We are officially past the halfway point for this NFL season and the theme seems to be surprises. This season has been completely unpredictable and the past week has driven that point home in a big way. With multiple starters being dealt at the trade deadline to starting QBs going down in practice on non-contact plays the entire season continues to be precariously situated, vulnerable to major shifts with a mere change in the wind. Knowing this should keep fantasy owners vigilant for opportunities to exploit these shifts for their benefit. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the injury situations around the league for Week 9.
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Atlanta at Carolina (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Atlanta: RB Devonta Freeman (shoulder) went down in Week 8 against the Jets and was limited in practice all week. On Wednesday he wore the no contact jersey, however Coach Dan Quinn said the only reason he continued to wear it throughout the week was because Freeman “like[d] how it look[ed]” and that there are not any concerns about his availability this week.
Carolina: The Panthers’ official injury report shows that they will once again be without C Ryan Kalil (neck) as he has been ruled out for Week 9.
Indianapolis at Houston (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Indianapolis: The big news out of Indy this week was the shutting down of QB Andrew Luck (right shoulder) for the season by placing him on IR. This means Jacoby Brissett officially has the reigns of this offense for the rest of the year. On defense, OLB John Simon (neck) and CB Quincy Wilson (knee) haven’t practiced all week. Both have been ruled out this week.
Houston: In practice on Thursday, the Texans lost rookie phenom QB Deshaun Watson (knee) for the season as he suffered a torn ACL on a non-contact play. Tom Savage is expected to start this weekend, however Bill O’Brien will be reunited with his former Penn State QB Matt McGloin after a late-week signing. It will be an interesting spot to watch, as O’Brien clearly wasn’t satisfied with Savage in his previous time as the Texans starter. On defense, CB Johnathan Joseph (shin/quad) is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report.
Cincinnati at Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Cincinnati: The spot to watch for Cincinnati is the health of their WRs. Tyler Boyd (knee) and Brandon LaFell (hamstring) have been dealing with injuries for the last few weeks. They expect to see LaFell, who is listed as questionable after being a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday. Boyd has already been ruled out.
Jacksonville: The Jaguars have listed WR Marqise Lee (knee) and OL Cam Robinson (ankle) as questionable on their official injury report.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Tampa Bay: The only player ruled out for Week 9 is CB Brent Grimes (shoulder) who is still being held out of practice. The defense may be without DE Robert Ayers (ankle) and DT Chris Baker (ankle) as well, as they are listed as questionable. QB Jameis Winston (right shoulder) is still nursing his arm as he was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. He was, however, a full participant on Friday and is expected to play.
New Orleans: The Saints offensive line should be watched closely this week as G Larry Warford (abdomen) has been ruled out for Week 9 and G Andrus Peat (hip) and T Terron Armstead (shoulder) are both questionable after being limited in practice on Friday.
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Los Angeles Rams: There is no fantasy relevant injury information to report.
New York Giants: The Giants will be without LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), G Justin Pugh (back), C Weston Richburg (concussion), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle), and DE Kerry Wynn (knee) this week. With all the injuries, the Giants are not in an optimal position on defense or offense. However, the lone bright spot on the injury report is the return of WR Sterling Shepard (ankle).
Denver at Philadelphia (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Denver: After limited practiced all week, WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) is listed as questionable on the official injury report.
Philadelphia: TE Zach Ertz (hamstring) is listed as questionable on the official injury report but there seems to be little doubt that he will be ready to play. CB Ronald Darby (ankle) is also listed as questionable, but he seems less likely to play in comparison to Ertz.
Baltimore at Tennessee (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
Baltimore: The Ravens have 15 players on the final injury report for Week 9. Of those players, 12 are listed as questionable. The only players that weren’t full participants in Friday’s practice that should be watched are WR Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) and T Ronnie Stanley (shoulder), who were both limited on Friday.
Tennessee: The only player of fantasy relevance to keep an eye on is TE Delanie Walker (ankle) who was limited on Friday after not participating in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Washington at Seattle (Sunday, 4:05 PM ET)
Washington: On the team’s official injury report, the offensive line issues from last week are still in play against a strong D-Line in Seattle. T Trent Williams (knee) and C Spencer Long (knee) are both doubtful. G Brandon Scherff (knee), RB Rob Kelley (ankle) are all questionable as well. Expect to see lots of TE Vernon Davis, as both TEs Jordan Reed (hamstring) and Niles Paul (concussion) have been ruled out. WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring) will also be out. At this point in time, the offense of Washington is in serious peril until their health improves.
Seattle: The big story told on Seattle’s official injury report is the battered defense for the Seahawks. FS Earl Thomas (hamstring) has already been ruled out and there is the potential for more holes as well. SS Kam Chancellor (ankle), LB Bobby Wagner (Hamstring), and DT Sheldon Richardson (oblique) are all listed as questionable (though Chancellor and Wagner were full participants in practice on Friday).
Arizona at San Francisco (Sunday, 4:05 PM ET)
Arizona: The Cardinals will be without QB Carson Palmer (arm) for the remainder of the season so keep an eye on Drew Stanton, who is expected to start in his place.
San Francisco: WR Pierre Garcon (neck) is the biggest name on the 49ers injury report, in terms of fantasy relevance. Garcon has been ruled out for Week 9 and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. LB Reuben Foster (ankle ribs) is listed as questionable.
Kansas City at Dallas (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
Kansas City: The Chiefs will be without WR Albert Wilson (hamstring), who has been held out of practice all week. On defense, LB Justin Houston (knee) is listed as questionable.
Dallas: CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) and K Dan Bailey (right groin) have already been ruled out for Week 9. WR Cole Beasley (concussion) and DT Maliek Collins (foot) are both questionable on the official injury report.
Oakland at Miami (Sunday, 8:30 PM ET)
Oakland: There is no fantasy relevant injury information to report.
Miami: Despite listing QB Jay Cutler (ribs), WR DeVante Parker (ankle), and three others as questionable on their official injury report, the Dolphins had all active roster players as full participants in Friday’s practice.
Detroit at Green Bay (Monday, 8:30 PM ET)
Detroit: WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) is still a non-participant in practice this week, along with T Greg Robinson (ankle).
Green Bay: The biggest fantasy relevant player held out of practice for the Packers is TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder) who has not practiced at all this week. Keep an eye on RB Ty Montgomery who is still listed on the official injury report but has been a full participant in practice so far this week.
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Ethan Sauers is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Ethan, check out his archive and follow him @ethansauers.
