Week 9 Fantasy Football Injury Report: Joe Flacco, Drake London and More

There are so many injury situations to follow, we’re going to start with the players we won’t mention here. Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown and Quinshon Judkins are among players that we’ll have to follow next week because their teams are on byes. But first, some good news.

Jayden Daniels, Puka Nacua and Brock Bowers have all logged full practices, which points toward all three fantasy stars to return to the lineup this week. Hallellujah. The boys are back! Sorta like Jason, or any horror movie bad guy. Yes, we’re here for Halloween references all week.

Daniels will have a tough matchup against a Seahawks defense that is getting healthy in the secondary, though they have allowed two TD passes in three of the last four games. But since we can’t have all nice things, Terry McLaurin is going to sit this week after reaggravating his quad injury that made him miss time earlier this season.

As far as Puka, matchup doesn’t matter because he’s averaging 23.1 FPG (PPR). Just start him and be grateful he’s on your roster. The Saints have yet to allow a 100-yard WR, but who is going to bet against Puka becoming the first? Not us.

As for Bowers, the league is better when the TE1 from last year is healthy and back on the field. The Jags are coming to Sin City, and they allowed 101 receiving yards to TEs against the Rams in Week 7. If Bowers goes off, his fantasy managers will SCREAM for joy.

Here are the injuries that we’re following going into Sunday, which is coincidentally the last day to take advantage of downloading Comet for FREE and getting a full year of FantasyLife+ FREE. No telling how many candy wrappers will be on the floor as we stress eat our waits to find out who’s playing.

Week 9 Fantasy Football Injury Report

Quarterback

Joe Flacco (Cincinnati Bengals)

Seeing Joe Flacco return to the practice field on Thursday, even on a limited basis, is encouraging that he could play. This is a great matchup, as the Bears are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points and are No. 2 in passing TDs given up to QBs. We’ll be following this one. UPDATE: Flacco is listed as questionable after being limited in practice. Shoulder injuries would appear to be tough to overcome for quarterbacks. Yes, that was simplified analysis. This may still be a game-time decision on Sunday, and Bengals-Bears is in the early window. If you need certainty at the position, check out our streamers article.

Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)

Did you hear that Kyler Murray is 9-0 in Jerry World going back to his high school days? A foot injury made Murray sit out last week, and he was limited in his first practice ahead of the Monday night game in Dallas. That’s encouraging. If he plays, he’s going against a defense that’s given up at least 283 passing yards four times and multiple TD passes five times this season. UPDATE: Even thought he is not sitting out this game, Jacoby Brissett has been named the starter for this week. Considering the opponent, Brissett is going to be an option in single-QB leagues and definitely will start in superflex leagues.

Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers)

It’s been since Week 4 since Brock Purdy last played, and he’s logged limited practices the first two days this week. 49ers beat reporter Cam Inman said that from the reps, it looked like Mac Jones was getting ready to start. We’re going to have to stay tuned on this one, because a date at the New York Giants is a great spot. Quarterbacks are scoring against the Giants at the No. 5 rate across the league. UPDATE: Another situation where the incumbent starter is questionable, but the backup, Jones in this case, is going to start. In this great spot, Jones needs to be started in superflex leagues and could be a consideration in single-QB leagues because of the bye weeks.

Michael Penix (Atlanta Falcons)

Those superflex leaguers who started Kirk Cousins last week are crying for Michael Penix to return. As are those who roster Drake London. The lefty has been limited in practice, which should mean that he’s playing. Since giving up over 300 yards in the first two games of the season, the Patriots have allowed no more than 255 passing yards to any quarterbacks since. Though keep in mind that of that group of QBs only Josh Allen is worthy of starting on an every-week basis. UPDATE: Penix was declared the starter for Week 9 at New England. As tough a matchup as it is, and considering that the lefty has surpassed 172 passing yards in just one of three games, this is going to be an upgrade toe the offense, especially London. More on him below.

Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)

Young put in a full practice on Thursday after missing last week with an ankle injury. It sounds like Young will be ready to return against the Packers on Sunday. Young is ranked outside the Top 24. UPDATE: Young was deemed healthy for Week 9, though against the Packers with a depleted O-line, let's look elsewhere for starting help at QB.

Running Back

Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs)

Isiah Pacheco was said to be week-to-week with an MCL sprain. He didn’t practice on Thursday and is likely to miss the game against the Bills. Kareem Hunt should get most of the carries, especially near the goal line. Brashard Smith should play a bigger role, but mostly in the passing game. Elijah Mitchell could be active, too. The Chiefs have been a pass-heavy team and will continue to be. UPDATE: Pacheco missed all three practices this week, and coach Andy Reid said he was unlikely to play. With him OUT, the focus turns to Hunt, who scored twice last week and has drawn 67% of the rushing attempts inside the 5-yard line. Hunt is never going to be the player anyone feels great starting before the game, but he'll be a solid RB2 because of the TD upside in a great offense. Smith is a wild card, if his role continues grow after he's seen nothing more than a 36% snap share in any game this season. The matchup with the Bills is good for RBs, as Bijan Robinson torched the Bills for 238 scrimmage yards in Week 6, then the Panthers' trio of runners combined for 100 rush yards. Trade rumors are abounding around the Chiefs in their quest for an upgrade at running back.

Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots)

It’s a tough start to the week for Rhamondre Stevenson, who has yet to practice through Thursday with a toe injury. Those have been the bane of existence for fantasy managers in 2025. Stevenson has been the lead back for the Patriots, though curiously TreVeyon Henderson has logged more than a 34% snap share in just two games thus far. The Falcons are No. 9 in most fantasy points allowed to RBs, having gotten lit up for 201 scrimmage yards and a score by Christian McCaffrey in Week 7. UPDATE: Stevenson has been ruled OUT, which is a tough blow to the offense. That said, if Henderson doesn't step up for the Patriots in this opportunity, it may not happen. The Falcons have been burned by the RB position, so we'll look to Henderson to take on a larger role. Terrell Jennings is also on the roster, and could eat into the Patriots' RB workload.

D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears)

D'Andre Swift missed practice on Thursday with a groin injury. He’s been on the injury report for weeks with the injury and tends to be limited on Thursday the last few weeks. If he’s out, Kyle Monangai moves up. UPDATE: Swift was ruled OUT, which puts the target on Monangai for Week 9 (Roschon Johnson was also ruled OUT). What a smash spot for the rookie, as the Bengals are bottom of the league in FPG, fantasy points boost, rushing yards and rushing yards boost to RBs. He needs to be started in all formats this week. We'll keep an eye on Swift's progress to return to the lineup, as he put up a pair of 100-yard rushing games before last week.

Wide Receiver

Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Ugh! Talk about a gut punch for a rookie who was just finding his footing. In Week 7 in London, Travis Hunter turned 14 targets into 8-101-1, and looked to take a step forward following the Jaguars' bye week. Instead, we got word of the dreaded "non-contact" injury, which was followed by Hunter being placed on IR. Liam Coen sounded like this injury was going to last longer than four weeks. For now, if you have an open IR spot, Hunter should go in there. However, fantasy teams without an IR spot and possible shallow benches may be forced to cut Hunter because at this point there are only six weeks left in the fantasy regular season and teams may need those roster spots with bye weeks and other injuries to manage. As for the Jaguars, the focus turns to Brian Thomas Jr. to get back to any semblance of the league-winner he was in the back half of last season. Twice this season he's earned 10+ targets, most recently turning that into 8-90-1 in Week 6. This would appear to be a great matchup for him, as the Raiders are allowing 38.3 FPG to WRs, the fifth most in the league. Also, for those who have lost Hunter, Parker Washington became an immediate pickup option, as Matthew pointed out. Still, this is a major blow all around for a budding star, and here's hoping that he heals completely, whether he comes back this season or not.

Drake London (Atlanta Falcons)

Limited practices. We’ve been to this movie. Last week Drake London was limited in practice all week before he was ruled out on Sunday morning. Less than ideal for fantasy managers counting on the stud from USC. It’s a tough matchup in New England against Christian Gonzalez, so if he’s healthy from his hip injury London will have his hands full getting open. Only one WR has gone over 70 receiving yards against the Patriots since Week 2. UPDATE: London had his injury designation removed for this week. Even with the tough matchup, it must be noted that he's received 36 targets in his last three games with Penix. Even in the tough matchup, he's an easy start.

Luther Burden (Chicago Bears)

Burden suffered a concussion on Sunday and didn’t practice on Thursday. It’s going to be difficult to clear the protocol in time for Sunday, so he’s likely out. UPDATE: Burden was ruled out. We'll address more on the Bears offense below, as Burden hasn't seen more than 4 targets in his rookie season.

Nico Collins (Houston Texans)

Nico Collins missed last week with a concussion and was limited in practice on Wednesday. He was back at practice Thursday and is expected to clear the concussion protocol and be ready to play against Denver. UPDATE: After practicing in full on Thursday, Collins has appeared to clear the concussion protocol. That's great news for the WR1 for the Texans, as even though the matchup with the Broncos' top-notch defense appears tough on paper, they will be without star CB Pat Surtain. That should open some looks for Collins from C.J. Stroud, who has played much better at home this season.

Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts)

After missing practice on Wednesday with a hip injury, Downs put in a full practice Thursday putting him on track to play Sunday. Downs sat out a week with a concussion and returned last week and had 3 catches for 39 yards with a TD. He has posted double-digit points in PPR formats in three straight games. His matchup is great if he can play. UPDATE: Downs no longer carries an injury designation, so this great matchup is waiting for him. Ian talked about the opportunity that's ahead for Downs and his teammates.

DJ Moore (Chicago Bears)

After missing Wednesday practice with hip/groin injuries, DJ Moore was limited in practice on Thursday. That’s been the pattern for Moore the last two weeks and he winds up playing. Moore has been a disappointment but gets a good matchup against the Bengals defense. UPDATE: Moore was cleared, and considering that Burden is going to miss the game this could open more touches for Moore, who saw his season high in targets last week (7). It's been a frustrating season for Moore, but the matchup with the Bengals could be a good one for him and Rome Odunze. They're 18th in fantasy points allowed to WRs at 30.5, so if there are fireworks for Caleb Williams, Moore and Odunze will certainly be involved.

Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers)

DNP the first two days of the week, and Pearsall hasn’t played since Week 4. We’re just not going to expect him to play this week. UPDATE: Pearsall is sitting this week. With the visit to the Giants, who are allowing 248.4 passing yards a week. That's good for 10th most in the league. Fire up Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and George Kittle.

Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans)

Calvin Ridley has yet to resume practicing and was out again on Thursday due to a hamstring injury. Ridley has missed the last two games and with the Titans on bye in Week 10, it’s unlikely Ridley will play this week. Chimere Dike is the best play among the Titans wide receivers. UPDATE: Ridley is sitting this week, so Dike and Elic Ayomanor will see more passes from Cam Ward in a game where they should be playing catchup with the Chargers.

Tight End

Cole Kmet (Chicago Bears)

Cole Kmet was limited in practice Thursday after missing last week with a back injury. It’s a sign Kmet could return this week and it would hurt Colston Loveland, who played a season-high 81% of the snaps with Kmet out last week. The Bengals have allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have allowed 10 TDs to tight ends.

Dalton Schultz (Houston Texans)

Dalton Schultz didn’t practice Thursday due to knee/shoulder injuries. Coach DeMeco Ryans said he expects Schultz to return to practice later in the week.

Players Mentioned in this Article

BrockPurdyQ
QBSF
PPG
19.22
Proj
16.39
KylerMurrayIR
QBARI
PPG
16.16
BrockBowers
TELV
PPG
14.26
Proj
11.38
JaydenDanielsO
QBWAS
PPG
18.93