We escaped what was a savage Week 9 without any major injuries but there were still enough minor ailments that fantasy football managers should take note of. There are also some key contributors who could be nearing a comeback and their status will need to be monitored all week.
It’s hard to believe that we are now in double-digit weeks, but we must push forward. Here are the key injuries to be aware of ahead of Week 10 of the 2021 fantasy football season.
Week 10 NFL byes: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New York Giants
Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals – Murray (ankle) was close to playing last week but the Cardinals elected to proceed with caution. We’ll monitor Murray’s ankle this week but it seems like he should be good to go at home against the Panthers. We might see fewer runs, so expectations should be a bit tempered but as long as Murray is back under center he needs to be started in fantasy lineups.
Aaron Rodgers (QB) Green Bay Packers – After the week Rodgers had, fantasy managers should likely proceed with caution. Rodgers missed last week on the reserve/COVID list and isn’t eligible to come off until Saturday. All expectations are that Rodgers will be under center for the Packers but it could be a bumpy week with a lack of practice reps, possibly physical limitations, and distractions from the media. Green Bay’s matchup is great at home versus Seattle, but it would be advisable to proceed with caution, here.
Deandre Hopkins (WR) Arizona Cardinals – Still without a game with 90-plus receiving yards all season, the Cardinals rested their star wideout in Week9. Hopkins has been limited by a hamstring injury since Week 7 and the hope is that a full week off to rest will allow Hopkins to get closer to 100%. As long as he’s in the lineup, Nuk needs to be treated as a WR1, even against a solid Carolina secondary.
Nick Chubb (RB) Cleveland Browns – Chubb and Demetric Felton both tested positive for COVID-19, leaving D’Ernest Johnson as the only healthy halfback in Cleveland. Since Chubb and Felton are reportedly both vaccinated, they could both still be eligible to play in Week 10 provided they test negative for the virus in consecutive days before Sunday. If Chubb ends up missing Week 10, fire up Johnson as an RB2 in New England.
James Robinson (RB) Jacksonville Jaguars – After sitting out Week 9, Robinson is tentatively expected to be back in Jacksonville’s starting lineup in Indianapolis. Robinson took the field during warmups before Week 9 but was quickly ruled out. Provided there are no setbacks and Robinson is able to take his full workload, he’ll be a borderline RB1 against Indy’s shaky defense.
Damien Harris (RB) New England Patriots – Harris suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter of New England’s Week 9 victory and did not return. Both Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson were forced from the game, but no details have emerged on the severity of their injuries or if they’re in the league’s protocol, which is unlikely.
Chris Carson (RB) Seattle Seahawks – Carson (neck) hasn’t played since Week 4 but is expected to return to practice this week. Pete Carroll listed Carson as day-to-day but Carson will likely be very limited in practice or participate in a ‘no contact’ jersey. Consider Carson very questionable for this week’s trip to Green Bay, but he’s trending in the right direction.
David Montgomery (RB) Chicago Bears – It was a bit of a surprise to see Montgomery back on the field after missing a month. The Bears are on bye this week and could have been expected to rest their starting back another two weeks. However, Montgomery absorbed 15 of the club’s 19 RB touches in Monday’s loss and looked just fine. Expect that kind of usage moving forward, as Montgomery looked just fine.
Allen Robinson (WR) Chicago Bears – A-Rob reportedly tweaked his hamstring late in Monday’s loss at Pittsburgh. Robinson has been largely invisible in Chicago’s ailing passing attack but started to show a little promise in the second half. We’ll update Robinson’s status in Discord.
Corey Davis (WR) New York Jets – Before being felled by a hip injury in Week 7, Davis was averaging seven targets per game for the Jets. With all the positive game scripts the Jets will see, Davis can be a solid WR3/4 once he’s back on the field, which should be this week against the Bills.
Latavius Murray (RB) Baltimore Ravens – Murray hasn’t suited up since hurting his ankle in Week 6. With the Ravens traveling to Miami to face a desolate Dolphins squad on short rest, there is likely little chance that Murray will suit up this week. Expect the Ravens to stick with a rotation led by Devonta Freeman with Le’Veon Bell also sprinkled in.
Sam Darnold (QB) Carolina Panthers – Darnold has been dealing with a shoulder injury and concussion and has looked awful for a month. Last week was rock bottom for Darnold, who tossed three interceptions and hasn’t thrown for a touchdown since Week 6. Don’t expect things to get much better for the Panthers in Week 10, traveling to Arizona to face the 8-1 Cardinals. Carolina would be better off sitting Darnold at this point for P.J. Walker and fantasy managers would be advised to steer clear, even in Superflex formats.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB) Miami Dolphins – A surprising finger injury popped up and kept Tagovailoa out of Miami’s Week 9 victory over Houston. The Dolphins turn around on short rest and host Baltimore on Thursday, so there’s not much time for the second-year signal-caller to get right. However, Tua was able to participate in walkthroughs on Monday. Still, a limited quarterback on short rest isn’t exactly a safe bet, so Tagovailoa should only be considered in Superflex leagues if he’s cleared to play in Week 10.
Zach Wilson (QB) New York Jets – Robert Saleh indicated that Wilson (knee) would not return to the lineup until he is clearly 100%, which could be another week or two away. It looks like Mike White will get to start this week against an angry Bills team, provided that White is healthy after missing a big chunk of last Thursday’s game in Indianapolis with an arm ailment.
Tevin Coleman (RB) New York Jets – Coleman has missed time with a hamstring injury but is expected to suit up this week. Considering how well Michael Carter and Ty Johnson have played with the extra snaps, it’s hard to see Coleman getting many opportunities in New York’s backfield.
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All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial start/sit and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates.
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