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The fantasy football gods don't care about your hopes and aspirations for your team. They dole out what they want when they please. It's common for players to get injuries in a sport that involves crashing into each other at high speeds and changing direction with extreme force.
It's Week 9, which means some fantasy managers have faced a gauntlet of ailments for their players. The luck part of the game is a big factor in making it more interesting, but that doesn't always make it more fun. It's a harsh reality of the game we play.
Let's break down this week's biggest injuries.
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Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gave fantasy managers a scare when he missed two consecutive practices with knee and back injuries. However, these were just part of a load-management scheme. The fantasy football QB1 this year is ready to go and will play in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos. There's nothing to worry about here.
Lamar Jackson said he was just resting his body. There was never a doubt he was going to play Sunday.
“Just trying to get my body right, keep it fresh.” pic.twitter.com/0ofDB33m4M— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 1, 2024
Move along now. Nothing to see here.
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) gave his fantasy managers a heart attack when he exited practice with a knee injury Thursday. He hit his knee on the ground, but Rams head coach Sean McVay clarified the nature of the injury by saying there was no structural damage.
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
He seemed to indicate that the star second-year pro was likely to play on Sunday, but fantasy managers will have to keep their eyes on this one. Confirmation of his status could come down to the wire.
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) is set to miss his second game in a row with a quad injury after being designated as "Doubtful" on his team's injury report. He continues to struggle to stay on the field. Hopefully he can return in Week 10.
#Bengals WR Tee Higgins is doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the #Raiders due to his quad injury. Trending toward missing a second straight game. pic.twitter.com/rah2DjCfBE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2024
Jordan Love Injury Update
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) is trending toward playing in his Week 9 game against the rival Detroit Lions. How close he'll be to 100% isn't known, but it's good news that he should be able to take the field. Barring an unexpected setback, fantasy managers should feel comfortable firing him up this week.
#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
Brian Thomas Jr. Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) is a true game-time decision for Week 9. He suffered a chest injury in Week 8 after playing most of the game. Fantasy managers will need to check the final list of active players to get final clarity on his status. There haven't been credible reports leaning either direction yet.
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
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Injury Update
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion) miraculously cleared the league's joke of a concussion protocol just four days after receiving the head injury and stumbling off the field with the help of team staff. He'll play in Week 9 in a divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play Sunday versus Washington.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2024
Pray to God he doesn't hit his head again. Nobody truly recovers from a concussion in four days.
Dallas Goedert Injury Update
We won't get to see Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) play in Week 9. He's already been ruled out with the hamstring injury that's caused him to miss most of Week 6 and all of Weeks 7-8. He'll need more time to recover. Fantasy managers should check back for updates next week. He could return soon after.
Friday's Injury Report#JAXvsPHI pic.twitter.com/bpUXq1rj6a
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 1, 2024
D.K. Metcalf Injury Update
Another player we won't have the pleasure of watching in Week 9 is Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (knee). He's suffering from an MCL sprain. The absolute gauntlet of WR injuries won't give us back another of its victims yet. Seattle has a bye in Week 10, so we have a good chance of getting him back one game that.
#Seahawks WR DK Metcalf (MCL sprain) has been ruled out for Sunday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2024
Expect the offense to struggle without him.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
There's good news. Some players have injuries but will actually play! The world isn't ending. Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) has informed us that he'll be good to go when game time comes. He's likely dealing with something that isn't serious, and is being smartly load-managed. Fire him up in your fantasy lineups.
Josh Jacobs didn’t practice today because of an ankle injury suffered Sunday:
“I’ll be good game time.” pic.twitter.com/ep8eEallVs
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 30, 2024
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
The powers that be giveth and taketh away. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) is officially listed as "Questionable" for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Clarity on his situation hasn't been provided just yet. He previously dealt with a knee issue. It's unclear if this is related.
Final injury report.
Dan Quinn suggested no injury issues beyond Cornelius Lucas. However, RB Brian Robinson is "questionable" with a hamstring. pic.twitter.com/RyfK7csA4A
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 1, 2024
Be sure to stay updated if you have him on any of your rosters.
Tony Pollard Injury Update
The situation with Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) is ambiguous. He wasn't able to practice at all this week, and he's a true game-time decision. Fantasy managers may want to have a backup plan. With his backup, Tyjae Spears (hamstring) also out, third-year pro Julius Chestnut could be the guy come game time.
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears both missed practice today.
Julius Chestnut is the next man up. He’s a fun player.
Here he is torching MIN’s 3rd-string defense last preseason if you’re into that sort of thing.pic.twitter.com/vAWMhBm311
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) November 1, 2024
Tank Bigsby Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (ankle), quickly emerging as a potential breakout superstar, is expected to play on Sunday in Week 9. He's reportedly good to go. It's unclear what his injury is, but it could also simply be part of a load-management scheme implemented to help him recover from his increased workloads in recent games.
#Jaguars Injury Update: LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle) doubtful vs. Eagles. RG Brandon Scherff (knee), RB Travis Etienne (hamstring), WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest), WR Gabe Davis (shoulder) will be game time decisions. CB Ronald Darby (hip) and RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) are good to go.
— Kainani Stevens (@KainaniStevens) November 1, 2024
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (toe) has an interesting, but not extremely concerning, injury situation. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles clarified the nature of Irving's ailment. It's a lingering issue that's been bothering him since college. The rookie missed Thursday and Friday's practices.
Didn't see Bucky Irving at practice today, but Bowles said his routine is going to be avoiding practice early in the week so he can be full-go for games due to lingering toe injury. https://t.co/yS4virkqUZ
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 1, 2024
Expect more rest days from practices in the future.
Travis Etienne Jr. Injury Update
Much like the rookie receiver Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is likely a game-time decision according to Jags head coach Doug Pederson.
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
He's already missed two consecutive games with this issue, but hammies often require at least a few weeks to heal, so this isn't a huge surprise. His status will likely only be determined when the final list of active players is released.
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