Week 8 will be a major test for most fantasy football managers. Not only did we get more significant injuries to key players like Nico Collins, Jayden Daniels, and Mike Evans, but we also have to contend with six teams being on bye in Week 8. Understanding current injury situations to maximize waiver wire choices (or identify sleepers) could be the difference in Week 8.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens | Questionable
The Baltimore Ravens desperately need Lamar Jackson to return to the starting lineup. Jackson completed 71.6% of his passes for 869 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception with 21 carries for 166 yards and a touchdown in his first four games before suffering a hamstring injury. He was averaging 23.3 points per game before going down with the injury.
Jackson has missed two games since (both losses) and had the Week 7 bye to hopefully get healthy. He was logged as a non-participant in Monday’s walkthrough practice, which is less than ideal given the team’s sense of urgency after a 1-5 start.
The veteran quarterback was a limited practice participant throughout the week, setting him up to return to the field in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders | Out
Jayden Daniels has already missed two games this season with a knee sprain, but returned to the starting lineup in Week 5. Unfortunately, Daniels suffered a hamstring injury against the Dallas Cowboys that could keep him out of the lineup again.
Initial reports suggest that Daniels’s hamstring injury is minor. Still, unfortunately, that won’t stop the Commanders from exercising caution and putting him on the bench in Week 8’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rap: Jayden Daniels (hamstring) won’t play Week 8.
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 22, 2025
Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the year in Week 8.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers | Out
A toe injury has derailed Brock Purdy’s 2025 season. Purdy suffered the injury in Week 1, returned to the starting lineup in Week 4, aggravated the injury, and has been on the sideline since. Unfortunately, Purdy’s toe injury has continued to linger, putting his status in Week 8 in question.
Purdy was able to participate in practice throughout the week, but is not expected to start Week 8 against the Houston Texans. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
Mac Jones remains the starter in San Francisco until Purdy is sufficiently healed. `
Michael Penix Jr. QB, Atlanta Falcons | Questionable
Michael Penix Jr. was able to finish Monday night’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but was clearly hobbled by an injury. On Monday, we learned that he had suffered a bone bruise in his foot/ankle. Penix was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice due to a knee issue, so the initial diagnosis may have been wrong after additional testing.
Penix logged limited practices throughout the week and is listed as questionable heading into Week 8. Penix has said that he is expecting to play against the Miami Dolphins.
Penix’s injury is considered day-to-day.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy continues to navigate his ankle injury. The Minnesota Vikings have already stated that Carson Wentz will be the team’s starter during Thursday night’s Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers | Doubtful
Bryce Young suffered a high-ankle sprain during the team’s Week 7 win over the New York Jets.
Young was able to work on the side fields throughout the week, but is not expected to play in Week 8’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Andy Dalton will make his first start of the season.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Out
Bucky Irving has already been ruled out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints due to foot and shoulder injuries. Tampa Bay has its bye week in Week 9, so the team hopes that more rest will allow its second-year running back to return at full strength in Week 10.
Aaron Jones Sr., RB, Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones Sr.’s time on the injured reserve is ending. The Vikings have opened their 21-day practice window, and there is a chance that the veteran running back could return as soon as Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
RELATED: Free Fantasy Waiver Wire Tool
Jones is expected to be activated from the injured reserve ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He and Jordan Mason will once again split the backfield in Week 8.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears | Questionable
Due to a groin injury, D’Andre Swift was listed as a non-participant during the Chicago Bears’ practice on Wednesday. Swift has been nursing this injury for a few weeks, but he has been able to manage it and suit up on game day thus far. Swift did return to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday.
If Swift is injured, rookie Kyle Monangai becomes the lead back for a resurgent Bears rushing attack in Week 8.
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints | Out
Kendre Miller enjoyed the best season of his pro career before suffering a season-ending ACL injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 7.
Rookie Devin Neal is the next running back up on the depth chart, but the Saints may find ways to integrate Taysom Hill into the offense even more with Miller done for the season.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans | Out
On Monday night, Nico Collins suffered a concussion late in the Houston Texans’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Collins must go through the concussion protocol process to return to the field.
Unfortunately, having a short week after a Monday game will make it difficult (but not impossible) for Collins to return to the field in Week 8. Fantasy managers should know by Friday if they need to pivot to another option. Collins logged three DNP’s this week and was finally ruled out on Friday.
None of Houston’s other pass-catching options has emerged as a viable fantasy player this season. Still, fantasy managers could take upside swings on rookies Jaylin Noel or Jayden Higgins in Week 8.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles | Out
A.J. Brown was a surprising omission from the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. Brown did not practice at all during the week, but head coach Nick Sirianni stated that he is a player who could log three DNP’s and still suit up on Sunday. Brown was officially ruled out on Friday, giving him an extra week (the Eagles have a Week 9 bye) to get healthy.
DeVonta Smith elevates to an immediate WR1 in fantasy. Jahan Dotson and John Metchie III will also have expanded roles in his absence and could be desperation dart throws in Week 8.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Out
Mike Evans suffered a concussion and broken collarbone in Week 7’s loss to the Detroit Lions. The veteran receiver is expected to miss most, if not all, of the remaining games this season. He was placed on the injured reserve on Wednesday.
Evans is droppable in all formats.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Waddle was added to Thursday’s injury report with a hamstring issue. Midweek injuries are always concerning, but it was positive that he could at least log a limited practice on Thursday.
Waddle did not appear on the final injury report and enters Week 8 with no injury designation.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans | Out
Calvin Ridley missed the Titans Week 7 game due to a hamstring injury. He followed that up with three missed practices before being ruled out in Week 8.
Elic Ayomanor (five targets), Van Jefferson (four targets), and Chimere Dike (four targets) all had larger roles without Ridley on the field in Week 7. Dike (four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown) was the big winner in fantasy.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets | Out
Garrett Wilson missed Week 7’s game for the New York Jets, no thanks to a knee injury suffered in Week 6. Wilson’s injury was initially described as “week-to-week”, but head coach Aaron Glenn upgraded it to “day-to-day” this week.
Tyrod Taylor is at practice but I haven’t spotted Garrett Wilson. #Jets pic.twitter.com/fRRpDpy30H
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) October 22, 2025
Wilson was not spotted at practice on Wednesday or Thursday, which is not an excellent sign for returning to the starting lineup in Week 8. He was officially downgraded to out on Friday.
Josh Reynolds led the team in targets in Week 7 (9), but Tyler Johnson was the only pass catcher with more than 31 receiving yards (three for 60). This offense is a complete fade in fantasy, even with the prospect of Tyrod Taylor taking over under center.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin has not played since suffering a quad injury in Week 3. The Washington Commanders have entered each week hopeful that the veteran receiver would return to the passing attack, but he has yet to get over the hump.
Terry McLaurin (quad) expected to practice in full this week https://t.co/MrZQbGu6PA via @ArmchairNate #RaiseHail
— FantasyPros (@FantasyProsNFL) October 22, 2025
McLaurin did not appear on the team’s final injury report, signaling that he will make his return to the field for the first time in four games.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
DJ Moore was a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice due to a hip injury. Moore was working through a similar injury last week, but was gradually able to practice and was active for the Chicago Bears in Week 7. He logged a limited practice on Thursday and was removed from the injury report on Friday.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Out
On Wednesday, Chris Godwin was ruled out for the Buccaneers’ Week 8 matchup against the Saints. The team hopes he can return to the field after their Week 9 bye.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave suffered an ankle injury during his big game against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, but he still scored 26.8 PPR points with five receptions, 98 yards, and two touchdowns in the loss.
This injury is not viewed as significant and, as of now, should not restrict Olave in Week 8. He was a limited practice participant on Thursday and was removed from the injury report on Friday, indicating that he will be full-go in Week 8.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy did not practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Jeudy was also limited throughout last week, so this is not a new injury. He was able to return on Thursday.
Jeudy did log a season-low 68.4% snap share in the Cleveland Browns’ Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins. He was removed from the injury report on Friday and will enter Week 8 without restrictions.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Out
The San Francisco 49ers are once again hoping that Ricky Pearsall will be able to return to the starting lineup in Week 8 after missing Week 7 due to a knee injury. Pearsall did not participate in any practices before Week 7’s game, so his practice status will be very telling in his potential return.
Pearsall was officially ruled out on Friday and will miss his fourth straight game.
Deebo Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders held Deebo Samuel out of Week 7’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys due to a lingering heel injury. Samuel had been limited in practice for most of the two prior weeks before ultimately getting shut down for a game.
Head coach Dan Quinn expects Samuel to ramp up to full practices this week. Samuel does not carry an injury designation heading into Week 8.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs could not clear concussion protocol for the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Downs logged a limited practice on Wednesday and a full practice on Thursday, suggesting he is on track to return from his concussion in Week 8.
Downs was cleared through concussion protocol on Friday and is set to return to the Indianapolis Colts’ lineup as their slot receiver.
Christian Kirk, WR, Houston Texans | Out
Injuries have limited Christian Kirk to just three games in 2025. Kirk logged three straight “DNPs” and was officially ruled out on Friday.
Kirk’s absence will lead to an expanded role in the slot for rookie Jaylin Noel. Noel had seven targets, four receptions, and 77 yards against the Seahawks in Week 7.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills | Questionable
Dalton Kincaid missed the team’s Week 6 game against the Atlanta Falcons due to an oblique injury. Buffalo opted to rest their veteran tight end, knowing they had a Week 7 bye, in hopes of fully recovering him.
Kincaid was listed as day-to-day after the bye week, a positive step toward returning to the field. He has logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, indicating that he will return to the field in Week 8.
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets | Questionable
Mason Taylor popped up as a DNP on Thursday due to a quadriceps injury. Reports indicate that the injury is not seen as serious, but a mystery injury that forces a missed practice on a Thursday is concerning.
Taylor heads into Week 8 with a questionable designation.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns | Questionable
Cleveland held David Njoku out of Week 7’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins with a knee injury. The team is hopeful that the veteran tight end will be able to return for Week 8’s game against the New England Patriots.
The veteran tight end returned to practice on Thursday, giving him a chance to return in Week 8.
Njoku’s return will come at the expense of rookie Harold Fannin Jr., who led the team in targets (5), receptions (4), and receiving yards (36) against Miami without Njoku in the lineup.
Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins | Out
The initial fear was that Darren Waller suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 7’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Initial reports indicate that was not the case. However, the injury is significant enough for the veteran tight end to land on the injured reserve.
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Waller will miss the next four games and isn’t eligible to return to the field until Week 13’s game against the New Orleans Saints, thanks to a Week 12 bye for the Dolphins.
