Injury Status: Week 8

Thu Oct 23 9:48am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

There are six teams on a bye this week and this injury list is as long as ever. It might be a tough week for some fantasy owners. Hopefully, you aren’t impacted too much by it all. It might be tough to avoid, though.

Here is the latest. . . .

David Njoku, TE, Browns. Njoku is back practicing this week after missing the Week 7 game because of a knee injury. He still isn’t a sure thing to play, but is trending the right way. As long as he keeps progressing, we look for him to play this week.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts. Downs was unable to play last week because of a concussion but is practicing to start the week. He will need to clear the concussion protocol before the week is out but starting the week on the practice field is a very good sign for that to happen.

Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets. Wilson remains out of practice to start the week because of a hyperextended knee. He missed the game last week because of the injury. The Jets aren’t ruling him out for this week but he will need to get in some practice before the week is out for that to happen. We are skeptical of him being ready for this week but keep an eye on the notes for the latest.

Darren Waller, TE, Dolphins. Waller was placed on Injured Reserve because of a pectoral injury. He is going to be out at least the next four games because of the injury.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders. Daniels was knocked from last week’s game because of a hamstring injury. He is expected to miss the Monday night game. Marcus Mariota will start in his place Week 8.

Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs. Godwin has already been ruled out because of his leg injury. He has been out the past two weeks and it isn’t certain when he’ll return. The Bucs are super thin at receiver because of all the injuries.

Bucky Irving, RB, Bucs. Irving is going to miss another game this week because of foot and shoulder injuries. Rachaad White will start the Week 8 game for the Bucs with Sean Tucker serving as the top backup.

Mike Evans, WR, Bucs. Evans returned from his hamstring injury and broke his collarbone. He is going to have surgery to fix the injury and is expected to be out around eight weeks of action. You have to wonder if he plays again this season.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens. Jackson is finally practicing again this week but on a limited basis. He remains up in the air to return this week. Hopefully, we get a better idea of his status in the next few days. For now, consider him a game-time decision.

Nico Collins, WR, Texans. Collins suffered a concussion last week and left the game early. He is out of practice to start the week and will need to clear the concussion protocol to be able to play the Week 8 game. Collins might be a bit of a long shot to play because of the injury. Get other options ready.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills. Kincaid is back practicing on a limited basis this week. He continues to deal with an oblique injury. There was hope the bye last week would get him ready for the Week 8 game but nothing is certain with his status. He remains questionable to play because of the injury. Hopefully, Kincaid can ramp up his practice before the week is out. If that happens, look for him to play.

Bryce Young, QB, Panthers. Young suffered a high-ankle sprain last week and left the game early. He seems a long shot to play this week and could miss a few weeks of action because of the injury. Look for Andy Dalton to start the Week 8 game for the Panthers.

Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings. Jones has a chance to return from his hamstring injury this week. He hasn’t been activated from Injured Reserve yet but is eligible if healthy enough to play. Jones has been limited in practice to start the week. It would not surprise to see the Vikings hold him out one more game, giving Jordan Mason another start.

Hassan Haskins, RB, Chargers. Haskins has been ruled out for the Thursday game because of a hamstring injury. This leaves Kimani Vidal to handle nearly all the work at running back for the Chargers in Week 8.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Bucs. Egbuka was able to play on his hamstring injury last week after practicing just one day. He is out of practice to begin this week, but we wouldn’t rule him out. We actually think he has a very good chance to play Week 8, barring some sort of setback with the injury. And as long as he is active, Egbuka is a top play for fantasy teams.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers. Pearsall remains out of practice because of a knee sprain. He has missed the last three games because of the injury and is expected to miss this week. We aren’t sure when Pearsall will return. He has been slow to heal from this one.

Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers. Purdy remains limited in practice because of his toe injury. He is getting closer and closer to playing but might sit out one more game. He is considered questionable to play Week 8. If Purdy sits again, Mac Jones starts for the 49ers.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans. Ridley missed the game last week because of a hamstring injury. He is sitting out practice again to start the week. Ridley is not expected to be ready for the Week 8 game.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 8

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