Week 9 Fantasy Football Injury Report

How should fantasy managers adjust their lineups following Week 8's injury news?

Were fantasy football managers spared by the forgiving graces of the Fantasy Gods this week when it came to injuries? It sure seems that way. Let’s hope our good fortune at the midway point of the 2019 season carries over for the second half of the year.

While there weren’t any players that went down who would make fantasy managers smash the panic button, like they did heading into Week 4 with Saquon Barkley or Week 7 with Patrick Mahomes, there are plenty of players to get to. They just won’t have as big of an impact on your roster compared to the reports from past weeks.

Let’s get to it.

Might be a while before we see them again

Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals, hamstring

A week after popping off against the Giants for 127 yards and three touchdowns, fantasy managers rushed to put Edmonds into their starting lineups in Week 9. Considering David Johnson was ruled inactive, it was the right move but WOW did things go wrong. Edmonds went down in the third quarter during the team’s matchup with the Saints and will now reportedly miss several weeks. Before his exit, Edmonds totaled just eight yards on seven carries, while catching two passes for a mere five yards.

Fantasy Impact: With a game on Thursday night against the 49ers, Arizona is on a short week and plays one of the best defenses in the NFL. It's unclear if David Johnson will be able to suit up and with Edmonds sidelined, so Arizona may have to turn to recently acquired Kenyan Drake. The Cardinals traded for Drake on Monday, giving him about 72 hours to learn Arizona’s playbook. Seem like a daunting task? Yep…I agree. Stay away from the Cardinals backfield in Week 9.

Should be ok but expect a questionable tag and limited practice

James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers, shoulder

While running out the clock with about two minutes left in the game, James Conner fell hard on his shoulder and immediately headed to the sidelines for trainers to evaluate him. He headed to the trainer’s room before the clock hit zero. Conner rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown, the first time he eclipsed the 100 yard mark this year. Considering the injury happened at the end of the game, we’ll have to wait for more details from the Steelers, likely in the form of an X-Ray or MRI. But early reports after the game said it was an AC joint injury.

Fantasy Impact: Jaylen Samuels (knee) was ruled inactive before the game, Benny Snell left the game with a knee injury and Conner is now questionable moving forward. That’s a major problem for a Pittsburgh offense that is relying on the ground game to support backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. Samuels was originally expected to miss at least a month, but did practice in full the last two days and could get back in action in Week 9.

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles, shoulder

Thanks to 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground, to go along with three catches for 44 yards through the air, Sanders was having the best game of his young career against a stout Bills defense. That’s 118 total yards on just six touches. But during his breakout performance, the Eagles rookie left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Philadelphia beat reporters indicate he won’t miss any time but I still expect the Eagles to be cautious with their second round selection.

Fantasy Impact: With Sanders sidelined, Boston Scott entered the game and split time with Jordan Howard. The Eagles are expected to get Darren Sproles back in action and have Sanders available for Week 9, so Scott’s workload moving forward won’t have much volume.

Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos, shoulder

A shoulder injury forced the Broncos' second-year back out of action during the team’s bout with the Colts. Before leaving, Freeman scored on one of his 12 carries and finished the day with 40 yards. After failing to cross the goal line in the first six games, Freeman’s plunge into the end zone marked the second consecutive week with a touchdown .

Fantasy Impact: The injury doesn’t sound like it’s cause for concern, but keep in mind Freeman did injure his shoulder back in Week 3—however he didn’t miss the following game. If the Broncos want to be extra careful, they could sit him for their Week 9 match up against the Browns and let him recover even more during their Week 10 bye. Phillip Lindsay would see a massive workload if Freeman is unable to play on Sunday.

Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers, ankle

It was the Tevin Coleman show in Week 8, as Breida’s teammate scored four touchdowns during San Francisco’s 51-13 rout over the Panthers. Breida went down in the third quarter and finished the game with 11 carries and 35 yards. Considering the score, there was no reason to put Breida back into action but, that’s not to say he would have been healthy enough to play even if it was a tight game.

Fantasy Impact: Given the 49ers’ success rushing the ball this season, it doesn’t seem to matter who is carrying the rock; Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson (though he's mentioned below) all have been productive in fantasy football. Considering the 49ers have a short week as they play on Thursday Night, Breida may be in danger of missing Week 9, but the injury isn’t expected to keep him sidelined for multiple games. If Breida is out, Mostert will play alongside Coleman.

Joe Flacco, Denver Broncos, neck

Less than 24 hours after openly criticizing the team’s play calling, Flacco was ruled out for the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Browns. Denver is reporting Flacco is dealing with a herniated disk in his neck, however the veteran quarterback didn’t miss a snap during the team’s loss to the Colts in Week 8. Perhaps the real diagnosis isn’t a herniated disc but instead flapping of the gums or running of the mouth.

Fantasy Impact: With Flacco already ruled out, the Broncos will hand the reigns over to Brandon Allen in Week 9 before heading into their Week 10 bye.

Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars, neck/shoulder

Carrying a questionable tag due to a shoulder injury when heading into Week 8, the Jaguars receiver ultimately played just two quarters against the Jets. Westbrook was held without a catch and saw just one target in the first half.

Fantasy Impact: Westbrook tried giving it a go in Week 8 but didn’t play at all in the third or fourth quarters. There didn’t seem like a specific play where he aggravated the injury so it’s likely just a carryover from getting banged up in Week 7. Chris Conley and D.J. Chark would remain the starters in Jacksonville’s receiving corps.

Nothing to see here

Sam Darnold, New York Jets, thumb

In the protocol

Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons: His team is on a bye in Week 9, and he should be cleared by Week 10.

Brandin Cooks, Los Angels Rams: Like Ridley, Cooks is on a bye in Week 9.

Case Keenum, Washington Redskins: Head coach Bill Callan says Keenum will remain the starting QB when he’s cleared to return.

Not on the fantasy radar

Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49rs: Neck

Jarius Wright, Carolina Panthers: Leg

Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars: Ankle

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