The Injury Files: Week 8

Rush Nation, it’s your weekly one stop, injury spot. Before you set those line-ups be sure to check in here and get the analysis you need. Find out who’s in, who’s out and who you need to keep an eye on, this weekend. As always, check out the waiver wire article, released by Stacey, every Monday for those stand-ins for the weekend. Let’s get cracking!

Quarterback

If you’re in a 1QB league, feel free to skip this portion of the article.

Let’s start with Russell Wilson. The story of the week. Confirmed by team mate KJ Hamler on Twitter, Russ was infact doing high knee’s and stretches up and down the aisle on the flight to the UK. Similarly to the “pretend huddle” when he was in Seattle, Wilson has been known for doing things abit unusual. Anyway, at present Russell Wilson is benchable if not droppable in 1QB leagues. They face the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday and he has logged some limited participations. Start if you’re desperate but I’d look for another option if possible. 

Ryan Tannehill did not participate in practice Wednesday. It was said at the time he is “progressing”, after dealing with an ankle issue. He was limited on Thursday, so heading in the right direction for Sunday vs. the Houston Texans. Matt Ryan has been benched by Frank Reich and likely would have missed time anyway with a grade two shoulder sprain. Dak Presscott, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones all returned in week seven and face no setbacks this week. 

Running Back

After the CMC trade to the 49ers last Thursday, Carolina was left with D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. The second year Running Back led the backfield and was doing a nice job for our Fantasy teams. Until he got hurt. He’s got a minor low ankle sprain which forced him to leave the game. The timeline is usually one to three weeks. Hubbard hasn’t practiced this week so it’s more likely he misses week eight. 

Zeke also hasn’t practiced this week for the Cowboys. He clashed with namesake DeShon Elliott from the Lions last week but did return to the game. He’s dealing with an MCL sprain and bruised thigh. James Conner was a game time decision last Thursday night. He’s logged two limited participation’s so far this week and has a good chance to play, barring no setbacks. Darrel Williams looks likely to return for Arizona aswell, meaning for a messy backfield situation until we see more.

The biggest and most devastating injury from week seven is without doubt, the New York Jets rookie star Breece Hall. He’s out for the season with a torn ACL. He will be a huge miss in redraft leagues the rest of this season. After the bad, comes the good news. D’Andre Swift has been a full participant in practice all week. Dan Campbell’s cautious approach with Swift’s double injury(knee/shoulder) seems to have worked a treat. He will be full go week eight.

Wide Receiver

Seattle star DK Metcalf was carted off last weekend. He’s injured his patellar tendon but does not need surgery. Likely to miss this week but I’ll update you when I know more. The LA Chargers rotten luck at Wide Receiver continues. Keenan Allen returned from his hamstring injury last week which has seen him sidelined since week one. Josh Palmer is out with a concussion. And, Mike Williams suffered a high ankle sprain. It’s thought he will miss around four weeks.

Deebo Samuel was a shock addition to the San Francisco injury report this week. He hasn’t practiced due to a hamstring sprain. It’s a tricky injury, that can linger for a while. It’s best to make long term plan’s for his replacement. As we see with Keenan Allen, it’s hard to judge, as he was nearly back in week four then missed another two weeks. Allen Lazard will almost definitely miss week eight with shoulder injury. Bad news for Aaron Rodgers as he already has a shoestring receiving corps. 

More good news coming from the Detroit Lions. Amon’Ra St. Brown has passed concussion test’s and has been practicing this week. Expect him to be full go come the weekend. Another player definitely missing this week is Ja’Marr Chase. Another big dent in our redraft rosters. He’s possibly going to miss four to six week’s with a hip injury. He could go onto IR allowing us to grab a free replacement from the waiver wire. Although keep in mind, the Bengals have a week ten bye. So, if he’s trending for the lower end to return, he might not head to IR and could return week eleven.

Tight End

Dalton Schultz has again re-aggravated his knee problem last week against the Lions. He’s had an underwhelming season so far although his two double figure games have both come with Dak Prescott under center, who now has a clean bill of health. Schultz has been limited Wednesday and Thursday, so the plan will be to play Sunday. Have a back up plan in place in case of a late rule out, like vs. the Eagles in week six.

David Njoku has been a solid option at Tight End this year but could miss around four weeks with a high ankle sprain. As we see with Mac Jones, it’s possible to return sooner but Njoku is definitely out for week eight. I’ll update you on this next week. Pat Freiermuth started the week limited. This time it’s an ankle issue after recently coming off a concussion. He should play against the Eagles this week and is the only Steeler I’m comfortable starting. Full practice Thursday.

New York Giants Rookie, Daniel Bellinger has been a solid stream option this year. He will unfortunately miss time and may require surgery on a fracture around his eye socket and septum, which he suffered in week seven. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact timeline at present but like with David Njoku, I’ll keep you updated when i know more.

That is it for week eight. If you want to know about anyone else or perhaps if you’d start/sit these guys, you can drop me a message on Twitter -@LVenes1. As always, check out Fast Action Friday this evening where Rob and Nathan will keep you posted on any updates today. Have a great week eight!