Tag: Week 8

Falcons list inactives for Thursday night game vs. Panthers

The Falcons have released their inactives list for Thursday’s game against the Panthers.

The Falcons have released their inactives list for Thursday’s game against the Panthers. Both defensive linemen Takk McKinley and Marlon Davidson are out tonight for Atlanta.

Joining them on the inactives list are CB Jordan Miller, RB Ito Smith and OL John Wetzel, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below.

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Detroit Lions Thursday Week 8 injury report: Desmond Trufant practices for first time in three weeks

Updating the Detroit Lions Week 8 injury report after Thursday’s practice.

After a walk-through on Wednesday, the Detroit Lions (3-3) were back on the practice field on Thursday, preparing for their upcoming Week 8 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts (4-2).

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Jalen Reeves-Maybin Non-Injury related No Practice No Practice

Reeves-Maybin continues to miss practices this week with an undisclosed, non-COVID-19 situation. If he returns to practice on Friday, he will likely be available on Sunday.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Adrian Peterson Abdomen Not Listed Limited Practice
Taylor Decker Shoulder  Not Listed Limited Practice
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice Limited Practice
Darryl Roberts Groin/Hip  Not Listed Limited Practice

Trufant practiced for the first time since he re-injured his hamstring in Week 4. A limited practice on Thursday gives him a real chance to play on Sunday, as long as he doesn’t suffer a setback. If he does return, expect him to be on a snap count and the corners group to see a rotation of players.

Peterson, Decker, and Roberts were not listed on the injury report on Wednesday, which is not unusual for a walk-through, but limited practices for a player who was not previously injured leaves a bit of ambiguity surrounding their status.

Were they injured in last weekend’s game and this is just the team managing/monitoring their situation? Or did they suffer an injury in today’s practice and that is what limited them?

Last week the Lions gave several veterans who were managing minor injuries rest on Wednesday and Thursday, then ramped them back up on Friday and they were all available on Sunday. Let’s hope this is just that situation repeating itself.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
NONE Full Practice

No players qualify for this section at this time.

Colts Report

Seahawks opposing quarterback preview: 49ers’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo

A look at the Seattle Seahawks opposing quarterback heading into the Week-8 matchup against the 49ers – quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

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The Seattle Seahawks might be licking their wounds following their first defeat of the season, but will be back to take on their rivals the San Francisco 49ers and their quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

After a meteoric rise to prominence thanks to a 6-0 record to start his NFL career, the shine around Garoppolo has begun to fade considerably. Instead of becoming the next big star, Garoppolo has become somewhat of a glorified game manager for San Francisco.

As a whole, Garoppolo has some decent numbers this season, but a closer look at individual game logs – or better yet, watching Niner games – tells a different story. Ever since his poor play down the stretch during San Francisco’s collapse in Super Bowl XIV, Garoppolo has struggled.

Over his last three games, Garoppolo has only three touchdown passes against four picks. This is made worse when you realize all three only came in one game against the Rams, meaning two of his last three games he has failed to deliver a score.

The most egregious example was a 43-17 loss to the Dolphins where he completed only seven of 17 passes for 77 yards and two picks, which resulted in him being benched at halftime.

Garoppolo may not be the elite talent some thought he would be, but he has shown he can play very well in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system. When Garoppolo is allowed to get going, he compliment’s San Francisco’s dominant ground game making it difficult for the Niners to be slowed down.

The last time the Seahawks faced Garoppolo, he was downright surgical, completing 18 of 22 passes for 285 yards.

The Seahawks defense has struggled this entire year, and now they face a mistake-prone quarterback. Seattle has to figure out a way to disrupt Garoppolo early and get San Francisco’s offense out of synch early, otherwise, it could be another long Sunday for the Seahawks.

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Detroit Lions protect TE Isaac Nauta and CB Dee Virgin in Week 8

The Detroit Lions have elected to only protect tight end Isaac Nauta and cornerback Dee Virgin in Week 8.

The Detroit Lions have elected to only protect tight end Isaac Nauta and cornerback Dee Virgin in Week 8, mirroring a pattern they established at the beginning of the season. The duo was also protected in Week 7.

It’s another week where the team could have protected more but chose only to keep Nauta and Virgin from the potential of being signed away by another team.

One note on Nauta: he cannot be elevated to the active roster on game day again this year. The NFL limits a player to just two games where they are elevated from the practice squad. If the Lions want Nauta to play, they will need to sign him to the active roster and make a corresponding move. The team clearly values Nauta’s presence, but he won’t play again unless he’s signed to the active 53-man roster.

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Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2020 Week 8 preview

Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2020 Week 8 preview

Have you ever been in a fantasy football matchup where it was coming down to the wire with only a small percentage to win, but one of your players makes a big play, and all of sudden you pull out an amazing last-second win?

There is nothing better than that thrilling win where moments earlier you felt you were about to suffer a tough loss. The Detroit Lions experienced this against the Atlanta Falcons last week, and most likely many fantasy owners did too.

Whether it was Tyler Lockett (WR Seahawks) having a big game on Sunday night, or a late score by the Bears defense —  it’s never until it’s over both in the NFL and especially in fantasy football.

Lions vs. Colts fantasy focus

The Lions have won two games in a row, and players such as T.J. Hockenson, D’Andre Swift, and Kenny Golladay have been a big reason why. If you look at those three players you see three key pieces for the Lions future and for fantasy football.

The Indianapolis Colts also have some unique fantasy players when you look at Jonathan Taylor (RB), Paris Campbell (WR), and Michael Pittman Jr.(WR). Those three players are also key components to that team’s future and to dynasty fantasy football owners too.

I feel the Lions have the more explosive offense and the Colts have shown to be a solid defense this year. The question is if Matthew Stafford can put up yards and points needed against a Colts defense that allows under 200 yards passing per game through Week 7

I see the Lions being able to score with their offensive weapons all healthy. In fantasy football consider playing a guy like Marvin Jones Jr or even Kerryon Johnson. I think they each could be sneaky sleepers this week. I see this being a close game where the Lions have just enough to win.

Start/Sit

Start
Carson Wentz (QB Eagles)
Darrell Henderson (RB Rams)
A.J. Green (WR Bengals)
Rob Gronkowski (TE Buccaneers)

Sit
Philip Rivers (QB Colts)
Joshua Kelley (RB Chargers)
DeVante Parker (WR Dolphins)
Jimmy Graham (TE Bears)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Running Backs
Alvin Kamara, Saints
Derrick Henry, Titans
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
George Kittle, 49ers
Darren Waller, Raiders

Team Defenses
Steelers
Ravens
Bills

Kickers
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Justin Tucker, Ravens
Will Lutz, Saints

Waiver wire options

Kyle Allen (QB Washington)
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Tevin Coleman (RB 49ers)
Zach Moss (RB Bills)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR 49ers)
Sterling Shepard (WR Giants)
Trey Burton (TE Colts)
Richard Rodgers (TE Eagles)

Intriguing games and players in Week 8

(Week 8 Bye Weeks: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team, Houston Texans) 

Atlanta at Carolina, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • ATL: Calvin Ridley (WR), Todd Gurley (RB)
  • CAR: Teddy Bridgewater (QB), D.J. Moore (WR)

New England at Buffalo, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • NE:  Cam Newton (QB), Damien Harris (RB)
  • BUF: Zach Moss (RB), Stefon Diggs (WR)

Las Vegas at Cleveland, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • LVR: Derek Carr (QB), Henry Ruggs (WR)
  • CLE: Baker Mayfield (QB), Jarvis Landry (WR)

Indianapolis at Detroit, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • IND: Jonathan Taylor (RB), T.Y. Hilton (WR)
  • DET: Jamal Agnew (RB/WR/KR), Marvin Jones Jr (WR)

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • PIT: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), James Conner (RB)
  • BAL: Marquise Brown (WR), J.K. Dobbins (RB)

San Francisco at Seattle, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • SF: Brandon Aiyuk (WR), Tevin Coleman (RB)
  • SEA: D.K. Metcalf (WR), Russell Wilson (QB)

Dallas at Philadelphia, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • DAL: CeeDee Lamb (WR), Amari Cooper (WR)
  • PHI: Carson Wentz (QB), Boston Scott (RB)

Tampa Bay at NY Giants, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • TB: Tom Brady (QB), Ronald Jones (RB)
  • NYG: Sterling Shepard (WR), Golden Tate (WR)

Bottom Line

Despite the score, your fantasy team always has a chance if it’s close. If you suffered some tough injuries this week, you still aren’t out of it if you have depth on your roster or are willing to make some trades.

Key Injuries to be aware of and keep your eye on:

Odell Beckham Jr. (WR Browns)
Chris Godwin (WR Buccaneers)
Allen Robinson (WR Bears)
Deebo Samuel (WR 49ers)
Kenyan Drake (RB Cardinals)
Joe Mixon (RB Bengals)
Phillip Lindsay (RB Broncos)
Dallas Goedert (TE Eagles)

Always hang in there despite the score, injuries, or any other circumstances. As the Lions learned again this past week, as with fantasy football always coming down to a few points here and there. You just never know what might happen when it’s all said and done.

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Packers-Vikings television coverage map for Week 8

Television coverage areas for FOX’s broadcast of Packers and Vikings in Week 8

A large swath of the country will get to see the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings during the early timeslot in Week 8.

Only three games are competing for airtime on FOX, meaning much of the Midwest and big chunks of the South and East Coast will get to see the Packers and Vikings on Sunday.

All areas shaded in red will get the Packers and Vikings on FOX this week, via 506sports.com:

506sports.com

Areas shaded in purple will see the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins, while the greens areas will get the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns. (Note, the map is subject to change as broadcast areas are adjusted. We will update the map if changes are made throughout the week).

Playing the Vikings means all of Wisconsin gets the Packers game on FOX. When both teams play in the same timeslot on the same network, parts of Wisconsin get the Vikings broadcast. Not this week. Also, the Chicago Bears are playing the late afternoon game, taking away another potential conflict.

Kickoff from Lambeau Field is scheduled for noon CT. Sunday will be the fourth time the Packers have played in the early timeslot this season. They are 3-0, including a win last week against the Houston Texans and a season-opening win over the Vikings.

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Seahawks won’t know status of RB Chris Carson until end of the week

The Seattle Seahawks won’t know the status of running back Chris Carson until the end of the practice week ahead of the 49ers matchup.

The Seattle Seahawks are set to square off against the San Francisco 49ers but won’t know the playing status of starting running back Chris Carson until at least the end of the practice week.

Carson left Sunday night’s contest early with a foot injury that was later confirmed as a mid-foot sprain by the MRI.

“Chris has something going on his foot that we have to see how it goes,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters Wednesday. “We’ll be real quiet on Chris until the end of the week and see how he goes on the weekend.

“So we won’t know entirely what’s happening until the week is out.”

Seahawks backup running backs Travis Homer (knee bruise) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) are also dealing with minor injuries following the loss to Arizona.

The official Wednesday practice participation report will be released later in the afternoon.

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Seahawks safety Jamal Adams to return to limited practice on Wednesday

Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams is expected to return to limited practice Week 8 after battling a lingering groin injury.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was able to provide some good news Wednesday afternoon when he announced that safety Jamal Adams would be returning to limited practice on Wednesday.

Adams has missed the last three games with a groin injury and he remains uncertain for the Week-8 contest against the 49ers. His resumption of light work, however, is a positive sign for the Seahawks.

“He’s going to be practicing in a limited fashion for the first time today,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters during his press conference. “So we’ll see what that means and see how he goes and tomorrow will be a really important day for him. As will Friday. We are going one day at a time and we are mixing him in in the preparation with the thought that there is a chance.

“But we are going to just have to wait and see how he does.”

Wednesday’s official practice participation report will be released later in the afternoon.

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