Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 9 Updates For Puka Nacua, DK Metcalf, Brian Thomas Jr., Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper

We've already run the gauntlet of wide receiver injuries, but NFL action never stops, and player ailments never stop piling up throughout the season. It's odd how brutal they've been to the WR position especially. We've seen a number of star wideouts go on injured reserve, some for the rest of the season.

Chris Godwin, Rashee Rice, Rahshid Shaheed, Stefon Diggs, and Brandon Aiyuk will all miss the rest of the season. In addition, tons have gone on short-term IR, like Nico Collins, Puka Nacua, and Mike Evans. Still, other star pass-catchers have missed time.

For now, let's break down the latest at injuries at this position. We'll pray things start to get better soon.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Puka Nacua (LAR) Injury Update

Game Status: Questionable

Nacua (knee) struck his knee on the field at practice Thursday and re-aggravated the knee injury he had just recently come back from. It doesn't look like he's in danger of missing significant time, but there's a chance he won't be able to suit up for Week 9.

Here’s everything of note #Rams HC Sean McVay said about Puka Nacua in today’s presser ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

As for this week’s game, there’s not any actionable coachspeak here. It sounds like Puka’s close for this week and would be a good bet for next week if he misses Week 9.

McVay saying… pic.twitter.com/fEdKIDCLov

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) November 1, 2024

Only time will tell with this one. It's very concerning that this is the second time he's reinjured the same knee the same way (by hitting it on the ground). Knees contacting the ground is an incredibly commonplace occurrence in tackle football.

DK Metcalf (SEA) Injury Update

Game Status: OUT

Metcalf (knee) continues to recover from the MCL sprain that's now caused him to miss one week of game action. He wasn't able to play in Week 8 after picking up the injury in a Week 7 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Seattle expressed optimism that he would be ready to return in Week 11, after the team's bye week.

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf is out for this Sunday.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 1, 2024

MCL sprains do tend to take a few weeks to heal, so this isn't a big surprise.

Brian Thomas Jr., Gabe Davis (JAX) Injury Updates

Game Status: Questionable

Thomas (chest) suffered a chest injury late in his Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers and is now a game-time decision for Sunday's contest with the Philadelphia Eagles. The specifics of his injury weren't revealed, but it's not expected to be serious. He shouldn't miss more time after this week.

Doug Pederson says Brian Thomas Jr is a game-time decision vs. #Eagles.

"He's not going to be 100%, but no one is at this time... we also don't want any set backs."

Travis Etienne is "another one who is probably a game-time decision."#Jaguars | #DUUUVAL

— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) November 1, 2024

Davis (shoulder) will be a game-time decision for the Jaguars this Sunday. In Week 8, he re-aggravated a shoulder injury he previously suffered earlier in the season. It's worth questioning if he should take more time off or if he's at a high risk of reinjuring the shoulder multiple times from here on out.

An injury recap from Jaguars HC Doug Pederson:

LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle): "probably not" playing.

RG Brandon Scherff (knee), RB Travis Etienne (hamstring), WR Gabe Davis (shoulder), WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) are game-time decisions.

CB Ronald Darby (hip) will play.

— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) November 1, 2024

Both his and Thomas' statuses will go down to the wire ahead of their game against the Philadelphia Eagles this week.

Tee Higgins (CIN) Injury Update

Game Status: Doubtful

In all likelihood, Higgins (quad) will miss another game with the quad injury he picked up in practice before Week 8. The frustrating season of ailments for the Cincinnati Bengals star pass-catcher continues with no end in sight. His status for Week 10 is less clear.

Tee Higgins with 3 DNPs and yet still not ruled out. Merely “Doubtful”.

It’s also “doubtful” that I’ll ever draft him again.

— Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) November 1, 2024

He's one of the more injury-prone star wideouts in this game.

Allen Lazard (GB) Injury Update

Game Status: Injured Reserve

Just before the Green Bay Packers' Thursday Night Football win over the Houston Texans, Lazard (chest) was placed on injured reserve with the chest issue that caused him to miss Week 8. He doesn't have a timetable to return and will be required to miss at least four games, making him first eligible for a comeback against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14.

The #Jets are placing WR Allen Lazard on IR with a chest injury, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/4IgOq7DsHo

— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) October 31, 2024

Mike Evans (TB) Injury Update

Game Status: OUT

Evans (hamstring) is set to miss a couple more weeks of action with his hamstring issue. It's unlikely he'll return next week, either. The Buccaneers announced this after he underwent an MRI to determine the severity of the issue. At 31 years old, he may take more time than most to heal.

The MRI confirmed the initial diagnosis, with #Bucs WR Mike Evans out at least four weeks (not games), but potentially back after the bye. https://t.co/cOKAg8YV61

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2024

The team opted not to place him on injured reserve, so three more weeks of healing should suffice, we hope. He's expected to return for Week 11.

Xavier Legette (CAR) Injury Update

Game Status: Questionable

Legette (toe) is listed as "Questionable" for the Panthers upcoming Week 9 contest against the divisional rival New Orleans Saints. He wasn't on the injury report on Wednesday, meaning he could have picked up the injury or re-aggravated an existing issue at practice.

Week 9 Thursday Injury Report: Xavier Legette added to reporthttps://t.co/USs0OqEJAz

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 31, 2024

This one is frustrating. The Saints defensive back unit is banged up, which would've provided an opportunity for the rookie to have a breakout game. He may be limited by the injury and unable to move as well in game.

Amari Cooper (BUF) Injury Update

Game Status: Questionable

Cooper (wrist) is dealing with a wrist injury and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. The severity or details of his issue haven't been made public by the Bills. According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, he's a game-time decision for Week 8.

Injury updates:
-- The #Giants are hopeful RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. is cleared from the concussion protocol.
-- #Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is expected to play, but not so much for Zach Sieler or Jevon Holland.
-- #Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) is a game-time decision.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2024

Fantasy managers will have to check for later updates on this situation.

Tyreek Hill (MIA) Injury Update

Game Status: Healthy

Hill (rest/foot) was simply load-managed by his team and held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He practiced in full on Friday and was removed from the injury report. He will be good to go for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. There's no cause for concern other than a potential re-aggravation of the issue.

In Case Ya Missed It, NFL Injuries:

1. RB Travis Etienne is OUT for the Jaguars

2. QB Jayden Daniels is looking likely to play for the Commanders

3. WR Tyreek Hill will play for the Dolphins

4. TE George Kittle and WR Deebo Samuel will play for the 49ers pic.twitter.com/RCsJ2BBqpm

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) October 27, 2024

More Fantasy Football Analysis