DFS: NFL Week 9 Injury Report
Here's a look at the injury situation around the NFL entering Week 9, with teams on byes and the Thursday night participants not included:
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota, Titans (at Saints) - Active
Mariota has missed two straight starts, but will return from his knee injury this week against a defense that just allowed six TD passes to Eli Manning.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets (vs. Jaguars) - Active
Fitzpatrick left Sunday's loss to the Raiders with a thumb injury, and was relieved by Geno Smith, who sustained a bruised shoulder in the process, but both look to healthy enough to play Sunday, with Fitzpatrick remaining the starter.
Tyrod Taylor, Bills (vs. Dolphins) - Active
Taylor returns to the starting role after sitting out two games prior to last week's bye. Taylor performed strongly against the Dolphins in Week 3, throwing for three TD passes and a season-best 277 yards.
Running Back
Carlos Hyde, 49ers (vs. Falcons) - Out
Hyde sat out Sunday and, with Reggie Bush suffering a season-ending injury and Mike Davis breaking his hand during the game, the 49ers are now perilously thin at the position. With Hyde out again, Kendall Gaskins will start, with newly-signed Pierre Thomas sure to see plenty of action on passing downs.
Matt Forte, Bears (at Chargers) - Out
Forte suffered a knee injury Sunday, but not of the season-ending variety. Jeremy Langford will start, and steps into a favorable matchup against San Diego's 27th-ranked rush defense.
Karlos Williams, Bills (vs. Dolphins) - Probable
Williams has been cleared from his concussion, but with LeSean McCoy healthy, he won't have the starting role, though he excelled as a backup in the season's first few weeks.
Wide Receiver
Brandon Marshall, Jets (vs. Jaguars) - Active
Marshall has ankle and toe injuries that could curtail what has been a productive season so far. Marshall suffered no drop off when Geno Smith entered Sunday's game against Oakland, as the ex-Bear was targeted 17 times by the backup QB, catching nine passes for 108 yards.
Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. Bears) - Out
Allen, San Diego's leading receiver by a wide margin (67 receptions to second-place Danny Woodhead's 39), was placed on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney. The Chargers still lead the NFL in passing yards, so Malcom Floyd, Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman, along with tight end Antonio Gates, should see upticks in targets.
Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (vs. Giants) - Out
Mike Evans led Tampa Bay receivers in targets with nine during Jackson's absence, but only managed three receptions for 48 yards. Jameis Winston is too inconsistent of a passer to have much faith in any Bucs receiver. Jackson will miss a second consecutive week with a knee injury.
DeSean Jackson, Redskins (at Patriots) - Active
Jackson looks ready to return from a hamstring injury that's sidelined him since Week 1. Washington may well need to throw often to attempt to keep up with New England, and Jackson adds a deep threat to possession receivers Pierre Garcon and TE Jordan Reed.
T.Y. Hilton (Colts), vs. Broncos - Active
Hilton didn't practice most of the week due to a foot injury and will be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's visit from Denver. Hilton registered only one catch for 15 yards Monday night against Carolina, and will face the NFL's best pass defense should he be able to play this week. Combined with his high price and the struggles of his quarterback, Andrew Luck, it's best to avoid Hilton this week.
Sammy Watkins, Bills (vs. Dolphins) - Active
Watkins will able to return from the ankle injury that kept him out of Buffalo's Week 7 London trip. He's only been able to play in parts of four games so far this season, registering a line of 11-147-2, but is seen as the Bills' WR1 when healthy.
Anquan Boldin, 49ers (vs. Falcons) - Doubtful
Boldin sat out against the Rams with a hamstring injury, and if he can return this week, he'll be catching passes from Blaine Gabbert instead of Colin Kaepernick, which may not necessarily be an upgrade.
Tight End
Ladarius Green, Chargers (vs. Bears) - Doubtful
Green exited early in San Diego's loss to Baltimore with an ankle injury, only registering one catch for 10 yards. With Keenan Allen out of the lineup, there are now a lot more targets to go around, with Green among many other possible beneficiaries if he's healthy enough to play.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Buccaneers (vs. Giants) - Questionable
The second-year tight end practiced most of last week before ultimately being declared inactive. He hasn't played since Week 2 due to a shoulder injury, but is only listed as questionable on the official NFL injury report. With Vincent Jackson out, he could serve as one of Jameis Winston's primary targets should be start.
Larry Donnell, Giants (at Buccaneers) - Out
With only 29 receptions on the season, Donnell isn't a huge part of the Giants' passing game, but he managed to avoid serious injury after being carted off against the Saints. Still suffering from neck soreness, he'll be held out this week. Will Tye represents a minimum-priced starter at the position, albeit without much upside.