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As we head into Week 9 of the NFL season, which begins with the Thursday night game between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers, the amount of injury news for the week's coming slate of games is significant. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, November 2, 2023.
Fantasy football assets such as Matthew Stafford, Drake London, Kyler Murray, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 9. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some of fantasy football's most notable performers and see whether they may play in Week 9.
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DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (toe) is on track to play Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The veteran wideout picked up a DNP on Wednesday, putting his status in doubt for Thursday Night Football. Hopkins is coming off his best performance of the 2023 season.
#Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins — who didn’t practice Wednesday because of a toe injury and is officially questionable — is expected to play tonight against the #Steelers, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 2, 2023
Rookie quarterback Will Levis found Hopkins downfield on multiple occasions in his first NFL start, which led to 128 yards and three touchdowns for the former Texan and Cardinal. As long as he's active, Hopkins is in the WR2 range once again.
Ryan Tannehill Injury Update
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Thursday Night Football in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was expected as the veteran signal-caller has been dealing with an ankle injury since Week 6.
Titans have ruled out QB Ryan Tannehill so Will Levis will make his 2nd career start Thursday vs. Steelers.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) November 1, 2023
Rookie quarterback Will Levis looked sharp in his debut, throwing four touchdowns in a victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, and he could be in line for another solid performance against a banged-up Pittsburgh secondary that is missing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Even if Levis struggles, he brings a more dynamic edge to a Tennessee offense that has looked slow and stagnant under Tannehill when healthy.
Kenny Pickett Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and will start in Week 9 on Thursday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans. Pickett suffered a rib injury just before halftime in a Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and was replaced by Mitch Trubisky.
#Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ribs) was a full participant today and has no game status. He'll play on TNF.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2023
Initially, it seemed like Pickett was a long shot to play on a short week but he enters TNF with no injury designation. The second-year QB is completing just 61% of his passes this year, throwing for 1330 yards to go along with five touchdowns and four interceptions. While he hasn't been great, he is a much better option under center for Pittsburgh's skill players than Trubisky.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
After putting in another full practice on Wednesday, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) has been officially removed from the Week 9 injury report on Thursday. It's the same thing that happened last week, but Murray wasn't ultimately activated from Injured Reserve. There's a greater chance that happens this weekend, but it won't guarantee that the 26-year-old will actually play this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Kyler Murray continues to throw with Arizona Cardinals practice squad wide receivers and tight ends during the open portion of practice. #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/P9FaYNm9Q0
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) November 2, 2023
The Cardinals traded Joshua Dobbs to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, but it looks as though the team is leaning toward giving rookie Clayton Tune his first career start in Week 9 while letting Murray rest up one more week before making his season debut in Week 10. Murray is attempting to come back after tearing his right ACL late in 2022. Stash him now if you're looking for an upgrade at QB in fantasy.
Matthew Stafford Injury Update
There was no sign of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb) in the period of practice open to the media on Thursday. If Stafford is a non-participant, it will be his second straight missed practice after he suffered a sprained UCL in his right thumb in the Week 8 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
No sign of Rams QB Matthew Stafford (thumb) in open portion of practice
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) November 2, 2023
Despite the injury, the Rams aren't ruling Stafford out for the Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers, and Stafford won't necessarily need to practice this week to play. Still, it's looking unlikely that the 35-year-old signal-caller will play, especially with the Rams on bye next week. Fantasy managers should have already been looking for a replacement for Stafford in Week 9. If Stafford is eventually ruled out, backup Brett Rypien will be named the starter under center for the Rams.
Dameon Pierce Injury Update
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (ankle) is not practicing again on Thursday as he deals with an ankle injury he suffered in the Week 8 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Pierce's status for Sunday's Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is still being determined, and a league source said it's being contemplated to have him miss a game to allow his ankle to heal up.
#Texans running back Dameon Pierce is not practicing again as he deals with ankle injury. While his status for Sunday's game is still being determined, league source said it's being contemplating to have him miss a game to allow ankle to heal up @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 2, 2023
Fantasy managers who have been rolling with Pierce are probably going to have to find a replacement at the RB position this weekend. If the 23-year-old is able to return to practice on Friday, though, he could have a shot at playing on Sunday. If Pierce is ultimately held out, Devin Singletary would have added fantasy value for the week as more of an RB3/flex consideration. Mike Boone would also have a bigger role as Singletary's backfield complement.
Drake London Injury Update
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (groin) wasn't seen on Thursday at the portion of practice open to the media. If London doesn't make it onto the field at all, it will be his second straight missed practice this week after injuring his groin in the Week 8 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Don’t see Falcons WR Drake London during open to the media portion of practice Thursday.
Calais Campbell & David Onyemata are back.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) November 2, 2023
The 22-year-old second-year wideout is going to need to practice in some capacity on Friday in order to have a shot at suiting up in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. A London absence would be bad news for quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who will make the start over Desmond Ridder this week. Van Jefferson, Mack Hollins and KhaDarel Hodge would start in three-receiver sets and tight ends Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith would have larger roles as well if London is inactive.
Daniel Jones Injury Update
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's injury report after being officially limited on Wednesday. Head coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday that Jones has no limitations and is good to go for Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders after missing the last three games.
"I'm excited to be back."
Daniel Jones says he feels good as he gets ready to return for the Giants: pic.twitter.com/iFqa8wInU6
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 1, 2023
It's good timing, too, as backup Tyrod Taylor (ribs) has already been ruled out after suffering a rib injury in the Week 8 overtime loss to the New York Jets. The Giants haven't officially named Jones as the starter for Sunday's game, but that's the way it's trending right now.
Darren Waller Injury Update
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) will miss the Week 9 game against his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, this Sunday due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the Week 8 overtime loss to the New York Jets. Not only will Waller miss this weekend's game, but he could miss more time as well.
Giants’ TE Darren Waller will miss Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders due to his hamstring injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2023
The 31-year-old has mostly been a disappointment, along with the rest of the Giants offense, in his first year with the team in 2023. He's scored just one touchdown and has 36 receptions on 51 targets for 384 yards in eight games. For however long he's out, Daniel Bellinger should see a boost in playing time as the team's top pass-catching tight end. However, he probably won't be much more than a touchdown-dependent TE2 streaming option in fantasy.
Deshaun Watson Injury Update
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) said he's "not sure" if he'll be able to play in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. Watson also said throwing this week in practice is part of the process and isn't necessarily a sign that he's going to play on Sunday. Reporters were impressed with Watson's throwing session at practice on Wednesday, when he was officially listed as limited.
#Browns Deshaun Watson throws with good velocity again on Thursday as they decide if he can face #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/PD3fVpPoJT
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 2, 2023
Given the uncertainty surrounding the 28-year-old's status, fantasy managers shouldn't be relying on Watson as their QB1 in Week 9. The Browns have already said that if Watson does not play this weekend, P.J. Walker would make another start. Walker's numbers have been pretty bad (one touchdown, five interceptions), so he will merely be a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues if he makes another start against Arizona.
UPDATE: Watson was limited in practice for the second straight day Thursday.
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