The NFL injury report has some big names this week, as players like Keenan Allen, John Brown, Vincent Jackson, Calvin Johnson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Marcus Mariota, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Forte are banged up and could potentially miss time or be limited in Week 9. Players like Le'Veon Bell, Reggie Bush and Steve Smith are out for the season, while Allen could be joining them after suffering a kidney injury.
Allen is one of the notable players to keep an eye on, as reports have him out for a while with a kidney issue. According to NFL.com, Allen potentially could miss the rest of the season, but the Chargers have not put an official timetable on his status. Ian Rapoport at NFL Media writes that Allen has had a "procedure" for the injury and is questionable for the rest of the season. Fantasy owners should look at Malcom Floyd as an option to pick up along with Steve Johnson.
Allen has been one of the best fantasy players in the league this season and he has 67 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. The Chargers will miss Allen on offense and there is a chance that he could be out for the season. John Brown has also been impressive at WR this season and he has been dealing with hamstring injuries over the past couple weeks. Brown is dealing with injuries to both hamstrings and he did not play a snap last week, but he said he could return in Week 10 after the Cardinals have a bye. Brown has 37 catches for 562 yards this season.
Calvin Johnson sat out of practice over the bye week on Tuesday and it comes after he suffered an ankle injury last week against the Chiefs. Johnson does not play until Week 10, so he has some time to heal, but fantasy owners should be aware that he could miss time going forward. Johnson has been having a bounce back season with 659 yards on 48 catches and he has three touchdowns this year.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins was inactive again for the Buccaneers and he is trying to come back from a shoulder injury that has limited him to two games this season. Jenkins was doubtful last week and the team was expecting him to be back soon and now it could wait another week for him to make his return. Vincent Jackson was also out last week for the Buccaneers.
Marcus Mariota has missed time with a knee injury, but he is expected to be back for Week 9. Mariota was able to practice in full on Wednesday and that could put him on track after missing the game last week. Mariota has been up and down as a rookie and he has nine TDs and five picks this season.
Matt Forte is expected to miss two weeks with a knee injury, according to ESPN.com. Forte was injured this week against the Vikings for the Bears and now Jeremy Langford will take over for the time being. Forte is expected to be back soon and he comes in with over 700 total yards this season and he has been one of the most productive backs in fantasy. Fitzpatrick is dealing with a hand injury and he is considered questionable for this week and may need surgery in the future.
