of anything offensively on Sunday, but it was not a good sign to see Darren Waller exit with a hamstring injury. Waller had just caught one pass for four yards and if he has to miss any time, Daniel Bellinger will see an increase in volume. 

With Waller now placed on Injured Reserve, Bellinger should be busy. 

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (Ankle)

Nothing really appears to matter for David Njoku as he was back in practice again on Thursday. Njoku is coming off a strong game with four receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown as he continues to be a viable fantasy option. 

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (Hip)

After missing last week's game, Gerald Everett is back in practice and on track for a return. All it does though, is simply muddy the waters of the Chargers’ tight end depth chart. 

Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers (Ankle)

While dealing with an ankle injury, Luke Musgrave still made it through 74% of the snaps last week. His performance, two catches for nine yards, wasn’t nearly as good. Musgrave is still limited in practice, but his problem appears to be more Jordan Love than the ankle. 

 

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