News
11/6/22
23 min read
NFL Week 9 News & Notes
Friday, Nov. 4
Allen Lazard a game-time decision
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur declared wide receiver Allen Lazard a game-time decision against the Detroit Lions. Lazard is dealing with a shoulder injury that kept him out of last week's game against the Bills and limited him in practice all week.
LaFleur did say that tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins will practice Friday, but wouldn't speculate on their status for Sunday's game. Having one or both back would be a significant return for the Packers' offense.
Cooper Kupp Cleared to Play
Superstar Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been cleared to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, according to head coach Sean McVay. Kupp suffered an ankle injury last week in a loss against the San Francisco 49ers.
McVay also cleared wide receiver Van Jefferson to play, as well as center Brian Allen. Jefferson has missed the last six games with a knee injury, while Allen had swelling in his knee after last week's game. The hope is that the return of several injured players helps boost a floundering Rams offense.
Armstead, Phillips Questionable vs Bears
The Miami Dolphins listed both left tackle Terron Armstead and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips as questionable to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Armstead has been limited in practice the last two days with a toe/achilles injury, while Phillips was added Friday with a quad injury.
Phillips leads the Dolphins in sacks this season, making the recent acquisition of pass rusher Bradley Chubb a timely one. The Armstead news is significant, as right tackle Austin Jackson is doubtful to play as well, potentially leaving the Dolphins with Greg Little and Brandon Shell as their starting tackles.
Kadarius Toney Expected to Play vs Titans
Andy Reid told reporters Friday that the team expects newly-acquired wide receiver Kadarius Toney to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
While his role with the Kansas City Chiefs is still unclear, the Chiefs added another explosive threat in Toney and clearly have a plan for his usage, given the draft capital they gave up to acquire him.
Tannehill Questionable to Play
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is questionable to play against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. The Titans injury report lists Tannehill as limited in practice with an ankle injury.
Were Tannehill to miss this game, it would be Malik Willis's second-career start. Willis went six-of-ten for 55 yards and an interception in his first start last week against the Texans.
Jonathan Taylor Out Again vs. Patriots
Per Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich, superstar running back Jonathan Taylor will miss their Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots. Taylor has battled an ankle injury throughout this season but has played the last two games. He recorded 76 yards rushing on 16 carries in last week’s loss to Washington.
Frank Reich expressed that the Colts "gotta do what's right for the player," and labeled Taylor's injury as a "week-to-week" thing when he announced that Taylor would be ruled out. Taylor's injury and the trade of Nyheim Hines leaves Deon Jackson in line to receive the bulk of the carries, although recently-acquired Zack Moss did practice on Thursday.
Ezekiel Elliott "Back for Green Bay"
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team believes that star running back Ezekiel Elliott will be back for the Cowboys' game against the Green Bay Packers next week.
Elliott missed last week's game against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury. The Cowboys held Zeke out as a precaution, letting Tony Pollard run wild on the Bears instead.
Elliott has totaled 443 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the season so far.
Commanders Dotson Hopes To Be Back Next Week
The Washington Commanders have been without first-round wide receiver Jahan Dotson since Week 4. That will continue for Week 9, but head coach Ron Rivera sounded optimistic about his return to practice next week.
Dotson tweaked his hamstring and hasn't been able to practice since. It seems doubtful he will play in Week 10, but his return will be a significant boost to the Commanders' offense.
Falcons' Terrell Ruled Out
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith ruled cornerback AJ Terrell out for Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Terrell has been dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of every on-field workout last week and the Falcons' win over Carolina.
AJ Terrell's injury makes a depleted Falcons secondary that much worse. Per The Edge, the Falcons are already allowing the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Panthers' Hubbard Ruled Out
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was ruled out with an ankle injury, head coach Steve Wilks announced.
Hubbard has been limited in practice all week with the ankle injury he sustained in Week 7. Wilks expressed optimism about Hubbard's injury, relaying that Hubbard hasn't suffered any setbacks on his road to recovery. This will once again give D'Onta Foreman the bulk of the carries against the Bengals' defense.
Jets' Davis to Miss Bills Game with Knee Injury
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced that wide receiver Corey Davis will miss the Jets' Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills with a knee injury.
Davis will miss a second straight game due to this injury. Saleh did express optimism that Davis will return after the Jets' bye, though, so the wideout could be back in action in time to face New England on Nov. 20. This will leave rookie Garrett Wilson as the team's number one wide receiver, as Elijah Moore's situation remains unresolved.
Saleh did express optimism over Denzel Mims's performance recently, expressing that something "switched" with Mims and that Mims may even continue to start when Davis is healthy.
