The Injury Files: Week 9

It’s week nine, we’re officially at the half way point in the NFL regular season. For Fantasy Football, we’re heading towards the playoffs. No more mistakes. It’s do or die. Let’s help you manage your rosters to a playoff berth. Checkout Stacey’s waiver wire article for the next men up, if you are holding some of these guy’s with an injury, who may miss week nine. Let’s get it! 

Quarterback

Starting in the same spot as last week with Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Ryan Tannehill. Malik Willis made his first career start in week eight, after Tannehill didn’t travel due to an ankle injury. The same issue see him log a limited practice Wednesday before not participating at all on Thursday. The Titans ran through King Henry last week, with the Rookie signal caller only attempting 10 passes. Expect more of the same if Tannehill misses week nine.

Aaron Rodgers has numerous issues in Green Bay itself. A receiving group down to the bare bones. No action at the trade deadline. And, a lingering Thumb issue. He’s been limited all week in practice but there’s no doubt in my mind he will be full go, come the weekend. Both of these guy’s probably aren’t in line to start for us in 1QB leagues anyway. 

Running Back

Chuba Hubbard stepped up in week seven, the Panthers first week without CMC. He missed week eight and D’Onta Foreman went off for our teams. He’s been limited this week with his ankle injury but it’s not likely he takes the reigns after such an impressive show from Foreman in his absence. Austin Ekeler add’s to Brandon Staley’s pass catching woes in LA. He flagged on the Chargers injury report Thursday as a limited participant due to an abdomen injury. One to keep an eye on. 

The Lions was back up to near full health last week with the return of D’Andre Swift. He didn’t practice Wednesday though and was only limited Thursday. Dan Campbell said “they gave him one too many carries”. Definitely one to monitor but have a back up plan in place. Jonathan Taylor hasn’t practiced all week. He re-aggravated that ankle issue that he’s been dealing with all season, last week against Washington. The consensus redraft 1.01 has missed two games already this year and hasn’t been the JT we got used too in 2021. 

Gus Edwards is dealing with a hamstring problem heading towards Monday Night Football. He didn’t participate in the Ravens first practice of the week before facing the Saints on Monday. Check out the Friday injury report and decide from there but if he misses again today, another option is probably the right way to go. Finally, James Conner. Put some limited showing’s in practice last week but still missed the game against the Vikings. The injury to his ribs has seen him limited again all week but until he’s a full participant or officially slated to play, he’s hard to trust plugging him in your line-ups.

Wide Receiver

The Raiders have been struggling with injury all across their skill positions this year. Davante Adams was ill at the start of the week but did log a full practice Thursday. Allen Lazard missed week eight with a shoulder injury he sustained week seven against Washington. He said he heard “snap, crackle and pop” in his left shoulder, which was worrying to say the least. The Packers would love to get him back out there this week with their receiving corps struggles. Only start him if you don’t have a better option, for now.

DK Metcalf surprisingly played and quite well in week eight scoring 17.5 PPR points. He was carted off early in week seven. He was logged as a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Cooper Kupp suffered an ankle injury against the 49ers. He was rested on Wednesday before returning Thursday on limited reps. The Rams travel to Raymond James to face the Buccaneers this week. I’d expect Sean McVay and co. will do everything they can to get Kupp out there and with the Bucs secondary banged up. Don’t over think it. If he play’s, you start him.

Some season ending injuries to talk about now. Rashod Bateman will undergo surgery on his foot that has seen him miss some time this year. A devastating blow for Lamar and the Ravens as well as us Fantasy managers, who were expecting a year two breakout from Bateman. Less surprisingly now, Michael Thomas was placed on injured reserve on Thursday. MT has barely played in 3 years now and the rehab on his dislocated toe hasn’t gone well this last few weeks and will need surgery. 

CHARGERS RUN OUT OF BATTERY

Keenan Allen’s hamstring issue has held him out since week one. He did return before the Chargers bye week in a limited capacity. He has not practiced this week after another setback. With this and Mike Williams missing some time with a high ankle sprain, who will Justin Herbert be throwing too? Worrying times for Herbert shareholders although Josh Palmer has been a full participant all week. So at least some body is there. 

BANGED UP BUCS

Another team with a banged up receiving room is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Russell Gage’s hamstring held him out week eight and he hasn’t practiced all week. Mike Evans has been a limited participant all week with the ankle issue he sustained in week seven. He’s expected to play on Sunday however and there’s no way you can sit Evans if he suits up. Some good news, i think, Julio Jones logged a full participation on Thursday. He somewhat surprisingly played last Thursday Night Football against the Ravens and gave us a flex worthy 10 points. 

Tight End

Darren Waller hasn’t played since before the Raiders bye week. He missed last week after logging some limited practice’s but hamstring injuries, as we see with Keenan Allen are always tricky. He’s been limited this week but keep an eye on it as he could be a late rule out again. Brock Wright is the next man up at Tight End for the Lions after the Vikings traded for TJ Hockenson this week. He’ll have no real Fantasy implications except for a in very deep leagues. Keep in mind he’s just coming out of concussion protocol.

Mark Andrews is another potential blow for our Fantasy teams this week. He doesn’t play until Monday. It’s probably best to make a decision before Sunday but if he does not participate again today after missing Thursday, it’ll be hard to trust that he plays. He went into week eight Thursday Night Football banged up but left the game early with an unrelated injury. 

And, that is that for week nine, Rush Nation. Don’t forget, 5 Yard Rush: Fast Action Friday this evening, where we will update you on the injury report.

Lewis -@LVenes1