Just like that, we have arrived at the NFL trade deadline day. Week 9 didn't have many serious injuries, though it was slightly less exciting than the previous week. Still, it featured three games that went to overtime and was a fun week all things considered.
Unfortunately, as is the case in every week of NFL action, there were some injuries. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% yet will go a long way if you're looking to win your fantasy leagues.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 10. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
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Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
After winning the NFC East last season, many expected the Cowboys to duke it out with the Eagles over the division title this season. However, "America's Team" has gotten off to a terrible start this year and now sits at 3-5.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott expected to miss multiple weeks due to hamstring injury. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/aeQumpKs4d
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
Injuries have played a major part in that, as many of their stars have suffered injuries so far in 2024. This trend continued in Week 9 when two of their superstars went down. The first was Dak Prescott, who got hurt against the Falcons.
Prescott said he felt something he had "never felt before" when he got hurt, and this injury could potentially derail the Cowboys' season. According to Ian Rapoport, Prescott is expected to miss multiple weeks. Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are the team's backups but don't expect them to do much if their star WR misses time.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Speaking of that star WR, CeeDee Lamb had an awesome year in 2023, becoming the fantasy football WR1 overall. Lamb had a mediocre start to the season, but had a monster performance in Week 8, which was the third-best PPR WR performance of the year.
Unfortunately for Lamb, he couldn't build upon that massive game in Week 9. Lamb fell on his right shoulder a bunch of times and exited the game. He managed to return late in the game during the Cowboys' comeback attempt, but still looked in pain.
Lamb then told reporters that he was hurting, but "will be out there" next week. He was diagnosed with a sprained AC joint after an MRI and is currently listed as week-to-week. Much like Lamb himself, the Cowboys are optimistic that he can play in Week 10.
Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks will be the Cowboys' WR duo if Lamb doesn't play, but Brandin Cooks has hinted at a potential return.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Football is a scary sport. Tua Tagovailoa's struggles with concussions have been well documented, but Saints WR Chris Olave is also getting concussed at an alarming rate and now many fans are questioning whether he should continue his career.
Prayers up for Chris Olave. Very tough year with all the concussions. One of the nicest players you would ever meet. He’s beloved in Columbus.
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) November 3, 2024
Olave suffered a concussion earlier this year against the Buccaneers, but returned after missing one game and had a monster performance against the Chargers. Sadly, Olave got concussed again in his second game back after his first concussion.
This is his fifth concussion since 2020 and his fourth in the last two years. Olave is expected to miss multiple weeks and might even miss the rest of the season with the Saints looking to rebuild after firing HC Dennis Allen.
With Rashid Shaheed and Bub Means on Injured Reserve, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Mason Tipton will be Derek Carr's main weapons moving forward.
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
After a slow start to his NFL career, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft Caleb Williams had an awesome three-week stretch before the Bears' bye week, winning three games in a row. But he has crashed back down to earth since then and even got hurt in Week 9.
Williams tweaked his ankle on the final play of the game against the Cardinals. This injury was completely avoidable, as Williams shouldn't have even been on the field down by 20 points with a minute to go.
Luckily for the Bears, they are not concerned and expect their QB1 to be ready to go in Week 10.
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
For the third week in a row, DK Metcalf finds himself on this list. Metcalf got hurt against the Falcons in Week 7, and the Seahawks initially described his injury as "minor" and expected him to return in Week 8. But now we're past Week 9, and he still hasn't returned.
Mike Macdonald hedged slightly when asked about DK Metcalf being back against the 49ers, saying they are optimistic he will be, but stopping short of saying he for sure will be.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 4, 2024
Last week, Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald told reporters that he was optimistic that Metcalf would return in Week 9. He said the exact same thing again this week, so his injury might be worse than initially thought.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout game against the Rams and could build upon that game if Metcalf can't return to play.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are finally at their best once again and the team is firing on all cylinders. The return of A.J. Brown has helped them tremendously, as they haven't lost a game since his return in Week 6.
However, Brown bruised his knee in Week 9 against the Jaguars and was forced to exit the game early. Head coach Nick Sirianni vaguely said Brown was "in good spirits", but the team doesn't expect him to miss time.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are another team with plenty of momentum, having won five of their last six games. Drake London has scored a TD in four of those games, including a touchdown against the Cowboys in Week 9.
However, he got hurt before he could really make his mark on the game. After an MRI, it was confirmed that he had suffered a hip pointer, and is considered day-to-day.
Anthony Richardson missed two games earlier this year due to the same injury, so don't be surprised if London misses time. If that happens, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III can step up in his place
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Once again, we're ending things with a Christian McCaffrey update. The 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year hasn't played so far this season due to an Achilles issue, but he could finally make his long-awaited return to the field this week.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is back at practice. pic.twitter.com/gIxhduVNoW
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 4, 2024
Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers opened the practice window for CMC on Monday, and he went on to practice with the team for the first time in two months. If all goes well, the fantasy football superstar will be out there on the field against the Buccaneers.
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