2026 Week 9 Fantasy Football Injury Preview

​

QB

Kyler Murray — Grade 2 hamstring strain

Team: MIN

Injury: Grade 2 hamstring strain.

Practice Status: Thu DNP / Fri DNP / Sat pending.

Expected Time Missed: Will miss Week 9, per Kevin O’Connell; week-to-week. Saturday’s formal game-status report remains pending.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Carson Wentz — confirmed starter.

Analysis: 

Murray will likely miss multiple weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Hamstring injuries limit pocket mobility and threaten the rushing upside central to his fantasy value. Recurrence is a major concern, making adequate rehabilitation essential for a productive playoff push.

Our Injury Data Center shows quarterbacks average 2.2 games missed, with substantial declines in fantasy production lasting several weeks after returning. Carson Wentz will start in Murray’s place, and a healthy Wentz could offer Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison more upside than a limited Murray.

Sam Darnold — Quadriceps and rib injuries

Team: SEA

Injury: Quadriceps and rib injuries.

Practice Status: Wed DNP (estimated) / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; return beyond this week remains unconfirmed.

Re-injury Risk: moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Drew Lock — confirmed starter; no game designation despite his elbow injury.

Analysis: 

Quad injuries are uncommon in quarterbacks but can limit both mobility and the lower-body drive that generates throwing power. Darnold will miss Week 9, giving him additional time to recover.

Our Injury Data Center includes only two quarterbacks with quad injuries, too few to draw meaningful conclusions. His reliance on pocket passing reduces the importance of rushing mobility, but he still needs sufficient strength and comfort to plant, push off, and throw effectively.

RB

Christian McCaffrey — Hamstring strain

Team: SF

Injury: Hamstring strain.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu LP / Fri FP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate-High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Kaelon Black; Jordan James is the next depth option.

Analysis: 

McCaffrey is cleared to play after progressing to full practice Friday, benefiting from last week’s bye to recover from his hamstring injury. His age and extensive injury history add to the recurrence concern, even with his improving participation.

CMC’s rushing and receiving production make him a must-start when active. Our Injury Data Center includes over 100 running backs with hamstring injuries, showing no average change in fantasy production after returning. That supports confidence in his upside, although it does not eliminate his re-injury risk.

Saquon Barkley — Hamstring and back injuries

Team: PHI

Injury: Hamstring and back injuries.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Elijah Mitchell, if elevated; Jaydon Blue is the active-roster alternative. 

Analysis: 

Barkley continues to manage hamstring and back injuries without a Week 9 game designation. With no reported setbacks, he should be further along than the past two weeks. He has shown explosiveness in limited snaps, with touchdowns helping support his fantasy production despite Philadelphia’s struggles.

Re-injury remains a concern, but our Injury Data Center shows no average decline in running back fantasy production after hamstring injuries. I expect his snap share to increase from last week. He remains a viable starter, though his workload uncertainty keeps him from being the automatic RB1 we’re accustomed to.

Breece Hall — Quadriceps injury

Team: NYJ

Injury: Quadriceps injury.

Practice Status: Wed LP / Thu FP / Fri FP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Braelon Allen; Isaiah Davis is the secondary option.

Analysis: 

Hall is cleared to return after missing five games with a quad injury. The extended recovery and full practices Thursday and Friday are encouraging for restoring the strength needed to accelerate and change direction. Time alone does not guarantee complete healing, but I don’t expect significant functional limitations.

Our Injury Data Center shows a 15% average decline in running back fantasy production after quad injuries. Hall’s upside could be limited initially, though I’m more concerned about Braelon Allen’s emergence reducing his workload than lingering effects of the injury.

Cam Skattebo — Hamstring injury

Team: NYG

Injury: Hamstring injury.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Doubtful for Week 9; likely another missed game. 

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Devin Singletary — projected lead back.

Analysis: 

Skattebo is doubtful for Week 9 after injuring his hamstring in overtime before the bye. The extra recovery time helped him return to limited practice Friday, but he appears likely to need another week before playing.

His rest-of-season outlook remains largely unchanged, aside from the elevated re-injury risk that accompanies a hamstring strain.

David Montgomery — Groin injury

Team: HOU

Injury: Groin injury.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Woody Marks — projected lead back.

Analysis: 

Montgomery will miss another game with a groin injury. The groin muscles help control cutting and stabilize the body over one leg, making them essential for a running back. Our Injury Data Center shows running backs average 1.7 games missed, while Montgomery is set to miss his third game across four weeks, including the bye. That suggests a more prolonged recovery than typical, though it does not establish the injury’s severity.

He was struggling before the injury and remains a bench stash until his practice participation improves.

TreVeyon Henderson — Illness

Team: NE

Injury: Illness.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; return beyond this week remains unconfirmed.

Re-injury Risk: Unknown

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Rhamondre Stevenson — projected lead back.

Analysis: 

Henderson will miss Week 9 after unexplained neurological symptoms required several days of hospitalization. He shared that extensive testing produced reassuring results, although the cause remains unknown. With no clear return timeline, his health takes priority. We’ll continue following his recovery and wish him the best.

Kyle Monangai — Thumb and toe injuries

Team: CHI

Injury: Thumb and toe injuries.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9; availability unresolved.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: D’Andre Swift — projected to absorb additional backfield work.

Analysis: 

Monangai is questionable after missing four games with thumb and toe injuries, managing only one limited practice this week. The toe is the greater concern for running: the big toe provides a stable platform for loading and push-off, and pain, stiffness, or instability can disrupt acceleration and cutting mechanics.

Our Injury Data Center shows a 44% average decline in running back fantasy production in the first game after a toe injury. Given his limited preparation and potential workload restrictions, Monangai is a risky start even if active.

Brian Robinson Jr. — Hamstring injury

Team: ATL

Injury: Hamstring injury.

Practice Status: Wed LP / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; return beyond this week remains unconfirmed.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Bijan Robinson — projected to absorb the vacated work.

Analysis: ​

Robinson is out for Week 9 despite practicing on a limited basis all three days. Hamstring injuries can limit acceleration and stride length, and limited participation does not necessarily mean a player is ready for full-speed game demands. His return remains uncertain, with re-injury risk a concern once he resumes playing.

Our Injury Data Center shows no average decline in running back fantasy production after hamstring injuries, but Robinson’s role behind Bijan limits his upside regardless. Bijan remains the primary beneficiary of his absence.

MarShawn Lloyd — Knee injury

Team: GB

Injury: Knee injury.

Practice Status: Wed not listed / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9; availability unresolved.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Josh Jacobs for additional volume; Pierre Strong Jr. is the next active depth option.

Analysis: ​

Lloyd is questionable after a knee injury limited him Thursday and Friday. The specific diagnosis has not been disclosed, making it difficult to assess his recovery timeline or how much the injury could affect his cutting and acceleration.

His role behind Josh Jacobs already limits his fantasy appeal, and the added uncertainty makes him difficult to trust this week. If Lloyd sits, Jacobs could absorb additional work, with Pierre Strong Jr. providing depth.

WR

Amon-Ra St. Brown — Rib injury

Team: DET

Injury: Rib injury.

Practice Status: Wed LP (estimated) / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9; availability unresolved.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Jameson Williams for WR targets; Sam LaPorta also benefits.

Analysis: 

St. Brown remains questionable after three limited practices, but I expect him to play through his rib injury. Rib pain can restrict torso rotation and reaching overhead. Restoring that motion and tolerating contact are key to playing effectively.

Our Injury Data Center includes 66 receivers with rib injuries, with an average decline of less than 10% in fantasy production. That supports confidence in his outlook. If active, St. Brown remains locked into fantasy lineups.

George Pickens — Hamstring injury

Team: DAL

Injury: Hamstring injury.

Practice Status: Wed LP / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9; availability unresolved.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: CeeDee Lamb for targets; Ryan Flournoy is the secondary fantasy beneficiary.

Analysis: 

Pickens is questionable after three limited practices as his hamstring injury continues to affect his workload. He played just 60% and 57% of snaps in Weeks 7 and 8, his lowest shares of the season.

Hamstring injuries are particularly problematic for a deep threat like Pickens because sprinting places substantial demands on these muscles. Reduced top-end speed can limit separation, while pushing that speed increases concern for re-injury.

Pickens scored 48.6% below his usual fantasy output last week. Our Injury Data Center shows a smaller average decline in the second game after a hamstring injury, but his continued practice limitations temper confidence in a rebound. He is a fringe WR3/flex this week.

Garrett Wilson — Concussion

Team: NYJ

Injury: Concussion.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; subsequent availability depends on concussion-protocol clearance.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Adonai Mitchell for targets; Omar Cooper Jr. is the direct depth-chart replacement.

Analysis: Wilson will miss this week with a concussion.  We will check back in next week. 

A.J. Brown — Ankle and knee injuries

Team: NE

Injury: Ankle and knee injuries.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; return beyond this week remains unconfirmed.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: DeMario Douglas; Kyle Williams is the secondary receiving option.

Analysis: 

Brown’s frustrating season continues as his ankle injury lingers and his longstanding knee issue flares up. He is out for Week 9, with his return timeline uncertain.

High ankle sprains can affect receivers well beyond their return, with our Injury Data Center showing that production declines can persist for multiple games. The knee adds uncertainty. In clinical practice, degenerative knee conditions often alternate between flare-ups and more manageable periods, although Brown’s exact underlying diagnosis remains unclear.

His rest-of-season outlook has a wide range of outcomes. Persistent symptoms could derail his fantasy value, but improved symptom control could still allow him to contribute down the stretch.

DeVonta Smith — Hamstring injury

Team: PHI

Injury: Hamstring injury.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; return beyond this week remains unconfirmed.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Makai Lemon; Elijah Moore is the secondary option.

Analysis: 

Smith is out again with a lingering hamstring injury that he has aggravated multiple times this season. Philadelphia’s Week 10 bye provides additional recovery time, making Week 11 a potential return target rather than a certainty. The repeated setbacks keep re-injury risk elevated, even once he returns to practice.

Mike Evans — Achilles and rib injuries

Team: SF

Injury: Achilles and rib injuries.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri DNP.

Expected Time Missed: Out Week 9; return beyond this week remains unconfirmed.

Re-injury Risk: High

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Jacob Cowing for Evans’ WR role; George Kittle is a leading projected target beneficiary.

Analysis: 

Evans remains out with lingering Achilles and rib injuries. Achilles tendinopathy can be difficult to settle without reducing aggravating workloads alongside progressive rehabilitation. With the playoffs in mind, a cautious approach makes sense.

Players can perform well while managing Achilles symptoms, but flare-ups can interrupt that progress, as Evans has experienced. I still expect him to contribute this season, though predicting when he can return and sustain his workload remains difficult.

Malik Nabers — Knee injury

Team: NYG

Injury: Knee injury.

Practice Status: Wed not listed / Thu DNP / Fri FP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: Low

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Darnell Mooney for targets; Malachi Fields is the direct depth-chart replacement.

Analysis: 

Nabers is cleared to play after returning to full practice Friday, easing concern after Thursday’s knee-related absence. He has been a rare exception to the struggles receivers often experience in their first season after ACL reconstruction. I expect his strong production to continue, and he remains a confident start.

Christian Watson — Rib fracture

Team: GB

Injury: Rib fracture.

Practice Status: Wed LP / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Matthew Golden for WR targets; Bo Melton is the direct depth-chart replacement.

Analysis: 

After one of the most remarkable returns to action I’ve seen, Watson is cleared to play through his rib fracture. The roughly 10 days between games will not fully heal the fracture, but that extra recovery time can reduce pain and improve torso and shoulder mobility.

Our Injury Data Center shows receivers average just a 9.7% decline in fantasy production after rib injuries. With his availability confirmed, Watson should remain in fantasy lineups.

DJ Moore — Shoulder injury

Team: BUF

Injury: Shoulder injury.

Practice Status: Thu LP / Fri LP / Sat pending.

Expected Time Missed: Undetermined; Monday availability awaits Saturday’s final report.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Khalil Shakir for targets, provided he returns from Friday’s personal absence; Skyler Bell is the direct depth-chart replacement.

Analysis: ​

Moore remains limited by a shoulder injury ahead of Monday night. Shoulder pain can affect reaching overhead, securing catches through contact, and tolerating a fall onto the injured side. Consecutive limited practices are encouraging for his availability, but they do not confirm he is ready for an unrestricted workload.

His final game designation remains pending. If active, Moore’s outlook will depend on how comfortably he can catch and absorb contact. The Monday kickoff makes having a late-game replacement especially important if his status remains uncertain.

Michael Wilson — Two rib fractures

Team: ARI

Injury: Two rib fractures.

Practice Status: Wed LP / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Trey McBride for targets; Harrison Wallace III is the direct depth-chart replacement.

Analysis: 

Wilson delivered an outstanding finish to regulation and overtime while playing through two rib fractures. He was limited all week but carries no Week 9 game designation, and I expect him to remain productive.

Rib fractures can make torso rotation, reaching, and contact painful, but his performance suggests those limitations are manageable. Our Injury Data Center shows receivers average just a 9.7% decline in fantasy production after rib injuries. His promising connection with new starter Gardner Minshew adds confidence in his outlook.

Emeka Egbuka — Foot injury

Team: TB

Injury: Foot injury.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu FP / Fri FP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9 despite full practices Thursday and Friday.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Chris Godwin Jr. 

Analysis: ​

Egbuka is questionable despite practicing fully Thursday and Friday. Foot injuries can interfere with planting, cutting, and pushing off to create separation, but consecutive full practices are encouraging for his ability to handle those demands.

Our Injury Data Center shows a 45% average decline in receiver fantasy production in the first game after a foot injury. That warrants caution, although the broad injury category includes cases more limiting than Egbuka’s practice participation suggests. If active, he remains a starting option with a less reliable floor.

Denzel Boston — Calf injury

Team: CLE

Injury: Calf injury.

Practice Status: Wed LP / Thu LP / Fri FP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: KC Concepcion

Analysis: ​

Boston is cleared to play after progressing from limited practices to full participation Friday. The calf generates push-off power for acceleration and helps control deceleration and cutting. His improved participation is encouraging, though calf injuries can recur when players return to explosive movements.

Our Injury Data Center shows a 27.9% average decline in receiver fantasy production in the first game after a calf strain. That supports tempering expectations, but Boston’s full practice and lack of a game designation make him a viable option rather than an automatic bench.

TE

Harold Fannin Jr. — Groin injury

Team: CLE

Injury: Groin injury.

Practice Status: Wed not listed / Thu LP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: No additional games expected; no Week 9 game designation.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: KC Concepcion, Dylan Sampson

Analysis: 

Fannin is cleared to play despite a groin injury that limited him Thursday and Friday. It appears manageable, though his offseason sports hernia surgery makes symptoms in this region worth monitoring. That history alone does not establish a recurrence.

Our Injury Data Center shows no average change in tight end fantasy production after groin injuries. Fannin’s talent and confirmed availability keep him firmly in fantasy lineups.

Dalton Kincaid — Chest injury

Team: BUF

Injury: Chest injury.

Practice Status: Thu LP / Fri FP / Sat pending.

Expected Time Missed: Undetermined; improved to full Friday, but Monday’s final report remains pending.

Re-injury Risk: Low

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Dawson Knox 

Analysis: ​

Kincaid returned to full practice Friday after being limited Thursday with a chest injury. Chest and rib injuries can affect reaching, torso rotation, and absorbing contact, but his improved participation is encouraging.

Our Injury Data Center shows no average decline in tight end fantasy production after chest/rib injuries. Assuming he avoids a setback and is cleared for Monday, Kincaid should remain in lineups.

Hunter Henry — Foot injury

Team: NE

Injury: Foot injury.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9; availability unresolved.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Eli Raridon 

Analysis: ​

Henry is questionable after missing two practices and returning to limited work Friday. His foot injury could affect planting, pushing off, and maintaining a stable base when blocking. Without a specific diagnosis, his limited preparation is the biggest concern.

Our Injury Data Center shows an 8.7% average decline in tight end fantasy production in the first game after a foot injury, though that includes only seven usable first-game performances. Henry could remain involved with A.J. Brown out, but he is a risky starting option even if active.

Jake Ferguson — Ankle injury

Team: DAL

Injury: Ankle injury.

Practice Status: Wed DNP / Thu DNP / Fri LP.

Expected Time Missed: Questionable for Week 9; availability unresolved.

Re-injury Risk: Moderate

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed: Brevyn Spann-Ford; Luke Schoonmaker is also questionable with a groin injury.

Analysis: ​

Ferguson is questionable after returning to limited practice Friday following two missed sessions. Ankle pain and reduced stability can affect planting, changing direction, and driving through blocks. His return to practice is encouraging, though lingering limitations could affect his workload.

The ankle injury category in our Injury Data Center shows no average decline in tight end fantasy production after returning. That supports keeping Ferguson in consideration if active, but his limited preparation makes him a less reliable option than usual.