Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 8: Mike Evans facing lengthy absence, more QB injuries to manage
Staying up to date on NFL injury news is of the utmost importance for fantasy football success. The article below tracks all fantasy-relevant players currently listed on their team's injury report, and provides fantasy managers with actionable recommendations as new information rolls in.
Check back for updates from Tuesday through Saturday.
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**UPDATED AS OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST AT 3:00 PM ET**
AFC East
◆ Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid - TE (oblique)
Kincaid missed the team's Week 6 loss to the Falcons after practicing in a limited fashion throughout the week. He was dubbed "day-to-day" by head coach Sean McDermott.
Fantasy Impact:Dawson Knox played 81% of the team's offensive snaps and scored a touchdown on his only reception. The Bills are on their bye in Week 7, likely giving Kincaid the required time to return to the lineup in Week 8 against the Panthers.
Joshua Palmer - WR (ankle)
Palmer injured his ankle early in the second quarter of the team's Week 6 loss to the Falcons. He did not return to the game and was labeled as "week-to-week" by head coach Sean McDermott.
Fantasy Impact: Palmer appears to be headed for an absence in Week 8 when the Bills take on the Panthers. Look for Tyrell Shavers to see additional run, likely not enough to warrant fantasy consideration.
◆ Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill - WR (knee)
Hill suffered a dislocated knee in the team's Week 4 win over the Jets. His season is over.
Fantasy Impact: Hill's absence likely places additional emphasis on the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, increasing the expected target volume for De'Von Achane, Darren Waller, and Jaylen Waddle. Malik Washington is likely to step into a secondary role and could see his aDOT improve, making him a sneaky potential FLEX option for the remainder of the season. Waddle returned a 6-110-1 line on nine targets in his first game without Hill in Week 5, making him a weekly WR2 option for the remainder of the season.
Darren Waller - TE (pectoral)
Waller managed just 28% of the team's offensive snaps before departing with a pectoral injury in Week 7. He was labeled "week-to-week" by head coach Mike McDaniel Monday.
Fantasy Impact: It certainly sounds as if Waller will miss the team's week 8 game against the Falcons. An absence would leave additional snap available for Tanner Conner, although he is unlikely to warrant fantasy consderation in a difficult matchup.
◆ New England Patriots
Antonio Gibson - RB (knee)
Gibson tore his ACL in the team's Week 5 win over the Bills. His season is over.
Fantasy Impact: Gibson's absence shifts the New England backfield to a two-headed system, paving the way for rookie TreVeyon Henderson to see an increase in opportunities the rest of the season. The presence of established veteran Rhamondre Stevenson caps Henderson's weekly upside, but the former's fumble issues could force the team's hand after Stevenson committed his 10th fumble since the start of the 2024 season in Week 5. Treat Stevenson as a low-upside RB3 while Henderson has paths to RB2 ceiling should his opportunity share see a sudden spike.
◆ New York Jets
Garrett Wilson - WR (knee)
Wilson hyperextended his knee in the team's Week 6 loss to the Broncos. He is expected to miss "a couple weeks" and was ruled out for Week 7. Head coach Aaron Glenn said he was "hopeful" Wilson will play in Week 8, but followed up the comment by insisting his availability remains up to team doctors.
Fantasy Impact: Wilson's absence leaves a massive hole in the Jets' offense after accounting for 31.2% of the team's targets and 43.9% of the team's air yards through six games. Josh Reynolds is likely to be first in line for the primary wide receiver role. It is likely that rookie tight end Mason Taylor operates as the team's primary target earner while Wilson is out, after playing 93% or more of the team's offensive snaps in consecutive games.
Braelon Allen - RB (knee)
Allen suffered a "pretty serious" knee injury on a kickoff return in the second quarter of the team's Week 4 loss to the Dolphins. He is out indefinitely.
Fantasy Impact: Allen has been a significant contributor in the red zone this season. His absence substantially boosts Breece Hall's upside, who is now a locked-in RB1 in Week 5 against the Cowboys. Backup running back Isaiah Davis can be stashed in 12-team leagues as a high-upside contingency option. Hall gained a season-high 155 yards from scrimmage on 18 opportunities in his first game without Allen in Week 5.
AFC North
◆ Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson - QB (hamstring)
The perennial MVP candidate suffered a hamstring injury in the second half of the team's Week 4 loss to the Chiefs. He is considered week-to-week and could miss multiple games. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport previously reported that Jackson is expected back for Week 8, although he did not practice Monday.
Fantasy Impact: The Ravens have done absolutely nothing offensively without Jackson, scoring just 13 points in the two full games without him. A potential return in Week 8 is a welcomed proposition for the reeling Ravens, although fantasy managers will want to track his practice status closely in the coming days.
◆ Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow - QB (toe)
Burrow suffered a Grade III turf toe injury in Week 1. He underwent successful surgery and is likely to miss the next three months.
Fantasy Impact: The Bengals signed veteran Joe Flacco on Tuesday. He started in Week 6 and immediately stabilized the offense as a whole.
Mike Gesicki - TE (pectoral)
Gesicki was placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral injury in Week 6. He will miss at least four games.
Fantasy Impact: Fellow tight end Tanner Hudson also departed the team's Week 6 loss with a concussion, leaving Drew Sample and Noah Fant in line to soak up the bulk of the tight end usage on a short week. Fant offers the clearest path to counting stats and is worthy of consideration for fantasy managers in a bind at the position.
◆ Cleveland Browns
Cedric Tillman - WR (hamstring)
The Browns' No. 2 wide receiver strained his hamstring in Week 4. He was placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter and will miss at least four games.
Fantasy Impact: Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel relied upon tight ends, David Njoku (nine targets) and Harold Fannin (four targets), and wide receiver Isaiah Bond (six targets) in his first career start. Running back Quinshon Judkins and the tight ends remain the cleanest fantasy bets moving forward, though Njoku is nursing a knee injury.
David Njoku - TE (knee)
Njoku missed the team's Week 7 win over the Dolphins but head coach Kevin Stefanski labeled him "day-to-day" ahead of Week 8.
Fantasy Impact: Any missed time from Njoku would immediately benefit rookie tight end Harold Fannin, who played 80% of the team's offensive snaps against the Steelers. Fannin approaches TE1 territory in fantasy circles against the Dolphins.
◆ Pittsburgh Steelers
Calvin Austin - WR (shoulder)
Austin injured his shoulder in the team's Week 4 win over the Vikings. He was hospitalized with the injury and is expected to miss multiple games, per Steelers insider Gerry Dulac. Austin did not play in Week 7 against the Bengals. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he "could return to practice this week."
Fantasy Impact: Austin received good news on the injury when X-rays came back negative, but his absence has extended through the team's Week 5 bye. Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, and Roman Wilson will all likely be tasked with filling the void for as long as the team's WR2 remains sidelined.
AFC South
◆ Houston Texans
Joe Mixon - RB (foot)
Mixon was placed on the Non-Football Injury list ahead of Week 1 and is eligible to be activated in Week 5. The team stated that the veteran back is "making progress" and will be re-evaluated in a few weeks.
Fantasy Impact: Veteran Nick Chubb reminded us all that he is not going away, leading the backfield with 11 carries against the Ravens in Week 5. Rookie Woody Marks remains the upside play in Mixon's absence, but he handled just seven carries in Week 5 and the Texans predominantly view Marks as a "passing-game back." This remains a messy situation for fantasy behind one of the league's worst run-blocking offensive lines.
Cade Stover - TE (foot)
The Texans placed Stove on injured reserve before Week 2.
Fantasy Impact: Stover will miss at least four games. His absence should add one or two targets to tight end Dalton Schultz's weekly workload. The uptick is not enough to make Schultz a reliable TE1.
Nico Collins - WR (concussion)
Collins suffered a concussion in the team's Week 7 loss to the Seahawks.
Fantasy Impact: Collins appears highly likely to be out for the team's Week 8 game against the 49ers considering the head injury was suffered on Monday, likely leaving Xavier Hutchinson in an expanded role. Hutchinson warrants streaming consideration in Week 8.
◆ Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson - QB (eye)
Richardson suffered a "freak accident" ahead of Week 6 in which an elastic band snapped a piece of metal hit him in the eye, fracturing his orbital bone. He was placed on injured reserve.
Fantasy Impact: Richardson has been off the fantasy radar all season with Daniel Jones' career reemergence. Backup quarterback Riley Leonard can be stashed in superflex leagues, if need be.
Josh Downs - WR (concussion)
Downs appeared on Wednesday's injury report as a non-participant. He has been ruled out for Week 7 against the Chargers.
Fantasy Impact: Fellow Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (chest) was also sidelined, which could allow talented yet error-prone wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to get back into the starting lineup. Expect Downs' absence to benefit Michael Pittman and rookie right end Tyler Warren.
Ashton Dulin - WR (chest)
Dulin has been ruled out for Week 7 with a chest injury.
Fantasy Impact: The Colts suddenly find themselves thin at wide receiver, which could increase their utilization of 12-personnel with both Dulin and Downs sidelined against the Chargers. Volume should primarily flow through Jonathan Taylor, Pittman, and Warren.
◆ Jacksonville Jaguars
Brenton Strange - TE (hip)
Strange was unable to finish the team's Week 5 game against the Chiefs due to a hip injury. The team placed him on injured reserve the very next day. He will be eligible to return in Week 11.
Fantasy Impact: Strange currently stands as fantasy's TE20 in PPR scoring, but his 15.3% team target share ties for second among Jaguars pass catchers. Journeyman Hunter Long stepped into the primary pass-catching role following Strange's departure, but he is unlikely to become a viable starter. Fantasy managers should expect the Jaguars' established wide receivers and running backs to compete for chunks of Strange's vacated target share.
◆ Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley - WR (hamstring)
Ridley strained his hamstring in Week 6 and was unable to continue playing. He was ruled out for Week 7.
Fantasy Impact: Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (seven) and journeyman wide receiver Van Jefferson (six) were the top two target earners last week, though Jefferson could contend with Patriots No. 1 cornerback Christian Gonzalez on a majority of snaps in Week 7, making him difficult to trust in the FLEX. Rookie Elic Ayomanor could be tasked with a featured role should Ridley miss another week. Fellow rookie Chimere Dike had a breakout game against the Patriots and is likely to be featured as the primary slot receiver after Tyler Lockett was released Monday.
AFC West
◆ Denver Broncos
The Broncos did not experience any major injuries in their Week 7 win over the Giants.
◆ Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are suddenly healthy after fighting through multiple injuries early in the season.
◆ Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers - TE (knee)
Bowers has missed the previous two games. Head coach Pete Carroll said it "might be best for the long haul" to hold him out in Week 7. He did not play in Week 7 but the team is expecting him back following their Week 8 bye.
Fantasy Impact: Bowers has been slowed by a nagging knee injury, involving a PCL sprain and a bone bruise, that he attempted to play through until Week 5. It now appears as if he will miss Week 7, making it three straight absences. Michael Mayer played 92% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 6 and stands to benefit from any further absences from Bowers.
Jakobi Meyers - WR (knee, toe)
Meyers missed the team's Week 7 loss to the Chiefs but is expected to return following their Week 8 bye.
Fantasy Impact: Meyers was a surprising inactive in Week 7 but should be back for fantasy rosters in Week 9.
◆ Los Angeles Chargers
Najee Harris - RB (Achilles)
Harris ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg during the Chargers' Week 3 win over the Broncos. His season is done.
Omarion Hampton - RB (ankle)
Hampton was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering an ankle injury in the team's Week 5 loss to the Commanders. He will miss the next four games, at minimum.
Fantasy Impact: Running back Kimani Vidal had the hot hand in Week 6, finishing as the half-PPR RB8 while handling 18 carries and four targets. Fellow running back Hassan Haskins totaled just six carries and one target. Vidal should be considered the favorite to lead the backfield in touches again this week.
Hassan Haskins - RB (hamstring)
Haskins did not practice Monday.
Fantasy Impact: Monday's practice report was only an estimation after the team played on Thursday night. Even so, his status his worth monitoring considering the state of the Los Angeles backfield.
NFC East
◆ Dallas Cowboys
Miles Sanders - RB (ankle/knee)
Sanders was injured in Week 4 and did not play in Week 5. He was ruled out for Week 6 before being placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Fantasy Impact: Veteran Javonte Williams continues to operate in a near workhorse role. Jaydon Blue should still be stashed on benches after faring well in pass-protection in limited action.
◆ New York Giants
Malik Nabers - WR (knee)
Nabers suffered a torn ACL in the team's Week 4 win over the Chargers and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Fantasy Impact: The injury could not have come at a worse time for the Giants after they moved to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart under center. Nabers' absence will make it difficult to consistently move the football, lowering the upside of all remaining healthy players. Nabers makes for a solid trade target for dynasty managers looking to rebuild this season.
Darius Slayton - WR (hamstring)
Slayton did not play in the team's Week 6 win over the Eagles and remains sidelined at this time. He is listed as doubtful for Week 7 against the Broncos.
Fantasy Impact: It was practice squad call-up Lil'Jordan Humphrey that stepped into Slayton's vacated role against the Eagles, with the veteran journeyman returning a 4-55 line on a team-leading eight targets. Humphrey came crashing back to earth against the Broncos in Week 7 and should be returned to the waiver wire.
◆ Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles remain one of the healthier offenses in the league and are not currently dealing with any fantasy-relevant injuries.
◆ Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin - WR (quad)
McLaurin returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday. He was ruled out Friday and will miss his fourth consecutive game.
Fantasy Impact: The team sorely needs their vertical threat back on the field, but the coaching staff has been extremely measured in McLaurin's recovery. Zach Ertz is listed as questionable while the team ruled out Deebo Samuel Saturday, potentially leaving Chris Moore, Jaylin Lane, and Luke McCaffrey as the team's top pass-catchers against the Cowboys.
Deebo Samuel - WR (heel)
Samuel played in Week 6 after entering the weekend listed as questionable. He was ruled out for Week 7 Saturday.
Fantasy Impact: See above.
Noah Brown - WR (groin, knee)
Brown was placed on injured reserve in Week 7.
Fantasy Impact: Wide receivers Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey and Chris Moore are splitting the vacated role, making them difficult to trust as re-draft FLEX options. McCaffrey's 2.84 yards per route run notably lead the team by 1.05. His exceptional per-play efficiency could earn him more work as the season progresses.
Jayden Daniels - QB (hamstring)
Daniels suffered a hamstring injury in the team's Week 7 loss to the Cowboys. Head coach Dan Quinn said his injury is not considered long term Monday.
Fantasy Impact: Daniels has already missed two games this season and appears to be in jeopardy of adding to that total when the Commanders face the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Marcus Mariota would be in line to start his third game should Daniels miss Week 8 but is nothing more than a potential streaming option in two-QB leagues in a difficult matchup.
NFC North
◆ Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet - TE (back)
Kmet departed the team's Week 7 win over the Saints and did not return.
Fantasy Impact: Rookie Colston Loveland saw a career-high 67% snap rate in Week 7 and is worthy of streaming consideration should Kmet be held out against the Bears.
◆ Detroit Lions
The Lions remain relatively healthy through seven weeks.
◆ Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed - WR (collarbone/foot)
Reed fractured his collarbone in the Packers' Week 2 game against the Commanders and was already playing through a Jones fracture in his foot. When news of the expected collarbone surgery broke, the Packers were reportedly hoping to get Reed back in November. Reed then revealed that he underwent surgery to correct his Jones fracture as well. It is unknown whether this will extend his recovery timeline.
Fantasy Impact: Reed can be stashed in injured reserve spots, but he does not need to be held in leagues without them. Wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden are on the FLEX radar.
Christian Watson - WR (knee)
Watson was designated for return from injured reserve and returned to the practice field on Monday. He was officially limited on Wednesday but was ruled out for Week 6. He remained limited at Week 7's Wednesday practice but was ruled out for Week 7. He appears to be nearing a return.
Fantasy Impact: We expect Watson to take most of the 21-day window to ramp up before seeing game action, and will then likely experience a dip in production after a torn ACL. He may not be a viable fantasy commodity until 2026.
◆ Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy - QB (ankle)
McCarthy sustained a high-ankle sprain in the team's Week 2 loss to the Falcons. He was limited on Wednesday and is "not 100.0 percent yet." He was ruled out for Week 7.
Fantasy Impact: McCarthy's absence sets Carson Wentz up for a fourth consecutive start. The offense is averaging 357 yards of total offense with Wentz under center, more than 100 yards per game more than with McCarthy. Wentz's presence elevates the upside of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Carson Wentz - QB (shoulder)
Wentz was limited on Monday's estimated practice report.
Fantasy Impact: Wentz continues to gut out a shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm, although ESPN's Kevin Seifert stated that the team could be forced to utilize Sam Brosmer in Week 8.
Aaron Jones - RB (hamstring)
The Vikings placed Jones on injured reserve. He will be eligible to return after missing four games in Week 8. The Vikings are on bye in Week 6.
Fantasy Impact: Running back Jordan Mason is operating as the clear-cut lead back, while running back Zavier Scott operates as the passing game specialist. Scott warrants deep-league, PPR consideration.
Don’t forget: Check out the Rotoworld player news feed for all the latest news, notes, and transactions around the league.
NFC South
◆ Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix - QB (foot)
Head coach Raheem Morris labeled Penix "day-to-day" with a bone bruise to his foot.
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy managers will want to monitor Penix's practice status this week but he currently doesn't appear to be headed for an absence. Kirk Cousins would be in line for the start if Penix can't go against the Dolphins.
◆ Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young - QB (ankle)
Young suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team's Week 7 win over the Jets.
Fantasy Impact: Young is almost certainly headed for a missed game in Week 8, paving the way for veteran Andy Dalton to start against the Bills. Fantasy managers are likely better off looking elsewhere in a difficult matchup.
◆ New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller - RB (ACL)
Miller suffered a torn ACL in the team's Week 7 loss to the Bears. His season is over.
Fantasy Impact: Rookie Devin Neal should step into the primary change of pace role for the Saints in Miller's absence. Lead back Alvin Kamara saw the highest snap rate since Week 2 following Miller's departure and could be again looking at a workhorse role moving forward.
◆ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin Jr. - WR (fibula)
Godwin will not play in Week 7 after suffering a new fibula injury sometime last week.
Fantasy Impact: See below.
Mike Evans - WR (collarbone, concussion)
Evans suffered a broken collarbone in the team's Week 7 loss to the Lions. He is expected to miss "most of the season."
Fantasy Impact: Evans managed to play just under two quarters before the injury after returning from three missed contests due to a hamstring injury. Considering the current state of the roster, rookie Emeka Egbuka is looking like a true league-winning.
Bucky Irving - RB (foot/shoulder)
Irving is considered week-to-week after injuring his foot in Week 4. He was out for Week 5 and remained sidelined this week at Wednesday's practice. He has been ruled out for Week 7 already.
Fantasy Impact:Rachaad White vaults into RB2 territory while Sean Tucker could push for FLEX status in a rotational rushing role. Both players should be rostered.
Jalen McMillan - WR (neck)
McMillan remains on injured reserve with a neck injury suffered in the preseason.
Fantasy Impact: The Buccaneers are reeling at wide receiver with all of McMillan, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and now Emeka Egbuka out.
NFC West
◆ Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray - QB (foot)
Murray injured his foot on a fourth-quarter fumble in Week 5. He missed Week 7 against the Packers.
Fantasy Impact: Murray still doesn't have a weekly finish greater than QB16 through five games, making him an expendable asset in one-QB leagues. The team's Week 8 bye should allow Murray the time to return to action in Week 9.
Trey Benson - RB (knee)
Benson has already undergone surgery after injuring his meniscus in Week 4. He is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks.
Fantasy Impact: Backup running back Michael Carter is the Cardinals' lone healthy running back. Bam Knight (knee) was limited to begin the week after operating as the team's primary rusher in Week 6. Emari Demercado (ankle) did not practice. Knight and Carter should again split touches in Week 7.
James Conner - RB (ankle)
Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3.
Fantasy Impact: See: Trey Benson.
◆ Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua - WR (ankle)
Nacua suffered an ankle injury in the team's Week 6 win over the Ravens. Head coach Sean McVay labeled him "day-to-day" Tuesday, though he is considered a "long shot" to play in Week 7. He was ruled out Friday.
Fantasy Impact: Nacua should be ready to return to action following the team's Week 8 bye.
◆ San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy - QB (shoulder, toe)
Purdy is considered week-to-week after suffering a setback in Week 4. He returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday before being ruled out for Week 7.
Fantasy Impact: 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones remains a borderline QB1/2 while Purdy is sidelined. Although Jones is rehabbing a PCL sprain in his knee and an oblique strain, he is playing effectively. The 49ers will likely keep Purdy sidelined until he is consistently practicing in full, so as to avoid another re-injury.
Ricky Pearsall - WR (knee)
Pearsall has not yet returned to practice since suffering a PCL sprain in Week 4. He was ruled out for Week 7.
Fantasy Impact: Pearsall's continued absence places the team in a precarious position after it was revealed that Jauan Jennings is dealing with five broken ribs.
◆ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks avoided any major injuries in their Week 7 win over the Texans.