Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game and their impact can destroy a well-constructed fantasy football roster in a hurry. Fortunately, unless you’re in a best-ball league, fantasy managers have the chance to hit the waiver wire and overcome untimely injuries.
Let’s break down the fantasy-relevant injuries ahead of Week 8 and how fantasy managers can forge ahead.
Week 8 byes: Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders
Dak Prescott (QB) Dallas Cowboys – According to Prescott, he could have kept playing on the calf injury he suffered in Dallas’ overtime win in Week 6. With a full bye week off to heal, the injury isn’t expected to hinder Prescott at all for the Cowboys’ Week 8 trip to Minnesota.
Davante Adams (WR) Green Bay Packers – Not an injury, per se, but Adam was placed on the reserve/COVID list and is highly doubtful for Week 8 due to the short turnaround. Tuesday, Allen Lazard was also placed on the same list, leaving Green Bay dangerously thin at wide receiver and precious little time to add reinforcements. It’s possible Marquez Valdes-Scantling (IR) can be activated ahead of time but for now, plan on Randall Cobb, Amari Rogers, and Equanimeous St. Brown being the Packers’ main pass-catching options.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR) Arizona Cardinals – Nuk injured his hamstring during Arizona’s Week 7 win against Houston and exited the game. He’s expected to be in the lineup on Thursday but is unlikely to practice much this week. As long as he’s active, fire up Hopkins as a WR1 in what shapes up to be the rare exciting Thursday Night matchup.
Nick Chubb (RB) Cleveland Browns – After missing two games with a calf injury, Nick Chubb is tentatively expected to be back in the lineup this week as the Browns host the Steelers. As long as there are no setbacks, Chubb will be an RB1 but should cede passing-down work to Week 7 waiver wire hero D’Ernest Johnson.
Saquon Barkley (RB) New York Giants – Barkley never came particularly close to practicing last week and will need to get multiple practices in before he’s cleared to return from his ankle injury. If Barkley has not returned to practice by Thursday, that’s a pretty good indicator that he’ll miss this week’s trip to Kansas City.
Miles Sanders (RB) Philadelphia Eagles – Sanders was carted off the field after hurting his ankle in the first half of Philadelphia’s Week 7 loss. We’re still awaiting MRI results but Sanders is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks, which makes Kenneth Gainwell a priority waiver wire target.
Julio Jones (WR) Tennessee Titans – Jones managed to survive Week 8 without any setbacks on his injured hamstring. In Tennessee’s blowout win, Jones managed to play 42.6% of the team’s offensive snaps. As long as there are no tweaks in practice this week, Jones will be on the WR3 radar this week in Indianapolis.
Sterling Shepard (WR) New York Giants – Questionable all week, Shepard tried to practice in pre-game workouts but was quickly precluded from the lineup. Another week of rest should make it more likely that Shepard’s hamstring will heal enough for Shepard to return in Week 8. Teammate Kenny Golladay (knee) is considered less likely to play but is worth monitoring all week.
DeVante Parker (WR) Miami Dolphins – Out since hurting his hamstring in Week 4, Parker remains questionable ahead of this week’s unappealing trip to Buffalo. Even if he’s active, Parker is no more than a WR4 against a stout Bills’ secondary.
Baker Mayfield (QB) Cleveland Browns – Mayfield also missed Week 7 and is considered highly questionable for Week 8 with a banged-up non-throwing shoulder. Even if Mayfield is active, he would not be a recommended fantasy option at less than 100% health playing against a Pittsburgh defense that has done a good job holding Mayfield in check for most of his career.
Zach Wilson (QB) New York Jets – The draft’s No. 2 overall pick sprained his MCL and is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks. New York’s offense was already struggling and Wilson’s absence will only exasperate those issues. The Jets traded for Joe Flacco and also have Mike White, who relieved Wilson in Week 7’s blowout loss. There’s little reason to start any Jets at this point.
Trey Lance (QB) San Francisco 49ers – Lance sat out last week with a knee injury but is expected to return to practice ahead of Week 8. Jimmy Garoppolo struggled last week but has been named the club’s Week 8 starter. Expect the veteran to have a short hook, with Lance possibly factoring in as a gadget/short-yardage weapon. It’s probably only a matter of time before Lance is named San Francisco’s starter, making him an intriguing free-agent add.
Tyrod Taylor (QB) Houston Texans – Out since hurting his hamstring in Week 2, Taylor should resume practice the week and will reclaim Houston’s starting job as soon as this week. Taylor will be a big upgrade for all of Houston’s skill position players and can be a solid option in Superflex leagues.
Malcolm Brown (RB) Miami Dolphins – Brown started Week 7 but was forced from the game after five snaps with a quad injury. Brown had minimal fantasy value already but is now expected to miss multiple weeks. He can be cut in nearly all formats.
Dyami Brown (WR) Washington Football Team – Brown suffered a knee injury last week and is expected to be sidelined for at least one week. Brown is well off the fantasy radar.
Will Lutz (PK) New Orleans Saints – Generally one of the league’s better kickers, Lutz never recovered from a groin injury that caused him to open the season on IR. Even though he was activated from that list, Lutz tweeted that he’ll miss the rest of the season.
The 2021 NFL season is well underway but it’s not too late to get access to the best help out there! All FullTime Fantasy members get exclusive access to our 24/7 Chat Room on Discord!
All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial start/sit and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! GET THE LATEST ARTICLES & UPDATES
