RADIO
We have now hit the halfway point of the NFL season, but over halfway for most fantasy football seasons. As has been the norm this season, there are plenty of injuries to top fantasy players at every position. Some remain out for the foreseeable future, some are potentially playing through injury, and some are returning from injury at just the right time for fantasy managers.
A few of those aforementioned top players are Puka Nacua, DK Metcalf, Josh Jacobs, and Jordan Love. Those are just some of the many injured players to keep an eye on before the Sunday and Monday games.
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 top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 9.
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Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is officially questionable, but seems likely to play despite suffering a knee injury at practice on Thursday. Reports are suggesting the knee injury isn't serious despite forcing the young receiver to leave practice early.
Rams WR Puka Nacua’s knee injury is not believed to be serious, per sources. His status on Sunday’s game at Seattle still is to be determined, but it does not appear to be any type of significant injury. pic.twitter.com/u2zZV3Y3Qz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2024
While the initial reports served as a proper Halloween scare for his fantasy managers, they should feel fine putting Nacua in their lineups with low-end WR1 expectations against the Seattle Seahawks.
DK Metcalf Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) has been officially ruled out for Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. This will be the second consecutive week the star receiver will miss out. In his place, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, and Noah Fant will be tasked with stepping up.
Against the Buffalo Bills, Geno Smith and the offense struggled, but they should have an easier time this week against a weaker Rams defense. Still, beyond Kenneth Walker, it is hard to trust the Seahawks offense in fantasy currently.
Josh Jacobs and Jordan Love Injury Updates
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) and quarterback Jordan Love (groin) are each officially questionable after limited practices Friday. Love has been banged up for a lot of the season, and unfortunately suffered this new injury last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
#JordanLove
Exits with left groin injury
Left knee from Week 1 thankfully seems fine pic.twitter.com/dFFhyKyMTZ— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 27, 2024
Based on reports, both seem more likely than not to play, but they have added motivation to play in this week's huge divisional matchup with the Detroit Lions. If either player were to miss out, Malik Willis at quarterback and Emanuel Wilson at running back would be the next men up. If Love specifically were to miss out, the entire Packers offense would become tough to trust in fantasy against a strong Lions defense.
Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby Injury Updates
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest), running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), and running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) are all officially questionable for Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brian Thomas Jr.'s injury status has fluctuated throughout the week, with him considered at one point week-to-week, and now seems like he has a chance to play after limited practices all week. Even if he does play, it seems the rookie would be playing through his chest injury. Fantasy managers should highly consider looking elsewhere this week. He is a game-time decision, along with wide receiver Gabe Davis.
Three Key Offensive Jacksonville Jaguars players are Game Time Decisions. Rookie stud WR Brian Thomas Jr is a GTD with a chest injury. pic.twitter.com/qPxvAclgcM
— The Best Ball Junkie (@BestBallJunkie) November 1, 2024
As for the Jaguars running back situation, like BTJ, Etienne Jr. and Bigsby were limited at practice all week, meaning they have a decent chance of playing. However, Etienne Jr. is considered a game-time decision, so like with BTJ, fantasy managers must be ready to pivot. The smart move would be to pick up backup D'Ernest Johnson, and make the call based on who plays and who doesn't. If all three are available, Bigsby and Etienne Jr. are flex options, but if any of them are ruled out, the starter should be upgraded to around RB2 status.
Dallas Goedert Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) has been ruled out against the Jacksonville Jaguars after not practicing all week. The veteran tight end has not played since leave early with an injury in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, making this his third straight missed game.
Fantasy managers will be disappointed Goedert won't return this week against an awful Jaguars defense. Grant Calcaterra should start in his place once again, but the real fantasy impact is more on DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, who should be in line for huge games.
Tony Pollard Injury Update
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday against the New England Patriots. He didn't practice all week, but despite that, hasn't been ruled out.
Backup Tyjae Spears has already been ruled out, so fantasy managers would be smart to pick up third string back Julius Chestnut. It would be tough for Pollard to miss this game in what would be a top-tier matchup with the Patriots. If he were to go, he should be viewed as an RB1 with injury risk given his minimal competition and great matchup, but lack of practicing.
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday against the New York Giants. Robinson Jr. has already missed a game this season, with backup Austin Ekeler being the prime benefactor that week.
Robinson Jr. has been a good fantasy asset this season, so him missing out would be tough for fantasy managers, especially if they don't own Ekeler. The rest of the Commanders offense is off the injury report and ready to go, so if Robinson Jr. were to play, the offense would be well equipped to thrive as they have all season against the Giants. Whoever starts at RB for the Commanders this week should be viewed as an RB2.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Injury Update
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion) has been cleared to play Sunday against the Washington Commanders. After suffering the concussion Monday night, Tracy Jr. has made a quick recovery, and fantasy managers should have no hesitation putting him into lineups after a full practice Friday.
In a decent matchup, the new rookie lead back for the Giants should get plenty of touches once again to produce at least RB2 level numbers for fantasy managers. If Tracy Jr. shines once again, he could be viewed as the top waiver wire add of the season.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. was having a career night before leaving the game in the 4th quarter with an apparent injury. pic.twitter.com/idjcH5ozXI
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) October 29, 2024
Derek Carr Injury Update
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) has no injury designation and is set to return against the Carolina Panthers. After a strong 2-0 start to the season, the Saints lost six straight, and could use a boost like this to turn their season around.
Carr may be tough to trust coming off of injury, but he is an interesting streaming option against a woeful Panthers defense, especially with Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave healthy and ready to go.
Jonathon Brooks, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette Injury Updates
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee), wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) and wide receiver Xavier Legette (toe) are all banged up heading into Sunday's matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
Brooks has to be activated by the Panthers soon to avoid missing the rest of the season, but despite fully practicing all week, it seems fantasy managers have to keep waiting. The team is likely being extra cautious with their rookie back, who seems likely to return at the latest after their Week 11 bye.
The Panthers are being super careful with Jonathon Brooks, if he doesn’t get activated by Wednesday, then he will be shut down for the year and not make his debut.
Genuinely surprised. https://t.co/zBRdG2M99H
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) November 1, 2024
Thielen was trending in the right direction, but after not practicing Friday, is now officially doubtful and unlikely to play. The veteran receiver could become the top receiving option for the Panthers on his return, but will have to wait a week to fill that role.
Legette popped up late on the injury report on Thursday, and after two straight limited practices, is officially listed as questionable. He seems much more likely to return than the other two, and would be the focal point for Bryce Young and the passing offense if he is able to play, making him an interesting flex play.
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