NFL Injury News: Nacua Ready, Bowers Back – Week 9 Fantasy Impact

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua appears poised to make a comeback after being sidelined due to a left ankle sprain.

Nacua sustained the injury during Week 6, but he has since resumed practicing this week. He expressed that he feels “excellent” and “prepared” as the Rams gear up to face the New Orleans Saints in the upcoming week.

“It feels positive to be back on the playing field, engaging in movement, working up a sweat, and getting my feet firmly planted,” Nacua commented. “It’s been encouraging. We had a productive Thursday practice, allowing me to finally engage in contact. It feels like it’s been an extended period, but it felt great to be back in action.”

The Rams only had to navigate one game without Nacua, as they had a scheduled bye week in Week 8.

Across six games, Nacua has amassed 616 receiving yards, 54 receptions, and 2 touchdowns.

Kyler Murray is gearing up with the expectation of starting on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback has been inactive for the past two games due to a foot ailment. Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated that the team anticipated Murray’s return this week, though specifics remained unclear.

Arizona has suffered defeats in five consecutive games by a combined margin of 13 points, including three straight losses decided by last-second field goals.

Another potential return in Week 9 includes Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who has been absent for three games due to a knee injury.

Bowers mentioned on Wednesday that he is “ready to perform” against the Jacksonville Jaguars after abstaining from practice for two weeks before his return on Oct. 17.

[NFL injury updates live]

“He’s back in action,” noted Raiders head coach Pete Carroll. “He exhibited strong performance daily last week, with a particularly impressive showing during Monday’s practice. He effectively stole the spotlight. We’re excited to have him back.”

Bowers was managing a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his left knee, which he sustained in Week 1. After playing through the discomfort, he was sidelined after Week 4.

“It was unpleasant, frankly,” Bowers admitted. “However, it’s in the past. I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”

Additional notable Week 9 injuries:

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter has been placed on injured reserve and will be unavailable for at least the next four weeks. Hunter sustained a non-contact knee injury during Thursday’s practice. When questioned about the potential return of the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner this season, head coach Liam Coen would only offer, “We’re still in the process of evaluating it.”
Joe Flacco indicated that he feels “reasonably optimistic” about playing against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has been managing an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder and mentioned on Friday that he will postpone a decision on his availability for Sunday’s game. He is currently listed as questionable.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without running back Isiah Pacheco because of a sprained knee ligament sustained last week against Washington. This situation implies more carries for Kareem Hunt and potentially increased responsibility for backups Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell.
Mac Jones will take the starting role in place of Brock Purdy for the fifth consecutive game. However, Purdy, who is officially “questionable” due to his persistent toe injury, could be available for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, as stated by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Purdy has been coping with a turf toe variant that initially occurred in the season opener and was later aggravated in Week 4.

Jump to a team:

Here’s the remaining portion of the Week 9 injury report (player updates will be included as teams release their reports):

DENVER BRONCOS

HOUSTON TEXANS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

WR Anthony Gould (knee): OUT
DE Samson Ebukam (knee): OUT
CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring): questionable
DE Tyquan Lewis (groin): questionable
DT Grover Stewart (foot): questionable

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

DT Daniel Ekuale (knee): OUT
S DeShon Elliott (knee): OUT
WR Scott Miller (finger): OUT
S Jabrill Peppers (quad): OUT
CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring, knee): OUT
S Chuck Clark (illness): questionable
LB Malik Harrison (knee): questionable
LB Cole Holcomb (illness): questionable
QB WIll Howard (hand): questionable

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

NEW YORK GIANTS

CB Paulson Adebo (knee): OUT
CB Cor’Dale Flott (concussion): OUT
DL Chauncey Golston (neck): OUT
CB Art Green (hamstring): OUT
TE Daniel Bellinger (neck): doubtful
T Jermaine Eluemunor (pec): doubtful
S Jevón Holland (knee): questionable
CB Rico Payton (groin): questionable

ATLANTA FALCONS

CB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring): OUT
DT Zach Harrison (knee): OUT
T Storm Norton (foot): OUT
WR Casey Washington (back): OUT
S Jessie Bates (knee): questionable
LB Leonard Floyd (hamstring): questionable
LB Jalon Walker (groin): questionable

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe): OUT

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring): OUT
S Tony Jefferson (hamstring): OUT
CB Tarheeb Still (knee): OUT
G Mekhi Becton (knee): questionable
TE Will Dissly (illness): questionable
LS Josh Harris (chest): questionable
DB Deane Leonard (knee): questionable

TENNESSEE TITANS

WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring): OUT
DT Jeffery Simmons (hamstring): OUT
OLB Arden Key (quad): OUT
S Xavier Woods (hamstring): OUT
WR Bryce Oliver (knee): questionable

CAROLINA PANTHERS

C Cade Mays (ankle, knee): OUT
OLB Princely Umanmielen (ankle): OUT
QB Andy Dalton (right thumb): questionable
G Damien Lewis (oblique): questionable
RT Taylor Moton (knee): questionable
LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder): questionable
S Nick Scott (groin): questionable
G Chandler Zavala (knee): questionable

GREEN BAY PACKERS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

CB Jeff Okudah (concussion): OUT
TE Josh Oliver (foot): OUT
T Christian Darrisaw (knee): questionable
S Josh Metellus (foot) : questionable
T Brian O’Neill (knee): questionable
LB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck): questionable

DETROIT LIONS

S Kerby Joseph (knee): OUT
RB Craig Reynolds (hamstring): OUT
LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee): OUT
T Taylor Decker (shoulder): questionable
CB Avonte Maddox (hamstring): questionable
S Daniel Thomas (forearm): questionable
RB Sione Vaki (groin): questionable

CHICAGO BEARS

WR Luther Burden III (concussion): OUT
RB Roschon Johnson (back): OUT
DL Dominique Robinson (ankle): OUT
RB D’Andre Swift (groin): OUT
LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (knee): questionable

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DE Trey Hendrickson (hip): doubtful
LB Logan Wilson (calf): doubtful
CB Marco Wilson (hamstring): doubtful
QB Joe Flacco (shoulder): questionable
LB Oren Burks (groin): questionable
G Dalton Risner (illness): questionable

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

RB Alvin Kamar (ankle): questionable
WR Rashid Shaheed (hip): questionable
CB Alontae Taylor (shoulder): questionable

LOS ANGELES RAMS

CB Darious Williams (shoulder): doubtful

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

WR/CB Travis Hunter (knee): OUT

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

RB Isiah Pacheco (knee): OUT
LT Josh Simmons (personal): OUT
G Trey Smith (back): questionable
T Jaylon Moore (illness): questionable

BUFFALO BILLS

DT DaQuan Jones (calf): OUT
WR Josh Palmer (knee, ankle): OUT
LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring): OUT
CB Taron Johnson (groin): questionable

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

TE Colson Yankoff (hamstring): OUT

ARIZONA CARDINALS

DALLAS COWBOYS

NFL injury updates live

Live11 updates

Fri, October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM EDT

Andy Backstrom

Mac Jones will commence the game in the place of Brock Purdy for what will be the fifth consecutive occasion. Nevertheless, Purdy, who holds an official “questionable” designation due to a recurring injury in his toe area, may be available for play during the Sunday match against the New York Giants, as per information provided by the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan. Purdy has been managing a specific type of turf toe injury, which was initially sustained during the opening game of the season and was subsequently aggravated during Week 4.

Jones has a record of 4 wins and 2 losses as the 49ers’ starting player during this season.
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM EDT

Kari Anderson

The Cardinals are emerging from a week-long break with the anticipation of having Kyler Murray starting in Week 9. Nevertheless, during the practice session on Friday, Murray was observed making throws to the second-string receivers of Arizona, whereas Jacoby Brissett, who serves as the backup QB, undertook the first-team repetitions.

Jonathan Gannon, the head coach for the Cardinals, verified to reporters that Murray, who has been absent from two games due to a foot injury, is preparing to participate in Monday’s game against the Cowboys. However, Gannon remained relatively vague regarding the situation, and the practice session on Friday did not necessarily demonstrate confidence in Murray’s capability to start on Monday.
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 12:54 PM EDT

Kari Anderson
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 12:50 PM EDT

Kari Anderson

Following the absence from the previous week’s defeat against the Bills due to an ankle injury, Bryce Young has been taken off of the Panthers’ injury report.

Andy Dalton took Young’s place during the 40-9 loss to Buffalo, making 16 out of 24 throws for 175 yards and an interception. To put it another way, Carolina will be pleased to have Young back when they compete against the Packers.
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM EDT

Kari Anderson

After a two-week absence from a game due to a hamstring injury, the Commanders have their QB1 back. Jayden Daniels, who has returned to practice during the current week, is back and will participate as a starter in Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 12:24 PM EDT

Kari Anderson
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM EDT

Kari Anderson
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 11:30 AM EDT

Sean Leahy

During the midst of a gloomy 2-7 season, the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier have reached a mutual agreement to separate ways subsequent to a meeting that took place on Friday morning.

Grier had been a member of the Dolphins’ organization ever since 2000, initially serving as a scout before gradually ascending through the ranks. In 2016, he was elevated to the position of the team’s general manager.

This decision arises after Miami experienced a brutal defeat against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, with a score of 28-6.

It has been reported that Mike McDaniel will continue to serve as the head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Fri, October 31, 2025 at 11:28 AM EDT

Sean Leahy

The Jaguars WR/CB sustained a knee injury that was not the result of contact during the practice held on Thursday. Upon inquiry regarding whether Hunter would make a comeback this season, head coach Liam Coen simply stated, “We are still in the process of assessing it.”

Coen expressed that he feels sorry for the individual, for the young person, for their team, and for everything. He added that the player is currently in good spirits, and this is a minor setback on the path to a major comeback. He stated that this is the way it needs to be.

Hunter is eligible to come back before their Week 13 match against the Titans.
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