NFL2026-11-07NFL Week 9 Final Injury Report Roundup: Kyler Murray, Sam Darnold and Garrett Wilson Are Out as Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley Are Cleared
By Verdexed Fantasy Desk
Friday's final Week 9 injury reports settled most of the weekend's fantasy questions. Three starting quarterbacks will not play: Kyler Murray (Vikings, hamstring), Sam Darnold (Seahawks, quad and ribs) and Deshaun Watson (Browns, concussion protocol), while Lamar Jackson is on injured reserve after thumb surgery. On the skill-position side, the Jets lost Garrett Wilson to a concussion and the 49ers ruled out Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Christian Kirk. The good news: Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Breece Hall are all on track to play.
Pittsburgh and Tennessee are on bye in Week 9, which adds to the squeeze for managers already juggling injuries. Here is every status that matters, what it means, and where to pivot.
Quarterbacks
The quarterback carousel is the defining storyline of the week. Four teams are starting a backup or recent replacement.
| Team | Out | Starter | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | Kyler Murray (hamstring) | Carson Wentz | Monday night vs. Buffalo |
| Seahawks | Sam Darnold (quad, ribs) | Drew Lock | Lock limited (elbow), no tag |
| Browns | Deshaun Watson (concussion) | Shedeur Sanders | At New Orleans |
| Ravens | Lamar Jackson (IR, thumb) | Played Thursday | Lost 33-10 to Jacksonville |
Matthew Stafford appeared on the Rams' report with a right elbow note, but he was a full participant and carries no game designation. Sean McVay explained that the listing came after reporters asked about ice on Stafford's arm. Start him as usual at Washington.
Carson Wentz is the most interesting replacement for fantasy purposes because of his history with Justin Jefferson, who has averaged far more receiving yards with Wentz under center than without him over the past two seasons. Jefferson is a WR1 this week. Drew Lock is a deep-league stream against Arizona, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba remains a WR1 regardless of the quarterback.
Running backs
The running back picture is mostly positive, with two notable exceptions.
| Player | Team | Status | Fantasy call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | Off report | StartRB1 |
| Saquon Barkley | Eagles | Off report | StartRB1 / RB2 |
| Breece Hall | Jets | Good to go | StartRB2 |
| Cam Skattebo | Giants | Doubtful | Sitstart Singletary |
| David Montgomery | Texans | Out (groin) | Start Woody Marks |
Barkley was limited all three days after sitting Wednesday with hamstring and back issues, but he was left off the final report and is good to go against the Giants. McCaffrey missed Wednesday's practice, returned in a limited capacity Thursday and was cleared. With Skattebo doubtful and Tyrone Tracy on injured reserve, Devin Singletary is the Giants' likely lead back. Houston will lean on Woody Marks with Montgomery out.
Wide receivers and tight ends
The receiver report is where most of the damage is.
| Player | Team | Status | Pivot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Wilson | Jets | Out (concussion) | Adonai Mitchell |
| Mike Evans | 49ers | Out (rib, Achilles) | George Kittle |
| Deebo Samuel | 49ers | Out (hamstring) | Christian McCaffrey |
| Christian Kirk | 49ers | Out (knee) | Brandin Cooks (deep) |
| DeVonta Smith | Eagles | Doubtful / out | Avoid Eagles WR2s |
| D.J. Moore | Bills | Questionable (AC joint) | Expected to play Monday |
San Francisco's losses are the most dramatic. With three receivers out, George Kittle becomes one of the week's best tight end starts and McCaffrey's receiving role should expand. Demarcus Robinson, listed as questionable with an ankle injury, is expected to be activated from injured reserve and play.
The Jets will lean on Adonai Mitchell and rookie Omar Cooper Jr., but a difficult matchup at Kansas City makes both no more than flex options. Smith has not practiced all week, and the Eagles' passing game is thin with Joe Milton making his first start.
Defensive notes that matter for fantasy
Two defensive situations affect streaming decisions. The Chiefs ruled out rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane (shoulder) and defensive tackle Peter Woods (neck), but the Jets' depleted receiver room means the Kansas City defense remains a strong stream. In San Francisco, Nick Bosa returned to full practice and is set to play, which boosts the 49ers' defense against the Raiders. Seattle will be without Quenton Nelson, the guard it acquired from Indianapolis, who is week-to-week after a knee procedure.
Betting impact
The quarterback changes have moved some numbers but fewer than you might expect. Buffalo moved from a 2.5-point road favorite to the 3 to 3.5 range in Minnesota after Murray was ruled out. Kansas City has stayed near a 10-point favorite over the Jets. The Giants remain a field-goal favorite in Philadelphia despite Skattebo's status, largely because the Eagles are on their third starting quarterback. For the model's full board, see the Week 9 picks and the NFL predictions page.
What's next
Sunday morning inactives (released about 90 minutes before each kickoff) are the final checkpoint, especially for Skattebo, Smith and Robinson. D.J. Moore's status will not be final until Monday. Beyond Week 9, the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET could reshape several backfields, with Jonathan Taylor the biggest name still available. Next week's practice reports for Murray, Darnold and Wilson will set the Week 10 quarterback and receiver landscape, so build waiver plans around those three timelines.