Injury Status: Week 9

Thu Oct 30 10:47am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

So we only have three more weeks of byes to get through. Thank the lord, right? All these byes in recent weeks and the injuries on top of it make things tough for fantasy owners. And we have some more injuries to deal with this week. Some more players went down. Hopefully, things aren’t too tough on you this week. Here is the latest. . . .

Joe Flacco, QB, Bengals. Flacco hurt his shoulder late in the game last week but did return to finish the game. The Bengals are calling him questionable to play this week. We should know more later in the week but get other options ready to be safe. We think he returns to play Week 9 but nothing is 100 percent certain at this point.

Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals. Murray is trending towards being ready for the Week 9 game. He has missed the last two games because of a foot sprain. As long as he doesn’t have a setback in practice this week, look for Murray to return to the starting lineup.

Michael Penix, QB, Falcons. Penix was held out of last week’s game because of a bone bruise in his knee. The Falcons are still calling him day to day, but he is trending the right way. He should be healthy enough to play this week, barring a setback with the injury.

Drake London, WR, Falcons. London was unable to play last week because of a hip injury. He remains out of practice to start the week and is looking iffy to play once again. He will need to ramp up the work in practice if he hopes to play Week 9.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans. Ridley remains out of practice because of a hamstring injury. We don’t expect a return to the lineup this week. At this point, we are unsure when Ridley will be healthy enough to play again.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco sprained his knee late in last week’s game. He is out of practice Wednesday, which is not a good start to his week. The Chiefs are calling him week to week, so there seems a good chance he has to sit out this week. Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith should get most of the work at running back in Week 9.

Bryce Young, QB, Panthers. Young was held out last week because of an ankle sprain. He is already practicing in full to begin his week. Young is right on track to return to action this week, giving the Panthers offense a much-needed spark after struggling last week.

Nico Collins. WR. Texans. Collins was held out last week because of a concussion. He returned to practice to start the week and will need to clear the concussion protocol before the week is out. Collins seems right on track to do that. Expect him to play Week 9.

Christian Kirk, WR, Texans. Kirk is finally practicing this week after being out since Week 5 because of a hamstring injury. He still isn’t a sure thing to play but off to a good start for the week. But with the Texans other options at receiver starting to play well, you have to wonder how much Kirk is used if he is able to play Week 9. He will be a risk to use for fantasy owners.

Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders. Bowers is practicing in full to start the week. His knee injury seems to be doing much better. The bye week was likely a big plus for Bowers to get healthy. Expect him to play Week 9 and have a big role like always.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots. Stevenson was not seen on the practice field on Wednesday. He has a toe injury that he is currently dealing with, which held him out of last week’s game much of the fourth quarter. We aren’t sure the severity of the injury just yet, but it is serious enough for him to miss at least a practice, which is a concern. Keep an eye on the notes for the latest, but we would get other options ready for your fantasy lineup.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens. Jackson is practicing in full this week. He seemed close to playing last week but was held out once again because of a hamstring injury. Jackson is not even listed on the Injury Report this week. He will be just fine for the Thursday game.

Terry McLaurin. WR, Commanders. McLaurin finally returned to the lineup last week only to re-aggravate his quad injury. He left the game and has already been ruled out for the Week 9 game. This setback could keep him out a few more games.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders. Daniels is set to return to action this week from his hamstring injury. He is practicing in full and looks to be good to go for the Week 9 game.

Puka Nacua, WR, Rams. Nacua returned to a limited practice to begin the week. This is a positive development for Nacua, who is trying to return from an ankle injury. He is trending the right way and could be ready for the Week 9 game. We should get a better idea of his status before the week is out.

Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers. Purdy was limited in practice Wednesday. He is trying to return from a toe injury and has been limited the last several weeks. He is inching closer to a return but looks to be questionable to play once again this week. Mac Jones gets another start if Purdy isn’t able to play.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers. Pearsall hasn’t played since getting hurt in Week 4. His knee sprain continues to sideline him. Pearsall still is not practicing. We expect him to miss another week of action.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 9

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