The NFL kicks off Week 9 this evening, and we get a big NFC West matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona. Thursday Night Football has brought some crazy NFC West finishes, so this should be a good one to watch.

We had some fantasy football injury questions coming out of the final injury report, but it appears we’re getting some answers. David Johnson will not play, which means Kenyan Drake is in line for a heavy workload. Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert appear on track to play, but likely will remain behind Tevin Coleman in the 49ers pecking order.

Inactives are due at 6:50 p.m., but there will be news earlier in the day as we prepare for the game. If you’re trying to figure out your fantasy football lineups, this information is critical to getting the right players in the right spots. There’s plenty of time for the rest of your fantasy lineups, but many of us have some last minutes decisions to make on Thursday evening. And if you’re looking to play some DraftKings Showdown, make sure and combine this info with our last minute strategy piece.

We’ll provide updates on injuries, key start/sit decisions, and more leading up to the 8:20 p.m. kickoff.

Cardinals right tackle Justin Murray out

The Cardinals have deactivated right tackle Justin Murray and moved Justin Pugh over from guard to tackle to replace him. This is Pugh’s first game at tackle since his Giants days (2013-2017). This makes life a little more difficult for Kyler Murray, and certainly doesn’t improve the ground opportunities for Kenyan Drake.

Marquise Goodwin a surprise inactive for 49ers

The trade for Emmanuel Sanders is having ripple effects on the 49ers wide receiver depth. veteran Marquise Goodwin is a healthy scratch. That leaves Sanders, Deebo Samuel, and Dante Pettis as the three primary options. Kendrick Bourne and Richie James will also see looks. Sanders is the only one with consistent fantasy value for now.

Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert ACTIVE for Week 9

No surprise from the 49ers as running backs Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert are active for Thursday Night Football. Tevin Coleman will get the start at running back, with Breida as the primary backup. Mostert will get some work as will Jeff Wilson, Coleman and Breida are the two best fantasy options. Breida is a step below Coleman, but still solid against the Cardinals.

David Johnson INACTIVE for Week 9

As expected, Cardinals running back David Johnson will not play on Thursday Night Football in Week 9. He and Chase Edmonds will not be playing. That leaves Kenyan Drake, Zach Zenner, and Alfred Morris as the primary backs. Drake seems the safe bet to get most of the work tonight. He’s not a great start given the nature of the 49ers defense, but there’s some volume potential at least.

Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert expected to play

Breida (ankle) and Mostert (knee) were listed as questionable on the final injury report. Thursday afternoon, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Breida felt good this morning and is going to play tonight. Adam Schefter followed up by saying Mostert will play as well.

If both backs are active tonight, Breida is the better fantasy option as he is ahead of Mostert on the depth chart behind Tevin Coleman. That being said, Breida is a risky start. This is a solid matchup for the 49ers running backs, but Breida’s recent history has featured repeated aggravations of ankle injuries. He’s a strong start this week if healthy, but be wary with the injury.

David Johnson not expected to play

Early Thursday morning, Adam Schefter reported that Johnson is not expected to play in Thursday Night Football. Johnson missed last week with an ankle injury, but unlike Chase Edmonds, was not ruled out for Week 9 when the final injury report came out. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he would be a game-time decision. It would appear things did not come around as hoped. In the absence of Johnson and Edmonds, recently acquired Kenyan Drake is likely to get the start. Zach Zenner and Alfred Morris will probably get some work, but Drake is likely to be the primary back on Thursday.