A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction, and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Kenyan Drake | RB | 60.3 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Drake left in the fourth quarter of the game in Week 7 due to a high ankle sprain. He did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and has been ruled out for Week 9.
ATLANTA FALCONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Calvin Ridley | WR | 81.5 | WR65 | Foot | Questionable |
| Russell Gage | WR | 74.9 | WR41 | Shoulder/Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Ridley suffered a mild mid-foot sprain in Week 8. A typical return-to-play timeline for a Grade 1 mild mid-foot sprain is around one week. He missed Wednesday’s, Thursday's or Friday's practice. I expect Ridley to miss Week 9 and return after the Falcons' Week 10 bye.
Gage was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I expect Gage to play in Week 9.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Mark Ingram | RB | 54.0 | RB59 | Ankle | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Ingram suffered a mid-to-high left ankle sprain in Week 6. He came back into the game with a heavily taped ankle but exited for good after just one carry. Ingram missed Week 8 and he has not practiced all week. I do not expect Ingram to play in Week 9.
BUFFALO BILLS
N/A
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | 76.6 | RB3 | Ankle | Questionable |
Mario’s take: McCaffrey sustained a high ankle sprain during a TD run in Week 2. He practiced Wednesday, and I expect McCaffery to return to action in Week 9.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Joe Mixon | RB | 66.0 | N/A | Foot | Out |
Mario’s take: Mixon injured his foot in the first half of Week 6. He returned after halftime, but Giovani Bernard saw an expanded role. Mixon did not play in Week 7 or Week 8. I expect him to return after the Bengals’ Week 9 bye.
CHICAGO BEARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Mitchell Trubisky | QB | 70.4 | N/A | Shoulder | Out |
Mario’s take: Trubisky injured his shoulder during the first quarter in Week 8. He has been ruled out for Week 9.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Hooper | TE | 72.6 | N/A | Appendix | Out |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | 75.3 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Hooper underwent surgery due to appendicitis causing him to miss Week 7 and Week 8. He returned to practice on Wednesday, and I expect him to return after the Brown’s Week 9 bye.
Beckham tore his ACL in Week 7. I originally believed his foot inverting might have prevented an ACL tear, but that was not the case. I believe he also damaged his meniscus. Beckham will undergo surgery, and he will miss the remainder of the season.
DALLAS COWBOYS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dak Prescott | QB | 85.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
| Andy Dalton | QB | 52.7 | N/A | COVID-19 | Out |
| Ezekiel Elliott | RB | 61.1 | RB10 | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Prescott suffered a compound fracture in his ankle during Week 5. A compound fracture is when the bone has gone through the skin. It is unclear if he suffered multiple fractures or ligament damage, which would create instability. He underwent surgery immediately because the risk of infection is high. Typically, patients are immobilized from four to eight weeks and start weight-bearing exercises and physical therapy at six to eight weeks.
Dalton missed Week 8 due to a concussion. He has since healed from his concussion but will miss Week 9 after being moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.
Elliott was a limited participant all week and has a good shot at playing in Week 9. He needs to be monitored during warm-ups.
DENVER BRONCOS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 72.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Tim Patrick | WR | 73.7 | WR68 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Phillip Lindsay | RB | 80.8 | RB32 | Foot | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. Sutton will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Patrick suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7. I believe he suffered a Grade 1 strain. He missed Week 8 and was a limited participant all week. I believe Patrick has a shot at playing in Week 9.
Lindsay did not practice Wednesday, was a limited participant Thursday and was a full participant Friday. I expect Lindsay to be ready to play in Week 9,
DETROIT LIONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Kenny Golladay | WR | 81.6 | N/A | Hip | Out |
Mario’s take: Golladay injured his hip in the third quarter of Week 8. I believe he suffered either a Grade I or Grade II groin strain. Grade I strain would cost him one to two weeks, while a Grade 2 strain would cost him three to six weeks. He missed practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 9.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
|
Player |
Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Aaron Jones | RB | 66.7 | RB62 | Calf |
Questionable |
| RB | 67.5 | N/A | COVID-19 | Out | |
| A.J. Dillion | RB | 69.3 | N/A | COVID-19 |
Out |
Mario’s take: Jones popped up on the injury report late in Week 7 with a DNP due to a calf injury. He missed Week 7 and Week 8. Jones has practiced in a limited fashion all week but the Packers have a short turnaround due to playing on Thursday Night Football. Williams and Dillon being placed on the reserve/COVID list may sway the Packer’s conservative medical staff to let Jones play.
Williams and Dillion have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will miss Week 9.
HOUSTON TEXANS
N/A
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Mo Alie-Cox | TE | 91.6 | TE28 | Knee | Questionable |
| Parris Campbell | WR | 72.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| T.Y. Hilton | WR | 66.0 | WR50 | Groin | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Alie-Cox practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday, was a DNP Thursday, and a limited participant at practice on Friday. I expect Alie-Cox to play in Week 9.
Campbell was carted off the field in Week 2 after spraining his MCL and PCL. His multi-ligament injury has ruled him out indefinitely. I expect him to be back in four to six weeks.
Hilton left the game in Week 8 early due to a groin strain. I believe he suffered either a Grade I or Grade II groin strain. A Grade I strain would cost him one to two weeks and a Grade 2 strain would cost him three to six weeks. Hilton has not practiced all week and I do not expect him to play in Week 9.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dede Westbrook | WR | 53.7 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Devine Ozigbo | RB | N/A | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Gardner Minshew III | QB | 69.7 | N/A | Thumb | Out |
| Tyler Eifert | TE | 54.3 | TE34 | Neck | – |
Mario’s take: Westbrook was carted off in the fourth quarter of Week 7 with a torn ACL. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Ozigbo re-injured his hamstring in Week 7 and didn’t practice all week. He has been ruled out for Week 9.
X-rays showed that Minshew has suffered multiple fractures and torn ligaments in his thumb. He has been ruled out for Week 9.
Eifert missed Week 7 and did not practice Wednesday but was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. He needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | 66.9 | WR79 | Hamstring | Out |
Mario’s take: Watkins injured his hamstring during the second quarter of Week 5. He missed Week 6, Week 7, and Week 8 but was a limited participant in practice all week. Watkins did make progress this week but not enough to play in Week 9, he has been ruled out.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Bryan Edwards | WR | 70.6 | WR102 | Ankle/Foot | – |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | 74.8 | RB7 | Knee/Illness | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3 and has not played since. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and a full participant on Thursday or Friday. I expect Edwards to return in Week 9.
Jacobs did not practice Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. I expect Jacobs to play in Week 9.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | 84.5 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Ekeler was carted off the field in Week 4. He hyperextended his knee at an awkward angle, immediately grabbed his hamstring and could not put any pressure on his left foot. Ekeler escaped with a Grade 2 hamstring tear and will miss four to six weeks.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Darrell Henderson Jr. | RB | 90.2 | RB79 | Thigh | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Henderson exited Week 8 after reinjuring his thigh/hip that had bothered him during the week prior. I expect he is suffering from a Grade I strain and will be ready to play after the Rams’ Week 9 bye.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Myles Gaskins | RB | 68.3 | RB57 | Knee | IR |
| Matt Breida | RB | 58.9 | RB39 | Hamstring | Out |
| Patrick Laird | RB | N/A | N/A | Ankle | – |
Mario’s take: Gaskins was surprisingly placed on IR Monday. He has a sprained MCL and will miss the next three weeks.
Breida did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 9.
Laird was a limited participant in practice Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday. He will play in Week 9.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
N/A
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Damien Harris | RB | 83.4 | RB23 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Julian Edelman | WR | 68.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| N’Keal Harry | WR | 65.3 | WR70 | Head | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Harris has practiced in a limited fashion all week, but I expect him to play in Week 9.
Edelman underwent surgery on Thursday and will miss a couple of weeks.
Harry sustained a head injury in Week 7. He was placed into the five-step concussion protocol. Harry missed the game in Week 8 and is yet to practice this week. He needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Drew Brees | WR | 76.0 | QB18 | Shoulder | – |
| Michael Thomas | WR | 57.4 | WR10 | Ankle/Hamstring | Questionable |
| Marquez Callaway | WR | 72.0 | N/A | Ankle | – |
| Alvin Kamara | RB | 82.2 | RB1 | Foot | – |
Mario’s take: Bress was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday but a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 9.
Thomas has yet to return to the action since Week 1 due to a high ankle sprain and missed Week 7 and Week 8 with a hamstring injury. He was a limited participant in practice all week, and I expect Thomas to return to action in Week 9.
Callaway did not play in Week 8. He was a limited participant all week and I expect Callaway to play in Week 9.
Kamara was a limited participant Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday. He will be ready to play in Week 9.
NEW YORK GIANTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | 60.2 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Devonta Freeman | RB | 55.0 | RB46 | Ankle | Out |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | 78.3 | WR34 | Shoulder/Toe | – |
Mario’s take: Barkley sprained his MCL and tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 2. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Freeman did not play in Week 8. He was a DNP on Wednesday and was limited at practice Thursday and Friday. Freeman has been ruled out for Week 9.
Shepard was a limited participant all week and he will play in Week 9.
NEW YORK JETS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sam Darnold | QB | 57.1 | QB27 | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Chris Hogan | WR | 56.1 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | 76.7 | WR66 | Groin | Questionable |
| Breshad Perriman | WR | 59.1 | WR82 | Head | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Darnold seemed to reinjure his shoulder in the fourth quarter of Week 8. Just like in Week 4 when he initially injured his A/C joint, he battled through the rest of the game. Darnold was a DNP on Thursday but was a limited participant at practice on Friday. I imagine the Jets will protect their franchise QB and sit him until after their Week 10 bye.
Hogan was injured in Week 5 and was put on IR. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.
Crowder did not play in Week 7 and Week 8. He didn't practice Thursday but was a limited participant at practice Friday. Crowder has a shot at returning in Week 9.
Perriman suffered a head injury late in Week 7. He missed Week 8 but he participated in limited fashion Thursday and a full participant Friday. I expect Perriman to play in Week 9.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Alshon Jeffery | WR | N/A | N/A | Foot | Questionable |
| Miles Sanders | RB | 60.4 | N/A | Knee | Questionable |
| Zach Ertz | TE | 59.6 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and has yet to play this season.
Sanders injured his knee on a 74-yard run in Week 6. The mechanism of the injury leads me to believe he injured his meniscus. He received an MRI, and it is believed that he will miss one to two weeks. Sanders missed Week 7 and Week 8. I believe he will return to play after the Eagles’ Week 9 bye.
Ertz suffered a high-ankle injury early in the fourth quarter of the Week 6 game against the Ravens. He will miss four to six weeks.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
N/A
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Deebo Samuel | WR | 73.1 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Jeff Wilson | RB | 79.1 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | QB | 67.5 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| George Kittle | TE | 79.7 | N/A | Foot | IR |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | 65.7 | N/A | Knee | Out |
| Jordan Reed | TE | 86.9 | TE27 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Raheem Mostert | RB | 89.1 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Samuel injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Week 7. He missed Week 8 and will not play against the Packers in Week 9.
Wilson injured his ankle while scoring his third touchdown of the game in Week 7. I believe he suffered a high ankle sprain. He missed Week 8, and I do not expect him to play in Week 9.
Garoppolo reinjured his high-ankle sprain in Week 8. This is a tough injury to deal with because if you come back too early, you will be ineffective. He missed multiple games the first time around with this injury, and Garoppollo is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Kittle left the game in the fourth quarter of Week 8. It looked as if he would suffer from a mild inversion ankle sprain, but x-rays revealed a small fracture in his foot. Kittle will miss the next eight weeks.
In Coleman’s first game back from IR, he exited early with a knee sprain which is the same injury that caused him to go on IR in the first place. Coleman has been ruled out for Week 9, and I expect him to miss even more time.
Reed left the first quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second quarter of Week 3. Later in the game, he was seen getting his knee checked out and was ruled out shortly after. Reed was placed on IR and will miss the next five to seven weeks.
Mostert injured his ankle in the second quarter. He tried to return in the third quarter but was ruled out for the rest of the game. I believe he either suffered a high ankle sprain or a moderate-lateral ankle sprain. He did not play in Week 7 and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
Mostert injured his ankle in Week 6. He tried to return in the third quarter but was ruled out for the rest of the game. I believe he either suffered a high ankle sprain or a moderate-lateral ankle sprain. He did not play in Week 7 or Week 8 and has been ruled out for Week 9.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Carson | RB | 80.6 | RB16 | Foot | Out |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 62.8 | RB49 | Hamstring | Out |
| Greg Olsen | TE | 62.2 | TE19 | Foot | – |
| Travis Homer | RB | 58.9 | RB64 | Knee | – |
Mario’s take: Carson suffered a mid-foot sprain in the second quarter of Week 7. He did not play in Week 8. Carson did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 9.
Hyde missed Week 8 and has already been ruled out for Week 9.
Olsen did not practice Wednesday, was a limited participant Thursday and was a full participant Friday. Olsen will play in Week 9.
Homer did not practice Wednesday but was limited in Thursday's and Friday's practice. He will play in Week 9.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Godwin | WR | 78.5 | WR16 | Finger | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Godwin was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant Friday. I expect Godwin to return from his one-week absence and play in Week 9.
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Adam Humphries | WR | 74.1 | WR84 | Head | Out |
Mario’s take: Humphries suffered a concussion after a scary hit at the end of the first half in Week 8. He was placed in the five-step concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Week 9.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dontrelle Inman | WR | 61.6 | WR99 | Hamstring | Doubtful |
| Logan Thomas | TE | 57.9 | TE16 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Isaiah Wright | WR | 56.8 | N/A | Shoulder | – |
| Steven Sims | WR | 62.9 | WR94 | Toe | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Inman has missed practice all week, so I do not expect him to play in Week 9.
Wright and Thomas were limited in practice Wednesday but practiced in full Thursday and Friday. I believe they will return in Week 9.
Sims has returned to practice this week after spending time on IR with a toe injury. I expect Sims to return to action in Week 9.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.