Week 9 NFL Injury Report: Ja’Marr Chase Out, Status Update On Cooper Kupp
The first half of the season has been brutal when it comes to the injury bug. Some players haven’t even played a snap this season (I’m looking at your Jameson Williams) and others have been placed on their team’s Injured Reserve such as J.K. Dobbins. The biggest news on this list is Ja’Marr Chase being ruled out for 4-6 weeks! How does that change the fantasy football landscape at the wide receiver position and in Cincinnati in general? Let’s dive in and take a look at the Week 9 Injury Report. Who is down for the count and who is coming back with a vengeance?
Quarterbacks
QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (Ankle & Illness)
Ryan Tannehill was ruled out of the Titans’ Week 9 contest against the Houston Texans. Tannehill was dealing with a bad ankle and a non-Covid illness. As a result, Malik Willis got the nod for the Titans in Week 8. Unless Tannehill’s ankle injury is more severe than expected, he should be back as Tennessee’s starting signal-caller in Week 9. Although Willis has plenty of potential, he still needs to learn more from veteran quarterbacks before he can lead a team this good. That said, none of the receivers on Tennessee’s roster are all that trustworthy with either quarterback under center. The only Titan I’m firing up with confidence is RB Derrick Henry, who had a whopping 32 carries for 219 rushing yards (6.8 AVG) and two touchdowns to secure a 17-10 Week 8 win over the Houston Texans. The rest of Tennessee's offensive players should either be on your bench or available as free agents to target from waivers.
QB Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders (Finger)
Wentz underwent surgery to repair a fractured finger which he sustained two weeks ago. He will continue to be sidelined for at least the next few weeks. This leaves Taylor Heinicke in charge at quarterback for the Washington Commanders indefinitely. In his first two games for the Commanders this season, Heinicke has completed 67.2% of his passes for 480 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also has 33 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. All things considered, Heinicke hasn’t gotten off to a terrible start filling in for Wentz. In fact, Heinicke has led the Commanders to victory in back-to-back weeks (Week 7 & Week 8) in his first two starts of the season. Do we have a quarterback controversy on our hands?
Heinicke threw for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 23-21 victory over the Packers in Week 7. Yes, the Commanders beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Heinicke followed that up this Sunday going 23-of-31 for 279 passing yards, 29 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns to lead the Commanders to a nail-biting 17-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts aren’t a great team, especially considering it was Sam Ehlinger’s debut but Washington still showed composure despite a very close matchup. While Wentz is out of the picture for the time being, Heinicke is playing well enough that it would be wrong to think of him as a downgrade at the quarterback position for the Commanders. Wentz may very well not play another down for Washington. Still, he’s worth holding onto if your league allows IR spots. Otherwise, it's time to cut Carson loose.
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Running Backs
RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers (Knee)
The San Francisco 49ers are off in Week 9 with a bye. Reports suggest that Elijah Mitchell could suit up for the 49ers in Week 10. The young running back has had yet another injury-riddled season with his knee once more being the issue. In Week 1, Mitchell suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain to his right knee and was subsequently placed on the 49ers IR. It usually takes up to at least two months to recover from an MCL sprain of that severity.
With Christian McCaffrey in the mix now, Mitchell will return in an RB2 role at the most. There is growing optimism that he could be ready to go for the 49ers backfield for a Week 10 return. That said, he won’t produce as a top-end RB2 now that CMC is in the picture. Mitchell is a desperation flex play at best when he’s healthy. There are simply too many mouths to feed in San Francisco.
RB J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens (Knee)
J.K. Dobbins, like Elijah Mitchell, is another talented young running back who’s dealt with knee injuries since he joined the NFL. As a rookie in 2020, Dobbins had 805 rushing yards (6.0 AVG), 120 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. He all of last season as a result of a torn ACL he suffered in Baltimore’s final preseason game before the 2021 NFL season began. Dobbins was back on the field for the Ravens in Week 3 this year but sustained yet another knee injury in Week 6 and has been on the Ravens’ IR since October 22. At the moment, Kenyan Drake and Gus Edwards will continue to split carries as Baltimore's two best available running backs. However, Justice Hill should be worked into the mix. Fantasy owners should simply avoid this entire backfield.
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RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (MCL Sprain)
Ezekiel Elliott was sidelined for the Cowboys in their massive 49-29 victory over the Chicago Bears. Zeke missed Dallas’ practices last week after spraining his MCL against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Fortunately for “America’s Team”, Tony Pollard is perhaps the best backup running back in the league and absolutely erupted. The experts at Fantasy SP unanimously agree that Pollard is by far the superior running back to Elliott. With Zeke out of the picture, Tony Pollard went ballistic for 131 rushing yards (9.4 AVG) on 14 carries and three touchdowns on Sunday. The Cowboys are on their bye week in Week 9 but don’t be surprised if Pollard surpasses Zeke on the depth chart following the Cowboys’ week off.
RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (MCL Sprain)
Mark Ingram left Sunday’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter. No updates were made public on Sunday but by Monday, everyone in the industry had heard of Ingram’s MCL sprain. That’s a tough injury but it could have been a whole lot worse.
Although Ingram was a solid backup and a decent handcuff, the injury will likely result in even more touches for Alvin Kamara. The question is who will backup Kamara now that Ingram is out for at least the next month. It’s pretty safe to assume we’ll be seeing a lot more Taysom Hill now as well. At this point, I think it’s pretty safe to drop Ingram.
RB James Conner / Darrell Williams, Arizona Cardinals
All signs indicated that James Conner would be back in action in Week 8. After being limited in the first two practices, Conner was a non-participant on Friday and was therefore ruled out. Kingsbury did seem hopeful that Conner would be back in Week 9.
With Darrell Williams also a game-time decision for Week 9, Eno Benjamin could get another chance to shine as he did in Week 7. That would also give us another chance to see Keontay Ingram. This is definitely a situation to monitor as the week progresses but at the moment, the Cardinals’ running back room couldn’t get much worse.
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Wide Receivers
WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (Ankle)
Kupp injured his ankle on a six-yard reception in the Rams’ Week 8 loss to their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams were blown out, 31-14, leaving them with a record of 3-4 heading into Week 9. Things could get much worse for Los Angeles and Matthew Stafford if Kupp is forced to miss time. Sean McVay admitted to “kicking himself” for keeping Kupp in a game that was already out of of reach. McVay is at least owning his mistake unlike many other coaches (cough cough, Mike McDaniels on the Tua situation…).
That said, we still don’t know the extent of the injury and McVay declined to comment on the matter after the game.
Kupp did tell reporters following the loss that he believes he may have dodged a bullet with the injury. He expressed optimism, believing that he could be back sooner than later. If Kupp is sidelined for a few weeks, TE Tyler Higbee and WR Allen Robinson will see a significant uptick in usage. This is definitely an injury to monitor to perhaps the top wide receiver in all of fantasy football. Even if Kupp is fully active this week, this might be a week you consider looking to play the under when it comes to Kupp’s projections on Underdog Fantasy or Prize Picks.
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (Foot)
Rashod Bateman missed two weeks of football working through a foot injury. He returned against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, and played for the Ravens on Thursday night but unfortunately aggravated the injury. Indeed, Bateman hurt his foot again, perhaps indicating that the coaching staff rushed Bateman back and had him suit up before being healthy. Baltimore’s top wide receiver left before the first half of the game not to return. He is currently doubtful for the Ravens as they take the show to New Orleans in Week 9. With Rashod Bateman sidelined, Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson are the Ravens’ two best available route-runners for the time being. Lamar Jackson targeted TE Isaiah Likely heavily to compensate for Bateman’s absence on Thursday night and could be doing the same in New Orleans in Week 9.
WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (Hip)
Major news came out of Cincinnati last week. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati’s top target in the passing game, will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to a hip injury. The Bengals will make their debut tonight against the Cleveland Browns without the services of Chase. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd should see their values increase exponentially and Hayden Hurst could even see a few more targets at the tight end position. But I think the Chase injury may force Zac Taylor to consider giving Joe Mixon the rock far more than he has in the past. Without Chase, this offense needs to run the ball through Mixon. I understand the Bengals’ tendency to let Joe Burrow be Joe Burrow, but there is no reason to waste Mixon’s talent as such a dynamic running back when your star wide receiver is sidelined. I’m anticipating massive spikes in value for Mixon, Higgins, Boyd, and Hurst heading into Week 9. It’s almost guaranteed that all of these players should produce at least decent fantasy numbers tonight as they wrap up Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. Really, Burrow is the only one who is affected negatively by this injury from a fantasy football perspective. We’ll see how he does tonight as he is forced to turn to his other elite pass-targets.
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (Concussion)
The rookie wide receiver just can’t catch a break for the Packers. In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Christian Watson suffered a concussion early in Green Bay’s Week 8 SNF matchup against the Buffalo Bills. It’s encouraging that Watson played a significant number of snaps early in the game before the injury forced him to the sidelines where Romeo Doubs took his place. This suggest that Aaron Rodgers is feeling increasingly comfortable targeting him down field.
Concussions are always tricky to judge but especially in the year 2022 and in the National Football League. This year, a player recovering from a concussion has risen to just over a week on average. Hence, fantasy owners better have a backup option for Watson. If Watson is out and Allen Lazard remains sidelined, Romeo Doubs or Sammy Watkins could be decent streamers.
WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (ACL)
The Detroit Lions selected Jameson Williams with the No. 12 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Williams has yet to suit up this season and is still weeks away from making his NFL debut. The star Alabama wide receiver tore his ACL during the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Dan Campbell spoke on the matter this week and stated that Williams was making great progress. However, Williams is still weeks away from making his NFL debut as Detroit is exercising the utmost caution with their young explosive receiver. Even when he does get going this season, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds have emerged as Jared Goff's top pass-catchers in 2022. This shouldn’t change even when Williams does finally suit up for Detroit this season.
WR Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers (Shoulder)
Packers’ WR Allen Lazard was ruled out of Green Bay’s Week 8 Sunday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Green Bay revealed that Lazard was out of practice on Friday because of the shoulder injury he sustained against the Washington Commanders in Week 7.
We will have to see Wednesday as the Packers provide their practice report to see if Allen Lazard is back in action getting reps with Arron Rodgers and the first-team offense in practice. If he does, Lazard should likely suit up for the Packers in Week 9. Green Bay’s corps of receivers is deflated. Injury concerns to Randall Cobb and Christian Watson leave Sammy Watkins and Romeo Doubs as the best available route-runners for A-Rog heading into Week 9.
WR Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (High Ankle Sprain)
Mike Williams is expected to miss multiple weeks for the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 7. The good news for the Chargers’ is that Keenan Allen finally returned the same game in which Williams hurt his ankle. Still he only had two catches for 11 yards. The Chargers had their bye in Week 8 and will be paying a visit to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 without Mike Williams. Expect Keenan Allen to have a big game and TE Gerald Everett to be one of Herbert’s main passing targets especially while Williams nurses his ankle sprain.
WR DeVante Parker, New England Patriots (Knee)
DeVante Parker left New England’s victory over the New York Jets on the Pats’ first offensive play of the game. He was unable to return to action due to a somewhat serious knee injury. Parker may miss a few weeks so Tyler Thornton and Nelson Agholor should see a boost in playing time and Jakobi Meyers should be peppered with targets, no matter who the quarterback is in New England.
WR Michael Thomas / Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints (Foot)
Michael Thomas missed his fifth consecutive game of the season for the Saints on Sunday as a result of a foot injury. Thomas returned in Week 1 and got off to a great start but has been sidelined once again in 2022. The Saints’ star receiver missed the entire 2021 season and was very limited in 2020. Thomas hasn’t been himself since his record-breaking 149 receptions set in a single season (2019). Jarvis Landry has missed the last four consecutive Saints’ games and his status for Week 9 remains up in the air. It remains unclear when Thomas and/or Landry will be able to suit up for the Saints again.
With Thomas and Jarvis Landry both sidelined, rookie WR Chris Olave has gone above and beyond this season. The Ohio State product has played in seven of the Saints’ eight games so far this season (missed one game due to a concussion). Still, he’s had 37 catches for 547 receiving yards (14.8 AVG) and two touchdowns in 2022. This season, Olave has emerged as New Orleans’ most valuable and healthy receiver. He’s averaging 5.3 receptions and 78.1 yards per game through heading into Week 9.
WR Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (Hamstring)
Deebo Samuel was sidelined in Week 8 due to a hamstring injury he sustained in their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. This allowed WR Brandon Aiyuk to erupt for another huge game. Aiyuk had six catches for 81 receiving yards and one touchdown against the Rams this Sunday. Fortunately for the 49ers, HC Kyle Shanahan stated that he didn’t think the injury would keep Samuel out for long. In fact, San Francisco is hopeful that Deebo will be ready to go in Week 10 after they enjoy their bye in Week 9. Once Deebo returns and gets incorporated into the rushing game alongside CMC, the 49ers really could have the most lethal offense in football for the remainder of the season.
Tight Ends
TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (High Ankle Sprain)
Cleveland Browns’ TE David Njoku sprained his ankle in the second half of their Week 7 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. It was reported early last week that further evaluations showed Njoku suffered a high ankle sprain which will keep him sidelined for tonight’s game against the Bengals and inactive for multiple weeks to come.
The 49ers are expecting Njoku to miss somewhere between two-to-five weeks. Fortunately, the big tight end will not require surgery. While the veteran TE should return by the end of the season, he will not be available tonight or for the next few weeks. This will open up the field for third-year tight end Harrison Bryant who will start in place of Njoku tonight and likely for the next few weeks.
TE Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders (Hamstring)
Darren Waller missed his second straight game for the Raiders on Sunday as a result of a hamstring injury. In Week 5 against the Chiefs, Waller pulled his hamstring very early on in the game. The Raiders had their bye in Week 6, but Waller did not compete in Week 7 and Week 8. We will have to wait and see if Waller practices this week and whether or not the Raiders activate him for Week 9. Waller has been a fantasy bust this season. Heading into Week 9, the Raiders’ starting tight end has only caught 16 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. With the exception of Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, the Raiders’ offense has been unreliable and unpredictable all season.
TE Irv Smith Jr. Minnesota Vikings (High Ankle Sprain)
Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. injured his ankle in Minnesota's Week 8 victory over the Cardinals. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported this afternoon that the Vikings believe Smith Jr. suffered a high ankle sprain.
If this is the case, then Smith Jr. is in the same boat as David Njoku who is expected to miss multiple weeks of football in November. Smith is likely to miss a handful of games for the Vikings after this setback.
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