NFL Week 9 injury tracker: Latest updates on Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, several Bears defenders and others

Week 9 of the NFL is here, and there’s plenty of storylines regarding who will be in and out of the lineup on Sunday. 

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a bone bruise in practice and will be questionable for Sunday’s game. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t practice to start the week but said he’s ‘100%’ playing, while Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will have his status determined for the weekend. 

Below, you’ll find all the notable injury news on the final injury report. 

Note: Pittsburgh and San Francisco are on a bye in Week 9.

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Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons (-2.5)

• Cowboys: CB DaRon Bland (foot), LB Micah Parsons (ankle), DT Jordan Phillips (foot) OUT; CB Trevon Diggs (calf), DT Linval Joseph (back), LB Eric Kendricks (shoulder), G Zack Martin (shoulder), LB Nick Vigil (foot) QUESTIONABLE
• Falcons: LB JD Bertrand (concussion), DT Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) OUT; LB Troy Andersen (knee), G Chris Lindstrom (knee) QUESTIONABLE

The Cowboys won’t have Parsons again this week, along with Bland. Diggs did not practice all week, but Dallas gave him a questionable injury designation for Sunday. Diggs has a tear in his calf, but the Cowboys will see if he can give it a go. Martin and Kendricks were both limited Friday. 

Another light injury report for the Falcons, as Lindstrom was a full participant Friday despite the questionable designation. Safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) was not given an injury designation. 

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-6)

• Dolphins: TE Julian Hill (shoulder), Cb Kader Kohou (neck), DT Zach Sieler (eye) OUT; S Jevon Holland (hand/knee) DOUBTFUL; CB Storm Duck (ankle), WR River Cracraft (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
• Bills: FB Reggie Gilliam (hip) OUT; CB Christian Benford (wrist), WR Amari Cooper (wrist), WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral) QUESTIONABLE

Good news for the Dolphins, as wide receiver Tyreek Hill (foot) was a full participant in Friday’s practice and not given an injury designation. Tackle Terron Armstead (knee) was also a full participant. 

The Bills may not have Amari Cooper this week, as he was limited in practice Friday. Cooper will be a game-time decision, as the Bills depth at wide receiver will be severely tested, as they might have to elevate a wideout from the practice squad. 

Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-7)

• Raiders: C Andre James (ankle) OUT; G Dylan Parham (foot), LB Robert Spillane (knee), RB Zamir White (quad) QUESTIONABLE
• Bengals: T Orlando Brown Jr. (knee/fibula), RB Zack Moss (neck), WR Tee Higgins (quad) DOUBTFUL; WR Charlie Jones (groin), S Geno Stone (shin) QUESTIONABLE

For the Raiders, White appears set to play Sunday after being a full participant in practice. Defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle) did not participate in Friday’s practice, but was not given an injury designation. 

The Bengals had two late additions to the injury report, as Moss did not practice Friday and is doubtful to play. Chase Brown would be in line for the No. 1 duties at running back. Stone also did not practice Friday after being limited Thursday, while Higgins didn’t practice all week. 

Los Angeles Chargers (-2) at Cleveland Browns

• Chargers: CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring), WR Brenden Rice (shoulder) OUT; TE Stone Smartt (ankle) DOUBTFUL; OLB Joey Bosa (hip), WR D.J. Chark (groin), LB Denzel Perryman (toe) QUESTIONABLE
• Browns: LB Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) OUT; OLB Khaleke Hudson (ankle), CB Denzel Ward (concussion) QUESTIONABLE

Chark was a full participant in Friday’s practice for the Chargers, so it looks like he’ll be good for Sunday. Bosa was limited throughout the week. No injury designation for wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle). 

The Browns will have wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee), even though he was limited in Friday’s practice. Even though Ward is in the concussion protocol, he was limited on Friday and could be cleared in time for Sunday. 

New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)

• Patriots: QB Drake Maye (concussion), LB Christian Elliss (abdomen), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle/shoulder), DT Jaquelin Roy (neck), CB Alex Austin (ankle), S Kyle Dugger (ankle), OL Mike Jordan (ankle). LB Sione Takitaki (knee) QUESTIONABLE
• Titans: RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring), CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Andrew Rupcich OUT; QB Will Levis (right shoulder), RB Tony Pollard (foot), WR Tyler Boyd (shoulder), OT Dillon Radunz (foot), S Amani Hooker (groin), DT T’Vondre Sweat (hip), CB Tre Avery (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE

New England starting quarterback Drake Maye was a limited participant every day in practice this week, and if he can get cleared by an independent neurologist, he could play in Week 9. There’s a chance Tennessee could be without their top two running backs with Spears ruled out and Pollard not practicing all week. If Pollard can’t go, third-year undrafted running back Julius Chestnut would be the Titans starter. 

Washington Commanders (-3.5) at New York Giants

• Commanders: OT Cornelius Lucas (ankle) OUT; RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
• Giants: K Greg Joseph (abdomen), P Jamie Gillan (left hamstring) OUT; WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles) DOUBTFUL; LB Ty Summers (ankle) QUESTIONABLE

Robinson was a limited practice participant every day this week, and he is the midst of a career-year with six rushing touchdowns in seven games. Giants breakout running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. is out of concussion protocol. Undrafted rookie Jude McAtamney out of Rutgers will likely be elevated from the practice squad to fill in for Joseph as New York’s kicker. Eight-year NFL veteran Matt Haack will stand in for Gillan as the punter. 

New Orleans Saints (-7) at Carolina Panthers

• Saints: CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), RB Kendre Miller (hamstring), WR Bub Means (ankle), CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) OUT;  RB Jamaal Williams (groin) DOUBTFUL; CB Rico Payton (back), WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip), OL Nick Saldiveri (shoulder), C/G Shane Lemieux (knee), LB Nephi Sewell (knee), DT John Ridgeway (oblique) QUESTIONABLE
• Panthers: OT Ikem Ekwonu (ankle), TE Feleipe Franks (concussion), S Jammie Robinson (knee), OUT; WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), DT Jaden Crumedy (ankle), S Jordan Fuller (hamstring) DOUBTFUL; LB DJ Johnson (ankle), TE Tommy Tremble (back), RB Jonathon Brooks (knee), LB D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps), WR Xavier Legette (toe) QUESTIONABLE

The most notable part of the Saints injury report is who isn’t on it: quarterback Derek Carr. He will return to the lineup after missing the last three games with an oblique injury. Panthers rookie second-round pick running back Jonathon Brooks, the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, could make his NFL debut on Sunday after fully practicing every day this week. He is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in November of 2023 while playing for the University of Texas. 

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens (-9)

• Broncos: DE Brent Urban (concussion), RB Rasheen Ali (ankle) OUT; CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee), CB Marlon Humphrey (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), RB Keaton Mitchell (knee) QUESTIONABLE
• Ravens: DB P.J. Locke (thumb), S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) OUT

Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey could return to the lineup after missing Baltimore’s 29-24 upset loss in Week 8 at the Cleveland Browns. He practiced as a limited participant every day this week. The Broncos are one of the more healthy teams in the NFL with just two players ruled out and nobody listed as either doubtful or questionable. 

Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)

• Jaguars: OL Ezra Cleveland (ankle), WR Christian Kirk (collarbone), DT Maason Smith (ankle) OUT; RB Tank Bigsby (ankle), WR Gabe Davis (shoulder), RB Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), OL Brandon Scherff (knee), WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest), RB Keilan Robinson Toe), S Andrew Wingard (knee) QUESTIONABLE
• Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring), CB Darius Slay (groin) OUT

The Jaguars are banged up at running back heading into the week, as both Etienne and Bigsby were limited in Friday’s practice and are game-time decisions for Sunday. Thomas and Davis have also been limited all week and will be game-time decisions. Wide receiver Parker Washington and running back D’Ernest Johnson could be in line for a significant amount of snaps this week. 

Slay and Goedert did not practice all week for the Eagles, as Isaiah Rodgers will start at cornerback in place of Slay. Goedert will miss his third straight game. Right guard Mekhi Becton (concussion) has been cleared and will start this week. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith was excused for a personal day and was not given an injury designation. 

Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals (-1)

• Bears: OL Kiran Amegadjie (calf), DB Jaquan Brisker (concussion), OL Braxton Jones (knee); DL Montez Sweat (shin), OL Ryan Bates (shoulder), DB Kyler Gordon (hamstring), OL Teven Jenkins (knee), OL Larry Borom (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
• Cardinals: DL Darius Robinson (calf), OL Jonah Williams (knee) OUT; DL Naquan Jones (thigh), DL Roy Lopez (ankle)

The Bears still have Brisker in concussion protocol, so he’s out for Sunday. Sweat did not practice Friday, so he’ll be a game-time decision. Jenkins was limited Friday. 

The Cardinals have a light injury report this week, but Williams is out with a knee injury. Offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum ((groin) was not given an injury designation. 

Detroit Lions (-3.5) at Green Bay Packers

• Lions: DL Brodric Martin (knee), DL Joshua Paschal (illness) LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) OUT; RB Sione Vaki (knee), DL Mekhi Wingo (knee) DOUBTFUL
• Packers: C Josh Myers (wrist) DOUBTFUL; CB Jaire Alexander (knee), DB Corey Ballentine (ankle), RB Josh Jacobs (ankle), QB Jordan Love (groin) QUESTIONABLE

Rodriguez did not practice all week for the Lions, so little surprise he was ruled out. Quarterback Jared Goff (ankle) was a full participant in Friday’s practice and not given and injury designation.

The status of Love will come down to a game-time decision, as Love was limited Friday. If Love can’t go, Malik Willis will get the start at quarterback. Jacobs was limited in Friday’s practice as well. 

Los Angeles Rams (-2) at Seattle Seahawks

• Rams: OL Joseph Noteboom (ankle), P Ethan Evans (illness), DT Neville Gallimore (shoulder) OUT; WR Puka Nacua (knee), S Kam Curl (knee), WR Jordan Whittington (shoulder), CB Charles Woods  QUESTIONABLE 
• Seahawks: WR DK Metcalf (knee), OT Abraham Lucas (knee), DT Cameron Young (knee), TE Noah Fant (groin) OUT; LB Ernest Jones (neck) QUESTIONABLE 

Rams Pro Bowl wide receiver Puka Nacua could play on Sunday even though he missed practice on Friday. Head coach Sean McVay said he “wouldn’t bet against” Nacua playing. The Seahawks will miss top receiver DK Metcalf after he didn’t practice all week, and linebacker Ernest Jones is the only questionable Seattle player after he missed practice on Friday. Jones didn’t have an injury status on Wednesday and Thursday, which means his neck issue is something that flared up or ocurred recently on Friday. 

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings (-5)

• Colts: T Bernhard Raimann (concussion) OUT; DE Kwity Paye (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
• Vikings: LB Blake Cashman (toe), DT Taki Taimani (knee) OUT; Cb Akayleb Evans (hip), G Dalton Risner (back) QUESTIONABLE

For the Colts, wide receiver Michael Pittman (back) was limited and not given an injury designation. Wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) was a full participant and not given an injury designation. 

The Vikings will have tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) make his season debut this week. Hockenson was a full participant in practice all week. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5) (Monday)

Analysis to come.