As the year 2025 progresses toward its midway point and the player transaction deadline approaches on Tuesday afternoon, the happenings of Week 9 have generated significant discussion — notably, surprising victories and unanticipated results occurred, with the Chicago Bears narrowly escaping defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals, much to the displeasure of Cincinnati’s offensive unit.
Defensive squads distinguished themselves during Sunday’s games, exemplified by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ability to extract six turnovers from the previously high-performing Indianapolis Colts. Concurrently, the Buffalo Bills’ potent offense secured a decisive win against the Kansas City Chiefs. An event of historical note also unfolded, as Jacksonville Jaguars placekicker Cam Little established a new benchmark for the lengthiest successful field goal in the annals of NFL regular-season competition.
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Conversely, several significant physical setbacks took place. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a severe left elbow injury following an awkward landing late in their lopsided defeat at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks during Sunday’s evening game. CJ Stroud, the Houston Texans’ quarterback, had to leave Sunday’s contest against the Denver Broncos due to a concussion, with head coach DeMeco Ryans characterizing the impact as an “unnecessary roughness” infraction that went unpenalized.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was transported off the field on Sunday because of a knee injury, which subsequent examinations revealed to be a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday. Further adding to the injury concerns, Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Joe Alt was also carted off the field due to an ankle injury — an injury affecting the same ankle that sidelined him for three preceding games earlier in the season — representing a substantial impairment to the Chargers’ offensive capabilities.
With the trade deadline looming on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, it’s an opportune moment to evaluate potential buyers and sellers, contemplate prospective transactions, reflect on the history of trade deadlines, and more.
Stay connected with Yahoo Sports for up-to-the-minute NFL coverage and news emerging from Week 9:
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Ryan Young
Following a re-aggravation of his ankle injury sustained during Sunday’s contest against the Tennessee Titans, Joe Alt’s participation for the season has been curtailed. Official confirmation from the Los Angeles Chargers has verified that the offensive lineman will undergo a surgical procedure to address a severe sprain affecting his right ankle, effectively concluding his season.
The Chargers’ offensive line has now been impacted by season-ending injuries to both of its primary offensive tackles, commencing with Rashawn Slater’s earlier injury.
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Jason Owens
Zac Taylor, head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, conveyed to the press on Monday that Tee Higgins, a wide receiver, has successfully completed the league’s concussion protocol following evaluations for a head injury he sustained during Sunday’s match against the Chicago Bears.
Taylor also indicated that running back Samaje Perine has suffered a significant ankle sprain, and Shemar Stewart, a defensive end, sustained a knee injury. The anticipated recovery time for both players is on a week-to-week basis.
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Ryan Young
During the Chicago Bears’ hard-fought victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon, Dayo Odeyingbo, a defensive end for the Bears, suffered a torn Achilles tendon, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Odeyingbo, who became a member of the Bears roster through free agency during the offseason, has accumulated a total of 21 tackles and one sack throughout the current season.
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Criss Partee
The San Francisco 49ers have substantiated that rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams has sustained a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Williams was selected as the 11th overall pick in the NFL Draft held in April and has participated in all nine of San Francisco’s games this season, amassing 20 total tackles, four tackles resulting in a loss of yardage, and one sack.
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Criss Partee
During the Minnesota Vikings’ triumph over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, running back Aaron Jones sustained a minor AC joint sprain in his shoulder. According to an announcement by head coach Kevin O’Connell on Monday, the anticipation is that Jones will gradually increase his training regimen as the week advances.
Prior to exiting the game, Jones accumulated 78 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns from just nine carries in Sunday’s 27-24 victory.
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Criss Partee
Tucker Kraft, the Green Bay Packers’ tight end, has sustained a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), as initially suspected, following his departure from Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Throughout eight games this season, Kraft has recorded 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns. Kraft was selected during the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft from South Dakota State.
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Criss Partee
According to reports from the NFL Network, the Philadelphia Eagles have executed a transaction to acquire linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins. In exchange, Miami will be receiving a third-round selection in the 2026 draft.
Throughout the nine games of this season, Phillips has recorded a cumulative of 25 tackles, seven quarterback pressures, three sacks, and one fumble recovery.
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Chris Cwik
Subsequent to the injuries sustained by Jayden Daniels and Luke McCaffrey during Week 9, the Washington Commanders are preparing for the likelihood of both players being sidelined for multiple upcoming games. It has emerged that yet another member of the team is projected to miss game time as a consequence of the same contest.
There are growing apprehensions that cornerback Marshon Lattimore may have suffered a torn ACL during the game.
Should confirmation of this injury be received, Lattimore would be compelled to sit out the remainder of the season in order to recover. This season, the 29-year-old has been a starter in all nine games for the Commanders, accumulating 27 tackles and one interception.
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Chris Cwik
Following their Week 9 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, the Washington Commanders are confronting several injury-related challenges. In addition to the potential loss of quarterback Jayden Daniels for a number of weeks, the squad will also be without the services of wide receiver and return specialist Luke McCaffrey for an extended period.
According to reports from the NFL Network, McCaffrey sustained a fracture to his clavicle and will subsequently be placed on the Injured Reserve list.
Despite the requirement of only missing four games while on IR, the severity of the injury suggests that McCaffrey will likely remain absent for the duration of the season. Despite receiving limited playtime, the 24-year-old has managed to score three touchdowns this season.
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Kate Magdziuk
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Joe Alt, the starting left tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers, is scheduled to undergo an MRI examination on Monday following another injury to his right ankle sustained during Sunday’s game, which necessitated his removal from the field via cart.
The initial injury occurred in Week 4, resulting in a three-week period of rehabilitation. This recurrence, however, potentially positions him for a surgical intervention.
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Kate Magdziuk
During the early portion of the third quarter in Sunday’s game, Packers tight end Tucker Kraft sustained a knee injury, and initial assessments do not indicate a favorable prognosis. Initially designated as potentially returning to the game with a knee injury, he was subsequently ruled out. Head coach Matt LaFleur communicated postgame that the injury “does not look good.”
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Sunday evening that the prevailing concern is that Kraft tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Week 9, which would effectively conclude his participation for the 2025 season.
Kraft has served as the team’s foremost receiver to date this season, securing a touchdown in all but two of the full games he participated in leading up to Week 9. In the event of confirmation of the injury, an increase in playing time is anticipated for teammate Luke Musgrave, who has executed the second-highest number of routes among Packers tight ends this year, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
The team may also consider enhancing the involvement of WR Christian Watson, who recently made his return from an ACL tear suffered during the previous season just in Week 8.
