Fantasy Football News & Rankings Update
It’s kind of alarming that Halloween is nearly here and we’re halfway through the 2023 football season. That went by fast. These mid-season weeks are crucial. Also, Week 8 has no bye weeks to contend with. Our Fantasy Football News & Rankings Update gets you prepared for Sunday and Monday’s action.
First, check out our Advanced NFL Snap Counts Report to see which player’s usage is trending in the right direction.
Secondly, Adam has some spicy takes in his Week 8 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em article.
Finally, DFS legend Shawn Childs does a thorough breakdown of the entire DFS field in his DFS Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, and Tight End Reports.
We are also at the time of year when weather can be a factor.
Forecast for Sunday’s Chiefs-Broncos game in Denver calls for a high of 29 degrees, a low of 13, with 6-14 inches of snow, per the National Weather Service.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2023
Week 8 Injury News
Brocky Purdy has progressed through the NFL’s concussion protocol and should be under center to face the Bengals. We have Purdy as a borderline QB1 in our Week 8 rankings.
Brock Purdy appears to be on pace (as long as there’s no setback) to receive full clearance for Sunday’s game. https://t.co/QgXH0OU56g
— Matt Maiocco (Threads @maiocconbcs) (@MaioccoNBCS) October 27, 2023
Aaron Jones does not have an injury designated. However, he may be on a ‘snap count’ to protect his hamstring. That keeps Jones as a riskier RB2 this week.
Jerome Ford returned to practice Friday. But fantasy managers should be very wary of starting a player so soon after being diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain.
#Browns Jerome Ford – TBD. Data favors sitting. Very rare for even mild high ankle to return following week. If active, expect performance dip + workload dip. Likely return Wk 9#Browns Kareem Hunt – Playing. Thigh contusions typically cause low RB performance impact
12/24
— Deepak Chona, MD. SportsMedAnalytics (@SportMDAnalysis) October 28, 2023
Jimmy Garoppolo practiced in full on Friday. He will be back to starting in Detroit and represents an upgrade for all Raiders’ skill position players.
Roschon Johnson is back after missing two games with a concussion. However, Johnson now has to contend for touches with an ascending D’Onta Foreman. But, Johnson is the superior pass catcher, so he has an edge in a game that the Bears are 8.5-point underdogs in Los Angeles.
David Montgomery did not practice all week. The Lions have a Week 9 bye. Our lofty projections for Jahmyr Gibbs show there’s next to zero chance he will suit up this week. UPDATE: Montgomery is OUT.
Josh Palmer was limited to sideline work at Friday’s practice after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Palmer is questionable. However, if he plays will have a tantalizing matchup. We will have more in the FullTime Discord on Sunday.
Luke Musgrave (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Miles Sanders is back, so we lowered Week 8 projections for Chuba Hubbard. At this point, it’s hard to handicap what will happen in Carolina, coming off of a bye with a new play-caller. That makes both Sanders and Hubbard risk/reward RB2/3 options.
Kyler Murray is doubtful.
Zack Moss missed a pair of practices this week and is looking very iffy for the Saints game. However, if Moss sits, Jonathan Taylor will move into RB1 territory.
Juwan Johnson is back after a four-week absence.
Justyn Ross has been placed on this Commissioner’s exempt list after an arrest. Subsequently, Ross can be dropped in all formats. Also, for the Chiefs, Justin Watson (elbow) returns.
Daniel Carlson (groin) has not practiced all week. The Raiders signed James McCourt to the to fill in if Carlson is ruled out in Detroit.
P.J. Walker will start for the Browns. This is a downgrade for all Cleveland pass catchers.
Juju Smith-Schuster has no injury designation. His return cools Kendrick Bourne off slightly.
Players Ruled OUT
Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants
Justin Fields (QB) Chicago Bears
Deshaun Watson (QB) Cleveland Browns
Ryan Tannehill (QB) Tennessee Titans
Chase Brown (RB) Cincinnati Bengals
Zay Jones (WR) Carolina Panthers
Robert Woods (WR) Houston Texans
Laviska Shenault (WR) Carolina Panthers
Kylen Granson (TE) Indiaanpolis Colts
Brevin Jordan (TE) Houston Texans
Josh Whyle (TE) Tennessee Titans
