Week 9 is here! Let’s dive right in. Below are the key players to monitor in this Week 9 Injury Report.
PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out right here!
The Notable Injured | Week 9
Deshaun Watson | QB, Cleveland Browns (QUES)
Deshaun Watson sustained a concussion in last week’s matchup against the Steelers. Head coach Todd Monken indicated that backup Shedeur Sanders will start, with Watson as backup if he is cleared to play. In his limited action this season, Sanders has failed to throw for any positive air yards. Last season, Sanders was 29th among qualifying quarterbacks in air yards per attempt. Look for the Browns’ offense to focus on short passes to Harold Fannin and KC Concepcion this week against the Saints.
Jordyn Tyson | WR, New Orleans Saints (QUES)
Rookie Jordyn Tyson may finally make his debut this week. The No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft has yet to see the field due to a lingering hamstring injury. Look for him to slowly eat into Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele‘s target share. Tyson is a highly desirable fantasy bench stash whose managers should be in wait-and-see mode before plugging into their starting lineup.
Breece Hall | RB, New York Jets (No Designation)
Breece Hall looks like he will return to the Jets’ lineup after missing five games with a quad injury. During his absence, Braelon Allen has averaged 5.0 yards per carry and 2.1 receptions a game. It is anyone’s guess how this Jets backfield plays out in Week 9. New York will be hard-pressed to put Allen back on the pine after playing so well. Best guess is that this is a near 50/50 split this week, with the Jets likely riding a hot hand at times.
Garrett Wilson | WR, New York Jets (OUT)
Unlike Hall, Garrett Wilson will miss the Jets’ Week 9 matchup against the Chiefs with a concussion. Look for Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. to become more involved in the offense. Mitchell is coming off a nine-target, 142-yard performance in which he scored 27.3 fantasy points, finishing as the WR3 overall. Cooper posted zero points last week; however, when Mitchell missed time in Weeks 6 and 7, Cooper averaged 22.4 fantasy points per game. Both make for great flex plays.
Terrance Ferguson | TE, Los Angeles Rams (OUT)
Terrance Ferguson appeared set to be activated off IR for the Rams game this week. However, he popped up on the injury report with a new hamstring injury and will not play this week. With Ferguson out, it’s anyone’s guess which Rams tight end is fantasy relevant this week. Last week, it was Colby Parkinson who led Rams tight ends in fantasy points with 9.8; the week before it was Davis Allen who scored 18 fantasy points, while Higbee last flashed in Week 4, scoring 11.7 fantasy points.
Cam Skattebo | RB, New York Giants (DOUBT)
Cam Skattebo appears unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury. With Tyrone Tracy Jr. on IR, Devin Singletary is the last man standing in the Giants backfield. He makes for a great opportunity-based RB2 play against an Eagles team where everything has gone wrong this season.
Saquon Barkley | RB, Philadelphia Eagles (IN)
Saquon Barkley has no injury designation for the second consecutive week. However, for those who actually watch the games, Barkley appears far from healthy. He was out-snapped by Elijah Mitchell last week. Mitchell also saw more opportunities later with the game out of hand. Hopefully, Barkley will hopefully be able to get healthy at some point this season and resume his bell-cow status. Until that time comes, he is a touchdown-or-bust RB2 play.
Devonta Smith | WR, Philadelphia Eagles (OUT)
Devonta Smith will miss his third game with a hamstring injury. Fellow starter Dontayvion Wicks is also out. With the Eagles turning to the gunslinging Joe Milton III this week in place of the benched Tanner McKee, I’d be more inclined to speculate on Darius Cooper as a desperation wide receiver play rather than Makai Lemon. However, ideally you don’t have to start any Eagles pass catcher this week.
David Montgomery | RB, Houston Texans (OUT)
David Montgomery will miss his third game because of a groin injury. In his absence, Woody Marks has seen at least 78% of the Texans’ backfield snaps. During his past three games, Marks has generated at least 79 total yards. With that type of opportunity, Marks is a safe RB2 play this week.
Zonovan Knight | RB, Arizona Cardinals (OUT)
Bam Knight sustained a concussion in last week’s game and will miss this contest against the Seattle Seahawks. In his absence, Tyler Allgeier totaled 191 yards and scored twice, finishing as the RB1 overall on the week with 36.1 fantasy points. This type of outcome is unlikely against a stingy Seahawks defense. Allgeier is a volumed-based RB2 play as the last man standing in the Cardinals backfield.
Sam Darnold | QB, Seattle Seahawks (OUT)
Sam Darnold sustained another quad injury last week and is out against the Cardinals. Drew Lock is set to start. However, Lock is also dealing with an injury to his throwing elbow. Lock should be able to play but according to reports, if he is unable to sustain effectiveness, the Seahawks could turn to Jalen Milroe. Regardless of who is under center, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get his. With a 34.1% target share, he is quarterback-proof.
Mike Evans | WR, San Francisco 49ers (OUT)
Mike Evans will miss his second game, this one coming off the 49ers’ bye week, with an Achilles injury. His teammate Deebo Samuel is also out. The 49ers will likely roll with Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins in three wide receiver sets. DeMarcus Robinson also has a shot to contribute if he is activated from IR. All 49ers receivers are justifiable desperation flex plays with Brock Purdy playing at an MVP level.
TreVeyon Henderson | RB, New England Patriots (OUT)
TreVeyon Henderson is out again this week with unexplained neurological issues. Scary stuff. Rhamondre Stevenson remains a strong start with Henderson out. He saw 22 opportunities with Henderson out last week. This likely won’t change against the Packers. He is a solid RB1 play.
Kyler Murray | QB, Minnesota Vikings (OUT)
Kyler Murray will miss Week 9 with a hamstring injury, which may also be a “soft benching” as Murray has failed to meet expectations as the Vikings’ starting quarterback. Murray has averaged an atrocious 13.4 fantasy points per game. This is a career low for the former first overall pick. Wentz may be better than Murray, as he outscored Murray’s average in Week 1, posting 19.3 fantasy points in relief of Murray. Or he may be worse, as Wentz in his sole start this season finished with only 6.3 fantasy points in Week 2. All Vikings pass-catchers are highly volatile plays this week. Quarterback uncertainty looks like the only thing holding this Vikings team back from being one of the best squads in the league.
