NFL Week 9 Injury Report: Who's Hurting the Most After Week 8?

Injuries are an unfortunate part of the NFL game. That’s become apparently clear after eight weeks of NFL action in 2012.

Depth truly is a critical factor in order for teams to maintain success throughout the grueling 16-game season. Teams without it get exposed every year due to the fact that no one is immune from the injury bug.

In addition to being concerned about your favorite team's stars, you probably have another interest in some of these injuries, as they may directly affect your fantasy lineup this week.

Take a look at some of the biggest names who are hurting and which stars are at risk to miss Week 9 action.

Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers

Greg Jennings was slated to undergo a procedure on Tuesday aimed at repairing a torn abdominal muscle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

However, via their official Twitter account, the Green Bay Packers announced on Monday that Jennings’ surgery has been postponed as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

"

McCarthy from podium-Greg Jennings delayed to go for surgery because of the hurricane. When he goes is undetermined right now. #packers

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 29, 2012"

Jennings originally tore his abdominal muscle in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers and aggravated the injury in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints.

He’s expected to miss about three weeks once the procedure occurs, according to Schefter.

Week 8 Status: Out (abdomen)

Week 9 Outlook: Out

Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers

Jordy Nelson suffered a hamstring injury during Wednesday’s practice in preparation for the Green Bay Packers' Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He tested the hamstring before the game on Sunday but was unable to play, according to Will Brinson of CBS Sports.

The Pack are already without No. 1 wide receiver Greg Jennings for the immediate future and could be in trouble if Nelson does not return soon, as seen in the team's offensive struggles throughout a narrow Week 8 win over the Jags.

Hamstring injuries can be nagging issues that resurface throughout the season if not allowed to fully heal.

Week 8 Status: Out (hamstring)

Week 9 Outlook: Questionable

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew has already been ruled out of the Jacksonville Jaguars' Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions, Jags head coach Mike Mularkey said, according to John Oehser of Jaguars.com.

Jones-Drew suffered a foot injury in Week 7’s loss to the Oakland Raiders and was suspected to have suffered a Lisfranc injury which would have likely sidelined him for the rest of the season.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport dispelled those concerns in Week 8 but noted that it will still be some time before Jones-Drew returns for the Jags.

"

Strange deal for #Jaguars & Jones-Drew. Good news? Source says no lisfranc fracture. Bad news? Likely to miss "significant" number of games.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2012"

Rashad Jennings will continue to receive the bulk of the workload in Jones-Drew’s absence.

Week 8 Status: Out (foot)

Week 9 Outlook: Out

Louis Delmas, S, Detroit Lions

Louis Delmas left the Detroit Lions’ Week 8 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks after injuring his left knee during the third quarter.

Delmas had surgery to repair that same knee in August and will be brought back on a day-to-day basis, head coach Jim Schwartz said on Monday, according to David Solano of WXYZ in Michigan.

Detroit desperately needs Delmas, arguably its best defensive back, healthy if it hopes to make any type of playoff run in the second half of the season.

Week 8 Status: Left game in third quarter (knee)

Week 9 Outlook: Questionable (day-to-day)

Brady Quinn, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City quarterback Brady Quinn left the team's Week 8 game against the Oakland Raiders after sustaining a head injury.

Quinn did not practice on Monday, and his status is up in the air for the team's Thursday night matchup against the San Diego Chargers, according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.

If Quinn is ready, he will be the starter Thursday night, head coach Romeo Crennel said, according to a report by Teicher.

UPDATE (12:30 ET, Oct. 30): Quinn has been ruled out, per Teicher.

Week 8 Status: Left game in first quarter (head)

Week 9 Outlook: Out

Jake Locker, QB, Tennessee

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker may have a fractured shoulder and will continue to sit, as doctors have yet to clear him for contact, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN on Monday.

Locker is being held out as a precaution and may need surgery following the season, according to Dr. Mike Pagnani of the Nashville Knee and Shoulder Center (via Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean).

Tennessee is 2-1 in his absence under the command of veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Week 8 Status: Out (shoulder)

Week 9 Outlook: Out

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins

Pierre Garcon was a key offseason pickup for the Washington Redskins and their rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. However, he’s spent most of 2012 on the sidelines with injuries watching Griffin and his teammates.

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he’d like Garcon back this week, but it’s more likely he will return after the team’s Week 10 bye, according to Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980 in Washington.

"

Shanahan says about he would like @pierregarcon to be able to come back this week, but more likely after the bye.

— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) October 29, 2012"

Garcon adds another dimension to the Skins offense and would certainly help the team, as it's beginning to struggle with a one-dimensional read-option approach.

Week 8 Status: Out (foot)

Week 9 Outlook: Doubtful

Bart Scott, LB, New York Jets

Bart Scott’s streak of 119 straight games played came to an end on Sunday due to a nagging toe injury that he suffered about a month ago.  The New York Jets were embarrassed by the Miami Dolphins without their stud linebacker.

His streak stretched from 2004 until Week 7 of the 2012 season.

Scott should be ready to go after the team’s bye week in Week 9, but check back after next weekend to see how he is.

Week 8 Status: Out (toe)

Week 9 Outlook: Bye week

Dwan Edwards, DT, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards suffered an ankle injury during the team’s Week 8 loss to the Chicago Bears.

He was observed with a walking boot on his sprained left ankle on Monday, and his status is uncertain for Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Redskins, according to Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer.

"

Panthers DT Dwan Edwards wearing a boot on his left ankle, which is sprained. uncertain about his status for this weekend.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 29, 2012"

That would spell trouble for a Panthers defense that will be facing one of its biggest defensive challenges against the Redskins’ Robert Griffin III-led rushing attack.

Week 8 Status: Left game (ankle)

Week 9 Outlook: Questionable

Joe Mays, LB, Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays is out for the season after suffering a lower left leg injury during the team’s impressive 34-14 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.

"Things definitely aren't going to be the same without having him out there, his presence, his leadership and his ability to go out there and make plays,” linebacker Wesley Woodyard said, according to an AP report (via ESPN).

Mays may have lost his starting gig but was still a valuable member of the team, according to his teammates.

Week 8 Status: Left game (leg)

Week 9 Outlook: Out for remainder of season

Dan Connor, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Last week the Dallas Cowboys lost linebacker Sean Lee for the season. In Week 8, they may have lost his replacement Dan Connor for at least one game.

Connor left the team’s Week 8 matchup against the New York Giants in the second quarter with a stinger. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News says it’s unlikely Connor will be able to play in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Cowboys were awaiting the results late on Monday of an MRI Connor underwent earlier in the day, according to Moore.

Week 8 Status: Left game in second quarter (shoulder)

Week 9 Outlook: Doubtful

Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans

Ben Tate is continuing to deal with a hamstring injury that’s been nagging him and will not likely play in the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

They likely won’t need him anyway.

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Tate is going to miss “some time” and that he will be brought back slowly because of the nature of the injury, according to Dave Zangaro of CSNHouston.com.

Kubiak would not rule out Tate completely for Week 9, though.

The Texans will be fine with Arian Foster carrying the load until Tate can return to help him and should be in no rush to hurry him back before he is ready.

Week 8 Status: Out

Week 9 Outlook: Doubtful

Seattle Seahawks Wide Receivers

Four Seattle Seahawks wide receivers are battling injuries, and the team may need to look for help at the position before it faces the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.

Doug Baldwin is a long shot to play, coach Pete Carroll said, according to 950 AM KJR reporter Curtis Crabtree.

Braylon Edwards had an MRI on Monday, and Ben Obomanu is seeing a wrist specialist about his injury, according to Crabtree.

Liz Mathews of 710 ESPN Seattle gave an update on Golden Tate and others on Monday.

"

Injury updates: WR Golden Tate is "fine," wait and see on DT Jason Jones and WR Braylon Edwards, Obo and Mike Rob seeing wrist specialists.

— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews) October 29, 2012"

If more than one of these guys isn’t ready to go on Sunday, the team may call up a player from its practice squad (such as WR Jermaine Kearse) or acquire someone before Thursday’s NFL trade deadline.

Braylon Edwards

Week 8 Status: Out (knee)

Week 9 Outlook: Questionable

Doug Baldwin

Week 8 Status: Out (high-ankle sprain)

Week 9 Outlook: Doubtful

Golden Tate

Week 8 Status: Left game (ankle)

Week 9 Outlook: Probable

Ben Obomanu

Week 8 Status: Left game (wrist)

Week 9 Outlook: Questionable

Chase Blackburn, LB, New York Giants

Chase Blackburn injured his hamstring during the New York Giants' win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

On Monday, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin did not give any updates on his status, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

"

Tom Coughlin had no updates on LB Chase Blackburn (hamstring) or TE Bear Pascoe (ankle). #NYG

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) October 29, 2012"

Hamstring ailments are tricky injuries that vary in severity and linger for weeks or even months if not treated properly. The Giants could be without Blackburn for a considerable amount of time.

Mark Herzlich stepped in for him on Sunday and recorded three tackles in relief duty. He'll likely start in place of Blackburn if the linebacker ends up missing time.

Week 8 Status: Left game (hamstring)

Week 9 Outlook: Unknown (likely doubtful)

Mike Hoag Jr. is a B/R Breaking News Team writer and covers the NFL and the Cleveland Browns for the site. Follow him on Twitter for analysis and updates on the latest news and happenings in the sports world.

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