Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NFL season. For worried fantasy managers or opportunistic DFS players, they can make or break your entire lineup. What could have been a relaxing weekend can suddenly turn into hours of scrolling social media for any breaking news.
Luckily, DraftKings Network has you covered. Tune in to DraftKings Sportsbook analyst Steve Buchanan (@SBuchanan24) and NFL guru Meghan Townsley (@mtownsleyy) on Injury Report Live, streaming every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on DKN X and DK Instagram!
The pair will react to the latest injury updates, analyze the juiciest matchups of the week, and discuss their favorite DFS and season-long fantasy plays before Sunday’s NFL action kicks off.
If you missed Friday’s full show, no worries! Here’s what you need to know before setting your lineups:
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals – 1:00 PM EST
CIN WR Tee Higgins (quad)
The 3-5 Bengals are a difficult group to figure out, but one thing is clear: they are a different team when Tee Higgins is playing. After last Sunday’s 37-17 loss to the Eagles, Cincinnati is now 0-3 this season when their star wideout isn’t in the lineup. Entering a home game against the Raiders, will the former Pro Bowler return to action this Sunday? A doubtful injury designation on Friday suggests that won’t be the case.
- Meghan and Steve both love Mike Gesicki ($3,100) this week. Against the Eagles last week, he caught seven of eight targets for 73 yards. In three games without Higgins, the tight end is averaging 12.7 DK fantasy points.
- Running back Zack Moss (neck) is doubtful to play Sunday, which could make Chase Brown ($5,900) a good play this week. However, the second-year back’s price is likely to skyrocket over the next few days.
See their full analysis here:
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – 1:00 PM EST
NO QB Derek Carr (oblique)
It’s been all downhill for the Saints this season without Derek Carr. After their starting quarterback suffered an oblique injury during Week 5’s game against the Chiefs, New Orleans has suffered three straight blowout losses. Although Carr told the media this week that he’s ‘no savior,’ fans are hoping an anemic passing game shows some signs of life after the past month under rookie QB Spencer Rattler. A date with the Panthers and their vulnerable secondary makes for an ideal return for the eleven-year veteran.
- The Saints need Carr back badly; the team has scored a total of 18 points in their past two games. The former Pro Bowler was taken off the injury report on Friday.
- Carolina’s secondary has been abysmal. This season, the Panthers are giving up 7.8 yards per pass attempt, last in the NFL. That should mean plenty of deep shots for the Saints’ offense.
- Carr’s return could elevate wide receiver Chris Olave ($6,100) back to fantasy WR1 status.
See their full analysis here:
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens – 1:00 PM EST
BAL QB Lamar Jackson (back/knee)
After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Lamar Jackson’s status for Week 9 has been up in the air. While the Ravens called the quarterback’s first missed practice a rest day, two straight DNP’s is never a great sign. This Sunday’s date with a fearsome Broncos defense only increases the magnitude of the MVP candidate’s health status.
- Although Jackson was taken off the injury report on Friday, neither Steve and Meghan are rushing to add any quarterback dealing with multiple injuries.
- The Ravens offensive line gave up a season-high 18 pressures against the Browns last week. That’s a recipe for disaster against an even better Broncos defensive line.
See their full analysis here:
- Meghan is considering fading all of Baltimore’s wide receivers due to Denver’s terrific secondary.
- New acquisition Diontae Johnson ($6,300) could be in line for a classic let-down spot in his first game with the Ravens.
See their full analysis here:
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans – 1:00 PM EST
NE QB Drake Maye (concussion)
After waiting weeks for him to play, Patriots fans have already fallen in love with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Unfortunately, they might have to wait some more before they see him play again. The North Carolina product left last Sunday’s game against the Jets after a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter. Now, with their face of the franchise in concussion protocol, veteran backup Jacoby Brissett ($5,000) might start in Week 9 against the Titans.
- Brissett is averaging an atrocious 8.4 DK fantasy points per game this season.
- Considering New England is at the bottom of the AFC East, Steve doesn’t expect to see Maye rushed back into action.
- After Maye left the game against the Jets, all three of New England’s touchdowns came on the ground. That could mean more work for Rhamondre Stevenson ($6,300) and Antonio Gibson ($5,100) against a solid Tennessee defense.
See their full analysis here:
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – 1:00 PM EST
BUF WR Amari Cooper (wrist)
There’s already multiple issues for Amari Cooper after just two games in Buffalo. The newly acquired Bills wideout hasn’t made much of an impact since being traded by the Browns, recording a combined five catches for 69 yards with his new team. To make matters worse, the former Pro Bowler is now dealing with a wrist injury that could sideline him against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Can we expect Cooper to play this week? Even if he does, will the Bills give him an increased workload? Meghan (@mtownsleyy) and Steve (@SBuchanan24) discussed Buffalo’s passing game on Friday’s edition of Injury Report Live:
- Meghan believes that quarterback Josh Allen ($7,700) loves to distribute his targets, which makes relying on a single Buffalo receiver tricky. She’s leaning towards Khalil Shakir ($5,900) over Cooper ($5,800) even if he’s healthy.
- Rookie wideout Keon Coleman ($5,400) is another name to watch. He’s put up 37.5 DK fantasy points over the past two weeks.
See their full analysis here:
Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles – 4:05 PM EST
JAX WR Brian Thomas Jr. (ribs) & RB Travis Etienne (hamstring)
Just when things couldn’t get worse for the two-win Jaguars, the team lost wide receiver Christian Kirk for the rest of the season with a collar bone injury. That would normally mean more production for rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr., but he’s banged up after suffering a hit to the chest last week against the Packers. While the team could welcome back running back Travis Etienne Jr. this weekend, the injuries are piling up for the Jags.
- Jacksonville will likely be playing from behind, as the Eagles are favored by 7.5 points. That should mean plenty of production for the pass catchers that do play this week.
- Evan Engram ($5,300) is well-positioned for a big game, as he’s usually produced in games that Kirk doesn’t play in. Steve is surprised at the tight end’s relatively low cost, which could skyrocket over the weekend.
See their full analysis here:
- Backup running back Tank Bigsby ($6,200) had a good, not great day in Green Bay, putting up 10.6 DK fantasy points. Steve is surprised at how expensive he is going into a game that might not see many Jacksonville rush attempts.
- Etienne Jr.’s ($5,900) price is even more confusing, as he might not see many carries out of the backfield. Both Jaguars running backs are a stay away this week.
See their full analysis here:
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – 4:25 PM EST
GB QB Jordan Love (groin)
In a battle for NFC North supremacy, the health of Jordan Love ($7,000) remains the biggest wildcard. Green Bay’s quarterback suffered a groin injury during last week’s win over the Jaguars, raising doubts over his availability for Sunday’s game against the Lions. While the signal caller did return to practice on Thursday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has implied that he will be a game-time decision. Although the team won two straight games without Love earlier in the year, he’ll be needed if the Pack have any shot at upsetting the class of the NFC.
- Meghan doesn’t think backup Malik Willis ($5,500) would tank the value of Green Bay’s wideouts. Counting last week, when he came into the game in relief of Love, Willis is 3-0 as a starter with three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions.
- Jayden Reed ($6,400) might be due for a big game, as the Lions give up plenty of yards to slot receivers. Despite his cheaper price, Romeo Doubs ($5,700) is a more difficult player to back this week due to his boom-or-bust production.
See their full analysis here:
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks – 4:25 PM EST
LAR WR Puka Nacua (knee)
The Rams received a scare on Thursday, as wide receiver Puka Nacua exited practice with a knee injury. On Saturday, The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that Nacua is expected to play this week, but his workload will be something to monitor. Assuming the second-year pro is active vs. the Seahawks, will he be the same target monster fantasy managers are accustomed to?
- Meghan would rather pay for a receiver like DeVonta Smith ($6,800) at a cheaper cost this week instead of a banged-up Nacua ($7,200).
- If you’re looking for a Rams receiver that isn’t Puka or Cooper Kupp ($7,700), Steve would lean towards Demarcus Robinson ($4,800) over Tutu Atwell ($4,700).
See their full analysis here:
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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