Injuries are and always will be a factor in lineup decisions, and our fantasy football injury reports for Week 9 as of October 31, 2024, will give managers the latest updates around the league.
Some of the banged-up players on this list are at more risk of missing this week's contests than others. Still, fantasy managers should pay close attention to the statuses of Lamar Jackson, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Love, Jonathon Brooks, Tryone Tracy Jr., and more ahead of Week 9 action.
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.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back/knee) was a DNP in practice on Wednesday due to back and knee injuries. Wednesday is often a rest day for veterans so Jackson's lack of participation is not concerning at this point. Providing further confidence in Jackson's ability to bounce back is the fact that he played so well in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns while showing no sign of a significant injury. Jackson threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns and added 46 yards on the ground.
The #Ravens listed Lamar Jackson as a non-participant in today's practice because of back and knee injuries.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 30, 2024
He posted a QBR of 80.3. Jackson has had an MVP-caliber season in 2024. He has thrown for 2,099 yards and 17 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He has added 501 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His QBR of 74.9 is the second-highest of his career. Fantasy managers who have been relying on that kind of production should monitor the Ravens' practice report on Thursday and Friday to ensure that Jackson logs some level of activity. As long as he retakes the field before the weekend, then his DNP on Wednesday should be a null point.
T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is expected to play a full allotment of snaps in Week 9 in his first game back from a torn ACL and MCL. Hockenson has been practicing with the team for a couple of weeks and will finally make his long-anticipated season debut when the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football. Hockenson logged a full practice on Wednesday. His practice activity over the last couple of weeks should put him in a good position to succeed immediately.
Hockenson's return will be a welcome one for fantasy managers who have stashed him all year. He was a stud in 2023 when he racked up 960 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. Hockenson has been an excellent vertical threat throughout his career and will look to step right back into that role.
LETS GOOO!!! Minnesota #Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell says TJ Hockenson WILL NOT be on a snap count on Sunday against the Indianapolis #Colts pic.twitter.com/nVGVT6e8So
— Vikings Nation (@vikingsnationmn) October 30, 2024
His presence will undoubtedly help wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the passing game because Hockenson will give defenses one more weapon to cover. Expect Hockenson to take a couple of weeks to get back into the swing of a regular season game. However, he should begin to produce TE1 numbers before long.
Jordan Love Injury Update
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) missed Wednesday's practice due to a groin strain. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Love sees a "realistic chance" of suiting up on Sunday against the Detroit Lions despite missing practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old exited last Sunday's 30-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars early with a groin strain and is labeled day-to-day. He has been terrific this season, throwing for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 28 yards on 10 attempts over six games.
Packers QB Jordan Love said he sees a “realistic” chance for him to play Sunday vs. the Lions despite the fact that he did not practice Wednesday due to his groin injury.
Story via @RobDemovsky:https://t.co/Lb8cPMnt20
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2024
Love will try to practice later in the week and look to play in a divisional battle against Detroit. Malik Willis would start for Green Bay if Love is inactive. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Love's status heading into Week 9. Love is currently QB10 in the latest RotoBaller Week 9 rankings and is a must-start if active in a plus matchup against the Lions.
Jonathon Brooks Injury Update
Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) turned in a full practice on Wednesday according to David Newton of ESPN. The former second-round selection has been sidelined throughout his entire rookie career due to a torn ACL he suffered last November.
Andy Dalton and Jonathon Brooks full participants for the Panthers today:
Wednesday, October 30
DNP
Jadeveon Clowney (NIR-rest)
Ikem Ekwonu (ankle)
Feleipe Franks (concussion)
Josey Jewell (NIR-rest)
DJ Johnson (ankle)
Ashawn Robinson (NIR-rest)
Jammie Robinson (knee)
Tommy…— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 30, 2024
Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status going forward but a full practice could suggest he may be nearing his NFL debut. However, the Panthers may opt to exercise extreme caution with their young running back given their position in the standings. For now, Brooks remains a high-end stash option. Chuba Hubbard should be expected to remain as the lead back for the time being.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Injury Update
New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion) was seen on the field working with the training staff during Wednesday's practice according to Art Stapleton of USA Today. Stapleton further reported that if the rookie running back responds well he could progress to a non-contact participant on Thursday.
Tracy sustained a concussion during the final quarter in Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during the week as he could have an outside chance of suiting up to face Washington if he progresses through the concussion protocol. If not, veteran Devin Singletary should be expected to take the lead in Week 9.
Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (shoulder) and running back Tony Pollard (foot) were both listed as non-participants on the team's Wednesday practice report. It's an interesting development, as neither player looked hampered by an injury in Tennessee's 52-14 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions. Pollard (82%) and Ridley (79%) were both on the field for their typical allotment of snaps on Sunday, so maybe we can chalk it up as a veteran's day of rest. Still, the DNP designation is slightly concerning.
With the Titans hosting the New England Patriots in Week 9, the duo's practice participation over the next two days will be telling of their Sunday status. Considering Pollard has been solid all season, and Ridley is coming off his breakout game in Week 8 -- fantasy managers will want to monitor their progress ahead of Week 9. (Titans.com)
Ladd McConkey Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (hip) was limited during practice on Wednesday. While it's always noteworthy when someone appears on the injury report, McConkey is trending in the right direction. After all, he was able to get on the field Wednesday and still has four days to get even healthier before the Chargers face the Cleveland Browns.
The rookie, who totaled 111 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday, is a low-end fantasy WR3 for Week 9. (Chargers.com)
Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (toe) and Michael Pittman Jr. (back) did not practice on Wednesday. Both players have been battling their respective injuries for several weeks and have missed several consecutive Wednesday practices. Neither player was restricted in Week 8 so their lack of activity appears to be related to rest rather than a setback in their injuries. The Colts will need a full complement of wide receivers as they turn to Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback after benching Anthony Richardson this week.
#Colts Wednesday injury report
FULL: QB Anthony Richardson (left wrist/left shoulder), DE Genard Avery (foot)
DNP: WR Josh Downs (toe), C Ryan Kelly (calf/knee), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back), LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion), RT Braden Smith (knee)
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 30, 2024
Both players have put up solid numbers with Joe Flacco under center for parts of three games in 2024. Downs has especially been a target hog since he first took the field in Week 3. He has earned nine or more targets in four of six games. In three games with Flacco playing a significant amount of snaps, Pittman saw a total of 23 targets.
Both players are in a great position to see serious volume as the Colts will likely start to complete a significant amount of passes with Flacco. Fantasy managers should monitor the status of both leading up to the weekend, but for now, there is no cause for concern.
Dallas Goedert Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) was not seen at Wednesday's practice according to Jeff McLane of the Inquirer. The 29-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening quarter of their Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns. If Goedert is unable to return to practice he could be in danger of missing his third-straight game.
#Eagles practice updates:
TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring) and CB Darius Slay (groin) aren’t out here during warm-ups.
No DT Jalen Carter.
G Mekhi Becton (concussion) is here.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 30, 2024
While Goedert has been sidelined, No.2 tight end Grant Calcaterra has taken the lead and enjoyed a productive game last weekend as he brought in all three of his targets for 58 yards. Calcaterra should be viewed as a high-end TE2 this weekend if he gets the start facing the Jaguars who have allowed the 23rd-most PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.
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