Entering Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, there are plenty of notable players who have suffered serious injuries that required a stint on injured reserve. Both NFL teams and fantasy football teams have been impacted by these unfortunate injuries.
Which players on IR are nearing a return, and who will miss the remainder of the season? Each week, we examine the latest news and recovery timeline for every fantasy-relevant player on IR.
Which Fantasy Players Are on Injured Reserve in Week 9?
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey was the consensus No. 1 overall player in fantasy football drafts this season. However, he hasn’t played in 2024 due to Achilles tendinitis. He was a surprise inactive in Week 1, and he was placed on IR in Week 2.
The 49ers will enjoy a much-needed bye week in Week 9, as McCaffrey continues to work towards a potential return. According to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, McCaffrey is expected to “hit it hard” and simulate practice during the team’s week off.
Multiple reports have suggested that McCaffrey could return in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shanahan offered a promising update regarding that potential timeline.
“It depends on how this week goes,” Shanahan said during his conference call with reporters ahead of the bye week, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. “He’s had no setbacks, so it looks like we’re on track.”
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Houston Texans WR Nico Collins was off to a scorching hot start before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Collins was well on his way to earning first-team All-Pro honors before being placed on IR in Week 6.
The Texans are eagerly awaiting Collins’ return, as Stefon Diggs suffered a knee injury in Week 8 and could miss time. Collins is eligible to return for the Texans in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Collins hasn’t suffered any setbacks and is progressing well in his recovery from the hamstring injury.
Wilson’s sources mentioned that Collins has reached 20 miles per hour during training and has quickly regained his flexibility, strength, and mobility.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers (NFI)
Carolina Panthers second-round pick RB Jonathon Brooks is on the non-football injury (NFI) list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered last November while at Texas. The Panthers opened his 21-day practice window in Week 7, and he was a limited participant in practices.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales was asked if there is a possibility that Brooks won’t play at all in 2024. His response left the door open for Brooks to miss his entire rookie season in Carolina.
#Panthers HC Dave Canales on whether it’s possible that Jonathon Brooks doesn’t play this year:
“It could be.” pic.twitter.com/fabA2qR0Wr
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 26, 2024
Although Chuba Hubbard has thrived as Carolina’s starting running back, Brooks would add a much-needed offensive threat to the Panthers’ underwhelming offense. If Brooks returns, he will likely split time with Hubbard in Carolina’s backfield moving forward.
Brooks must be activated by Week 9 or his season will be over due to NFI rules. Therefore, it is important to monitor his status ahead of the Panthers’ game against the New Orleans Saints.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs starting running back Isaiah Pacheco was placed on IR after he fractured his fibula and suffered damage to his ankle ligaments in Week 2. While Pacheco’s return timeline is unclear, there have been encouraging signs since the injury.
Pacheco recently shared a video on social media of him moving at a relatively quick pace on a treadmill. While initial reports suggested that Pacheco could miss six to eight weeks, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid remains non-committal on whether Kansas City’s top running back will return this season.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings (PUP)
T.J. Hockenson landed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after suffering a torn ACL and MCL against the Lions last December. The Minnesota Vikings activated Hockenson following the team’s Thursday night game in Week 8, as his 21-day practice window was set to expire.
After losing back-to-back games, Hockenson’s potential return couldn’t have come at a better time. The Vikings are set to host the Indianapolis Colts on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 9, and Hockenson is expected to play, according to multiple reports.
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers placed backup running back Gus Edwards on IR due to an ankle injury before the team’s matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Edwards will be eligible to return for Los Angeles’ game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 10.
While many expected Edwards to have a fantasy football-relevant role in Los Angeles, he was a disappointment before suffering an ankle injury. Edwards totaled just 113 yards and zero touchdowns on 38 rushing attempts.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys placed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks on IR due to a knee infection on Oct. 5. Cooks will be eligible to return for the Cowboys in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cooks was initially expected to miss just one game due to a knee injury, but the procedure on his knee resulted in an infection. Therefore, Cooks was forced to undergo a clean-up procedure, which has sidelined Dallas’ second-best wide receiver for at least four weeks.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
MarShawn Lloyd has been plagued by injuries since being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd dealt with injuries to his hip, hamstring, and ankle throughout the offseason and training camp.
After finally being available for his NFL debut in Week 2 of the regular season, Lloyd suffered an ankle injury against the Indianapolis Colts. The Packers placed Lloyd on IR, and he has been eligible to return since Week 7.
However, Lloyd has yet to practice as the Packers continue to wait for him to get healthy. In Lloyd’s absence, Emanuel Wilson has stepped into the RB2 role, rushing 47 times for 221 yards while also contributing 47 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens (PUP)
Keaton Mitchell showcased his game-breaking speed during his rookie campaign for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. Mitchell averaged a ridiculous 8.4 yards per carry on 47 total rushing attempts.
Unfortunately, Mitchell suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 15. Mitchell was on the PUP list for training camp and remained on the list to start the regular season. However, the Ravens opened his 21-day practice window on Oct. 23.
WATCH: After starting the season on the PUP with last year's season-ending knee injury, Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell makes his 2024 practice debut today.
He's limited.
📹@thewayitotte2b pic.twitter.com/FkW1U1314b
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) October 23, 2024
Derrick Henry has cemented himself as Baltimore’s workhorse running back in 2024, but Mitchell’s explosiveness would provide a dangerous dynamic alongside Henry for the Ravens.
While Mitchell showed flashes toward the end of last season, it’s unclear what role he will play in Baltimore’s backfield once he returns.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
Panthers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen was injured in Week 3 after hauling in a 31-yard touchdown from Andy Dalton. While Thielen appeared to be trending in the right direction with Dalton at quarterback, he landed on IR due to a hamstring injury.
The Panthers have spiraled out of control in recent weeks, as the team is tied for the worst record in the NFL. Thielen will be eligible to return to action in Week 9 when the Panthers will play the Saints.
Carolina opened Thielen’s 21-day practice window on Oct. 23. Thielen appeared to be moving well after riding a golf cart to the practice field.
More returns! Adam Thielen and Clowney both here to kick off the week. Thielen came off the golf cart bouncing and excited. pic.twitter.com/S7pVu9T0cp
— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) October 23, 2024
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (PUP)
Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL and MCL against the Lions in the playoffs last season. Higbee has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp and has yet to return to practice for the Los Angeles Rams.
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reported this summer that Los Angeles always expected Higbee to miss more than the minimum four games.
Last Monday, head coach Sean McVay said Higbee was ahead of schedule with his rehab. While McVay’s update was certainly encouraging, it’s still unclear when Higbee will return to action for the Rams.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed finished the Saints’ Week 6 game against the Buccaneers, seemingly coming out unharmed. However, shortly after, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Shaheed suffered a concerning knee injury.
His knee ultimately required season-ending surgery to repair the meniscus, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that he’ll be out for 4-6 months as he recovers. This timeline indicates that Shaheed underwent a full repair of his meniscus, which is better for the long-term health of his knee. Had he opted for a trim, he would be sidelined for 4-6 weeks but could have some issues down the road, though it may not have been an option.
Shaheed can be dropped in redraft leagues since he’s out for the year. Fortunately, he’s expected to be fine for the start of the 2025 season (potentially even in time for spring OTAs and minicamp).
Hollywood Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Hollywood Brown fell awkwardly on his shoulder in the Chiefs’ first preseason game. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution, and it was determined that he suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation.
Kansas City placed him on injured reserve after Brown underwent surgery on Sept. 16 to repair the joint.
Unfortunately, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brown is not expected to play for the remainder of the 2024 regular season, so he can be dropped in all redraft leagues.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The second-year wide receiver had knee surgery on Oct. 8, and Reid noted that the timeline for recovery is similar to that of a torn ACL, meaning Rice’s season is over.
Rashee Rice had surgery on his posterolateral corner (PLC), per Coach Reid, who added the following:
"It's probably the same result you would get timewise for an ACL. It takes a while…He'll get into his rehab and get rolling on that."
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) October 14, 2024
Rice will remain on IR for the remainder of the regular season, so there’s no need to hang onto him in redraft leagues.
While Rice is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2025 season, he may have to miss additional time since the NFL is expected to suspend him for his role in a high-speed hit-and-run in March 2024. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that Rice may try to serve his potential suspension while injured.