Week 9 Injury Updates: Lamar Jackson Return & Fantasy Adjustments

Major Week 9 Injury News

Week 9 brings crucial injury updates that will significantly impact fantasy lineups and trade markets. Lamar Jackson's expected return headlines a week filled with key player movements across the league.

Quarterback Injury Updates

Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

Status: Expected to Return Week 9 Injury: Non-throwing shoulder (missed Week 8) Week 9 Matchup: vs Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy Impact:

• ✅ Jackson Owners: Activate immediately - high ceiling against Cardinals
• ✅ Ravens Pass-Catchers: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman all get boost
• ✅ Ravens RBs: Gus Edwards and Justice Hill see improved efficiency with Jackson back

Start/Sit Advice:

• Start: Lamar Jackson (QB1), Zay Flowers (WR2), Mark Andrews (TE1)
• Consider: Justice Hill (flex option in PPR)

Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars

Status: Questionable Week 9 Injury: Knee sprain Week 9 Matchup: vs San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy Impact:

• ⚠️ If Lawrence plays: Limited mobility, potential for reduced rushing
• ⚠️ If Lawrence sits: C.J. Beathard severely hurts all Jaguars weapons
• ⚠️ Affected Players: Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram, Travis Etienne all lose value

Trade Advice: Sell Jaguars players while there's still optimism about Lawrence's return.

Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts

Status: IRR (Out until at least Week 11) Injury: Shoulder sprain Week 9 Matchup: vs Detroit Lions

Fantasy Impact:

• ❌ Gardner Minshew: Safe but limited upside
• ❌ Josh Downs: Still viable WR3/4 in PPR
• ❌ Jonathan Taylor: Value maintained - Colts committed to run game

Wide Receiver Injury Updates

Puka Nacua - Los Angeles Rams

Status: Week-to-Week (Week 9 Doubtful) Injury: Oblique strain Week 9 Matchup: @ Green Bay Packers

Fantasy Impact:

• ⚠️ Demarcus Robinson: Steps in as WR2/3
• ⚠️ Cooper Kupp: Sees increased target share (already elite)
• ⚠️ Matthew Stafford: May look elsewhere more often

Replacement Options: Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek - avoid if possible

Drake London - Atlanta Falcons

Status: Questionable Week 9 Injury: Hip pointer Week 9 Matchup: vs Minnesota Vikings

Fantasy Impact:

• ⚠️ If London plays: May be limited, reduced deep threat ability
• ⚠️ If London sits: Kyle Pitts, Mack Hollins see increased targets
• ⚠️ Desmond Ridder: Already struggling, loses security blanket

Waiver Wire Pickup: Mack Hollins if London sits

Running Back Injury Updates

Joe Mixon - Cincinnati Bengals

Status: Questionable Week 9 Injury: Ankle sprain Week 9 Matchup: vs Buffalo Bills

Fantasy Impact:

• ⚠️ If Mixon plays: Likely limited carries, goal-line work uncertain
• ⚠️ If Mixon sits: Chase Brown becomes startable RB2
• ⚠️ Bengals Offense: May lean more heavily on Joe Burrow's arm

Handcuff Priority: Chase Brown (must-own if you have Mixon)

Travis Etienne - Jacksonville Jaguars

Status: Questionable Week 9 Injury: Quadriceps Week 9 Matchup: vs San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy Impact:

• ⚠️ If Etienne plays: May share carries with Tank Bigsby
• ⚠️ If Etienne sits: Bigsby becomes high-upside RB2
• ⚠️ Jaguars Offense: Already struggling with Lawrence injury

Handcuff Priority: Tank Bigsby (worth add even if Etienne plays)

Tight End Injury Updates

Mark Andrews - Baltimore Ravens

Status: Expected to Play Week 9 Injury: Ankle (managing through) Week 9 Matchup: vs Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy Impact:

• ✅ With Jackson back: Andrews returns to TE1 status
• ✅ Target Share: Should see 8+ targets against Cardinals
• ✅ Red Zone Work: Primary goal-line target for Ravens

Start Recommendation: Must-start as top-5 TE this week

Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills

Status: Questionable Week 9 Injury: Hamstring Week 9 Matchup: @ Cincinnati Bengals

Fantasy Impact:

• ⚠️ If Kincaid plays: May be on snap count
• ⚠️ If Kincaid sits: Dawson Knox becomes streamer option
• ⚠️ Josh Allen: May target WRs more frequently

Stream Option: Dawson Knox if Kincaid out (TE2 streamer)

Week 9 Strategy Adjustments

Priority Adds Before Week 9

1. Justice Hill - Ravens RB (if Jackson returns)
2. Chase Brown - Bengals RB (if Mixon limited/out)
3. Tank Bigsby - Jaguars RB (if Etienne limited/out)
4. Dawson Knox - Bills TE (if Kincaid out)

Trade Targets

Buy Low:

• Jaguars Weapons - Managers panic-selling with Lawrence injury
• Ravens Players - Still discounted from Jackson's absence

Sell High:

• Bengals RBs - Value peaked with Mixon uncertainty
• Backup RBs - Clear starters returning from injury

Waiver Wire Priority Order

1. Chase Brown (Bengals RB)
2. Tank Bigsby (Jaguars RB)
3. Justice Hill (Ravens RB)
4. Dawson Knox (Bills TE)
5. Mack Hollins (Falcons WR)

Lineup Decision Matrix

Tough Calls This Week

Lamar Jackson vs. Top QBs:

• ✅ Start Jackson over everyone except Allen, Hurts
• ✅ Ceiling: 30+ fantasy points possible against Cardinals

Ravens Stack Strategy:

• ✅ Jackson + Andrews + Flowers - high correlation
• ✅ GPP/Tournament: Stack with multiple Ravens

Jaguars Players:

• ❌ Avoid Ridley, Engram, Etienne unless Lawrence confirmed active
• ❌ If Lawrence out: Bench all Jaguars except possibly Etienne

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