NFL Week 9 brings a wave of injury concerns as the league crosses the halfway point of the 2026 season. The Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons meet in Madrid, while quarterback changes dot the landscape: Shedeur Sanders will make his first start for the Cleveland Browns in place of Deshaun Watson, Drew Lock replaces Sam Darnold for the Seattle Seahawks, and Carson Wentz gets an opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals while Kyler Murray nurses a hamstring injury.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans has been ruled out with ribs and Achilles issues, leaving Brock Purdy without his top targets. In Seattle, newly acquired guard Quenton Nelson is week-to-week after a minor knee procedure to clean out cartilage fragments; the Seahawks will likely revert to Grey Zabel at left guard and Anthony Bradford at right guard. Nelson avoids injured reserve for now.
Other key absences include New York Jets star Garrett Wilson (concussion), Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib, questionable), and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder, out for season). The Philadelphia Eagles will be without several starters including DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, while the New York Giants likely miss top running back Cam Skattebo (hamstring, doubtful).
Quarterback Deshaun Watson is listed as questionable for the Browns but coach Todd Monken confirmed Sanders will start. In New England, Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is out due to an "unusual medical emergency" requiring hospitalization. The Green Bay Packers remain without edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee) for his 2026 debut.
