Week 9 Fantasy Football Injury Recap
As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 9 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 10.
If you’re looking for more detailed injury analysis, check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier and Ultimate members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.
QB Patrick Mahomes
Right Elbow Contusion/Sprain: Likely to play in Week 10
The face of the Chiefs’ franchise suffered an elbow sprain in Sunday’s win over the Jets, but fortunately, an MRI did not reveal a major injury. The initial concern at the time of the injury was a possible UCL (Tommy John ligament) sprain, but based on the fact that Mahomes returned to the game and the results of the MRI, he avoided worst case scenario. I view Mahomes as more “hurt than injured” and I expect him to be sore this week, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him be limited in practice.
Players impacted: Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce
QB Drew Lock
Oblique Strain: Questionable for Week 10
Lock entered Week 9 dealing with right elbow tendinitis, and now he’s dealing with an oblique injury. He suffered an oblique strain in Sunday’s win against the Cardinals, raising questions about his availability for Week 10. Head coach Mike Mcdonnald indicated that his status for next week is up in the air, but for what it’s worth, Lock expressed confidence that he will be able to play. The team has already ruled out Sam Darnold (Ribs, Quad) for next week, so it’ll either be Lock if he’s healthy enough to play or Jalen Milroe this week. Expect Lock to be limited in practice all week. If this oblique injury is minor, he could play through it with an injection for pain control, but if this is moderate in nature, Milroe could get more reps with the ones, and therefore, start against the Raiders.
Players impacted: Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Smith-Njigba
QB JJ McCarthy
Hip Pointer: Questionable for Week 10
McCarthy took a huge hit to the hip/oblique region when he collided with Eagles LB Zack Baun. He went to the locker room and did return, likely after a pain-relieving injection. These hip pointer injuries are essentially a contusion (bruise) of the hip muscles that attach to the top of the pelvis. They’re generally extremely painful and are accompanied by swelling and bruising that gets worse before it gets better. Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday, “It does look like he’s going to play [Thursday]. Feel fairly good about that.” For now, I tentatively expect McCarthy to start, but he’s unlikely to be 100% from a rushing/scrambling standpoint. He was listed as LP on Monday’s estimated injury report.
Players impacted: Jameis Winston, Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely
QB Gardner Minshew
Right Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury: Potentially season ending
Minshew injured his right elbow at the end of the first half in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks when he got hit in the arm while releasing the football. He looked bothered throughout the game and certainly lacked some zip on the ball in the second half. On Monday, news broke that Minshew suffered an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL aka Tommy John). The fact that he was able to play in the second half (which is honestly amazing for a throwing athlete) suggests that this is probably a partial tear. As of early Tuesday morning, he’s seeking second opinions, which means season-ending surgery is on the table. If he needs his UCL repaired, Minshew will be placed on IR, ending his 2026 season. On Monday evening, the team signed veteran Josh Johnson off the Bengals’ practice quad.
Players impacted: Carson Beck, Trey McBride
RB Josh Jacobs
Right Finger Fracture: Out Week 10 at a minimum; Exact timeline TBD
Jacobs fractured the ring finger on his right hand Sunday against the Patriots when he got his fingers stuck in a defender’s face mask while trying to stiff arm the defender and avoid the tackle. Matt LaFleur confirmed that Jacobs will require surgery, and he noted that IR is a possibility. The timeline here is pretty variable depending on the type of fracture and the rate at which Jacobs can recover functionality of the hand; i.e. how quickly he can regain grip strength, the ability to catch the football and the ability to hold up in pass pro. The Packers do have a bye in Week 11, so it’s at least possible he could return in Week 12, but he’ll be out this week at a minimum. Worth noting, the Packers were without Marshawn Lloyd this past Sunday because of a knee issue, and Chris Brooks is still working his way back from IR, leaving the Packers with very little depth at the RB position.
Players impacted: Marshawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, Pierre Strong, Chris Brooks
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Left Knee Plantaris Tendon Injury: Out 2+ weeks
Stevenson sustained a left knee injury late in the third quarter of the Patriots’ blowout loss to the Packers on Sunday when he was twisted down on a 6-yard reception. The play resulted in an injury to the plantaris muscle, which is a small, skinny muscle in the back of the knee with the tendon extending all the way down to the lower leg. The muscle itself isn’t a super important muscle when you think about the strength of the knee, but it is a secondary stabilizer. Generally, this injury is pretty rare, but the good news is that it will heal with rest. Stevenson will miss this week’s game over in Munich, but after that, the Patriots do get a Week 11 bye, giving the RB an outside chance at returning in Week 12.
Players impacted: Corey Kiner, TreVeyon Henderson, Lan Larison
WR Puka Nacua
Right Knee PCL and MCL Sprain: Will be placed on IR: Could miss 6+ weeks
Puka suffered a right knee injury in Sunday’s 20-13 win at Washington on the Rams’ final offensive snap. He took an end around and was hit in the front of the knee, causing a hyperextension injury. On Monday, Sean McVay announced that Puka sprained his MCL and his PCL in his knee during the play, and in addition, he also suffered a turf toe injury. This is a pretty tough runout for Puka given his injury history. He suffered a Grade 2 PCL sprain in the same knee back in 2024, and these repeat PCL injuries can linger and cause instability in the knee. McVay noted that Puka will be placed on IR, so he’ll miss at least four games. That means the absolute earliest he could return is Week 15 (LA has a bye in Week 11), but there’s a good chance this recovery lingers beyond 4-6 weeks. If that’s the case, and the Rams aren’t in playoff contention, I expect him to be shut down for the season. Eventual surgery on the PCL cannot be ruled out either, depending on the severity of this injury.
Players impacted: Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, Kyren Williams, Blake Corum
WR Michael Wilson
Cervical Spine Fracture: Out for the year
Wilson suffered a season-ending neck injury on the fourth play of the game when he caught a pass for 17 yards. He played through the injury for the remainder of the game, and according to Mike LeFleur, the team wasn’t aware of the injury until he got imaging on Monday. Hat tip to Wilson, who’s a really tough player that was already battling through broken ribs in recent weeks. Wilson will now land on IR with the fracture in his neck, and his 2026 season is over.
Players impacted: Gardner Minshew/Carson Beck, Trey McBride
WR Xavier Worthy
Hamstring Strain: Likely out multiple weeks
Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy left Sunday’s game against the Jets with a left hamstring injury and did not return. On Monday, Andy Reid called Worthy “day to day” but that’s pretty misleading considering Worthy is a speed wide receiver with a soft tissue injury. I expect this injury to sideline him for at least two games, but this could be longer if it’s a Grade 2 strain. The Chiefs enter Week 10 pretty thin at WR with Worthy out and Tyquan Thornton (Dislocated Ankle) on IR.
Players impacted: Rashee Rice, Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals
WR Jaylen Waddle
Concussion Protocol: Likely to return in Week 11
Waddle took a big hit against the Panthers and was evaluated for a concussion. He ended up getting ruled out, and is now in the league’s concussion protocol. Fortunately for Waddle and the Broncos, Denver gets a bye in Week 10, so Waddle has a good chance to clear protocol before Week 11.
Players impacted: Bo Nix, Pat Bryant, Courtland Sutton
WR Luther Burden
Concussion Protocol: Likely to return in Week 11
Burden took a hit to the head late in the game on Sunday night against the Bucs and immediately lost consciousness before falling to the ground, which resulted in a fumble. Like Waddle, Burden does have a good chance to return in Week 11 given that Chicago has a bye this week in Week 10. I expect him to be ready to go when the Bears return to action in two weeks against the Saints.
Players impacted: Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland
WR Ladd McConkey
Back Spasms: Questionable for Week 10
This one was just brutal for fantasy football given that there was not reporting on this injury before the game started. Ladd experienced back spasms in pregame warm ups and ended up not playing a single offensive snap in Sunday’s loss to the Texans. Ladd’s 2026 season has been brutal when you look at his injuries, and it began in Week 1. So far in 2026, Ladd has dealt with a rib injury, a foot injury, a concussion and now this recent back flare up. On Monday, Harbaugh called Ladd “day to day” but that doesn’t mean much coming from LA’s head coach, who throws that term around weekly when discussing his team’s injuries. For now, I’d consider Ladd Questionable for next week.
Players impacted: Justin Herbert, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris
WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Right Ankle Aggravation: Severity TBD
Cooper suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Titans and was placed on IR. Upon returning, he looked great, but in Sunday’s loss to KC, he appeared to aggravate that same right ankle injury and hobbled off in pain, slamming his helmet into the turf. There hasn’t been much reporting on this, so be sure it’s on your radar if you’re a Cooper manager. Depending on if there’s any swelling/pain, Cooper is not a lock to play next week. At the very least, I do expect to see him on the Jets’ injury report this week.
Players impacted: Geno Smith, Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell
TE Jake Ferguson
Left Knee MCL and PCL Sprain: Likely to land on IR
Ferguson entered this week questionable with a left ankle sprain, and he injured his left knee in Sunday’s win over the Colts. He went to the ground and while his left leg was in the air, a tackler made an impact with his knee, causing it to bend awkwardly. Ferguson is likely to miss a month+ given the multi-ligament injury, so I expect him to be placed on IR. PCL sprains generally take longer to heal, so this injury is very likely to linger into December.
Players impacted: Dak Prescott, Brevyn Spann-Ford
TE Terrance Ferguson
Hamstring Strain: Out multiple weeks
Ferguson was set to return off IR this past week after suffering an ankle injury earlier this season, but unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury in Friday’s practice, and he was ultimately ruled out. McVay shared that Ferguson is now likely to miss another couple of weeks, which is obviously brutal timing given the injuries to Puka and Davante Adams.
Players impacted: Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson