Tag: fantasy football Week 8 WDIS

Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: Week 8

Week 8 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 8 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: RB Raheem Mostert (active), TE Darren Waller (active), WR Curtis Samuel (active)
Afternoon games: RB Jerome Ford (active), WR Tyler Lockett (active)
Sunday night: WR Joshua Palmer (active)
Monday night: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 47 degrees, cloudy (retractable-roof dome)

Rams

Inactives: DL Nick Hampton, DE Earnest Brown, OT Rob Havenstein, RB Zach Evans and OG Zachary Thomas

Lineup notes: RB Kyren Williams (ankle) remains on IR. RB Darrell Henderson was elevated from the practice squad.

Cowboys

Inactives: RB Deuce Vaughn, QB Trey Lance, CB Noah Igbinoghene, OT Tyron Smith, CB Eric Scott Jr., DL Villami Fehoko Jr. and WR Jalen Brooks

Lineup notes: LT Tyron Smith (neck) couldn’t get healthy in time and will miss this one.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 37 degrees, cloudy

Vikings

Inactives: RB Kene Nwangwu, OL Ezra Cleveland, LB Brian Asamoah, CB NaJee Thompson, OT Hakeem Adeniji and TE Nick Muse

Lineup notes: WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains on IR with a hamstring injury. TE T.J. Hockenson (foot) upgraded to a full practice Friday and will play.

Packers

Inactives: WR Malik Heath, DL Brenton Cox, OT Caleb Jones, S Zayne Anderson and CB Robert Rochell

Lineup notes: TE Luke Musgrave (ankle) and WR Christian Watson (knee) will go. RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday, but he’ll play, too. LB De’Vondre Campbell (ankle) and CB Jaire Alexander (back) are active. S Darnell Savage (calf) and CB Eric Stokes (hamstring) went on IR this week.

Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 68 degrees, cloudy

Falcons

Inactives: CB Clark Phillips III, QB Logan Woodside, DL Albert Huggins, LB Tae Davis, DE Joe Gaziano, OG Jovaughn Gwyn and P Patrick O’Donnell

Lineup notes: LB Bud Dupree (groin) is ready to roll.

Titans

Inactives: TE Josh Whyle, DL Caleb Murphy, DE Rashad Weaver, CB Roger McCreary, QB Ryan Tannehill, OT Jaelyn Duncan and WR Colton Dowell

Lineup notes: QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) is out, and QB Will Levis will make his first career start. WR Treylon Burks (knee) practiced all week and will play.

New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 50 degrees, light fog (retractable-roof dome)

Saints

Inactives: OT James Hurst, TE Jimmy Graham, WR Keith Kirkwood, DL Kyle Phillips and QB Jake Haener

Lineup notes: TE Jimmy Graham (illness) won’t be available, but QB Taysom Hill (chest) and TE Juwan Johnson (calf) are active. RB Alvin Kamara (illness) and RB Kendre Miller (shoulder) were on the report earlier in the week but were not listed Friday and are good to go. S Tyrann Mathieu (foot) and S Marcus Maye (hamstring, illness) both will play.

Colts

Inactives: CB Ameer Speed, DL Eric Johnson, OT Braden Smith, CB Julius Brents, OL Ike Boettger, LB Isaiah Land and TE Kylen Granson

Lineup notes: QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) is out for the season. RB Zack Moss (elbow, heel) overcame a questionable tag. TE Kylen Granson (concussion) and RT Braden Smith (hip/wrist) has been ruled out.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 81 degrees, cloudy, ENE 11 mph

Patriots

Inactives: LB Josh Uche, OT Calvin Anderson, WR Kayshon Boutte, WR Tyquan Thornton, OT Vederian Lowe and QB Will Grier

Lineup notes: TE Hunter Henry (ankle) upgraded to a full participant Friday and will play.

Dolphins

Inactives: WR Robbie Chosen, QB Skylar Thompson, S Brandon Jones, S Jevon Holland and CB Xavien Howard

Lineup notes: RB De’Von Achane (knee) remains on IR until Week 11. RB Raheem Mostert (ankle) was limited Thursday and Friday and deemed questionable but will give it a whirl. WR Tyreek Hill (hip) was idle Wednesday and limited the rest of the week, but he’ll play. WR Jaylen Waddle (back) was limited all week and will play. CB Jalen Ramsey (knee) was activated from IR, though CB Xavien Howard (groin) is inactive. S Jevon Holland (concussion) won’t go, either.

New York Jets at New York Giants (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 52 degrees, rain

Jets

Inactives: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, C Joe Tippmann, WR Irvin Charles, WR Randall Cobb, RB Israel Abanikanda, DE Carl Lawson and LB Zaire Barnes

Lineup notes: WR Randall Cobb (shoulder) couldn’t get right in time. CB Sauce Gardner (concussion) and CB D.J. Reed (concussion) each cleared the protocol.

Giants

Inactives: QB Daniel Jones, CB Bobby McCain, OT Andrew Thomas, RB Deon Jackson, DT Jordon Riley, OT Evan Neal and S Gervarrius Owens

Lineup notes: QB Daniel Jones (neck) is out this week, so QB Tyrod Taylor starts once again. TE Darren Waller (hamstring) will give it a go after being deemed questionable. RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) upgraded to a full practice Friday and will play. LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring) remains out, and RT Evan Neal (ankle) joins him. C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder)  will gut it out.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 55 degrees, cloudy

Jaguars

Inactives: S Andre Cisco, OG Cole Van Lanen, DE Tyler Lacy, CB Tyson Campbell, LB Yasir Abdullah and WR Zay Jones

Lineup notes: WR Zay Jones (knee) is out this week. QB Trevor Lawrence (knee) will continue to play through a questionable tag.

Steelers

Inactives: CB Levi Wallace, NT Breiden Fehoko, QB Mason Rudolph and OT Dylan Cook

Lineup notes: TE Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) landed on IR. WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring) had a full practice Friday and will play.

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 65 degrees, cloudy

Eagles

Inactives: TE Albert Okwuegbunam, RB Rashaad Penny, CB Bradley Roby, DT Moro Ojomo, QB Tanner McKee and DE Patrick Johnson

Lineup notes: WR Julio Jones was elevated to he active roster.

Commanders

Inactives: TE Cole Turner, DL K.J. Henry, LB Andre Jones Jr., TE Curtis Hodges, WR Mitchell Tinsley, OL Trent Scott and CB Christian Holmes

Lineup notes: WR Curtis Samuel (foot) will be on the field today. LB Cody Barton (ankle) has been placed on IR.

Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 78 degrees, clear, SW 12 mph

Texans

Inactives: WR Robert Woods, DL Sheldon Rankins, TE Brevin Jordan, QB Case Keenum, LB Myjai Sanders and OG Nick Broeker

Lineup notes: WR Robert Woods (foot) is out. WR Tank Dell (concussion) had full sessions all week and is good to go. RT Tytus Howard (hand, knee) is ready, whereas DT Sheldon Rankins (knee) has been ruled out.

Panthers

Inactives: S Alex Cook, WR Laviska Shenault Jr., LB Luiji Vilain, OT Brett Toth, SS Vonn Bell, OT Nash Jensen and OT Ricky Lee

Lineup notes: RB Miles Sanders (shoulder) practiced all week and will return. LB Brian Burns (elbow) also is ready to roll. S Xavier Woods (hamstring) is active, but S Vonn Bell (quad) has been ruled out. DB Jeremy Chinn (quad) went on IR.

Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 49 degrees, clear

Browns

Inactives: QB Deshaun Watson, S Ronnie Hickman, DT Siaki Ika, WR Cedric Tillman, RB Jordan Wilkins, DL Isaiah McGuire and CB Kahlef Hailassie

Lineup notes: QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is out once again. RB Jerome Ford (ankle), RB Kareem Hunt (thigh), TE David Njoku (knee) and LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (foot, ankle) all will give it a go. RB Jordan Wilkins was elevated from the practice squad but is inactive.

Seahawks

Inactives: OG Phil Haynes, OT Raiqwon O’Neal, WR Cody Thompson, CB Kyu Blu Kelly, OG McClendon Curtis and LB Drake Thomas

Lineup notes: WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring), WR DK Metcalf (ribs, hip), RB Kenneth Walker (calf), TE Noah Fant (toe) and RB Zach Charbonnet (hamstring) all are active. S Jamal Adams (knee) will play through a questionable tag.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 24 degrees, cloudy

Chiefs

Inactives: DE B.J. Thompson, OG Mike Caliendo, DT Neil Farrell and DL Malik Herring

Lineup notes: RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) had full session Friday and will play. LB Nick Bolton (wrist) has been placed on injured reserve.

Broncos

Inactives: C Alex Forsyth, S JL Skinner, DT Elijah Garcia, DL Thomas Incoom and DL Keondre Coburn

Lineup notes: WR Brandon Johnson has been placed on injured reserve. WR Tre’Quan Smith was elevated from the practice squad.

Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 76 degrees, clear (retractable-roof dome)

Ravens

Inactives: QB Josh Johnson, C Sam Mustipher, RB Keaton Mitchell, WR Tylan Wallace, CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and S Marcus Williams

Lineup notes: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder) practiced fully Friday and will play. LB Odafe Oweh (ankle) is active, while S Marcus Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out.

Cardinals

Inactives: LB Krys Barnes, S Qwuantrezz Knight, TE Blake Whiteheart, OT Carter O’Donnell, WR Greg Dortch, CB Kei’Trel Clark and DL Kevin Strong

Lineup notes: RB James Conner remains on IR, and TE Zach Ertz (quad) joined him this week. QB Kyler Murray (knee) remains on the PUP. RB Damien Williams was elevated from the practice squad.

Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 68 degrees, clear

Bengals

Inactives: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, OT Jackson Carman, CB D.J. Ivey and C Trey Hill

Lineup notes: No injuries of fantasy relevance.

49ers

Inactives: DT Kalia Davis, QB Brandon Allen, WR Deebo Samuel, LB Jalen Graham, TE Brayden Willis, OT Trent Williams and RB Tyrion Davis-Price

Lineup notes: WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) is out. QB Brock Purdy (concussion) cleared the protocol and will start. RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique) practiced fully all week. LT Trent Williams (ankle) is not quite ready to return.

Sunday Night Football

Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 69 degrees, clear (open-air dome)

Bears

Inactives: CB Terell Smith, S Jaquan Brisker, OG Nate Davis, DE Dominique Robinson and QB Justin Fields

Lineup notes: RB Khalil Herbert (ankle) remains on IR. QB Justin Fields (thumb) also is out. RB Roschon Johnson (concussion) practiced all week and is ready to return. S Jaquan Brisker (illness) has been downgraded to out, and RG Nate Davis (ankle) will join him. S Eddie Jackson (foot) is active.

Chargers

Inactives: DL Chris Hinton, WR Alex Erickson, S Jaylinn Hawkins, OG Zack Bailey, RB Elijah Dotson and TE Gerald Everett

Lineup notes: TE Gerald Everett (hip) won’t go, but WR Jalen Guyton (knee) and WR Joshua Palmer (knee) are up. QB Justin Herbert (finger) and RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) practiced all week and are good to go.

Monday Night Football

Las Vegas Raiders at Detroit Lions (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Raiders

Lineup notes: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back) and WR Davante Adams (shoulder) both will be in the starting lineup. PK Daniel Carlson (groin) is questionable.

Lions

Lineup notes: RB David Montgomery (ribs) was ruled out. LG Jonah Jackson (ankle) has been ruled out, and C Frank Ragnow (toe, calf) is a game-time decision. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown was added as questionable with an illness.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 8

Check out these starts and sits for fantasy football in Week 8.

After an entertaining Thursday night contest, it’s time to prepare for a weekend full of tough decisions as fantasy football managers stare down their lineups awaiting the slate of games in Week 8.

Fortunately, there are no teams on a bye in Week 8, which makes start/sit decisions a bit easier. Still, there are plenty of injuries and trends taking place to factor into the decision-making process.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11) or check out our start/bench list for Week 8:

The best fantasy football gamble of Week 8

Will this touchdown machine get his lost season back on track in Week 8?

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start as a streamer. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as my favorite fantasy football gamble of the week.

The players chosen in this series are meant to be fliers for fantasy owners in desperate situations or willing to take an intentional risk. No player is intended to be a lineup lock for guaranteed results, hence the name of the series.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 8

Tracking my 2023 predictions: 1-6-0
All-time record: 19-37-3

Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected, leaves with an injury, or is ruled out after publishing

This year, we’ll also track the accuracy on a percentage basis to show relative results, since sometimes calling a player a loss doesn’t actually hurt gamers. An example would be if a projection narrowly falls short of the 75 percent threshold, the player is still of use in a lineup.

Wk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
% 55% 74.7% 41.7% 20.8% 150.3% 66.5% 16.1%
Grade E C F- F- A+ D F-

And here I thought Week 4 was rock bottom!

In Week 7, New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson caught one of his two targets for 22 yards and that was it all she wrote. Darren Waller and Jalin Hyatt led the aerial game in targets, and Robinson posted his worst fantasy stat line since this rookie debut … just the way I drew it up.

My overall success rate of 32.2% would be a respectable MLB career hitting average, but it’s far too low for my liking when it comes to weekly fantasy prognostication, even on total flier calls. This week, the need to take a gamble is much lower with no teams on vacation, and the lack of byes means this recommendation is best utilized for daily fantasy action. However, if you’re in a bind or willing to risk a flex spot, there is merit to such a move.

New Orleans Saints RB Jamaal Williams at Indianapolis Colts

Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 that caused him to go on the Reserve/Injured list and cost the veteran four contests before returning in Week 7. He faced a quality Jacksonville defense last Sunday but failed to do much of anything, rushing just five times for 14 yards. He was on the field for a mere 22.2% of the offensive snaps and rushed once in the red zone but not at all inside of the 10-yard line. Williams wasn’t targeted for the second time in three outings.

He heads to Indianapolis for a date with one of the weakest defenses of the running back position, and we can view last week’s limited showing as the 28-year-old shaking off the rust.

[lawrence-related id=483321]

Alvin Kamara overcame a midweek illness but is coming off three straight showings with a 3.6 yards-per-carry average, which is quite a bit below the league average. Now, that’s not all his fault as the offensive line has battled some injuries and tough enough opponents to depress his numbers.

Kamara has seen no fewer than 25 utilizations in each game back from his suspension, and that’s just not a wise floor to maintain. New Orleans needs to get Williams more involved and compartmentalize their respective roles to a greater degree. Game flow, however, plays a pivotal role in that coming to fruition.

The Colts are not likely to put the Saints in an early hole that requires an abandonment of the running game, and that’s going to work in Williams’ favor. As long as this game is within, say, 10 points on the board at any time entering the fourth, New Orleans will pound the ball.

Indianapolis has surrendered massive numbers to running backs, especially in the last five weeks. This is the sixth-easiest opponent to face for rushing yardage per game since Week 2 ended, and only the Carolina Panthers have yielded touchdowns at a higher rate in relation to number of carries faced. One in every 18.6 attempts has found paydirt, and that has come against the fourth-most rushes per game. Six backs have posted at least 15.1 PPR points, and three of them a have scored multiple times on the ground.

My projection: 14 carries, 52 yards, 2 TDs, 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards (18.8 PPR points)