Injuries are an unfortunate reality of NFL life, but everyone who follows the league — fantasy football players, sports bettors, and fans of teams — wants the latest health information. In that vein, we’re tracking every NFL injury ahead of Week 9.
Let’s review the injury report for every game on the NFL’s Week 9 schedule. Remember, you can always stay updated on the latest injury buzz around the league with PFN’s NFL and Fantasy News Tracker.
NFL Week 9 Injury Tracker
Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs (Germany)
- Dolphins: WR Braxton Berrios, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); WR River Cracraft, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder); TE Durham Smythe, QUESTIONABLE (ankle); OT Terron Armstead, QUESTIONABLE (knee); G Robert Hunt, OUT (hamstring); C Connor Williams, QUESTIONABLE (groin); CB Xavien Howard, QUESTIONABLE (groin); CB Nik Needham, QUESTIONABLE (Achilles); CB Justin Bethel, QUESTIONABLE (foot); S Brandon Jones, OUT (concussion)
- Chiefs: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, OUT (illness); WR Richie James, QUESTIONABLE (knee); LB Willie Gay Jr., QUESTIONABLE (lower back)
Dolphins: Miami has received ample good news on the injury front. On Wednesday, head coach Mike McDaniel suggested that Williams and Howard could play on Sunday. The Dolphins also activated Armstead’s practice window as he works his way back from injured reserve (IR).
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Safety Jevon Holland is out of the league’s concussion protocol after missing Week 8, but Jones — Holland’s replacement in the secondary — is now in the protocol and didn’t travel to Germany.
Chiefs: Edwards-Helaire did not travel to Germany with the Chiefs as he battles an illness.
Meanwhile, head coach Andy Reid said Gay probably won’t require an IR stint, but the fact that a trip to injured reserve was considered wasn’t a great sign for Gay’s Week 9 availability. Still, the veteran LB managed limited practices on Thursday and Friday and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
James is still on IR but fully practiced this week. Kansas City needs to decide whether to activate him by Saturday.
Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons
- Vikings: WR Jalen Nailor, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); OL Chris Reed, QUESTIONABLE (lower leg); DL Dean Lowry, OUT (groin); LB Brian Asamoah II, QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Falcons: FB Keith Smith, OUT (concussion); WR Drake London, OUT (groin); S DeMarcco Hellams, OUT (hamstring)
Vikings: Lowry failed to practice this week and won’t play on Sunday. Asamoah missed last week’s game, so even limited practices were a step in the right direction this week.
Nailor (IR) and Reed (non-football injury list) fully practiced all week and could be activated before Minnesota’s Week 9 game.
Falcons: London left Sunday’s loss to the Titans with a groin injury and did not return, so it’s hardly surprising that he never practiced this week. The second-year wide receiver was officially ruled out on Friday.
With London sidelined for Week 9, WRs Van Jefferson and Mack Hollins and TEs Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith will see more opportunities from new Falcons starter Taylor Heinicke.
Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens
- Seahawks: RB Kenny McIntosh, QUESTIONABLE (knee); G Anthony Bradford, QUESTIONABLE (ankle); G Phil Haynes, QUESTIONABLE (calf); DT Austin Faoliu, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
- Ravens: OT Morgan Moses, DOUBTFUL (shoulder); CB Rock Ya-Sin, QUESTIONABLE (illness); S Marcus Williams, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); DB Daryl Worley, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder)
Seahawks: Seattle is relatively healthy heading into Week 9. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett were listed on the club’s practice report earlier in the week, but neither will carry an injury designation into Sunday’s game.
McIntosh is on IR, while Faoliu is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The Seahawks can activate them before Sunday’s game.
Ravens: Moses left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury and did not return. Patrick Mekari will handle right tackle with Moses sidelined.
Williams has missed Baltimore’s last two games with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice ahead of Week 9. Ya-Sin and Worley both practiced fully on Friday. Worley is on IR but can be activated for this week’s contest.
Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns
- Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, QUESTIONABLE (knee); RB Emari Demercado, OUT (toe); WR Michael Wilson, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder); WR Greg Dortch, QUESTIONABLE (ankle); OL Trystan Colon, OUT (calf); DT Kevin Strong, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder); LB Krys Barnes, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
- Browns: WR David Bell, OUT (knee); OT Dawand Jones, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder); EDGE Alex Wright, OUT (knee); CB Greg Newsome II, OUT (groin)
Cardinals: Murray is fully practicing this week and could be activated from the PUP list to play on Sunday. On Friday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Arizona hasn’t decided whether Murray or fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune will start under center.
Demercado had taken over as Arizona’s starting RB with James Conner sidelined but didn’t practice this week while dealing with a toe injury. Keontay Ingram will become the Cardinals’ RB1 with Demercado sidelined, while Tony Jones Jr. could also see work.
Wilson left Sunday’s game with a shoulder issue and hasn’t practiced all week. Rondale Moore, Zach Pascal, and Dortch (if he plays) will be in line for more work if Wilson misses Arizona’s matchup against Cleveland.
Browns: Deshaun Watson, sidelined by a shoulder injury for the better part of four games, practiced this week and will start against the Cardinals on Sunday, as head coach Kevin Stefanski announced. Watson will not carry an injury designation for Week 9.
“It’s getting better each and every day,” Watson said this week. “The arrow is going up. The process has been very, very good. And we’re just steady, going day to day and making sure that we’re doing everything we can to build that strength and everything.”
Jones is questionable after getting in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. James Hudson III will start at right tackle if Jones can’t suit up. On defense, Cameron replaced Newsome in the slot when the latter went down during Sunday’s game and will do so again in Week 9.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
- Rams: QB Matthew Stafford, QUESTIONABLE (right thumb); WR Puka Nacua, QUESTIONABLE (knee); OT Rob Havenstein, QUESTIONABLE (calf); DT Larrell Murchison, QUESTIONABLE (knee); LB Ernest Jones, OUT (knee); CB Cobie Durant, QUESTIONABLE (shoulder)
- Packers: LB Quay Walker, QUESTIONABLE (groin); S Rudy Ford, QUESTIONABLE (calf)
Rams: Stafford banged his thumb against a Cowboys defender’s helmet on Sunday, then aggravated the injury while hauling in a pass for a two-point conversion. He hasn’t practiced so far this week.
He won’t have to go on IR, but Stafford will be a game-time decision for Week 9. Backup Brett Rypien — who made three starts for the Denver Broncos from 2020-22 — will be under center for the Rams if Stafford can’t play.
Nacua, who played through a groin injury earlier this year, is now dealing with a knee issue. He’s been limited this week, suggesting he’ll be ready for Sunday’s game against Green Bay. But Nacua is listed as questionable for Week 9.
Havenstein hasn’t practiced this week after sitting out of Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. Joe Noteboom replaced Havenstein at right tackle in that game and will do so again in Week 9 if needed.
Packers: While RB Aaron Jones and TE Luke Musgrave were limited earlier in the week, neither will carry an injury designation into Week 9.
Walker and Ford were both late additions to Green Bay’s injury report. Isaiah McDuffie will replace Walker if he sits; seventh-round rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. will likely fill in for Ford if he’s out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans
- Buccaneers: G Matt Feiler, OUT (knee); DT Vita Vea, QUESTIONABLE (groin); DT Logan Hall, OUT (groin); CB Christian Izien, QUESTIONABLE (illness); S Kaevon Merriweather, QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Texans: RB Dameon Pierce, OUT (ankle); WR Robert Woods, OUT (foot); OT Laremy Tunsil (knee); TE Brevin Jordan, OUT (foot); DT Sheldon Rankins, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
Buccaneers: Feiler missed last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills and didn’t practice this week. Aaron Stinnie played left guard in Week 8.
Vea, who also was sidelined for Week 8, was a full practice participant but is still questionable for Sunday. Hall won’t play in Week 9, allowing Willam Gholston to see more action against the Texans.
Illnesses rarely keep NFL players out of games, but the Bucs will have to figure out who will play the slot if Izien sits. Zyon McCollum can handle the nickel, as can safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal.
Texans: Pierce didn’t practice this week and won’t play on Sunday as Houston allows his ankle injury to heal. Devin Singletary is the Texans’ RB2, while Mike Boone could also see more work out of the backfield if Pierce is sidelined.
Woods will miss his second straight game with a foot issue. Jordan was the other Texan not practicing this week. He’s been Houston’s TE3 behind Dalton Schultz and Teagan Quitoriano.
Washington Commanders at New England Patriots
- Commanders: WR Curtis Samuel, OUT (toe); OL Ricky Stromberg, OUT (knee); S Percy Butler, QUESTIONABLE (calf)
- Patriots: WR DeVante Parker, OUT (concussion); WR Tyquan Thornton, QUESTIONABLE (foot); TE Pharaoh Brown, QUESTIONABLE (back); OT Trent Brown, QUESTIONABLE (ankle/knee); OT Vederian Lowe, QUESTIONABLE (ankle); DT Christian Barmore, QUESTIONABLE (knee); DT Davon Godchaux, QUESTIONABLE (illness); DL Deatrich Wise Jr., QUESTIONABLE (shoulder); EDGE Josh Uche, QUESTIONABLE (ankle/toe); LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); CB Jonathan Jones, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
Commanders: Samuel was limited with a foot injury entering last week’s game but ultimately played. He managed just 14 snaps before departing and never returned.
Samuel never practiced his week while continuing to manage his foot/toe issue. He was officially ruled out on Friday. Jamison Crowder will see plenty of action in the slot, while fellow WR Dyami Brown could also mix in more than usual.
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Stromberg suffered what looked like a severe knee injury while blocking on an extra-point attempt. He was on crutches on Thursday and is likely a candidate for injured reserve.
Patriots: With Kendrick Bourne on IR, Parker ruled out for Week 9, and Thornton questionable, Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, and Jalen Reagor could be New England’s top four wideouts on Sunday.
Trent Brown was spotted limping out of the locker room following New England’s Week 8 loss to the Dolphins. He managed a limited practice on Friday, suggesting he’ll be able to play against the Commanders.
Uche and Lowe missed Week 8 with injuries but practiced on a limited basis throughout this week.
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints
- Bears: QB Justin Fields, DOUBTFUL(right thumb); OT Braxton Jones, QUESTIONABLE (neck); G Nate Davis, OUT (ankle); LB Tremaine Edmunds, OUT (knee); CB Terrell Smith, OUT (illness); S Jaquan Brisker, OUT (concussion)
- Saints: RB Kendre Miller, QUESTIONABLE (illness); DT Malcolm Roach, QUESTIONABLE (illness); LB Ty Summers, OUT (concussion/hamstring)
Bears: Head coach Matt Eberflus had ruled Fields out earlier in the week, but he’s now listed as doubtful after managing a limited Friday practice. Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent still seems likely to make his third career start against the Saints.
Elsewhere on offense, Davis hasn’t practiced since going down with an ankle injury in Week 6. Teven Jenkins has been playing right guard in his absence. Jones is still on IR but could be activated before Sunday’s game.
On defense, Edmunds is week to week after injuring his knee in Week 8. Brisker re-entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after experiencing more symptoms on Sunday. Neither defender practiced this week.
Saints: An illness is clearly making its way around the New Orleans locker room. The Saints had four players with an illness on last week’s injury report, while Miller is questionable this week.
Offensive lineman James Hurt fully practiced Friday after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. He’ll likely start at left tackle against the Bears.
Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers
- Colts: WR Josh Downs, QUESTIONABLE (knee); OT Braden Smith, OUT (hip/wrist); OT Blake Freeland, QUESTIONABLE (back); EDGE Zaire Franklin, QUESTIONABLE (knee); CB JuJu Brents, OUT (quad)
- Panthers: WR DJ Chark, QUESTIONABLE (elbow); WR Laviska Shenault Jr., OUT (ankle); EDGE Justin Houston, OUT (hamstring); S Vonn Bell, DOUBTFUL (quadriceps)
Colts: Downs was added to Indy’s injury report as a DNP on Thursday, suggesting he suffered a knee injury during practice. Juwan Winfree and Isaiah McKenzie will see more work behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce if Downs can’t play.
Smith has already missed two games in a row. Freeland — who has replaced Smith at right tackle — is now dealing with an injury of his own and will be a game-time decision. Arlington Hambright looks like the next man up at RT if Smith and Freeland are both sidelined on Sunday.
Brents was injured during Week 7. The rookie CB’s quad injury was expected to lead to a multi-week absence.
Panthers: Chark failed to practice on Wednesday but returned to limited sessions on Thursday and Friday and will be a game-time decision. If Chark sits, Terrace Marshall Jr. or Ihmir Smith-Marsette will work as Carolina’s WR3.
On defense, Houston’s absence will create more opportunities for rookie DJ Johnson, who played a season-high 29 snaps after Houston went down on Sunday. Meanwhile, Sam Franklin Jr. will likely replace Bell in the secondary for the third straight game.
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders
- Giants: QB Tyrod Taylor, OUT (ribs); RB Jashuan Corbin., QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); TE Darren Waller, OUT (hamstring); OT Andrew Thomas, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); OT Evan Neal, QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Raiders: FB Jakob Johnson, OUT (concussion); OT Thayer Munford, OUT (neck); LB Divine Deablo, OUT (ankle); LB Robert Spillane, QUESTIONABLE (hand); LB Luke Masterson, OUT (concussion)
Giants: After missing three games with a neck injury, Daniel Jones has been cleared for contact and will be under center against the Raiders. With Taylor injured, New York signed veteran QB Matt Barkley to its practice squad this week.
Waller was ruled out early in the week. The veteran TE said his hamstring injury “may take a little bit” to heal” and suggested his return timeline is measured in weeks, not days. Daniel Bellinger will step in as long as Waller is sidelined.
Meanwhile, New York might be close to getting its intended offensive line group back into action. Thomas — who’s been out since Week 1– and Neal were limited at practice this week and could suit up on Sunday.
Kicker Graham Gano needs surgery on his left knee and was placed on IR, per NFL Network. In response, the Giants signed Cade York to their active roster while adding Randy Bullock to their practice squad.
Raiders: Deablo and Masterson — two of Las Vegas’ top three linebackers — didn’t practice this week and won’t play on Sunday. Spillane is questionable, but the Raiders may need to consider a practice squad LB elevation for Sunday’s game.
Munford has been working in a right tackle rotation with Jermaine Eluemunor, but he’s yet to practice this week. Eluemunor will presumably play a full complement of snaps against the Giants with Munford out.
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
- Cowboys: OT Tyron Smith, QUESTIONABLE (neck); OT Chuma Edoga. QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Eagles: RB Boston Scott, OUT (personal); TE Grant Calcaterra, OUT (concussion); G Cam Jurgens, OUT (foot); CB Bradley Roby, OUT (shoulder)
Cowboys: Smith couldn’t play against the Rams last week, but Jerry Jones said the veteran offensive tackle will “more than likely” be ready to face the Eagles on Sunday. While Smith didn’t practice until Friday (limited), Mike McCarthy hopes he will participate in Saturday’s session and play on Sunday.
Edoga, filling in for Smith at left tackle, went down late against Los Angeles and has been limited this week. If Smith and Edoga both sit, fifth-round rookie Asim Richards will likely guard Dak Prescott’s blindside.
Eagles: Scott’s absence could allow fellow RB Rashaad Penny — a healthy scratch since Week 3 — to suit up on Sunday.
Roby, the most significant contributor among Philadelphia’s Week 9 absences, hasn’t played since Week 6. With Roby sidelined against the Commanders last Sunday, safeties Sydney Brown and Kevin Byard and cornerback Eli Ricks shared slot duties.
Jurgens is still on IR, but the Eagles have opened his practice window. They’ll have to activate him at some point over the next three weeks.
Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals (SNF)
- Bills: LB Baylon Spector, OUT (hamstring); LB A.J. Klein, OUT (back)
- Bengals: RB Joe Mixon, QUESTIONABLE (chest); G Max Scharping, QUESTIONABLE (knee); DT Josh Tupou, OUT (shoulder); LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, QUESTIONABLE (knee)
Bills: Josh Allen didn’t practice on Wednesday, but head coach Sean McDermott said the veteran QB didn’t suffer a setback with his shoulder issue. Likewise, Allen doesn’t believe his injury will linger and is feeling better every day.
Allen was a full practice participant on Thursday. McDermott told reporters he’s “confident” that Buffalo’s quarterback will be able to play against the Bengals on Sunday night. Allen doesn’t have an injury designation for this week.
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Spector missed Week 8 and never practiced this week. Klein injured his back during Wednesday’s practice and had to sit out Thursday’s session.
Buffalo placed second-year cornerback Kaiir Elam (ankle) on IR on Thursday, so he’ll have to miss at least four games. Veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph took Elam’s roster spot.
Bengals: Mixon is technically questionable for Sunday, but head coach Zac Taylor said the veteran RB is fully expected to play against the Bills. Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans could theoretically see more snaps if Mixon is banged up.
The Bengals placed second-year safety Tycen Anderson on IR on Friday. Anderson tore his ACL against the 49ers on Sunday but played through the injury.
Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets (MNF)
- Chargers: WR Josh Palmer (knee); DL Morgan Fox (oblique); LB Eric Kendricks (ribs); LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder)
- Jets: WR Xavier Gipson (ankle); G Laken Tomlinson (hamstring); OL Joe Tippmann (quad); LB Chazz Surratt (ankle)
Chargers: Palmer is L.A.’s only injured player who failed to practice on Friday. The third-year WR entered Week 8 with a knee injury and appeared to aggravate the issue during Sunday’s game.
While Palmer eventually returned to the Chargers’ win over the Bears, consecutive missed practices aren’t encouraging. If he’s out in Week 9, first-round rookie Quentin Johnston will pick up more snaps behind Keenan Allen.
Jets: Surratt didn’t practice on Friday, but every other injured Jet was at least limited. New York also opened the 21-day practice window for offensive tackle Duane Brown, who is on IR but practiced fully on Thursday.
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