Navigating the Week 8 Injury Hayes

Before I get into it, I’d like to thank @TheOGFantasyFb AKA Steve for filling in for me last week.  If you haven’t, be sure to check out his weekly article that he writes with @DynastyZack, where the fellas help decide what players we should be panicking on, and who we should be reserving some patience for.  This week’s article can be found below:

Steve and Zack's Panic Attack: Week 7

Diagnosing some of the most notable down performances and situations of the week, and determining the proper level of panic moving forward.

Angle RanksDynasty Zack

Fantasy managers spent their July’s and August’s getting prepared to take down their league championships, passing the day with mock draft after mock draft as they eagerly awaited the season to begin. When we wake up Sunday, we’ll find ourselves in the month of November, and over halfway through the fantasy regular season. Every season is unique: players with high aspirations falter while others live up to the expectations, and a new sleeper player or two bursts onto the scene.  One thing that remains a constant from season to season: injuries. They can disrupt even the strongest of teams, and no amount of preparation can help us predict who will go down in a given season. However, we can prepare our teams to handle injuries and to adapt as they occur; that’s where I come in!  

I’m back once again, ready to lead you lovely folk on a journey and attempt to help you Navigate the Injury Hayes! First, I’d like to provide some other material that could help prepare managers for the week ahead. Dr. Ribu Thomas (@Ribu18) has officially joined the AngleRanks crew and mans the “Injury Desk”, a weekly article breaking down injuries to big names and providing medical expertise heading into the weekend. His Week 8 edition can be found below:

Week 8 Injury Desk: Barkley, Smith, Hall, Love and Charbonnet

Five backfield and receiver questions for Week 8, read through a PT's eyes. What the injury is, what the timeline research says, and where I lean.

Angle RanksRibu Thomas

Another article I’d like to point everyone to is “The Great Debate: To Start or Not to Start” from @FFrealitycheck. The resident AngleRanks Fantasy Philosopher helps ease our minds and clearly visualize the route to fantasy success by breaking down some important start/sit decisions that plague the masses. This week's debate can be found here:

The Great Debate: To Start or Not To Start? Week 8

A position-by-position look at this week’s most difficult fantasy lineup decisions, the matchups behind them, and a few choices that shouldn’t be so difficult.

Angle RanksFantasy Philosopher

Both of these are great supplemental pieces to to go alongside this article: one provides medical expertise (which I lack), while the other provides some start/sit advice that could be useful if your player happens to find themselves on the injury report.

As always, I’d like to remind everyone that I am not a medical expert, and the views provided are just my best analysis of the situation based on information that has already been announced. Without further ado, let’s carefully head into the Injury Hayes!

🔴Red Light: Already Out, Seek Other Avenues🔴

RJ Harvey - Denver Broncos

Harvey popped up on the injury report Thursday with a knee injury despite practicing in full Wednesday, and has since been ruled out for Week 8’s matchup against the Chiefs. Per Sam Jane of The Denver Post, the injury isn’t severe, and he isn't expected to be sidelined for long. In his absence, veteran JK Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman will anchor the Broncos' running game. 

Bottom Line
Both Dobbins and Coleman are startable with Harvey out, though they should come with tempered expectations in a bad matchup.

Tyjae Spears - Tennessee Titans

This report is more for Tony Pollard managers than it is for Tyjae Spears owners. Spears has already been ruled out as he recovers from a knee injury. This same injury sidelined him in Week 7, which opened up an opportunity for Tony Pollard to surprisingly be the overall RB1 for fantasy, turning 25 carries into 129 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught three balls for 26 yards. With Spears out, I anticipate another heavy workload for Pollard.

Bottom Line
If you were relying on Tyjae, your team is likely in rough shape anyways. Tony Pollard becomes a must-start as long as Spears is sidelined. Look to Samaje Perine or Dylan Sampson for a desperation play if Spears’ inactivity is affecting your lineup.

Carnell Tate - Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate has already been ruled out for this week’s game against the Bengals due to a shoulder injury. With the Titans on bye in Week 9, this could be more of a precautionary thing than a long-term injury concern. Their season is already over, so there is no point to pushing their rookie WR if he’s not 100%. We’ll revisit this situation in Week 10 and see if he’s able to come back strong after a bye week.  

Bottom Line
Tate will be out this week, so managers will need a replacement. Wan’Dale Robinson figures to play more of a role in Tate’s absence, and Elic Ayomanor could be a play in deeper leagues. Elsewhere, rookies like Makai Lemon or Ja’Kobi Lane could be in line for decent performances in plus matchups.  

Devonta Smith/Dontayvion Wicks - Philadelphia Eagles

Smith has been dealing with a hamstring injury and has been on the injury report since Week 2, and he has missed multiple games this year. Wicks was a new addition to the injury list in Week 7 after picking up an ankle injury. Both receivers have already been ruled out for Week 8.  

This once again puts rookie receiver Makai Lemon in the spotlight as one of the only impact players remaining in the passing attack, alongside tight end Dallas Goedert. Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, and Elijah Moore also figure to get some targets, though I don’t view any as fantasy relevant outside Cooper.

Bottom Line
I would prepare for these guys to miss even more time down the line, especially Devonta Smith. Wicks may return at some point, but it behooves the Eagles to rush Devonta back. Their season is over, and Smith is someone they need at full health if they want any hope of having a successful 2027 campaign.  Lemon becomes a must-start as long as these guys are out. As previously mentioned, Wan’Dale Robinson is someone I would be looking to add off waivers. Kendrick Bourne is also another viable option in what figures to be a high-scoring affair against the Cowboys.

Emeka Egbuka - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eguka was a surprise inactive last week due to a concussion sustained against the Steelers in Week 6. He picked up the injury in-game, but missed no action, so it caught me off guard when I got the notification of his status changing to out. He is once again going to be spectating this week’s action from the sidelines. This time, it is due to an ankle/foot injury, and it appears to be week-to-week affair.  

In Egbuka’s absence, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, and Tez Johnson figure to all play larger roles in the offense. If it’s anything like last week, however, it’ll end up being the Bucky Irving show.

Bottom Line
It is unclear how long Egbuka will be sidelined, and it’s never too early to start preparing your roster for a long-term absence. Godwin, Hurst, and Johnson are all viable options, along with the aforementioned Wan’Dale Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Makai Lemon, and Ja’Kobi Lane.

🟡Yellow Light: Questionable, Proceed with Caution🟡

Breece Hall - New York Jets

What was supposed to be a short stint on the injury list has turned into a multi-week absence for Breece. He has been dealing with a quad injury he sustained in Week 3 and hasn’t seen the field since. He avoided being placed on IR, so it appeared he wouldn’t be out more than four weeks (the minimum amount of time a player must spend on IR before being activated). However, this marks the fifth week he’s popped up on the report, which speaks to how difficult it can be to predict recovery timetables. He enters the weekend with a questionable tag after practicing in limited fashion Thursday and Friday.

If Breece were to miss again, Braylon Allen would once again lead the backfield.

Bottom Line
Continue to monitor this situation heading into Sunday. If Breece plays, I would take that as an indication that he’s healthy enough to handle enough of a workload to be relevant in a plus matchup against the Raiders. Should he miss, continue on as you have the last few weeks. Samaje Perine or Dylan Sampson could be viable last-minute desperation pickups for those needing a fill-in.

Eagles RB Room

It’s becoming easier to just address the Eagles' running back situation as a group instead of individually. Saquon Barkley is finally off the injury report, despite appearing to re-injure himself in Week 7. Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue enter as the backups should Barkley tweak something again. Previous fill-in Dameon Pierce was added to the IR with an undisclosed injury, joining Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Carson Steele on the list of injured Eagles’ running backs.

Bottom Line
I cautiously lean towards starting Barkley, though his re-injury risk scares me.  Despite limited work last week, he still had a productive day on the ground, managing 62 yards and a touchdown on only seven carries. His talent isn't being questioned; it's his availability. 

Kyle Monangai - Chicago Bears

Monangai is still dealing with a toe injury sustained after his 31-touch explosion in Week 4. He didn’t practice in any capacity this week, which likely puts him on the inside track to sitting again in Week 8. Roschon Johnson would once again slot into the backup role behind starter D’Andre Swift should Monangai sit.  

Even if Monangai were to play, I’d still keep him on my bench and see how he looks coming off his extended absence.

Bottom Line
He’s trending towards missing another week, so managers should fully prepare to be without him again. Swift is the only running back I would start from this backfield. For those needing another option, Samaje Perine and Dylan Sampson are desperation dart throws that have some receiving or touchdown upside to produce a decent day. 

Zach Charbonnet/Jadarian Price - Seattle Seahawks

Charbonnet enters the weekend with a questionable tag as he fights to rehab from a torn ACL suffered in January. He is back practicing, but was reduced to a limited participation level Friday after logging full practices Wednesday and Thursday.  Whether this was just precautionary or the sign of a setback remains to be seen.  Even if he plays, I’m not throwing him back into lineups yet. I’d like to see Zach ramp back into game shape and handle a decent workload before throwing him back into lineups.

Teammate Jadarian Price seems to be trending in the right direction, having logged a full practice on Friday, per John Boyle of the Seahawks’ official team site.  Price has spent the last four weeks on IR with a chest injury. It hasn’t been decided whether he is healthy enough to suit up in Week 8, so managers should monitor his situation heading into Monday night and have a backup plan in place. For managers who want to take the risk and start Price, it would be wise to roster one of Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, or Roschon Johnson, all who can be last-minute options should Price not suit up Monday night.

Bottom Line
Even if either of these guys play, managers would be wise to look elsewhere at running back. I need to see them handle any sizable workload before recommending them in lineups.

A.J. Brown - New England Patriots

A.J. has once again popped up on the injury report with a knee issue, only two weeks removed from a five-week absence. He didn’t practice Friday, which in my estimation implies he could be sitting this week. Managers will need to monitor this situation closely. Should he miss, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Efton Chism III will pick up some extra targets.

Bottom Line
Even if he plays, I’m concerned as to how healthy AJ actually would be. If he practiced in limited fashion, I'd be less reserved in my start recommendation.  Solely because of the matchup against the Miami Dolphins, I would still throw him in lineups, though there'd be a little unease with this decision. If he sits and you need a replacement, see the Emeka Egbuka section for some options.

DJ Moore - Buffalo Bills

Weekly article regular DJ Moore is still dealing with a shoulder injury that has been hindering him since Week 2. He was able to play through it in Week 3, and hasn't seen the field since his early exit in Week 4. DJ enters Week 8 with a questionable tag, and managers will need to keep an eye on his status going forward.

If he’s able to suit up, he returns in what figures to be a high-scoring game against the Baltimore Ravens, making him a player that should be in your lineup. He does come with a bit of a risk, though, as we have already seen him re-injure this shoulder midgame. The upside he carries in a matchup like this is well worth the risk.  Should he sit, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman will once again handle the bulk of the receiving work.

Bottom Line
Managers will need to keep an eye on him as we get closer to gametime. If he suits up, I’m playing him in what projects to be a high-scoring matchup. However, prepare yourself to see a “DJ Moore is questionable to return” notification as he could still re-injure that shoulder.

George Pickens - Dallas Cowboys

Pickens managers will be disappointed to see their stud receiver pop up on the injury report as he works through a hamstring and shoulder injury ahead of a juicy matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s questionable heading into the weekend, though there is no indication he is in danger of missing any time. He was able to practice in limited capacity, which is a good sign for his availability for Sunday's matchup. If he were to miss, Ceedee Lamb would be in for a monster day, and Ryan Flournoy would slide into the WR2 role.  

Bottom Line
Though he’s banged up a bit, George is a must-start this week. This is simply too good of a matchup to bench him over a slight injury scare.

Jaylen Waddle - Denver Broncos 

Waddle has already been a fantasy bust this season, and now is dealing with a chest injury that he picked up in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s game against Arizona. This could be a blessing in disguise for Waddle owners, as they now won't feel the need to force him into lineups. He enters the weekend with a questionable designation after practicing in a limited fashion Friday.  

Should Waddle miss Sunday’s game or be limited in any way, Courtland Sutton could see an uptick in targets.

Bottom Line
If you’re a Waddle owner, you know it’s been a tough season outside of Weeks 2 and 4. The passing attack has been awful, and in a bad matchup against the Chiefs, a banged-up Waddle can be kept on the bench if other options are available. Again, see the Egbuka section for some replacement options, all of whom I would take over Waddle this week.

Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills

Kincaid has been a limited participant in practice this week because of a chest injury and enters the weekend questionable. Because he was able to practice in some capacity this week, I would be surprised if he didn’t suit up. However, managers should still monitor the situation carefully in case he is ruled out last minute.  

Bottom Line
If playing, he should be in lineups. His upside could be limited if DJ Moore is able to suit up, but in a game that projects to be a race to 30, there will be plenty of fantasy points to be had in this game. Should he miss, look to add Chig Okonkwo, Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, or Dawson Knox.

🟢Green Light: Expected to Play (no tags)🟢

Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

Lamar has missed the last three games for the Ravens due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans. He’s off the injury report and looks to get back on track against an extremely vulnerable Buffalo Bills defense.  Tyler Huntley has filled in nicely for the injured Lamar, but it’s time for the Ravens’ star to get back in the saddle and lead this offense. 

This is great news for Ravens’ pass-catchers, especially Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane. The threat Lamar poses in the passing game will also open up some extra holes for Derrick Henry to run through. The Ravens’ offense should be back to firing on all cylinders now.

Bottom Line:
Start him, no questions asked. When Lamar suits up, he should be in all lineups.

Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings

Jones exited last week with a knee injury, but he is off the injury report heading into Week 8. He has a juicy matchup against the Detroit Lions this week. Though they have been decent at stopping the run, the defense is still susceptible to giving up yards through the air, which could lead to a decent day for Jones, whether it be through receiving production or some goal line scoring chances.

Bottom Line
Aaron is an RB2/flex option in Week 8, though his upside is limited a bit with the return of Jordan Mason. He’s been too good to bench, and given the matchup against the Lions, there is a chance both Mason and Jones could be serviceable.

Jeremiyah Love - Arizona Cardinals

Love is finally off the injury report and ready to play in Week 8 after missing the previous two weeks due to an ankle injury. I applaud the Cardinals for not pushing Love to play through the injury and preserving their young running back. Their season is toast, so they need to be cautious with the rookie.  

Bottom Line
Love returns in a plus matchup against the Cowboys, and he can safely be returned to lineups. Tyler Allgeier may still play a role, but Love should be the one leading the backfield in touches. This could be the breakout game managers have been waiting for. 

Ladd McConkey - Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd has cleared concussion protocol and appears to be on track to suit up in Week 8 for the Chargers’ tilt against the Rams. This season hasn't been what fantasy managers were hoping for when they drafted Ladd in the offseason. He had previously dealt with a foot injury earlier in the season, and even when he’s been healthy, he’s been unable to produce at a high level in this lackluster Chargers’ offense. Even though he has officially been cleared for game action, I’m not exactly giddy to rush him back into lineups. 

Bottom Line
If you have the WR depth, Ladd can sit on benches for a week. I need to see the Chargers show any semblance of a pulse on offense before starting anyone on this team. I’d consider any of the options mentioned in the Egbuka section and in the "Recap" section over him.

Michael Wilson - Arizona Cardinals

Wilson picked up a rib injury in Week 7 and has been in a non-contact jersey all week in practice, per Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. Despite this, he enters Week 8 with no injury designation. He should be good to go heading into what projects to be a high-scoring bout with the Cowboys.

Bottom Line
Start him. The Cardinals have displayed a willingness to allow quarterback Jacoby Brissett let it rip at high volumes, and this game likely won’t be any different against a weak Cowboys’ defense.

Rashee Rice - Kansas City Chiefs

Rice has been dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4, and hasn’t been able to step onto the field since. However, he has been cleared from the injury report and will be active this week against the Broncos.  

While the Broncos aren’t the most inviting matchup, I expect Rashee to return to his WR1 role in the offense. The offense will continue to run through Kenneth Walker III, but the return of Rashee should help inject some life back into what has been a struggling passing attack.

Bottom Line
I’m starting Rashee pretty confidently this week, assuming something doesn’t come out between now and game time regarding a snap count or injury setback.  The Chiefs have struggled passing the ball over the past few weeks, and Rashee should help provide a bit of a spark.

Tyler Warren - Indianapolis Colts

Warren has missed the Colts’ last two games after picking up a groin injury prior to his Week 6 matchup. However, he is off the injury report heading into the weekend and should be a full go against the Jags. He’ll immediately slot back in as the TE1 for this offense.

Bottom Line
Start Warren with no reservations. He is the top option in the passing game, and there is a chance for some nice garbage time production in a game where the Colts could be down big early.

Recap

Below is a recap of the players discussed and who I’ve recommended to start, assuming they're playing of course:

Starts: Lamar Jackson, Aaron Jones, Breece Hall, Jeremiyah Love, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DJ Moore, George Pickens, Michael Wilson, Rashee Rice, Dalton Kincaid, Tyler Warren

Sits: Kyle Monangai, Jadarian Price, Zach Charbonnet, Jaylen Waddle, Ladd McConkey

Officially Ruled Out: RJ Harvey, Tyjae Spears, Carnell Tate, Devonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Emeka Egbuka

Waiver Heroes 

RB: Samaje Perine, Dylan Sampson, and JK Dobbins/Jonah Coleman if available

WR: Makai Lemon, Wan’Dale Robinson, Ja’Kobi Lane, Kendrick Bourne

TE: Chig Okonkwo, Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Dawson Knox

Final Thoughts

Injuries to star players can derail even the strongest of fantasy teams. While we can’t prevent them, we can do our best to give ourselves multiple options to prepare for the worst case scenario. In fantasy, it is best to be proactive and not reactive. If you’re reacting AFTER players are marked out, you’re likely going to be too late in acquiring the best possible replacements for your lineup. Be diligent: roster your handcuffs so you’re prepared for any situation, collect depth pieces throughout the year, and stay in the know by consuming all the amazing content found on angleranks.com.

May your players stay healthy and be showered with touchdowns! If you enjoyed this, be sure to follow @TheDynastyCafe on X for more fantasy related content.  Also, feel free to reach out for any roster related questions as the season goes on!  

Remember: injury situations are fluid and rapidly changing, so keep an eye out for any updates after this article is released.