Week 9 left fantasy managers scrambling once again as several key contributors across all positions were sidelined. From Jayden Daniels’ elbow injury to Puka Nacua’s chest issue, the hits just keep coming. Let’s break down the biggest names and what their absences could mean moving forward.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones, RB – Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Right shoulder (AC sprain)
Projected Return: Week 10–11
Impact: Jones exited the Vikings’ 27–24 win over Detroit in the third quarter with a shoulder injury after racking up 98 total yards on 11 touches. Early reports suggest a mild AC sprain, and the team is optimistic he’ll avoid a multi-week absence. If he’s sidelined, Jordan Mason would take over as lead back and should see the bulk of early-down work. Mason has flashed upside this season, including a 116-yard, two-touchdown performance back in Week 3.
Fantasy Take: Jones managers should monitor practice reports closely, but Mason is worth a short-term pickup. He’d carry Flex-to-RB2 value if Jones misses even a single game
Samaje Perine, RB – Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: High ankle sprain (right)
Projected Return: Week 11–13
Impact: Perine exited the Bengals’ 47–42 loss to the Bears with an apparent ankle injury and did not return. He’d been gaining momentum with 16 carries across Weeks 7 and 8, including a 94-yard, one-touchdown effort the week prior. If Perine misses time, Chase Brown is expected to see even more work.
Fantasy Take: Brown should be rostered everywhere. He profiles as a strong Flex option in the short term with RB2 upside if the workload sticks.
Ollie Gordon, RB – Miami Dolphins
Injury: Ankle sprain
Projected Return: Week 10–12
Impact: Gordon left Thursday night’s matchup against Baltimore after a defender rolled up on his leg during a blocking assignment. He was able to walk off under his own power but did not return. Initial reports suggest the injury is minor and that he could have re-entered if needed, though there’s still concern for a possible high ankle sprain. If Gordon misses time, De’Von Achane would be the lone healthy back and see a major uptick in touches.
Fantasy Take: Gordon has been serving as De’Von Achane’s primary backup, so his absence would consolidate the workload even more heavily toward Achane. Expect Achane to see an increase in touches and goal-line work if Gordon misses time, giving him top-tier RB1 upside
Wide Receivers
Puka Nacua, WR – Los Angeles Rams
Injury: Chest / ribs
Projected Return: Week 10–11
Impact: Nacua exited Sunday’s matchup after taking a hard shot to the midsection and did not return. The injury appeared to involve his chest or ribs, and while he tried to loosen up on the sideline, the Rams ultimately kept him out — potentially out of caution with the game already decided. Early reports suggest a rib or costocartilage sprain rather than anything structural, but his ability to breathe and move comfortably will determine his availability.
Fantasy Take: If Nacua misses time, Davante Adams would be in line for added targets, with Kyren Williams likely absorbing more short-area looks. Nacua managers should monitor practice participation midweek, but optimism remains for a short recovery window.
Kayshon Boutte, WR – New England Patriots
Injury: Hamstring strain
Projected Return: Week 11–13
Impact: Boutte exited Sunday’s game early after pulling up on a route, ending his breakout streak of four touchdowns over his previous three games. Hamstring injuries can vary in severity, but early indications suggest he’ll miss multiple weeks. In his absence, expect Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, and Hunter Henry to continue leading the Patriots’ passing attack, with Jaheim Bell potentially seeing more opportunities in the slot.
Fantasy Take: Boutte’s emergence made him a popular waiver pickup, but managers should prepare for a short-term replacement. Unless he’s confirmed for a quick recovery, he’s droppable in shallow formats and best stashed only in deeper leagues.
Matthew Golden, WR – Green Bay Packers
Injury: Shoulder sprain
Projected Return: Week 10–11
Impact: Golden left Sunday’s 16–13 loss to the Bears with a shoulder injury and did not return. Early reports suggest a mild sprain, but the team has yet to specify whether it’s an AC or general joint issue. With Tucker Kraft already sidelined and Jayden Reed still working back from injury, Golden’s absence could leave Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs as the primary passing options for Jordan Love.
Fantasy Take: Golden’s timeline appears short-term, but he’ll need at least a few full practices before returning to lineups. Watson and Doubs get a small target bump in the meantime, while Golden can be safely benched until he’s cleared for contact.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR – Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Left ankle sprain (possible high ankle)
Projected Return: Week 11–13
Impact: Thomas left Sunday’s overtime loss after a defender rolled up on his ankle, appearing to suffer a high ankle sprain. He briefly tried to return but was visibly limited when attempting to cut and push off, leading the team to hold him out for the remainder of the game. If imaging confirms a high ankle sprain, a multi-week absence is likely. Parker Washington is expected to see increased targets while he’s sidelined.
Fantasy Take: Thomas has been trending upward as a red-zone threat, but high ankle injuries are tough for receivers to bounce back from quickly. He’s best stashed on the bench or IR, while Washington becomes a must-add waiver option.
Dyami Brown, WR – Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return: Week 11
Impact: Brown exited the Jaguars’ 30–29 overtime win over the Raiders after sustaining a concussion and did not return. He’s averaged just under a 12% target share this season, but his absence — paired with Brian Thomas Jr.’s ankle injury — leaves a major gap in Jacksonville’s receiving corps. Parker Washington stepped up with eight catches for 90 yards in Week 9 and is likely to remain heavily involved if Brown can’t clear protocol.
Fantasy Take: Players typically miss at least one game following a concussion, so expect Brown to sit in Week 10. Washington should be rostered in all leagues as a short-term WR3/Flex with volume-driven upside.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft, TE – Green Bay Packers
Injury: Right knee (concern for ACL/MCL tear)
Projected Return: TBD — feared season-ending
Impact: Kraft went down awkwardly in Sunday’s loss and was carted off after trainers immediately called for assistance. The team has expressed serious concern for an ACL tear, and video analysis supports that possibility, showing his knee buckling inward while his foot remained planted — a classic non-contact ACL mechanism. Kraft had been the TE2 in PPR formats from Weeks 1–8, emerging as one of the league’s biggest fantasy surprises. His loss leaves a major void in Green Bay’s offense. Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick will rotate at tight end, though neither brings Kraft’s athleticism or route-running impact.
Fantasy Take: Fantasy managers should prepare for Kraft to be out for the season. Musgrave is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues, but expect Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Josh Jacobs to see the largest share of redistributed targets moving forward.
Cole Kmet, TE – Chicago Bears
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return: Week 11
Impact: Kmet exited the Bears’ 47–42 win over Cincinnati after sustaining a concussion, paving the way for Colston Loveland to erupt for six catches, 118 yards, and two touchdowns. Even before the injury, Loveland had begun to outpace Kmet in routes and usage, signaling a potential shift in Chicago’s tight end hierarchy. With Kmet likely to miss Week 10 as he works through concussion protocol, Loveland should continue to handle primary receiving duties.
Fantasy Take: Kmet’s fantasy relevance appears to be fading fast. Loveland is a must-add in all formats and projects as a back-end TE1 while Kmet remains sidelined — and possibly beyond if the usage trend sticks.
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels, QB – Washington Commanders
Injury: Left elbow dislocation (possible UCL tear)
Projected Return: TBD — likely out for season
Impact: Daniels suffered a gruesome left elbow injury late in Sunday’s blowout loss, landing awkwardly as he tried to brace his fall. Initial evaluations point to a dislocation with potential UCL damage and possible nerve involvement. Fortunately, it’s his non-throwing arm, which could spare him from Tommy John surgery, but even with that advantage, a season-ending designation remains the most realistic outcome. Marcus Mariota will step in at quarterback, a significant downgrade for Washington’s offensive weapons and fantasy outlook.
Fantasy Take: Daniels had been a dynamic QB1 thanks to his rushing upside, so his loss is a major blow for fantasy managers. Mariota is a short-term QB2 option in superflex formats, but expect a notable dip in production for the receivers moving forward.
C.J. Stroud, QB – Houston Texans
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return: Week 11
Impact: Stroud exited Houston’s 18–15 loss to the Broncos after sustaining a concussion in the second half and did not return. Davis Mills took over and completed 17-of-30 passes for 137 yards but failed to generate much offensive rhythm. Given standard league protocol, Stroud is likely to miss at least one game while progressing through concussion protocol.
Fantasy Take: Expect Mills to start in Week 11 against Jacksonville unless Stroud clears early. Mills offers little fantasy appeal outside of deeper superflex formats, while Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz take a slight hit in upside if Stroud sits.
