College Football Best Bets of the Week: Week 9
Walter Waddell
It was a tough day on the injury front with at least one receiver suffering a season-ending injury, and we’re waiting for news on another. There are other injuries we need to deal with as well, so let’s talk about what we know.
Week 9 Injury Report
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gabe Davis, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
By the end of the game on Sunday, the Jaguars were missing the top three receivers on their offense with various injuries. The most severe right now is Christian Kirk since he broke his collarbone and is now going to miss the rest of the season. That has ripple effects in the NFL, as Kirk was widely rumored to be on the trade block. But that’s not all for Jacksonville. Gabe Davis left the game with a shoulder injury, but we don’t have any further information yet. We also need to wait and see for Brian Thomas Jr. and his rib injury. The rookie receiver continues to have a spectacular season, but he’s waiting on further testing to see if he’ll miss time. The only other receivers on the active roster are Tim Jones and Parker Washington, so what the Jaguars do with their roster this week will be telling.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
Not only did the Jaguars lose all their starting receivers, but the Packers lost their starting quarterback in the same game. Jordan Love just looked off in this game for a while before he wound up leaving with what’s being called a groin injury. It was a weird situation because there wasn’t a hit or anything obvious, but that clearly doesn’t mean a player can’t suffer an injury. Malik Willis finished the game for the Packers and already has started two games, so we know that Green Bay will turn to a run-heavy approach if Love misses time. The reports are that he likely has avoided a major injury, which would be fortunate for everyone involved.
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Drake Maye has shown some flashes in New England, but he took a hit on a scramble that has left him in the NFL concussion protocol. We know that trying to predict the result of the protocol is a fruitless endeavor, so we have no idea when Maye will be back. It could be as soon as this week, but he was ruled out Sunday in fairly short order. Jacoby Brissett took the reins and led a comeback win for the Patriots, but he’s a bottom-tier fantasy option.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
We know that DJ Moore went to the blue medical tent very late in the game against the Bears on Sunday, but that is about all we know right now. The injury wasn’t fully disclosed yet, so it will be something we have to keep our eyes on during the week. If Moore is out, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze are more than capable of stepping into bigger roles.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans
The Texans have to be holding their breath about the news on Stefon Diggs He was running a route and had what looked to be a non-contact injury. Sadly, these types of injuries don’t have the best track record of being minor, and there has to be fear of a ligament issue for Diggs. Nico Collins is still out for another week at least, so if Diggs is out, Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods are going to be relied on more in this offense. Hopefully, Diggs dodges a bullet, but it’s unclear right now.
