NFL Injury Report, Week 9: Fantasy Football Implications

NFL teams released their final injury reports for week nine on Friday afternoon. The Bears and Eagles, playing on Monday Night Football, will release their final injury reports on Saturday. We've got some intriguing names on the injury report this week, as well as some potentially returning players that could impact fantasy lineups this Sunday.

The biggest change is Willis McGahee who was unable to go last week and has quickly gotten back with his fractured hand. He is listed as probable this week and will look to continue his resurgent 2011 campaign.  Falcons rookie receiver Julio Jones is also likely to be back in action after missing some time with a hamstring injury.

There will also be several notable game-time decisions and other questionable players. The Patriots running backs, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk, are both listed as questionable. Both are expected to play, but it remains to be seen how they will be utilized. Green-Ellis has generally started, but this past week saw the returning Kevin Faulk grab more carries. Green-Ellis is the likely start this week, but don't be shocked if he loses some carries to Faulk.

There are also numerous running backs that are question marks that will likely play. Daniel Thomas has been limited all week with a hamstring injury. He was limited last week as well and ended up being deactivated against the Giants. Keep an eye on him heading into Sunday morning. We'll have updates Sunday morning as active lists come out.

For those wondering, the designations break down as follows:

Out: 0% change of playing
Doubtful: 25% chance of playing
Questionable: 50% chance of playing
Probable: 75% chance of playing

For fantasy purposes, you can almost always assume a probable player can be slotted into your lineup. I would be somewhat shocked if any of those Probable players ended up inactive this Sunday barring any news tonight or tomorrow. Questionable players on the other hand put you in a tough position. At least half if not more of these guys will play, but you will likely find yourself waiting on a "game-time decision" for most of them. It is not a problem for 1:00pm ET starts, but the 4:05 and 4:15pm ET starts, it can become a pain in the butt setting your lineup. For those I simply suggest trying to slot them into your flex position (if you have one) so you have some flexibility between running backs and wide receivers (and maybe even tight ends).

This Sunday we'll have final updates for all of these players so check back then. And of course, feel free to tweet us @sbnationfantasy with any sit/start questions you might have.

OUT

QB Jason Campbell, Raiders

RB Tashard Choice, Redskins
RB Lee Evans, Ravens
RB Montario Hardesty, Browns
RB Mark Ingram, Saints
RB Felix Jones, Cowboys
RB Darren McFadden, Raiders

WR Danario Alexander, Rams
WR Andre Johnson, Texans
WR Santana Moss, Redskins
WR Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers

TE Virgil Green, Broncos

DOUBTFUL

QB Kevin Kolb, Cardinals

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants

WR Hakeem Nicks, Giants

TE Jermaine Gresham, Bengals

QUESTIONABLE

QB Sam Bradford, Rams

RB Joseph Addai, Colts
RB Kevin Faulk, Patriots
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots
RB Peyton Hillis, Browns
RB Ryan Mathews, Chargers
RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals
RB Daniel Thomas, Dolphins
RB Beanie Wells, Cardinals

WR Plaxico Burress, Jets
WR Hines Ward, Steelers
WR Wes Welker, Patriots

TE Dallas Clark, Colts
TE Fred Davis, Redskins
TE Todd Heap, Cardinals
TE Aaron Hernandez, Patriots

K Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders

PROBABLE

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills
QB Josh Freeman, Bucs
QB Tarvaris Jackson, Seahawks
QB Matt Moore, Dolphins
WR Tony Romo, Cowboys

RB LeGarrette Blount, Bucs
RB Curtis Brinkley, Chargers
RB Reggie Bush, Dolphins
RB James Casey, Texans
RB Willis McGahee, Broncos
RB Ben Tate, Texans
RB Mike Tolbert, Chargers

WR Michael Crabtree, 49ers
WR Braylon Edwards, 49ers
WR Vincent Jackson, Chargers
WR Donald Jones, Bills
WR Julio Jones, Falcons
WR Mario Manningham, Giants
WR Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns
WR Sidney Rice, Seahawks
WR Chaz Schilens, Raiders
WR Sammie Stroughter, Bucs
WR Kevin Walter, Texans
WR Mike Williams, Seahawks

TE Kevin Boss, Raiders
TE Antonio Gates, Chargers
TE Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
TE Kellen Winslow, Bucs