Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 9 Updates For Drake London, Puka Nacua, and More

November 4, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 9 (2023), as of 11/04. Includes updates on Drake London, Puka Nacua, Josh Downs, Joshua Palmer, and Michael Wilson.

Welcome to Week 9 of the fantasy football season and the Saturday edition of our WR injury reports! Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wide receivers in Week 8, as of November 4. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 9, including Drake London, Puka Nacua, Josh Downs, Joshua Palmer, and Michael Wilson.

There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some coming down to game-time decisions or already being ruled out. Knowing exactly where each player stands going into the weekend is crucial, especially with four teams on a bye! Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page. Also, download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 9.

Drake London Injury Update

Drake London popped up on the injury report with a groin injury that he suffered last weekend against the Tennessee Titans. The 22-year-old was unable to participate in practice this past week and was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings by the Falcons on Friday.

It is a shame for fantasy managers with London in their lineups, as this matchup against the Vikings was one where he could capitalize in a big way. With the second-year receivers out, expect new starter Taylor Heinicke to pepper tight end Kyle Pitts and secondary receivers Mack Hollins and Van Jefferson with targets against the Vikings. Pitts is the most relevant fantasy option of the bunch this weekend.

Puka Nacua Injury Update

Puka Nacua has been limited in practice this past week with a knee injury. The rookie was able to log at least some practice participation all week, but the Rams officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday.

Even though quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb) is a game-time decision, it is tough to see Nacua sit out this week if he was able to practice in some fashion all week long. It is important to note that the Rams have a bye in Week 10, so if the team does not like how the rookie reacts to pre-game warmups, then they could elect to sit him. Tutu Atwell would fill in as the No. 2 option if Nacua is out, while Cooper Kupp will likely be force-fed targets.

Josh Downs Injury Update

Josh Downs suffered a knee injury this past week, costing him this past Wednesday's practice. However, the rookie returned to practice Thursday in a limited fashion and was listed as limited on Friday as well. The Colts officially labeled Downs as questionable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

Downs has been great over the past month and would be sorely missed if he were to sit out this week, even if the game is against the Panthers. Michael Pittman Jr. would be the only wide receiver option to look at if the rookie is ruled out. If active, Downs would be a fringe WR2 against the lowly Panthers.

Joshua Palmer Injury Update

Joshua Palmer has been limited with a knee injury the past few weeks, costing him practice time. The 24-year-old was able to suit up last week after putting in a limited session on Friday but has yet to practice this week ahead of the Chargers Monday night matchup against the Jets. There will be no official injury report until Saturday afternoon, but Palmer is trending in the wrong direction.

If Palmer can put in a limited session Friday, then he will have a shot to play, but with it being a Monday night game against a stiff Jets secondary, it may be best to pivot early. Quentin Johnston would see an increased role and would be the best option to turn to if Palmer is ruled out, but he would be nothing more than a desperation flex play against New York.

Michael Wilson Injury Update

Michael Wilson has dealt with a shoulder injury this past week, and it has held him out of practice all week. However, despite no practice participation, Arizona has listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

Wilson has been a decent flier for deeper leagues but may have to play with Clayton Tune if he is able to somehow suit up. With that said, if he is active and Kyler Murray is under center, then he would at least be a boom-or-bust flex. It would likely be best to look elsewhere, though, as Cleveland is a top-tier defense against wide receivers this season.

Curtis Samuel Injury Update

Curtis Samuel fought his way through a knee injury last week against the Philadelphia Eagles but has missed practice this past week due to a toe injury. With no participation all week, the Commanders ruled the veteran slot receiver out for this weekend's game against the New England Patriots on Friday.

It will be the first game the 27-year-old has missed this season. Samuel had been a favorite streaming option over the past month, but now the likes of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson will take over as the primary receivers with increased target shares against the Patriots this weekend. Both are viable fantasy options in Week 9.

DJ Chark Injury Update

DJ Chark has missed practice time this past week due to an elbow injury. The 27-year-old has been banged up on multiple occasions this season but was able to put in limited work this Friday, and the Panthers have officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Chark has not been a major factor this season, and only wide receiver Adam Thielen has been a fantasy-relevant pass catcher for Carolina over the first half of 2023. Chark's presence would be more of a hindrance for rookie Johnathan Mingo than anything else. The veteran is set to be a game-time decision.

DeVante Parker Injury Update

DeVante Parker suffered a concussion last week against the Miami Dolphins and has not been able to practice all week. Still in the protocol, the Patriots officially ruled the veteran receiver out for this Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders.

Kendrick Bourne (ACL) was placed on the injured reserve this past week as well, leaving Demario Douglas as the top target for quarterback Mac Jones against a beatable Washington secondary. Consider the rookie a flex option this week. It is important to note that fellow rookie Kayshon Boutte had his "best week of practice," according to head coach Bill Belichick, and should be on the radar of managers in deeper leagues moving into Week 10.

Robert Woods Injury Update

Robert Woods has been dealing with a foot injury that was initially reported to cost him a couple of weeks. With no practice participation this past week, the veteran will miss his second game in a row against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nico Collins and Tank Dell will take over as the top two targets once again this week and are both solid options for those in need. Tight end Dalton Schultz should also see an increase in volume but has a stiff matchup against Tampa Bay, who allows the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position.

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