NFL Week 9 injury report: Who’s in and who’s out

Good news for fantasy players and fans of above-average football: Most of the NFL's biggest names are either healthy or set to return from a previous injury in Week 9. The former group includes guys like Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, while Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger eyes his first game back since surgery for a knee injury that occurred three weeks ago and was expected to cost him at least a month.

Here are the 20 biggest injuries you need to keep an eye on before your favorite team (or your fantasy squad) takes the field. Keep checking back right until kickoff for your live updates.

(Note: If a high-profile player does not appear below, that means he was not listed on his team's injury report and should be expected to play — or is on injured reserve. The NFL also removed the “probable” designation from injury reports this year; players are either “out,” “doubtful” or “questionable.”)

All indications are that the Steelres QB will start on Sunday against the Ravens. Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that Roethlisberger “had a good day” of practice Friday and will be a game-time decision: “We'll see how his body responds to the work,” Tomlin said. “We don't have to make the decision today so we won't. We'll continue to push forward toward game day.” — Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com

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Rex Ryan is “confident” McCoy will be able to play Monday at Seattle after missing last week's game with a hamstring injury. — Mike Rodak, ESPN.com

While Bryant is officially on the injury report, there's little doubt he'll play Sunday at Cleveland. QB Tony Romo and CB Morris Claiborne have been ruled out against the Browns. — CBS Dallas

Not only is Jamaal Charles on injured reserve, but his backup also will miss Week 9 against the Jaguars as well. The Chiefs also will be without QB Alex Smith, who was ruled out at the beginning of the week. Nick Foles will start under center. — NFL.com

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Walker will be a game-time decision against the Chargers, although he expects to be on the field: “Pretty sure I’m going to play,” Walker said. “I’m hurt. But I’m fine. The injury I have, I don’t think it’ll be something that’ll set me back.” — Jason Wolf, The Tennessean

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Cooper was limited in practice all week after apparently aggravating a back injury in Week 8. He should be ready to go Sunday night against the Broncos, but you'll have to take the risk that he sits if he's on your fantasy team. — Raiders.com

Despite a return to practice on Thursday and Mike McCarthy's hope that Starks might be ready by Sunday, the Packers running back will remain sidelined against the Colts. — Mike Spofford, Packers.com

AP Wade Payne

With Starks out, one might expect Cobb to see his fair share of snaps in the Green Bay backfield. Unfortunately for the Packers, there's a reasonable chance the wide receiver won't play once again on Sunday. Although he'll be a game-time decision to return after a Week 8 absence, Cobb told reporters he's focused on staying healthy for the season. — Ryan Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Allen is expected to play even if he's not 100 percent healthy against the Packers. He missed Indianapolis' previous two games with a sprained right ankle. “Yeah, back quicker than I expected,’’ Allen said. “Those ankles are tricky things. Some heal faster than others and some take a little time. Thankfully we had a plan and I was able to get out there and get enough practice in.’’ — Mike Chappell, FOX 59 Indianapolis

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Hyde returned to practice this week in a non-contact jersey and participated on a limited basis. The 49ers running back, who initially sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder in Week 6, will be a game-time decision against the Saints. “It’s not nowhere near how it was the first time I hit it,” Hyde said Thursday. “It’s definitely gotten a lot better. So I think if I just take it day by day, it’ll continue to get better.” — Taylor Price, 49ers.com

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Kuechly missed consecutive practices Thursday and Friday, but Panthers coach Ron Rivera told reporters he expects the Carolina linebacker to play against the Rams. — Steve Reed, Associated Press

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Maclin has been slowed by a sore groin for most of the season, and earlier this week, he tweaked his hamstring as well. He returned to practice on Friday, though, and is expected to play on Sunday against the Jaguars. — CBS St. Louis

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The same left knee injury Henry played through in Week 8 will sideline him against the Titans on Sunday. He missed three straight practices to end the week, but the Chargers reportedly don't consider the injury to be overly significant. — Michael Gehlken, San Diego Union-Tribune

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Riddick's limited participation in practice this week was likely more of a precaution than anything. Keep an eye on his availability before kickoff, but expect the Lions running back to start against the Vikings. — CBS Sports

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Davis was scheduled to meet with an independent neurologist on Saturday in hopes that he could be cleared for Sunday's game against the Packers. Colts coach Chuck Pagano told reporters he hopes Davis will be cleared: “He will go through the trainers (Friday afternoon) and do the second to the last phase of the protocol (with pads on). If he gets through that clean, which we anticipate, he will see an independent (neurologist on Saturday) and hopefully be cleared and be ready to go.” — Kevin Bowen, Colts.com

Graham took a step backward Friday, going from a full participant in practice Thursday to limited in Seattle's final workout. That could just be a matter of rest, however, as there's no indication Graham's injury is serious. In good news for the Seahawks, QB Russell Wilson (knee/pectoral) was not even listed on the injury report. — Tony Drovetto, Seahawks.com

Both Williams and fellow wide receiver Travis Benjamin were full participants in practice Friday and are expected to play against the Titans. — Michael Gehlken, San Diego Union-Tribune

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Coach Gary Kubiak expects Marshall to return after missing Week 8 with a hamstring injury. “He's good. He's done everything in practice,” Kubiak said. “It was pretty sore early in the week, but everything's been good.” — Andrew Mason, Broncos.com

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Williams told reporters that his status was up to coach Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh's backup running back was limited Wednesday and missed Thursday's practice, but he did participate in Friday's session. Depending on Ben Roethlisberger's status, the Steelers backfield could see a heavy workload against the Ravens. — Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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While we weren't expecting Cameron to return this week — or anytime soon — it's worth noting here that the Dolphins TE was placed on injured reserve with his fourth concussion in four years. Cameron hasn't played since suffering the injury in Week 3. — Armando Salguero, Miami Herald

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