Quarterbacks
DeShaun Watson, Houston Texans (ribs/lung)
This isn’t necessarily an injury stemming from the team’s Week 7 win over the Jaguars, but Coach Bill O’Brien admitted Watson is playing “hurt.” The team has been listing Watson on the injury report with a chest injury.
Fantasy Impact: The Texans have a short week as they take on the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night. Don’t expect to hear or see much from Watson in practice this week but all signs point to him being active for Week 8.
Josh Rosen, Arizona Cardinals (Toe)
The Cardinals rookie QB took a beating on Thursday Night. In addition to five turnovers, Rosen injured his toe on Arizona’s final play of the game. He had an MRI, and there doesn’t appear to be any significant damage, but he was in a walking boot.
Fantasy Impact: It doesn’t sound like the 10th overall pick from the 2018 Draft will miss any time. Expect his practice reps to be limited heading into Week 8.
Running Backs
Sony Michel, New England Patriots (Knee)
Bit of a scare here for the Patriots rookie as he was carted from the sidelines to the locker room after suffering what looked like a nasty knee injury. Unfortunately, it is the same knee he had a procedure on back in August. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Michel doesn’t think the injury will be, but it will keep him sidelined a few weeks. Still waiting for MRI results to give a better idea of Michel’s prognosis.
Fantasy Impact: Michel had three dominating performances from Weeks 4-6, rushing for four TDs and 316 yards. He was quickly emerging as a borderline RB1 in the Pats high powered Offense. With Michel out, the natural assumption would be James White will see an even bigger workload, but White is just not built for in between the tackle runs, neither is the team’s other back Kenyon Barner. New England may be in the market for a running back via a free agency or a trade.
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills (concussion)
The only Fantasy Football option worth discussing in Buffalo may be out in Week 8 after McCoy suffered a concussion in the 1st Half of the team’s blowout loss to the Colts. The Bills rusher appeared to twist his leg on the same play and at first glance looked like he would have a knee injury but the injury is officially being classified as a concussion.
Fantasy Impact: McCoy will go through the league’s concussion protocol, and if not cleared in time for Week 8, Chris Ivory would take over as the team’s starter.
Bilal Powell, New York Jets (Neck)
The New York Jets running back left in the second quarter of the team’s Week 7 loss to the Vikings. with a neck injury and did not return to action.
Fantasy Impact: Neck injuries can be tricky as the severity has a wide range. No word yet on if Powell will miss time, if he is out for a few games, Isaiah Crowell would see a much bigger workload with Trenton Cannon getting some more work as well.
Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers (ankle)
Matt Breida aggravated his ankle injury on his first carry of the game and though he came back in for a handful of plays he was eventually shut down for the rest of the game. Breida suffered the ankle injury two weeks ago but played through the pain in Week 6 and was taken off the injury report heading into Week 7. The 49ers back will be Questionable heading into Week 8.
Fantasy Impact: With Breida on the sidelines Raheem Mostert was the most productive 49ers back (79 total yards) but will continue to split time with Alfred Morris (25 yards).
Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos (Ankle)
The Broncos rookie rusher sprained his ankle on Thursday Night. Broncos coach Vance Joseph says Freeman is considered day-to-day indicating Freeman did not suffer a high ankle sprain, despite reports suggesting the contrary.
Fantasy Impact: Will be paying close attention to the Broncos practice reports this week. The Broncos take on the Chiefs on Monday Night in Week 8 which could cause some trouble when setting your lineup if you don’t have another option also playing in that game. Fellow rookie Phillip Lindsay would see a significant increase in value as will Devontae Booker if Freeman is inactive.
Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos (Ankle)
A mid-draft fantasy darling, Sanders tweaked his ankle during the Broncos victory over the Cardinals on Thursday Night. The injury is reportedly not a concern as Sanders admitted he didn’t come back in the game because it was such a blowout.
Fantasy Impact: The Broncos most productive receiver gets a juicy match-up vs. the Chiefs in Week 8 and while he may be Questionable for much of the week is fully expected to play on Monday Night.
Albert Wilson, Miami Dolphins (hip)
Though not officially confirmed the team and Albert Willson’s agent both fear the receiver’s Labral injury (tear in cartilage that keeps the joint in place) will cost him the rest of the season.
Fantasy Impact: Coming off a monster 155 yards and two TD performance in Week 6, Wilson was a hot commodity on the Week 7 Waiver Wire. He’s leading the Dolphins with four TDs but cannot be dropped in all formats.
Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins (Groin)
Still no detailed reports indicating the severity of Stills’ injury, fantasy managers can expect the Dolphins playmaker to be Questionable for Week 8. Miami plays on Thursday Night this week which is a major concern given the short turnaround.
Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins are perhaps the most wide receiver-needy team in the league. Albert Wilson is likely done for the year and Stills is Questionable at best for Week 8. Danny Amendola, Jakeem Grant and maybe MAYBE DeVante Parker would fill out the Dolphins’ receiver corps going forward.
Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (Hamstring)
The Texans rookie aggravated his nagging hamstring injury during the team’s Week 7 win over the Jaguars.
Fantasy Impact: With the Texans playing on Thursday Night, Coutee isn’t expected to be active for Week 8. He’s still worth holding onto in 12 team PPR leagues.
John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals (groin)
The Bengals second-year wide receiver missed Weeks 6 and 7 with a groin injury, was active in Week 8 but then aggravated the same injury and left action early.
Fantasy Impact: Another setback for a player who is quickly turning into a NFL Draft BUST (9th overall pick in 2017), Ross is not on the fantasy radar.
Tight Ends
Ricky Seals-Jones, Arizona Cardinals (Arm)
The Cardinals tight end left in the second half of the team’s Thursday Night Week 8 loss with what appeared to be what looked like a severe elbow injury. However, the injury is being reported as a “bruise.”
Fantasy Impact: Will be keeping an eye on RSJ’s practice participation this week. With the tight end position already fragile, Seals-Jones has been somewhat of a productive streaming option.
Geoff Swaim, Dallas Cowboys (Knee)
On top of the Cowboys tight end depth chart, Swaim left during the 4th Quarter of the team’s Week 7 loss to the Redskins with a knee injury and did not return.
Fantasy Impact: A possible TE streamer for those in 14 or 16 man leagues, Swaim should be considered Questionable for Week 8.
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