There are a good amount of notable players on the mend and possibly returning over the next week or two which is great news for fantasy owners. Trade deadlines are fast approaching in many fantasy football leagues so having players healthy and possibly ready to trade can only help solidify your roster for a second-half run!

Brandin Cooks, WR Rams

Injury: Concussion

Timetable For Return: 2-4 Weeks

Potential Replacement: Josh Reynolds

Comments: Cooks suffered his second concussion of the season early in Sunday's game against the Bengals and did not return. Look no further than Sterling Shepard who is in the same position as Cooks as the medical staff is being very careful with his return to not risk any further lingering symptoms. Cooks will likely miss this week and potentially longer depending on how he recovers from this concussion as each head trauma brings its different challenges.

James Conner, RB Steelers

Injury: Sprained AC Joint

Timetable For Return: Doubtful for Sunday, DNP all week

Potential Replacement: Jaylen Samuels

Comments: It seems like Conner has spent more time in this column than any other player we've covered so far. What is more concerning is the fact that he continues to be in this column with a varity of injuries which makes you question how his durability will be looked at long term. Conner will need to start off the week on the right foot early next week to consider him a possible option for Week 10.

Benny Snell, RB Steelers

Injury: Knee Scope

Timetable For Return: 2-4 Weeks, Ruled out for Sunday

Potential Replacement: Jaylen Samuels

Comments: Snell had his meniscus scoped to clean up the knee and is now recovering and starting rehab. There are some athletes that can return quickly from a meniscus clean up (See D.K. Metcalf) but usually it is at least a two week absence with these issues.

Joe Flacco, QB Broncos

Injury: Neck Injury

Timetable For Return: Placed on IR

Potential Replacement: Brandon Allen

Comments: Flacco suffered a herniated disc in his neck and the Broncos have decided to put him on IR although he is not expected to get surgery. Flacco openly called out the coaching staff after their latest loss as well which potentially played a part in him being stashed away on IR. It is fair to wonder whether or not Flacco gets another opportunity at a starting job based on his performance he displayed this year.

Chase Edmonds, RB Cardinals

Injury: Strained Hamstring

Timetable For Return: 3-4 Weeks

Potential Replacement: Alfred Morris, Zach Zenner

Comments: Edmonds was limping badly in the second half and did not return. With the Cardinals playing on Thursday night, I would consider Edmonds doubtful for that game and potentially more. We'll get more news on the severity of the strain as the Cardinals will likely do an MRI early in the week. Not an ideal situation as Edmonds was in line to take on the majority of the snaps left behind by David Johnson. Now it seems like Johnson might be back before Edmonds.

Miles Sanders, RB Eagles

Injury: Strained Shoulder

Timetable For Return: Full practice, not on final injury report

Potential Replacement: Jordan Howard

Comments: Sanders shoulder pain has cleared up and he will be ready to roll this weekend against the Bears. I would use him as you normally would.

Dede Westbrook, WR Jaguars

Injury: Neck/Shoulder Strain

Timetable For Return: Ruled OUT for Week 9

Potential Replacement: Chris Conley

Comments: Westbrook is inactive for the Jaguars game in London. He'll be questionable heading into Week 10. Chris Conley should see a nice bump with Westbrook out.

On The Mend

Patrick Mahomes, QB Chiefs

Injury: Dislocated Kneecap

Timetable For Return: Not expected to play Week 9

Potential Replacement: Matt Moore

Comments: The fact that we're even having this conversation should be considered a positive for those who have Mahomes and are waiting him to get healthy. I still don't think that Mahomes ends up playing this week, but it sounds like he's much closer to getting back under center than we thought so keep tabs on this situation and see what the Chiefs plan on doing with him.

Cam Newton, QB Panthers

Injury: Lisfranc Sprain

Timetable For Return: Ruled OUT for Week 9, 3-4 weeks minimum

Potential Replacement: Kyle Allen

Comments: Newton's foot has not healed the way the Panthers had hoped and now he is searching for answers as to what the next step is. Lisfranc sprains are really challenging as the area that is affected does not get the best blood supply and when you are applying force to that area it just contributes to the potential delay in recovery. Newton will continued to be sidelined and at this point, it is fair to wonder if he plays again this year. Surgery is not out of the question at this point and we'll get more information shortly as to what the next step is for Newton.

Davante Adams, WR Packers

Injury: Turf Toe

Timetable For Return: Game time decision, limited practice all week

Potential Replacement: Allen Lazard, Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

​Comments: Adams will test out his toe on Sunday and try and make his return from an injury that has a tendency to linger. If Adams suits up, he's likely still not 100% yet and may gradually brought back into the fold but it would be hard to sit him with Aaron Rodgers looking the way he has over the last two weeks. There is risk for re-aggravation with turf toe injuries so keep that in mind if Adams does get the green light to play.

Sterling Shepard, WR Giants

Injury: Concussion

Timetable For Return: Cleared concussion protocol, expected to play Sunday

Potential Replacement: Golden Tate, Darius Slayton

​Comments: Shepard has finally gotten the green light to play this Sunday in a big matchup against the Cowboys. He hasn't played since Week 5, and with Golden Tate now in the mix, it will be interesting to see how the targets are distributed.

Marquise Brown, WR Ravens

Injury: Sprained Ankle

Timetable For Return: Game time decision, limited practice all week

Potential Replacement: Willie Snead, Miles Boykin

​Comments: Coach Harbaugh states that he expects Brown to return this weekend in a big game against the Patriots at home on Sunday night. If he does return, he'll have a tough matchup against Stephon Gilmore so if you have other options, it might be best to wait another week to put Brown back into your starting lineup.

Adam Thielen, WR Vikings

Injury: Strained Hamstring

Timetable For Return: Game time decision, limited practice all week

Potential Replacement: Stefon Diggs, Olabisi Johnson, Laquon Treadwell

​Comments: If Thielen does suit up, he'll be at less than 100% and could be on a snap count depending on game flow and how he feels. If that is the case, he's at a higher risk of aggravating his hamstring issue and potentially being out longer. There's some risk in starting Thielen, especially with Stefon Diggs blowing up over the last few weeks so just take that into consideration when looking at potentially putting Thielen in your lineup.

Chris Herndon, TE Jets

Injury: Strained Hamstring

Timetable For Return: Questionable for Week 9, limited practice all week

Potential Replacement: Ryan Griffin

Comments: Herndon continues to try and work his way back from a hamstring issue, but from the sounds of it Week 9 won't be the week that he returns. The New York Post has reported that Herndon is unlikely to play this week and Coach Gase has also stated he wasn't overly optimistic that he would play so all of this should be confirmed when inactives come out.

Delanie Walker, TE Titans

Injury: Sprained Ankle

Timetable For Return: 1-2 Weeks, Ruled OUT for Week 9

Potential Replacement: Jonnu Smith

​Comments: Walker is still dealing with discomfort in his ankle that he re-aggravated in Week 7. It also happens to be the same ankle that he had surgically repaired so he'll continue to be week to week until we see him back on the practice field. Jonnu Smith had a touchdown in Week 8 and although it was against a weak Bucs defense, it should give the Titans confidence to not rush Walker back.