Fantasy football injury situations to watch for Week 8

Welcome to the Week 8 injury report and fantasy football impact article. Injuries are the worst part of football, but we can’t pretend like they don’t happen and that they don’t have an impact on fantasy football decisions.

Each week during the 2021 NFL season, I’ll walk us through the key injury news and notes to know each week. We’ll do an initial run Monday featuring injuries known on game-day. But because we don’t always know all of the bumps and bruises sustained until practices begin, we’ll also run an update Saturday so you have the latest info and analysis before kickoff.

Saturday Update

Here are the fantasy-relevant players nursing injuries. These players were either limited at practice or did not practice at all in their most recent practice report (typically Friday). Note that some other players may be playing through injuries that don’t prevent them from being limited or missing practice, so they won’t be listed here. This list is for the injuries that are serious enough to keep them off the field, even in practice.

Quarterback

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (calf) — Prescott was limited all week and is questionable for Sunday night against the Vikings. It sounds like Prescott may be legitimately questionable, and the Sunday night kickoff doesn’t help matters for fantasy purposes. If you have Prescott, go see if Kirk Cousins or Daniel Jones are available (both play SNF/MNF) as backup options if Prescott is ruled out.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets (knee) — Wilson is out. Mike White will start Week 8. Do not pick up Mike White.

Running Back

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (ankle) — Barkley is “questionable” for Week 8, but he has not practiced in nearly a month. Don’t bank on him for Monday night. Devontae Booker remains a tail-end RB2 option.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (hip) — Ekeler missed practices all week and appears truly questionable for Week 8. If he plays, you have to start him. If he doesn’t, Justin Jackson becomes a flex option. Grab Jackson as a backup now.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks (groin) — Collins was limited and/or a DNP this week (logging limited on Friday), but he’s expected to suit up Sunday. You can play him as an RB2 with 16-20 touches likely.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (ankle) — Sanders was DNP all week and is out for Week 8. Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott should split the backfield. Gainwell is a tail-end RB2, and Scott will be a TD-dependent flex option.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (groin) — Swift is still listed as questionable, but he’s still going to play and be just fine on game day.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions (thigh) — Williams was a mid-week addition to the injury report but logged limited practices Thursday and Friday. He’s likely to suit up Sunday as a flex option once again.

Wide Receiver

Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ankle) — Brown is out for Week 8 after logging DNPs week. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans remain smash plays. Tyler Johnson is a viable punt, but less enticing with Rob Gronkowski returning.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (foot) — Metcalf was limited Friday, but he’s not on the final injury report. He’ll play as a high-end fantasy WR2 with Russell Wilson still out.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans (hamstring) — Jones is out for Week 8. A.J. Brown is set up for a big workload.
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants (ankle) — Toney was a DNP Thursday but got in a limited practice Friday. The Giants play Monday night, so Toney is a risky play unless you have a backup option from the Giants-Chiefs game. Another limited session Saturday would be great news for his potential return.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns (knee) — Landry was limited this week but is not on the final injury report and will play. He’s a WR3/flex option.
Odell Beckham, Cleveland Browns (shoulder) — OBJ was limited all week and seems likely to suit up after playing through (but re-injuring) this same injury last week. He’s a WR3/flex option, but don’t be surprised if you see him on the sideline often Sunday.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins (shoulder) — Injury-plagued all year, Parker was limited in every session this week and appears on track to be ready for Week 8. He’s a WR3 option with a very viable path to fantasy WR2 status if he’s active.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (hamstring) — Shepard was limited Friday. Like Toney, he’s risky to trust because the Giants play Monday night, but he does appear trending in the right direction. Shepard is a low-end fantasy WR2, but if both Shepard and Toney are active, the target distribution is up in the air because of Toney’s mini-breakout earlier in the year.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants (knee) — Golladay still hasn’t practiced since Week 5 and likely won’t play Monday night.
Corey Davis, New York Jets (hip) — Davis was a mid-week addition to the injury report and is doubtful for Week 8. It’s not a bad week to miss, since you wouldn’t want to rely on Mike White to get Davis the ball anyway.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots (shoulder) — Bourne was limited all week but is expected to play Sunday. He worked his way into becoming a flex option in WR3 leagues.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ribs) — Gronk was limited in practice this week and is expected to make his return in Week 8. With no Antonio Brown, he should see a sizable market share. And Mike Evans will see Marshon Lattimore, a matchup he has historically struggled with. Gronkowski is a bona fide fantasy TE1 again.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills (hand) — Knox broke his hand and underwent surgery. He won’t play in Week 8. Cole Beasley is likely the biggest “winner” here and is now a solid WR3 option.
Evan Engram, New York Giants (calf) — Engram has been limited in practice this week. With the potential returns of Toney and Shepard, Engram’s floor takes a hit. He’s just a desperation option in full-PPR leagues, albeit a slightly more enticing option this week with the Giants likely passing a lot against the Chiefs.
Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots (shoulder) — Smith was limited this week and will be a game-time decision. You don’t need to risk it with him — find a different streaming option. Hunter Henry becomes a strong TE1 is Smith sits.
Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers (hamstring) — Ebron didn’t practice Friday and is out for Week 8. Pat Freiermuth, who saw 7 targets in Pittsburgh’s last game, has officially moved into the tail-end TE1 conversation.

Original Injury Run

Quarterback

New injuries this week:

Zach Wilson, New York Jets (knee) — Wilson was ruled out in the second quarter. Mike White will be the QB if Wilson misses more time. White does not need to be picked up.

Players who were already hurt:

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns (shoulder) — Mayfield missed Week 7 and is week-to-week. He can stay on the waiver wire but will be a streaming option upon return.
Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans (hamstring) — Taylor will resume practicing this week, but he’s still week-to-week. The QB-needy in 2QB leagues may want to look his way.

Short-term IR players: Russell Wilson (keep stashed)

Running Back

New injuries this week:

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (ankle) — Sanders was ruled out after suffering an ankle injury and will undergo X-rays this week. There’s definitely concern he will miss extended time. Kenneth Gainwell becomes a tail-end fantasy RB2 immediately. Boston Scott can be added in deeper leagues.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (chest) — Jacobs missed the second half with a chest injury, but the team apparently doesn’t think it’s serious. Vegas has a Week 8 bye, so Jacobs gets extra time built in to get healthy. If he misses time, Peyton Barber returns to the RB2 mix with Kenyan Drake still in the flex territory for PPR leagues.
Malcolm Brown, Miami Dolphins (quad) — Brown “started” for the RBBC in Miami but left early and didn’t return. If Brown misses time, Myles Gaskin becomes a likely every-week flex play.
Ty Johnson, New York Jets (head) — Johnson saw 7 targets, and had a rush TD called back by penalty, which is enough to add him to your watch list. But the game was a complete blowout, so let’s not read too much into it. Johnson does not need to be added, but he’s a name to get to know.

Players who were already hurt:

Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (hamstring) — McCaffrey is out through at least Week 9. Chuba Hubbard is a weekly fantasy RB2 while McCaffrey is out.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (calf) — Chubb missed Thursday night. D’Ernest Johnson logged 24 touches for 160-plus yards and a TD and is an every-week starter for as long as Chubb and Kareem Hunt are out.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (calf) — Hunt has been shipped to IR and will be out at least three weeks. D’Ernest Johnson logged 24 touches for 160-plus yards and a TD and is an every-week starter for as long as Chubb and Hunt are out.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (ankle) — Barkley has not practiced two weeks in a row. Devontae Booker remains a solid fantasy RB2 in the meantime as New York’s fill in workhorse. Booker logged 16 touches and scored in Week 7.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (shin) — Gibson has been playing through this shin injury with no limitation come game day, but his efficiency has left plenty to be desired (only 4 YPC on the year). It remains a situation to monitor.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (groin) — Swift has been limited in practice all year, but it has not impacted his game status yet.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks (core) — Collins missed practice Thursday and Friday. He will be a game-time decision for Monday’s night. Rashaad Penny will be the starter and a solid spot start during a heavy bye week if Collins misses. DeeJay Dallas would also figure to be heavily involved on passing downs.
Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens (ankle) — Murray missed Week 7 and the Ravens backfield suffered as a result. Devonta Freeman led all non-Lamar Jackson rushers with only 4 attempts for 14 yards. He fell into the end zone, but even that wasn’t enough to salvage the fantasy day.
Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams (shoulder) — Los Angeles’ Week 7 contest against the Lions was far more competitive than expected, so Michel had a much smaller role (only 2 attempts).

Wide Receiver

New injuries this week:

Nothing notable

Players who were already hurt:

Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (quad) — Hill saw 9 targets Sunday. His quad injury is not limiting him on game days.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (foot) — Metcalf logged a DNP Friday. He plays Monday night.
Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ankle) — Brown missed Week 7. When he’s out, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin feast. Evans went 6-76-3 today and Godwin popped for 8-111-1.
Odell Beckham, Cleveland Browns (shoulder) — Beckham played Thursday night but appeared to re-aggravate his shoulder. Consider him week-to-week as a WR3/flex play when he’s on the field.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts (quad) — Hilton was a DNP Friday and missed Sunday night. He’s a WR3/flex option when healthy, and when he’s out, Michael Pittman gets bumped up near WR2 territory.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants (knee) — Golladay missed Week 7 and is week-to-week. The entire Giants WR room is injured right now, but when everyone is healthy, Golladay is at worst the No. 2 target. Keep him stashed.
Kadarius Toney, New York giants (ankle) — Toney missed Week 7 and is week-to-week. Toney could range anywhere from No. 1 to No. 3 in the Giants pecking order once everyone is back on the field. Keep him stashed.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (hamstring) — Shepard missed Week 7 and is week-to-week. Toney could range anywhere from No. 1 to No. 3 in the Giants pecking order once everyone is back on the field. Keep him stashed.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins (shoulder/hamstring) — Parker was limited this week but didn’t play, and he has now not played since Week 4. He’s trending back in the right direction, though. His imminent return will knock Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki down a rung.
Darius Slayton, New York Giants (hamstring) — Slayton played this week as the de facto No. 1 WR for the Giants, catching 5 passes for 63 yards. He’s a boom-bust player that will benefit in the short term from Giants WRs being hurt, but he’ll find himself fourth on the target tree once everyone is back healthy.
Sammy Watkins, Baltimore Ravens (thigh) — Watkins missed Week 7. He doesn’t need to be on fantasy lineups.

Short-term IR players: Michael Thomas (keep stashed); Jerry Jeudy (keep stashed); Michael Gallup (keep stashed); Tre’Quan Smith (stashable but not a must); Will Fuller (stashable but not a must)

Tight End

New injuries this week:

Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots (shoulder) — Smith was popping big plays, producing 52 yards on 2 receptions, before exiting. Any absence from Smith will make Hunter Henry a top-10 TE play.

Players who were already hurt:

Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders (knee) — Waller missed Week 7 after being a late-week addition to the injury report. Consider him week-to-week at this point. Backup TE Foster Moreau went 6-60-1 without Waller in the lineup and makes for a viable streaming TE in the meantime.
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ribs) — Signs are pointing to Gronk not being back until he’s 100% healthy. Keep him stashed on your fantasy roster, but realize he may be out another few weeks. O.J. Howard makes for a risky streaming TE option in the meantime.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions (knee) — Hockenson was limited at practice for the last three weeks but has not been limited on game days. He saw 8 targets in Week 7 and remains safe to start.
Evan Engram, New York Giants (calf) — Engram was the 1B to Slayton’s 1A in Week 7, catching 6-of-8 passes for 44 yards. Engram is just a fantasy TE2, even with the entire Giants WR room nursing injuries.