NFL Fantasy Football: Week 9 injury report
By Dan Thomas
We are supplying information on the latest and most important injuries across the NFL and letting you know how it could affect your fantasy football team.
Quarterbacks
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is listed as questionable.
The Spin: Big Ben is as tough as they come and he should play in this one. Even though he’s at less than 100% his presence is a boost for the players around him.
Chiefs QB Alex Smith is listed as out.
The Spin: Smith is either out with a concussion or out without a concussion? Who knows but either way Nick Foles will be starting. Foles actually doesn’t mind taking shots down the field so this actually might be an upgrade for players like Jeremy Maclin and Tyreek Hill.
Running Backs
Chiefs RB Spencer Ware is listed as out.
The Spin: With Ware out, Charcandrick West will carry the load. He might be the Chiefs third-string running back but Andy Reid should have no problem getting him 18+ touches.
Lions RB Theo Riddick is listed as questionable.
The Spin: The Lions are just managing his reps and he’s going to play this week. Be sure to plug him in fantasy lineups as a RB2.
Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon is listed as questionable.
The Spin: It’s almost a certainty McKinnon is playing but should be in a timeshare with Matt Asiata. The timeshare isn’t the biggest concern for McKinnon but instead, the Vikings putrid offensive line is. He’s a RB3.
49ers RB Carlos Hyde is listed as questionable.
The Spin: Hyde is a true game-time decision and could miss this game. If he’s active, the matchup is too good to bench him. However, owners need to have a backup plan just in case he can’t go.
Bills RB LeSean McCoy is listed as questionable.
The Spin: McCoy will be playing on Monday Night Football. He will be playing against Seattle on the road at less than 100%. This makes him more of a RB1/2 instead of a top-five RB.
Wide Receivers
Raiders WR Amari Cooper is listed as questionable.
The Spin: There’s no reason to believe he’ll miss this game. Due to the matchup against Denver’s defense owners should keep expectations tempered.
Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. is listed as questionable.
The Spin: He practice in full on Friday and he’s playing.
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is listed as questionable.
The Spin: He’s playing and he needs to be in starting lineups if you own him.
Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin is listed as questionable.
The Spin: Maclin should be good to go in this game and with six teams on a bye week, he’s a reasonable WR3.
Dolphins WR DeVante Parker is listed as questionable.
The Spin: He’s playing and he has a good matchup against the Jets. He should be viewed as boom-or-bust WR3/4.
Packers WR Randall Cobb is listed as questionable.
The Spin: Cobb missed last week’s game and it appears he’s going to miss this game too. If he ends up being active, he needs to be started. Yet, owners need to have a backup plan ready.
Chargers WR Tyrell Williams is listed as questionable.
The Spin: Williams is playing and he’s a solid WR2/3.
Chargers WR Travis Benjamin is listed as questionable.
The Spin: He’s more than likely going to play. With that said, he’s going to be less than 100% and carries a ton of risk.
Tight Ends
Colts TE Dwayne Allen is questionable to play.
The Spin: He’ll return after missing some time with an injury. Even with a week with so many good tight ends on a bye week, Allen should not be in starting lineups.
Titans TE Delanie Walker is listed as questionable.
The Spin: Walker is a true-game time decision. Owners need to have a backup plan but keep in mind the Titans do play at 4:25.
Chargers TE Hunter Henry is listed as out.
The Spin: With Hunter out, Antonio Gates will get all the tight end snaps and routes to himself.
Next: Fantasy Football: Week 9 DraftKings and FanDuel Advice
DFS Nuggets
The Cowboys defense will be without both cornerback Morris Claiborne and safety Barry Church. This is an upgrade for Terrelle Pryor. It’s also a big upgrade for rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman who is playing for the first time since Week 2.
The Colts defense is already without Mike Adams but also could be without their best CB Vontae Davis. Aaron Rodgers and company should feast on Sunday.