Fantasy Football Week 9 Injury Report: Reinforcements Are Coming
Dak Prescott, QB Dallas Cowboys
Injury: Right Hamstring Strain
Projected Timetable: Injured Reserve, TBD
Initial Thoughts:
Based on reports of Prescott feeling a pull and having difficulty weight-bearing, it seems that this strain is at least a moderate grade. This will likely lead to him missing week 10, and likely a few more games on top of that. Hopefully, we get a concise projected timetable after he receives imaging to determine the exact severity of his hamstring strain. Update: he has been ruled out for Week 10 already and deemed week to week, with the possibility that he lands on IR. UPDATE 11/9: Dak Prescott will be placed on IR and his non-surgical timetable is missing at least 6 games, which means that there is still a chance he returns later in the season, but also still a chance that his recovery takes longer and he does not return this season. There is also the possibility that treatment does not help and he opts to undergo surgery to repair the partial hamstring tear and avulsion. Consider him out for the remainder of fantasy football purposes.
Trevor Lawrence, QB Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Left Shoulder
Projected Timetable: Week-to-Week
Initial Thoughts:
Based on video and current circulating rumors, I am speculating that Lawrence suffered a left shoulder labral tear. He and the team have been considering options, including potential surgery to repair (think Baker Mayfield 2022 off-season). The good news is that he could keep playing this season, fully dependent on joint stability, pain levels, and function. He may wind up opting to repair it now though pending their record and pending pain levels and how initial physical therapy treatment is going. We will have to monitor this situation, but for now Mac Jones will be the starter with a chance he starts the remainder of the season.
Zack Moss, RB Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Neck
Projected Timetable: Indefinitely
Initial Thoughts:
After suffering a neck injury in Friday's practice and being ruled doubtful, he will likely miss another game given the Bengals play on Thursday night. Initial reports have indicated he will likely miss extended time, though was not placed on IR. Keep an eye on his status, but if he continues to miss time this will be a huge boost to Chase Brown. Update: Moss is out indefinitely. We do not have any specifics, but this situation is trending very similarly to Chris Carson's neck injury that forced him out of football. Hopefully that is not the case for Moss. UPDATE: He has been placed on IR and is out definitely.
Chris Olave, WR New Orleans Saints
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Injured Reserve, TBD
Initial Thoughts:
Unfortunately, this concussion marks his fifth one since 2020. Check my Twitter/X profile for concussion information, but as I stated there we cannot accurately predict how long it will take for a player to clear concussion protocol. Past history does not necessarily equate to extended time missed for future recurrent incidents. With that said, Olave could miss one week or he could be placed on IR and miss at least four games. Plan accordingly and set a plan to be without him in the short term, at the very least. UPDATE 11/9: Olave has been placed on IR and will miss at least four games, though there are rumors circulating that we may not see him again this season. We probably need to factor in the Saints record too. Plan for other options leading into fantasy playoffs.
AJ Brown, WR Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Left Knee
Projected Timetable: Week 10
Initial Thoughts:
While we do not have any more details about his knee injury, by video it appears that he may have suffered a left MCL sprain. He was walking symmetrically without a limp into the locker room, so if this is an MCL sprain the hope is that it is mild in severity. In the best case scenario, he is able to suit up for week 10 or misses only one game. Worst case, he misses multiple games. Monitor for updates over the next few days. Update: MRI scans came back clean and he has been deemed day to day. Monitor his practice status, as the Eagles also play on Thursday night in week 11. UPDATE: Full go, he will play week 10.
Drake London, WR Atlanta Falcons
Injury: Right Hip Pointer, Oblique Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 10
Initial Thoughts:
Early reports indicate that London suffered a hip pointer and oblique strain. The hip pointer is more pain-dependent and should not limit him long-term, with a decent chance that he could play next week. However, the oblique strain could be the more problematic injury, limiting his rotation, catching ability, and route running. His practice status should indicate his ability to play, but my early projection leans towards him being able to play week 10 or miss only one game. If active and it truly is a mild grade, it should only lead to minimal production dip with 10-15% reinjury risk. UPDATE: Atlanta likes his current progress and it sounds like he is set to play in week 10.
CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys
Injury: Right AC Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 10
Initial Thoughts:
Lamb landed hard on his right AC several times, but he was able to continue to play through it. It will likely become very painful, stiff, and swollen after the game, and he is set to undergo imaging to determine the extent of the damage. I do believe there is a good chance he can suit up Week 10, albeit with reinjury risk and a slight impact on his catching ability. Monitor his practice status but do not panic if he does not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Update: he has been deemed week to week, but with a chance to play in week 10 pending pain levels. UPDATE: Lamb was removed from the injury report and will play week 10.
Keon Coleman, WR Buffalo Bills
Injury: Right Wrist
Projected Timetable: Week 10-12
Initial Thoughts:
He was spotted wearing a brace on his right wrist, but the mechanism was unclear. The defender slammed right into him, so the hope is that there is no fracture. If a mild sprain, there is a good chance he will play Week 10. He might actually wind up in a very similar situation as Amari Cooper is in with his own wrist injury. UPDATE 11/9: Consider his injury week to week. My speculation is there is a small fracture that is causing his persistent swelling in his hand, as a simple contusion would likely clear up a bit more by now. He was not placed on IR, so he may return week 11 or 13 (week 12 bye).
Darius Slayton, WR New York Giants
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Week 11
Initial Thoughts:
See notes on Olave. Slayton finds himself in a very similar situation, though has significantly less past history. He will need to progress through the five stages of concussion protocol in order to play. Monitor his status in practice.
Xavier Legette, WR Carolina Panthers
Injury: Left Hand/Wrist
Projected Timetable: Week 10
Initial Thoughts:
Legette returned to the game after suffering a left hand or wrist injury. It was clearly minor, as it did not hinder his ability to catch or adjust to press coverage. He should be fine for week 10.
Erick All Jr, TE Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Right Knee, ACL
Projected Timetable: Season Ending
Initial Thoughts:
There is significant concern regarding All's right knee. By video, it appeared to buckle in a non-contact injury, which is very concerning considering he had torn his right ACL back on November of 2023, nearly exactly one year ago. If this is confirmed to be an ACL tear, he will require a revision and likely a more extensive timetable for return next season. Update: confirmed ACL tear.
Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco 49ers
Injury: Achilles
Projected Timetable: Week 10
Initial Thoughts:
The 49ers have continued to remain relatively quiet on his status. but all of the reports I have read have indicated that CMC has not had any setbacks over the last 3 weeks as he has pushed his activity level. It seems as if he will be active week 10, in which case he very likely retains his goal line and receiving role. He likely will not have the 1.01 upside, but he should be able to provide a safe floor.
Isiah Pacheco, RB Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Right Fibula Surgery
Projected Timetable: Week 12-13
Initial Thoughts:
Pacheco is another back who has been making good strides in his recovery. By all accounts, he is set to begin practicing either week 11 or week 12, which means he could be contributing for us come fantasy playoffs. That obviously comes with risk in terms of inserting him right into your lineup during pivotal weeks, but his return will likely come at a good time as Kareem Hunt has been getting worn down, per Andy Reid.
Jonathon Brooks, RB Carolina Panthers
Injury: ACLR
Projected Timetable: Week 10
Initial Thoughts:
Brooks is set to make his debut in week 10, with Dave Canales stating that they plan on activating him officially by the Tuesday deadline (21-day window). He will unlikely be fantasy-relevant right out of the gate, but at least we get an early look at his utilization and production leading up to key weeks for playoff pushes and matchups.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Week of Injury | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Dillon | RB | GB | Neck, Stinger | IR | Season-Ending |
| Elijah Mitchell | RB | SF | Hamstring Surgery | IR | Season Ending |
| J.J. McCarthy | QB | MIN | Right Meniscus Repair | IR | Season Ending |
| Deshaun Watson | QB | CLE | Right Achilles | Week 7 | Season Ending |
| Christian Kirk | WR | JAC | Left Clavicle Fracture | Week 8 | Season Ending |
| Jonathon Brooks | RB | CAR | ACLR | PUP | Week 10 |
| Keaton Mitchell | RB | BAL | ACLR | PUP | Week 10 |
| Kendre Miller | RB | NO | Hamstring | Week 8 | IR |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | SF | Calf, Achilles | IR | Week 10 |
| Hollywood Brown | WR | KC | Left SC Surgery | IR | Week 18+ |
| Rashee Rice | WR | KC | Right LCL, HS Repair | Week 4 | Season-Ending |
| Nico Collins | WR | HOU | Hamstring reinjury | Week 5 | Week 11 |
| Isiah Pacheco | RB | KC | Right Fibula Surgery | Week 2 | Week 12-13 |
| Adam Thielen | WR | CAR | Hamstring | Week 3 | Week 11 |
| Chris Godwin | WR | TB | Ankle Fracture | Week 7 | Season Ending |
| Tyjae Spears | RB | TEN | Hamstring Strain | Week 6 | Week 10 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | WR | SF | Right ACL, MCL | Week 7 | Season Ending |
| DK Metcalf | WR | SEA | Right MCL | Week 7 | Week 11 |
| Aidan O'Connell | QB | LVR | Right Thumb Fracture | Week 7 | Week 11-13 |
| Stefon Diggs | WR | HOU | Right ACL Tear | Week 8 | Season Ending |
| Tee Higgins | WR | CIN | Quad Strain | Week 8 | Week 11 |
| Juju Smith-Schuster | WR | KC | Hamstring Strain reinjury | Week 7 | Week 11 |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | PHI | Hamstring Strain | Week 6 | Week 10 |
| Ja'Lynn Polk | WR | NE | Concussion | Week 7 | Week 10 |
| Jauan Jennings | WR | SF | Groin Strain | Week 6 | Week 10 |
| Mike Evans | WR | TB | Hamstring Strain reinjury | Week 7 | Week 12 |
| Deebo Samuel | WR | SF | Rib Injury | Week 8 | Week 10-11 |
| Jordan Mason | RB | SF | AC Sprain Reinjury | Week 8 | Week 10 |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | TB | Hamstring Strain | Week 8 | Week 10 |
| Jalen McMillan | WR | TB | Hamstring Strain | Week 9 | Week 11 |
| Dak Prescott | QB | DAL | Hamstring Strain | Week 9 | Week 17-TBD |
| Chris Olave | WR | NO | Concussion | Week 9 | Week 15-TBD |
| AJ Brown | WR | PHI | Left Knee | Week 9 | Week 10 |
| Drake London | WR | ATL | Right Hip, Oblique | Week 9 | Week 10 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | DAL | Right AC Sprain | Week 9 | Week 10 |
| Keon Coleman | WR | BUF | Right Wrist | Week 9 | Week 11-13 |
| Amari Cooper | WR | BUF | Left Wrist | Week 8 | Week 11 |
| Darius Slayton | WR | NYG | Concussion | Week 9 | Week 11 |
| Erick All Jr | TE | CIN | Right Knee, ACL | Week 9 | Season Ending |
| Xavier Legette | WR | CAR | Left Hand/Wrist | Week 9 | Week 10 |
| Zack Moss | RB | CIN | Neck | Week 9 | Indefinitely |
| Trevor Lawrence | QB | JAC | Left Shoulder | Week 9 | Week 11-TBD |
