As we head to Week 9 of the NFL season, we’re getting some players back from injury, but that doesn’t mean the injuries have stopped. Luckily for us, getting some of these pieces back should add some additional clarity to lineup decisions. We’re starting to get down to the wire, so this is the time we need to lock in and focus as much as we can.

WEEK 9 BYES: Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 

 


 

NFL Week 9 Injury Report: Quarterbacks 

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

11/1 UPDATE

While Kyler Murray has returned to practice in a limited fashion, Jacoby Brissett appears to be leading the drills with the starting receivers. It’s too early to say for sure, but this leads me to believe Brissett will be the starter this weekend.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated recently that it would be “too early to tell” if Kyler Murray would be able to play this week after the bye. That said, I’m still expecting Murray to be active this week, but we need to focus on his practice reports this week to get a clearer sign.

Michael Penix, Atlanta Falcons

11/1 UPDATE

Penix is back and ready to go and will be the starter this weekend. Drake London is also returning from injury, so this will be a bump for this Falcons' offense.

Penix ended up being inactive this past weekend, and Kirk Cousins started in his place. Penix is dealing with a knee injury, and the team is hopeful that he can get back to practice this week to play. He’s currently “day-to-day” per Head coach Raheem Morris. 

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

11/1 UPDATE

Bryce Young has no injury designation going into Sunday. He is back in as the starter. This should be a bump given how bad Carolina looked with Andy Dalton at the helm. 

Young logged what Head coach Dave Canales called an “encouraging running session,” and the team is hopeful that he’ll be able to return to practice on Wednesday in some capacity. Andy Dalton struggled in relief of Young this past weekend, so fans and managers alike are likely hopeful as well.

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals

11/1 UPDATE

Joe Flacco was listed as a non-participant on Friday, leading us to believe he will be inactive against the Chicago Bears. There is a still a chance he will play, but I’m hesitant to say he will with any confidence right now. 

Joe Flacco is day-to-day after ending up with a shoulder injury from this past weekend. I’m not expecting this to be a major issue, and likely more of a precautionary move than anything else.

Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings

11/1 UPDATE

J.J. McCarthy is expected to suit up for the Vikings in his first game action since Week 2.

Carson Wentz is undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery this week and will be placed on IR. Luckily for Vikings fans, it sounds like J.J. McCarthy is very close to being ready to return.

Brock Purdy/Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

11/1 UPDATE

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said today that Mac Jones will be the starter, but that Purdy is available. This confusion in the QB room is surely not re-assuring for anyone, but hopefully we get more long-term clarity after this game. 

Purdy has a chance to return to action against the Giants, which would be perfect timing since Mac Jones ended up with a bruised knee from Sunday. Neither QB has really been at full health at any point this season, so the team is hopeful to have their top-two quarterbacks healthy for at least one week. 

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson’s practice status was a bit of a fiasco last week. The team did list him as a full practice participant today, though it was just a walkthrough, but the team is hopeful Jackson will be able to return in Week 9. That said, monitor the injury reports (even if they may be a bit inaccurate).

 

NFL Week 9 Injury Report: Running Backs

D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears

11/1 UPDATE

D'Andre Swift aggravated his groin injury, and will be out this weekend against Cincinnati. Kyle Monangai is expected to lead the backfield with Roschon Johnson also out this weekend.

Woody Marks, Houston Texans

11/1 UPDATE

Marks popped up on the injury report this week with a calf issue, but he’s still practicing and should be good to go this weekend. If he does not, Nick Chubb becomes a high end RB2 with limited touch competition. 

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

11/1 UPDATE

Isiah Pacheco has been ruled out this week after suffering a hyper-extended knee this past week. Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith are expected to lead the backfield this week as a result.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

11/1 UPDATE

Rhamondre Stevenson has been dealing with a toe issue, and it looks like it’s bad enough that he will be inactive this week per head coach Mike Vrabel. Hopefully, this is good news for TreVeyon Henderson, but this running back room has been a mess. 

Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)

11/1 UPDATE

Alvin Kamara is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Rams. That said, Kellen Moore has stated that he’s trending in the right direction to compete this week.

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants

Cam Skattebo suffered a dislocated ankle this weekend, likely ending the season for the rookie back. The surgery went well, per head coach Brian Daboll, but it sounds like he’s on the road to recovery. Should the Giants find their way into the playoffs, there is a chance that Skattebo could return for a playoff push.

 

 


 

NFL Week 9 Injury Report: Wide Receivers

Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

London was a bit of a surprise inactive this weekend as he is dealing with a hip injury. Raheem Morris stated today that London is “day-to-day”. The team is hopeful London can return this weekend.

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Puka is expected to return to practice this Wednesday, so we will get more information on the WR1 in football later this week. Puka will be a huge boost to lineups.

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Collins missed this past weekend, but the team is hopeful he can return to practice and to the field. The Texans' offense had their best showing this past weekend, so a return of Nico could help this offense continue to grow.

Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders

Meyers was close to playing in Week 7 before ultimately being inactive, but Pete Carroll is hopeful that the team will get their WR1 back this weekend.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

Pearsall missed yet another game, so we will need to see if he can make it back to the practice field this week. Pearsall’s skills are missed by this offense that continues to struggle at times.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

Ridley continues to deal with a hamstring injury. Ridley will likely need to return to practice by Thursday at the minimum to get back onto the field.

 

 


 

NFL Week 9 Injury Report: Tight Ends

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Bowers is expected to return to practice this week. We will get more information once the Raiders start practicing again, but this would be a huge addition for all parties.

Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants

Bellinger suffered a neck injury Sunday, but the team is hopeful that he won’t miss any time. Monitor reports here.