NFL Week 9 Injury Tracker: Latest Updates on Puka Nacua, Brock Bowers and More

The NFL Week 9 injury tracker brings major news for fantasy football and for game-day matchups. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua says he feels “fantastic” and “ready to go” after an ankle injury. The Las Vegas Raiders also expect tight end Brock Bowers back from a knee injury as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

There are also important quarterback questions. Kyler Murray is still managing a foot injury for the Arizona Cardinals. The San Francisco 49ers list Brock Purdy as questionable with a toe injury. The Cincinnati Bengals are waiting on Joe Flacco and his shoulder. These calls could swing real NFL results and fantasy outcomes across Week 9.

Puka Nacua and Brock Bowers injury news heading into NFL Week 9

Puka Nacua is a go for the Rams. The second-year receiver missed only one game after spraining his left ankle in Week 6. Los Angeles had its bye in Week 8, which gave him time to recover without missing multiple games. Nacua practiced this week, took on-field reps, and said he felt healthy and explosive again heading into the matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Nacua described the return to practice as “good to be back out on the football field” and said he was excited to finally “get to hit somebody” again. That is strong language for anyone who was worried this might linger. The Rams treated him as a central part of the game plan before the injury, and there is no sign they plan to phase him out now.

Before he went down, Nacua had 54 catches for 616 yards and 2 touchdowns in six games. That is elite volume. His return matters for Los Angeles because it puts him back on the field with Cooper Kupp. That combination forces defenses to pick their poison. It also matters for fantasy football because Nacua is a high-target wideout in both standard and PPR formats. The Rams lean on timing routes and option routes, and he wins in those areas.

Brock Bowers is also expected to return for the Raiders in Week 9. He missed three straight games with a left knee injury that included a PCL issue and a bone bruise. The team slowed him down after Week 4 and let him rest, then gradually worked him back into practice. Coaches said he looked explosive and confident. Bowers himself said he is “ready to roll.”

The Raiders need him. Without Bowers, their red-zone offense stalled and their third-down efficiency dropped. Bowers is a rare tight end who moves like a wide receiver. He can line up in-line, in the slot, or flexed wide. Defenses have to account for him on seam routes and crossers. His presence changes coverage rules and gives the quarterback a trusted middle-of-the-field target. That is huge for Las Vegas against a Jaguars team that is already dealing with injuries at key spots.

Jacksonville will be without Travis Hunter, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered in practice. Hunter must now miss at least four weeks. Before the injury, Hunter was coming off his best game as a pro. He had eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Rams. His absence takes away a versatile weapon on offense and also affects packages on defense, since he had been used in both roles.

How Week 9 injuries affect fantasy football, depth charts and matchups

The Rams’ offense looks much more dangerous the moment Puka Nacua is back on the field. His return means the Saints cannot simply load up on Cooper Kupp and force Matthew Stafford to throw to secondary options. New Orleans now has to play the Rams honestly. That boosts the ceiling of the entire passing game.

For fantasy football, Nacua goes right back into starting lineups. He has already shown he can handle double-digit targets. The only mild note of caution is usage. Players coming off ankle sprains sometimes see slightly fewer designed cuts and underneath option looks in their first week back. But the tone from the player and team suggests confidence, not caution. He is an every-week starter again.

Brock Bowers coming back is a big storyline for the Raiders. Las Vegas struggled to create easy completions over the middle while he was out. Defenses sat on the outside receivers and forced everything to the sideline. With Bowers on the field, linebackers and safeties cannot overplay wide. That opens space for other targets and helps the Raiders stay on schedule on early downs. For fantasy purposes, Bowers instantly returns to the low-end TE1 conversation because of touchdown upside and volume potential in scoring range.

Quarterback health is the other major pivot point in Week 9. Kyler Murray remains on the injury report with a foot issue. He has missed the past two games and was limited again in practice. Arizona wants him back, but the staff also gave first-team work to Jacoby Brissett at points this week. That is not nothing. The Cardinals play the Dallas Cowboys in prime time, so fantasy managers will have to build in backup plans if Murray is not cleared. A mobile quarterback dealing with a lower-body injury is always a risk, both for passing rhythm and for designed runs.

In San Francisco, Mac Jones will make another start while Brock Purdy is still listed as questionable with a toe injury. Purdy has been dealing with this toe issue since the opener and aggravated it in Week 4. Toe injuries can affect drive, balance and short-yardage power. Jones is 4-2 as the 49ers’ starter, and the staff has shown they are comfortable letting him run the offense. For now, fantasy expectations should be built around Jones starting and Purdy dressing only if the team needs an emergency option.

Joe Flacco is another name to watch. The Bengals quarterback is managing an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. He said he feels “pretty good” about playing against the Chicago Bears. Cincinnati has listed him as questionable. A sore throwing shoulder can limit deep accuracy and zip on out-breaking routes. That matters for receiver production. If he cannot make full-power throws outside the numbers, the Bengals may lean more on short passes and the run game.

The Kansas City Chiefs ruled out running back Isiah Pacheco because of a knee sprain. That moves more early-down work to Kareem Hunt and puts more pressure on depth options like Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell. Kansas City’s offense is usually built around Patrick Mahomes, but Pacheco’s energy and contact balance are part of their identity. Without him, the Chiefs may need to lean even harder on the short passing game to act as their run game.

In Carolina, Bryce Young is off the injury report after missing last week with an ankle injury. Andy Dalton filled in but the Panthers were blown out. Young returns as the starter against the Packers. In Washington, Jayden Daniels will start after dealing with a hamstring issue two weeks ago. Those two young quarterbacks affect not only their own teams, but also opposing defenses and fantasy streaming decisions.

There are also several important depth chart notes. The Jaguars placed Travis Hunter on injured reserve. The Chiefs ruled out Isiah Pacheco. The Patriots ruled out Rhamondre Stevenson, which could open the door for TreVeyon Henderson to see more work. The Giants are dealing with multiple defensive back injuries. The 49ers listed multiple linemen and edge rushers as out or questionable. All of this shapes matchups, especially in close lines and divisional games.

In short, the NFL Week 9 injury tracker is loaded with high-impact names. Puka Nacua is expected back for the Rams. Brock Bowers is expected back for the Raiders. Kyler Murray, Joe Flacco and Brock Purdy are being managed going into the weekend. Fantasy managers and bettors need to watch these situations closely, because they could decide how Week 9 plays out.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the latest NFL Week 9 injury tracker update?

The biggest news is that Puka Nacua plans to play for the Rams and Brock Bowers plans to play for the Raiders. Both are important skill players coming off lower-body injuries. Several quarterbacks, including Kyler Murray and Joe Flacco, are still not fully locked in.

Q2: Is Puka Nacua playing in Week 9?

Yes. Puka Nacua said he feels “fantastic” after his ankle sprain and is “ready to go” for the Rams. He practiced and the team expects him for the game against the Saints after the Week 8 bye.

Q3: Is Brock Bowers back for the Raiders?

Yes. Brock Bowers is set to return after missing three games with a knee injury. Coaches said he looked strong in practice and he said he is “ready to roll.”

Q4: What is Kyler Murray’s Week 9 status?

Kyler Murray is still on the injury report with a foot issue. The Cardinals have been cautious. Jacoby Brissett has taken some first-team snaps in practice. Arizona plays Monday, so that makes the decision tougher for fantasy lineups.

Q5: Which other big names are hurt going into Week 9?

The Jaguars placed Travis Hunter on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Chiefs ruled out Isiah Pacheco with a knee sprain. The Bengals listed Joe Flacco as questionable with a shoulder sprain. The 49ers listed Brock Purdy as questionable with a toe injury while Mac Jones continues to start.