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As we head into Week 9 of the NFL season, injuries continue to pile up and play a huge factor in start/sit decisions for fantasy managers. Our injury updates and reports for Week 9 as of Sunday, November 5, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key fantasy football assets.
The injury news for Week 9 of the NFL season has featured many notable fantasy football players such as Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, Puka Nacua, Joshua Palmer, and more. These issues are in addition to players that have already been ruled out earlier in the week like Dameon Pierce, Darren Waller, Emari Demercado, Drake London, and others.
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 key fantasy options and see whether they may play in Week 9.
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Matthew Stafford Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb) is currently listed as questionable heading into the Week 9 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. It sounds like the Rams are going to wait and see how Stafford feels prior to game time. They want to see how he feels gripping the football after suffering a sprained UCL in his thumb last week.
Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford, listed as questionable for Sunday due to his thumb injury, is unlikely to play vs. the Packers, though the team is giving him all the time it can before it has to make any final decisions about his availability, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2023
At this point, it seems unlikely that Stafford is going to suit up for this game. Brett Rypien will likely be under center if Stafford is unable to go. The move to Rypien would be an immediate downgrade to the fantasy value of both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) won't be activated ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The star quarterback continues to work his way back from an ACL tear. It sounds like Murray is close to returning and should suit up for next week's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Cardinals are not activating QB Kyler Murray off the PUP list by today’s 4 pm deadline, making him ineligible to play Sunday vs. the Browns. His 21-day window to be activated ends next week. This week, rookie QB Clayton Tune is expected to start vs. the Browns and QB Jeff Driskel…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2023
In the meantime, Clayton Tune will draw his first start of his career this week versus Cleveland. Fantasy managers who are holding Murray will have to wait at least one more week.
Puka Nacua Injury Updates
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is expected to play versus the Green Bay Packers on Sunday despite being listed as questionable, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nacua has been the biggest surprise this season, catching 61 passes for 795 yards and two touchdowns en route to being the fantasy WR4 overall through eight weeks.
Injury roundup: Rams WR Puka Nacua (knee) expected to play versus the Packers, per @RapSheet https://t.co/WGGFcrrDME pic.twitter.com/QcFP2mYrYF
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) November 5, 2023
However, he had one of his quietest games last week, catching just three passes, and could be due for another iffy game if he can't form an instant rapport with backup quarterback Brett Rypien, who is making his first start of the year in place of the injured Matthew Stafford (thumb). Nacua is talented, but there's no denying that he could suffer from the quarterback downgrade. Fantasy managers should view him as a low-end WR2 this week, albeit one with upside.
Joshua Palmer Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the New York Jets. This was expected after Palmer was unable to practice all week. The hope is that this is only going to be a one-game absence for Palmer.
Chargers ruled out WR Joshua Palmer for Monday night’s game vs. the Jets.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2023
Rookie wideout Quentin Johnston should have a good opportunity to step up without Palmer available. However, he's still third in terms of target pecking order behind Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler. Johnston could be a possible flex option for deep league fantasy managers this week.
Michael Wilson Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. However, the rookie wideout is reportedly not expected to play in this game. This is a tough blow to the Cardinals offense as Wilson has been a great producer for them so far.
Sources: #AZCardinals rookie WR Michael Wilson, listed as questionable (shoulder), is not expected to play Sunday vs the #Browns.
Wilson already has 25/401/2 this season and his 16 YPC rank in the top 10 of all NFL wide receivers. He should be back next week. @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/8XTCU934n1
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 5, 2023
The good news is that this should only be a one-game absence for Wilson. The expectation is that Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and possibly Zach Pascal should see more involvement if Wilson is unable to play. Although, it's tough to count on any of them as reliable fantasy options with Clayton Tune under center for Arizona this week.
Josh Downs Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (knee) intends to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The 2023 No. 79 overall pick has made noise throughout his rookie season, catching 40 of his 56 targets for 473 yards. He also has two touchdowns, both occurring in the last three weeks.
Colts’ WR Josh Downs, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a knee injury, is “tracking to play” vs. the Panthers, per source. He still wants to see how it feels pre-game, and he’s not 100 percent, but he wants and intends to play.
Panthers’ WR D.J. Chark, listed as…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2023
That said, Downs will test things out during warmups. However, he may be limited because of the ailment even if he plays, meaning fantasy managers may want to consider keeping him out of the starting lineup in Week 9.
D.J. Chark Jr. Injury Update
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (elbow) is expected to play in Week 9 versus the Indianapolis Colts. The wideout was limited during practice on Thursday and Friday because of an elbow issue. As a result, he carried a questionable designation heading into this one. Nevertheless, Chark is nowhere near the type of player he once was. While he has scored twice this season, fantasy managers should think twice before putting him in the lineup.
Gerald Everett Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (hip) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the New York Jets. It appears Everett will be back on the field after missing last week's game due to the same issue.
Gerald Everett Removed From Injury Report https://t.co/Y03b21lttu
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 4, 2023
The Chargers are without wideout Joshua Palmer (knee) for this game, so Everett's return is a welcoming sight. That being said, Everett will likely see more involvement in the offense without Palmer available. He should be on the TE2 radar for this Monday night matchup.
Baker Mayfield Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee) was able to practice in full all week and was removed from the Week 9 injury report on Friday. He will make the start on Sunday against the Texans in Houston. Mayfield played through a lingering knee injury in last Thursday's loss to the Buffalo Bills and will suit up again this weekend.
#GoBucs QB Baker Mayfield warming up at practice pic.twitter.com/0SqdvE3pT4
— Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson) November 2, 2023
The veteran signal-caller is a decent midrange QB2 option for fantasy managers that may be in need of a streamer this week given all the recent injuries to quarterbacks around the league. The Texans defense has been in the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs all year long and they've allowed 588 total passing yards and two touchdowns to the position in their last two games.
Allen Lazard Injury Update
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (knee) is considered questionable for the upcoming Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Lazard seemed fine all week until he popped up on the injury report on Saturday.
Allen Lazard has been added to the injury report with a knee injury and is questionable for Monday
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) November 4, 2023
He was limited during Saturday's practice session, which isn't good news heading into the Monday night matchup against the Chargers. Lazard has been quiet recently anyway, but still remains a flex option in some formats. His absence could mean an increase in targets for veteran wideout Randall Cobb.
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