As we look back on Week 9 with the fantasy football injury report, which players from Sunday should we be worrying about when it comes to Week 10? With the likes of Aaron Jones, Deon Jackson, Mike Evans, and Josh Allen all seen dealing with injuries this week, what are the latest updates heading into Monday morning?
Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 9
Aaron Jones (Ankle)
We saw Aaron Jones leave the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. After the game, Jones was seen in a walking boot, which could just be precautionary until the Packers find out more. In the post-game media availability, Jones told reporters that the X-rays came back fine, and he felt he could have returned to the game.
However, Jones also added that after he stopped moving, the ankle “got kind of sore.” So we’ll need to see what the scans turn up on Monday morning. Video analysis of the injury seemed to indicate the more likely outcome was a low ankle sprain instead of a high ankle sprain. On Monday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport stated that Jones’ X-rays were inconclusive and that further imaging was required.
This is mixed news for fantasy managers. Low ankle sprains can often lead to no absence for a running back, while a high ankle sprain can be a two to four-week absence. Initially, it looked like Jones had avoided a major injury. A further report from Rapoport indicated that the scans came back clear for Jones, according to a source, and he should be in practice this week.
MORE: Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups
If you are jumping into a midseason Best Ball league on Underdog Fantasy, then Jones presents a huge risk-reward option this morning.
If Jones were to miss time, then AJ Dillon would become a virtual must-start as the expected lead back. The two have operated in a timeshare so far this season, but if one were out, the expectation is the other would step up to lead the backfield.
Third-string RB Kylin Hill is not viewed as a committee-type back but rather more of a change-of-pace option. That was reflected in his limited play time in the fourth quarter after Jones went out this week.
Deon Jackson (Knee)
Deon Jackson’s injury is intriguing because while he was slow to get up and was evaluated by the trainers, he then returned to the game. However, we didn’t see Jackson for most of the fourth quarter, with Jordan Wilkins handling the majority of the work in that stretch.
There was no real focus on Jackson after the game, and his absence may well have been due to the blowout nature of the contest and the need for him to be fresh for the future. The Indianapolis Colts’ injury report will be one to watch this week, with both Jackson and Jonathan Taylor potentially dealing with injuries.
If both are hurt, then we could see Zack Moss or Wilkins with a bigger role in Week 10. The matchup for the Colts against the Las Vegas Raiders could be ideal, making both intriguing deep-league waiver wire targets. However, it would be unwise to invest much in either with no guarantee that either Taylor or Jackson will be out, let alone both of them.
Mike Evans (Ribs) & Julio Jones (Knee)
There was a scary moment early in the game when Mike Evans was slow to get up with what appeared to be an issue with his ribs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ medical staff put some padding on the area and sent Evans back out onto the field.
He played the entire game, which is a good sign. However, expect the Buccaneers to take a closer look early in Week 10, with Evans potentially limited in practice ahead of their game in Munich.
The more concerning situation may be Julio Jones. He was a mixed participant in practice this week with his knee and was barely seen in the second half of the contest. With a bye in Week 11, it would not be a surprise to see Jones inactive over in Munich and possibly not even travel. That would give him two full weeks to get healthy in an attempt to be ready for the run-in for the Buccaneers.
Tom Brady leaned heavily on Scotty Miller in the fourth quarter. Miller should have had a touchdown but dropped a pass when wide open. Brady still went to him on the crucial final drive, even after the drop, so don’t be surprised if he’s the third receiver this week.
Russell Gage’s status as he deals with a hamstring injury could change things, but Miller is a deep-league waiver wire target after seeing eight opportunities in limited playing time.
Josh Allen (Elbow)
We saw Josh Allen clutching his elbow late in the fourth quarter of the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the New York Jets. It didn’t stop Allen from uncorking a bomb down the field on Buffalo’s final play. However, some of that could have been down to the adrenaline impact of the situation.
After the game, Allen told reporters that there was some slight pain in his elbow but that he would get through it. The early reports for the week from Rapoport are that Allen will be limited this week. Rapoport called it a situation to monitor rather than something that would keep Allen out, but said he was still undergoing tests.
Romeo Doubs (Ankle) & Christian Watson (Concussion)
If the Packers didn’t have bad luck, then they wouldn’t have any luck at all. After getting Allen Lazard back this week, they lost Romeo Doubs on the first offensive play to an ankle injury. Doubs hobbled off the field after an 18-yard reception and was taken to the locker room on the cart.
After the game, Doubs was seen with a boot on his right foot and using crutches in the locker room. The contrast in the way Jones’ and Doubs’ injuries were treated after the game would suggest the latter’s situation could be more serious.
MORE: Week 10 WR Fantasy Football Rankings
For the second straight week, Christian Watson was ruled out of the game with a concussion. Two such injuries in consecutive weeks is a major concern, and we could be in line to see him miss a couple of games. A second concussion in a single season normally has a 10-14 day recovery period. Therefore, we should expect him to miss at least one game and possibly two.
With Watson and Doubs likely out for Week 10 — and maybe beyond — the Packers will be set to roll with Lazard and Sammy Watkins as their starting receivers. Samori Toure is the potential deep-league addition. He took over the No. 3 receiver role with Amari Rodgers mixing in.
Lazard remains the most fantasy-relevant, especially with Watson and Doubs set to miss time. Watkins has 16-team league value, with Toure as more of a boom-bust option in leagues that size.