NFL injury tracker Week 9: Lamar Jackson returns to practice, Micah Parsons likely out, Patriots 'hopeful' about Drake Maye
Here's everything you need to know injury-wise for Week 9
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to the field on Friday after missing two days of practice this week. His absence on Wednesday was labeled a rest day by head coach John Harbaugh, but he later appeared on the team's injury report with a back and neck issue.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said on Thursday, "It is what it is," regarding Jackson's absence.
Jackson's appearance on Friday is an encouraging sign for his availability for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.
Through eight games this season, Jackson has thrown for 2,099 yards and 17 touchdowns with two interceptions for the 5-3 Ravens.
Micah Parsons not expected to return for Cowboys
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that while the All-Pro edge rusher is improving, he's not ready to return to practice. That would likely rule Parsons out for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
“Until they clear the return-to-play with [athletic trainer] Britt [Brown], I really don’t even entertain that thought," McCarthy said on Thursday. "So he’s not quite there yet."
Parsons suffered a high ankle sprain against the New York Giants in Week 4. He has already missed three games and it's looking like he will miss at least a fourth week for the Cowboys.
Saints' Derek Carr set to return after missing three games
Quarterback Derek Carr will be back under center for the New Orleans Saints against the Carolina Panthers after sitting out three games due to an oblique injury.
Jake Haener will serve as his backup despite the fact that rookie Spencer Rattler started the last several games in Carr’s absence.
"We felt like Rattler gave us the best chance at the time, and so I think we'll see where we're at come this weekend, what the expectation is. My expectation is that Derek's going to be ready to go," Dennis Allen said, via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. "In that case, Jake will be the backup. ... I don't want to get into the specifics of the reasons why, but I feel like that's the best thing for our team."
Carr went down in the Saints’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month after he took a hard hit near the end of that game. He hasn’t played since, which marks the longest stretch of time he’s missed since he broke his ankle in 2017 when he was with the Raiders.
The Saints, who started the season 2-0 with a pair of blowout wins, have not won a game since.
Patriots QB Drake Maye progressing through concussion protocol
Drake Maye remains in concussion protocol, but the New England Patriots' quarterback could return Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said the rookie quarterback has made big strides since suffering the injury last week against the New York Jets. Maye was limited in practice this week as he's yet to be cleared from concussion protocol.
"Very hopeful that things go the way they're trending," Van Pelt said Thursday.
Maye was injured on a hit to the head in the second quarter. Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood chased down Maye on a scramble and made helmet-to-helmet contact on a hit from behind as Maye slid.
Maye went to the sideline medical tent after the hit and then to the Patriots' locker room. Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback on New England's next possession.
Here's the rest of the Week 9 injury report. (Players will be added as teams release their reports.)
Dallas Cowboys
Atlanta Falcons
Miami Dolphins
DL Zach Sieler (fractured orbital bone): out
TE Julian Hill (shoulder): out
CB Kader Kohou (neck): out
S Jevon Holland (knee): doubtful
Buffalo Bills
FB Reggie Gilliam (hip): out
WR Amari Cooper (wrist): questionable
WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral): questionable
CB Christian Benford (wrist): questionable
Las Vegas Raiders
Cincinnati Bengals
Los Angeles Chargers
Cleveland Browns
New England Patriots
Tennessee Titans
Washington Commanders
New York Giants
P Jamie Gillan (hamstring): out
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens
Jacksonville Jaguars
LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle): doubtful
Philadelphia Eagles
Chicago Bears
Arizona Cardinals
RT Jonah Williams (knee): out
DL Darius Robinson (calf): out
Detroit Lions
DE Josh Paschal (illness): out
LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle): out
Green Bay Packers
Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts
T Bernhard Raimann (concussion): out
DE Kwity Paye (hamstring): questionable