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The Week 8 slate is in the books, and injury updates will continue to trickle in on Tuesday. For now, we have all the latest information regarding players in the injury headlines. Our fantasy football injury reports as of Tuesday, October 31 will give you the latest news on the top banged-up players heading into Week 9 including Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins, Matthew Stafford, Kenny Pickett, Puka Nacua, and more.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. It's early in the week, but there's never a wrong time to check in on key players on your fantasy rosters.
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Kirk Cousins Injury Update
As expected, an MRI exam confirmed that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) suffered a torn right Achilles in the Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers. Cousins will miss the rest of the year, making him droppable in redraft fantasy leagues. Given the timing of the 35-year-old's devastating injury, he may not be ready to go for training camp next summer. Rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall took over for Cousins after his injury on Sunday, but it remains to be seen if Minnesota will use him as the starter under center in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons.
The only other QB on the Vikings' roster is Sean Mannion. Cousins' injury will negatively affect his free-agent market next spring, while it also severely downgrades the fantasy upside of all the team's offensive playmakers moving forward.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that either quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) or rookie Clayton Tune will start in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns over Joshua Dobbs. Tune is expected to be the starter. Gordon remains on Injured Reserve due to a torn ACL that he suffered last year, but he's been ramping up and is close to making his 2023 debut. Week 10 is the better bet for Murray to return.
Fantasy managers that are looking for an upgrade at QB should consider picking Murray up now. He's currently rostered in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues. Those desperate for a second signal-caller in two-QB superflex leagues could use Tune as a short-term stopgap.
Matthew Stafford Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb) is dealing with a UCL sprain in his right thumb and is considered day-to-day. An earlier report suggested the Rams could place Stafford on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. X-rays came back negative, though, so it seems like he should be able to avoid an IR placement. It doesn't guarantee he'll be ready to play in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, though, and the Rams are then on bye in Week 10.
The 35-year-old may miss some time, which will obviously be bad news for wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but Stafford avoided a much more serious injury. If Stafford isn't cleared to play in Week 9, backup Brett Rypien would make his first start for LA this Sunday.
Justin Fields Injury Update
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (thumb) remains "week-to-week" while recovering from a dislocated right thumb that he suffered in Week 6. Head coach Matt Eberflus announced on Monday that rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent will be the team's starter once again in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Fields will miss his third straight game this week, but there's a chance the 24-year-old will return to practice.
Fantasy managers must keep him stashed in all formats. Bagent, a 23-year-old undrafted rookie out of Division 2 Shepherd College has completed 69.7% of his 66 attempts in his first two career starts against the Raiders and Chargers, throwing for 394 yards, two TDs (one passing, one rushing) and an interception. He'll continue to be a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues until Fields returns.
Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears Injury Update
Tennessee Titans running backs Derrick Henry (ankle) and Tyjae Spears (ankle) are both on the Week 9 injury report and were listed as limited on Monday's injury report. The Titans are likely just resting their two running backs on a short week ahead of Thursday night's clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but their statuses are worth watching the next couple of days.
The 29-year-old Henry is a must-start fantasy RB when he's healthy, and he's currently the RB13 in half-PPR leagues through eight weeks. Henry is coming off a 100-yard performance in the Week 8 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Spears, 22, is a dynamic rookie backup but his fantasy value is capped due to being behind Henry. At best, Spears has been an RB3/flex option in point-per-reception formats this year.
DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (toe) is dealing with a toe injury and was listed as limited on Monday's injury report. The Titans are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night on a short week, so it's most likely the Titans are just giving their veteran pass-catcher a little rest. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on the 31-year-old's status as Thursday approaches, but we'd be surprised if he doesn't play.
He'll be looking for an encore after a three-touchdown performance in the Week 8 win over the Atlanta Falcons in rookie quarterback Will Levis' NFL debut. Hopkins isn't going to score three TDs every week now that Levis is the starter with Ryan Tannehill (ankle) hurt, but it's very possible Hopkins could have an elevated ceiling with Levis leading the offense.
Kenny Pickett Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Kenny Pickett (rib) could be a game-time decision on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers listed Pickett as limited on their estimated injury report on Monday. It's a good sign for Pickett after he was injured in the Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Tuesday and Wednesday's reports will be more important. Pickett has yet to surpass 250 passing yards in a single game in 2023 and has had two touchdown passes in a game just once.
He's the QB28 in overall fantasy points through eight weeks and won't be on the radar as a fantasy starter in single-QB leagues, even if he's active in Week 9 on Thursday night, especially against a Titans defense that hasn't been a particularly great matchup for opposing QBs. If Pickett doesn't play Thursday, it will be Mitch Trubisky under center for the Steelers.
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is dealing with some knee swelling and might take it easy in practice this week, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. Nacua may have logged his lowest catch total of the year (three) in Week 8's 43-20 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he played the lion's share of the Rams' offensive snaps and didn't exit early.
The 2023 fifth-round revelation has taken the league by storm, presenting a 16-game pace of 122 catches (178 targets), 1,590 yards, and four touchdowns through eight games at the season's halfway mark. It sounds like Nacua is prone to some missed practice time ahead of Week 9's trip to Green Bay against the Packers, but he doesn't appear to be in much danger of missing the contest. Fantasy managers should be more concerned about backup Brett Rypien perhaps being at the helm for that one. (ESPN)
Joshua Palmer Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said he doesn't have an update on wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) on Monday. The Chargers said they would know more on Palmer at practice on Thursday. Palmer injured his right knee in the Sunday night win over the Chicago Bears and eventually returned, finishing with three catches for only 24 yards. The Chargers play on Monday night against the New York Jets in Week 9, so their first official practice of the week won't be until Thursday.
Fantasy managers will get a slightly better idea then on if Palmer will be able to play this week. Rookie Quentin Johnston had the best game of his young career (five catches for 50 yards) on Sunday night. The rookie would have serious flex appeal in fantasy lineups if Palmer were unable to play next Monday.
Curtis Samuel Injury Update
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera didn't give a specific injury status for wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe, foot) on Monday, but he did say the veteran pass-catcher is dealing with soreness. The team will see how Samuel progresses during the week, and we'll have a better idea of his status for a Week 9 game against the New England Patriots. Samuel injured his toe/foot in the Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but it doesn't seem to be a serious injury.
We'll have a better idea of Samuel's status once the team resumes practicing on Wednesday. The 27-year-old left Sunday's game against Philly early and was also questionable for the same game due to a foot issue. If Samuel ends up missing time, Dyami Brown and Jamison Crowder would be competing for extra playing time behind Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
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