My injury report will cover both offensive and defensive players. I will focus only on those players relevant to fantasy football. If you have a player on your fantasy roster that you know to be hurt, but they do not show up on this list, then you should probably consider making a move. I will go team-by-team and do my best to make sure you have the most accurate injury information each week so you know who to start and who to bench. For injury information right up to kick-off, follow me on Twitter at @thefantasydick or visit www.thefantasydick.com.
Probable: 75% chance of playing
Questionable: 50% chance of playing
Doubtful: 25% chance of playing
Out: 0% chance of playing
San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith (QB) – Out (shoulder) – Smith is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury. The 49ers will go with Troy Smith, not David Carr, in Week 8 (I guess the 49ers only feel comfortable with a “Smith” running the offense). Even though he hasn’t played well, it is unlikely that Troy Smith will steal his starting job.
Chicago Bears
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Cincinnati Bengals
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Buffalo Bills
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Denver Broncos
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Cleveland Browns
Seneca Wallace (QB) – Questionable (ankle) – Wallace may be available to back up Colt McCoy in Week 9.
Jake Delhomme (QB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Delhomme will not be available for Week 9.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kellen Winslow (TE) – Probable (knee) – Winslow returned to full practice on Friday and will start in Week 9.
Earnest Graham (RB) – Out (hamstring) – Graham has been ruled out for Week 9. This means even more touches for LeGarrette Blount.
Arizona Cardinals
Chris “Beanie” Wells (RB) – Questionable (knee) – Wells took increased practice reps on Friday and says he’ll play in Week 9 against Minnesota. Coach Whisenhunt also thinks he’ll play, but I wouldn’t consider Wells better than a low-end RB2 in Week 9.
San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates (TE) – Doubtful (toe) – No Charger, under Norv Turner, listed as Doubtful, has ever played on game day. Fantasy owners should plan on being without Gates in Week 9. Randy McMichael will take his place and will make an okay emergency back-up. However, guys like Todd Heap, Jacob Tamme, Ben Watson, and Tony Moeaki are available in most leagues and make a better play this week.
Malcolm Floyd (WR) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Floyd will not play in Week 9 and could be out at least until after their Week 10 bye. Back-up wide receiver, Seyi Ajirotutu makes an interesting sleeper pick this week.
Legedu Naanee (WR) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Naanee is unlikely to play in Week 9. This is a boost for Patrick Crayton’s temporary fantasy value.
Craig “Buster” Davis (WR) – Injured Reserve (groin) – Davis has been placed on Injured Reserve and will be out for the rest of the season.
Nate Kaeding (K) – Out (groin) – Kaeding will not kick in Week 9. Kris Brown will get the start again in a game that could produce a lot of points.
Larry English (LB) – Out (foot) – English will be out 4-6 weeks after surgery on his foot. He can be dropped in IDP leagues and his replacements are not recommended since it will be a rotation.
Kansas City Chiefs
Dexter McCluster (RB/WR) – Questionable (ankle) – McCluster was limited in practice on Friday and is not expected to play in Week 9.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Gonzalez (WR) – Questionable (knee) – Gonzalez injured his PCL and may be out for the season. Austin Collie will return in Week 9 as the slot receiver.
Austin Collie (WR) – Questionable (hand) – Collie is expected to play in Week 9 despite the Questionable tag.
Mike Hart (RB) – Questionable (ankle) – Mike Hart is not expected to play in Week 9. Donald Brown and Jarvis James will carry the load against the Eagles. Donald Brown gets a nice fantasy value boost for this week.
Joseph Addai (RB) – Out (shoulder) – Addai has nerve damage in his shoulder and says he might not regain his strength for “4-5 weeks”. There is no timetable on his return and fantasy owners will just have to wait for more news. Donald Brown will start in Week 9.
Dallas Cowboys
Felix Jones (RB) – Probable (ankle) – Jones returned to a full practice on Friday and will start in Week 9. Tashard Choice has been told to “be ready” for more action in Week 9, which could hurt Jones’ value.
Tony Romo (QB) – Out (shoulder) – Romo is expected to be out at least 8 weeks and could be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve if it looks like the Cowboys will not make the playoffs. Romo can be waived in most leagues. He will be replaced by Jon Kitna who also makes a decent fantasy replacement.
Miami Dolphins
Yeremiah Bell (DB) – Questionable (toe) – Bell will be a game-time decision in Week 9.
Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick (QB) – Probable (ribs) – Vick feels 100% and will be the starter in Week 9.
DeSean Jackson (WR) – Probable (concussion) – Jackson is expected to play in Week 9 and may even return punts, which shows that he is nearly back to 100%.
Atlanta Falcons
Seam Weatherspoon (LB) – Questionable (knee) – Weatherspoon will be a game-time decision in Week 9.
New York Giants
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Jacksonville Jaguars
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
New York Jets
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Detroit Lions
Brandon Pettigrew (TE) – Probable (ankle) – Pettigrew was limited in Friday’s practice, but should be ready to go for Week 9.
Kevin Smith (RB) – Questionable (knee) – Smith practiced on a limited basis on Friday, but should be okay to back-up Jahvid Best in Week 9. The knee injury could limit the number of snaps Smith can play, however, which would be a boost to Best’s fantasy value.
Green Bay Packers
Donald Driver (WR) – Out (quadriceps) – Driver has been ruled out for Week 9 and it is unknown if he will be ready to play in Week 11 after the bye. James Jones gets a nice boost in fantasy value.
Andrew Quarless (TE) – Questionable (shoulder) – Despite practicing with a shoulder harness, Quarless is expected to play in Week 9.
James Starks (RB) – Out (hamstring) – Starks is eligible to return, but won’t play in Week 9. The Packers have 2 weeks to decide if they want to activate him for the rest of the season.
Carolina Panthers
DeAngelo Williams (RB) – Doubtful (foot) – Williams has a sprained foot and is expected to be out Week 9 with the injury. Jonathan Stewart will get the start and has a good matchup against the Saints.
New England Patriots
Deion Branch (WR) – Questionable (hamstring) – Branch is expected to play in Week 9.
Pat Chung (DB) – Questionable (knee) – Chung was back at practice and should start in Week 9. He has been a nice IDP pick-up this season.
Fred Taylor (RB) – Out (toe) – Taylor has been ruled out for Week 9. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead will carry the load again this week.
Oakland Raiders
Zach Miller (TE) – Doubtful (foot) – Despite saying he would play, it looks like Miller will be out for Week 9.
Nnamdi Asomugha (DB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Asomugha will most likely not play in Week 9. This should give Dwayne Bowe a nice boost this week.
Louis Murphy (WR) – Out (chest) – Murphy will miss at least 2 weeks with a chest contusion near his lung. Murphy is droppable in 10 and 12 team leagues. Rookie Jacoby Ford will replace him, but is not a recommended pick-up.
Bruce Gradkowski (QB) – Questionable (shoulder) – Gradkowski did some light work on Friday, but is not expected to start in Week 9. Jason Campbell will get the start.
St. Louis Rams
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Baltimore Ravens
Donte’ Stallworth (WR) – Probable (foot) – Stallworth will play in Week 9 and will effectively kill what was left of T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s fantasy value.
Washington Indigenous People of North America
Chris Cooley (TE) – Questionable (foot) – Cooley should be fine for Week 10.
Ryan Torain (RB) – Questionable (hamstring) – It is not yet known if Torain will be available in Week 10. I hope you sold high.
Clinton Portis (RB) – Out (Groin) – Portis may be available for Week 10. The Washington backfield is about to get messy. Stay tuned.
New Orleans Saints
Chris Ivory (RB) – Probable (concussion) – Ivory has been practicing in full and should be ready to go for Week 9.
Pierre Thomas (RB) – Out (knee) – Thomas back in a walking boot and back on crutches. He is almost certainly out until at least Week 10.
Reggie Bush (RB) – Doubtful (leg) – Bush will most likely be inactive for Week 9.
Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck (QB) – Out (concussion) – Hasselbeck has been ruled out for Week 9 and will be replaced by Charlie Whitehurst against the Giants. If you have the Giants defense, make sure you start them this week.
Golden Tate (WR) – Out (ankle) – Tate will not play in Week 9.
Pittsburgh Steelers
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Houston Texans
Owen Daniels (TE) – Questionable (knee) – Daniels will be a game-time decision for Week 9. You may want to go check if Jacob Tamme is still available in your league.
Tennessee Titans
Kenny Britt (WR) – Out (hamstring) – Britt is out at least 4 weeks, and it could be as long as 8 weeks, with a hamstring injury. He’s worth dropping in all leagues except Dynasty and Keeper leagues at this point.
Justin Gage (WR) – Out (hamstring) – Gage is expected to return in Week 10 and will line up opposite Randy Moss.
Minnesota Vikings
Brett Favre (QB) – Probable (ankle, elbow, text messages) – Favre practiced in full on Friday and will be ready start in Week 9.
Sidney Rice (WR) – Out (hip) – Rice has been increasing his activity and may be ready to go as soon as next week. Stay tuned.
Percy Harvin (WR) – Questionable (ankle) – Harvin will be a game-time decision in Week 9, but Coach Childress said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Harvin was able to play. He makes a risky start.
The Fantasy Dick is the brains behind www.thefantasydick.com and can be followed on Twitter at @thefantasydick. Feel free to ask any fantasy sports related questions or just questions about life in general, The Fantasy Dick is an expert at both.
