Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Report

We are at the halfway mark of a traditional Fantasy Football regular season. Play time is OVER, and it’s time we set our sights on the postseason. Every week matters a little bit more in the back half of the season. Let’s make sure we make every week count and get the right players in your lineup. Deciphering injuries and decoding the waiver wire are no easy tasks. Thankfully, that’s what you have me for. Welcome to the Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Report!

Week 8 Bye Weeks: None

Injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @SGPNFootballDoc! Additionally, this article is updated daily until Monday Night Football, so check back in before setting your lineup!

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Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Report

Week 8 Inactives

Dawson Knox (TE) Buffalo Bills

Deshaun Watson (QB) Cleveland Browns

Chase Brown (RB) Cincinnati Bengals

David Montgomery (RB) Detroit Lions

Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals

Brandon Johnson (WR) Denver Broncos

Brock Purdy (QB) San Francisco 49ers

Injury: Concussion
Injury Date: 10/23/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 6 days
Replacement Player(s) to Target: CJ Stroud (QB) Houston Texans

The San Francisco 49ers are on a TWO game losing streak. After their 5-0 start, I don’t think anyone saw that coming. Another thing that no one saw coming? 49ers QB Brock Purdy landing on the Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Report after playing the entire game Monday. It was announced today (Wednesday) that Purdy had entered the concussion protocol and did not practice.

This is huge news to start the week, as this makes it VERY likely that Purdy will be out this week. Historically, player’s had an average return timeline of seven days after a concussion, and many did not miss a game. This season has been very different however, as NO player has returned from a concussion in one week.

A concussion refers to a disruption to the function of the brain following a direct or indirect blow to the head. A player’s reaction time and decision making are most affected in terms of their playing ability. Concussion symptoms and response to treatment are extremely variable. In a very surprising twist, Purdy has cleared the concussion protocol. His performance level should be similar but he is at an elevated injury risk.

49ers QB Brock Purdy was surprisingly able to clear the concussion protocol in just SIX days – SIT.

Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals

Injury: Quad Strain
Injury Date: 10/22/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Trey McBride (TE) Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz had a tough offseason ahead of him before this season. Already an older player in the league, he had to work his way back from an ACL tear. Ertz was able to return to the field in the past few weeks, but unfortunately, he is right back on the fantasy football injury report for Week 8. Following an ACL tear, a player’s injury risk is elevated. There is a reason he made my Do NOT Draft List this season.

The Cardinals TE picked up an injury to his quadriceps muscle last week. The injury was significant enough that the team quickly placed him on the IR for a minimum of four games. This tells me that Ertz likely suffered a grade 2 strain, which carries a typical 4-6 week recovery timeline. I was not high on Ertz coming into the season, and this injury only strengthened my doubt. This does allow for the young TE Trey McBride to see some increased volume.

Zach Ertz is heading back to the IR and will be OUT at least 4 games – DROP.

Dawson Knox (TE) Buffalo Bills

Injury: Wrist Injury
Injury Date: 10/22/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Michael Mayer (TE) Las Vegas Raiders

The Buffalo Bills suffered one of the worst losses we have seen this season, and I’m not just saying that because they were my Survivor pick. As if losing to the lowly Patriots wasn’t enough, the Bills have also lost their TE for a period of time. After playing through the injury for several weeks, it appears Knox suffered a setback to his wrist injury. This led to the decision for him to undergo wrist surgery and be out for the immediate future.

The team has not released a return timeline yet, but Knox will likely be sidelined for at least a month. Wrist surgeries are typically more involved than hand or finger surgeries and require a longer recovery period. I would not be surprised if Knox ends up on the IR to allow time for full healing. We should have more information regarding the surgery this week, but for now, it’s Dalton Kincaid’s time to shine.

Bills TE Dawson Knox underwent wrist surgery this week and is expected out several weeks – IR.

Jerome Ford (RB) Cleveland Browns

Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 10/22/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 3-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Kareem Hunt (RB) Cleveland Browns

Unfortunately, we have another Cleveland Browns RB on the Fantasy Football Injury Report for Week 8. Jerome Ford has filled in admirably after the loss of Nick Chubb. He was on his way to another big day last week when he suffered an ankle sprain while being tackled. His ankle twisted inward as opposed to outward due to the defender landing on him, and this led to a bit more serious injury.

Ford has been diagnosed with a mild high ankle sprain. These injuries are worse than a typical low ankle sprain as they require more force to cause the injury. The damage also occurs to the ligaments connecting the lower leg bones above the ankle. This leads to less stability for the player when running or jumping. Typically, the injury limits the player for 3-6 weeks, and I would expect Ford to be out this week.

Browns RB Jerome Ford suffered a high ankle sprain and will be limited for several weeks – SIT.

Kyler Murray (QB) Arizona Cardinals

Injury: ACL Tear
Injury Date: 12/12/2022
Expected Recovery Time: 10-12 months
Recovery Time to Week 8: ~10 months

Tearing his ACL in Week 15 gave Murray just about nine months to return by Week 1. There is a lot of evidence that discourages players from returning from an ACL tear before or at nine months due to the increased reinjury rates. Most NFL players take closer to 11 months to make their return to playing.

I originally expected Kyler to take his time in getting back to playing, as that is what the team is expecting. It is to no one’s surprise that the Arizona Cardinals are in a rebuilding year. They let go of their best player in WR DeAndre Hopkins and made no plans to bring in a viable QB option in the interim. The Cardinals understand this is their franchise QB and do not want to rush Murray back for a season where they’ve set themselves up to tank.

However, Kyler officially returned to practice last week in a limited capacity. The Cardinals opened up his 21-day practice window, meaning they feel confident in his ability to return to the field in three weeks. I would expect him to be eased into practice with Week 8 or 9 as a more realistic return date. His mobility will be tested when he does finally get back on the field. After a couple full practices this week, it looks like Week 8 is Murray’s time to return.

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has returned to practice, but will likely return to play next week – SIT.

David Montgomery (RB) Detroit Lions

Injury: Rib Injury
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 2 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: D’Onta Foreman (RB) Chicago Bears

Despite a great start to the season stats-wise, Lions RB David Montgomery has been beaten up this season. Being added to the Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Report is not going to help him. During the Week 6 game, Montgomery landed on the ball while being tackled and had to leave the game. X-rays were negative, but an MRI later showed a rib cartilage injury that connects the rib to the spine.

Rib cartilage damage is a very painful injury that causes pain every time you rotate, bend over, laugh, or even sneeze. The injury will not fully heal until about six weeks, but players typically return in 2-4 weeks. Playing through these injuries is painful but typically has a low reinjury risk with proper protection. Montgomery may try to play through this injury, but I would NOT expect it this week.

Lions RB David Montgomery is likely OUT this week due to a rib cartilage injury – SIT.

Justin Fields (QB) Chicago Bears

Injury: Thumb Dislocation
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks (best case), surgery not ruled out yet
Recovery Time to Week 8: 2 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Sam Howell (QB) Washington Commanders

The Chicago Bears continue to be absolutely cursed at the QB position. After putting together two weeks of solid football, QB Justin Fields had a rough game that ended in an injury. Fields was injured on a tackle and was unable to return to the game with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. The good news is his X-rays were negative, ruling out a fracture. The bad news is he was unable to return to the game because he couldn’t grip the ball.

The injury happening to Fields’ throwing hand really muddies the waters. At this point, he is expected out for the foreseeable future. He dislocated his thumb, which means the bones of the thumb were forced out of place due to the hit. This is a painful injury that likely leads to ligament damage. The Bears are hoping he can rehab this injury, but there is a chance surgery is required, and Fields is out for a much longer time than 2-4 weeks.

QB Justin Fields dislocated his thumb on his throwing hand and will be out for at least a few weeks – SIT.

Kyren Williams (RB) Los Angeles Rams

Injury: Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 3-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 2 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Darrell Henderson (RB) Los Angeles Rams

Just as the Rams have the return of one of their offensive playmakers in, Cooper Kupp, another one is exiting. Los Angeles RB Kyren Williams finds himself on the Week 8 Injury Report after a 150+ yard rushing performance. He unfortunately picked up an ankle injury late in the Week 6 game, which will likely sideline him for multiple weeks. An MRI has shown that there is enough damage to the ankle that the Rams will be placing him on IR.

Although his ankle injury was initially thought to not be too serious, Williams finds himself on the IR. With the Rams making this decision, it likely means that Kyren Williams picked up a high ankle sprain last week. A high ankle sprain refers to damage to the ligaments above the ankle connecting your lower leg bones. This is a much more serious injury than a low ankle sprain and typically comes with a 3-6 week recovery period.

Rams RB Kyren Williams is being placed on the IR with his ankle injury – IR.

Anthony Richardson (QB) Indianapolis Colts

Injury: AC Sprain
Injury Date: 10/8/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 months
Recovery Time to Week 8: 2 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: CJ Stroud (QB) Houston Texans

Despite already missing one game due to injury and not being injured in only one game this year, the Colts rookie QB is off to a good year. Indianapolis QB Anthony Richardson has played well, but it seems his biggest concern has been staying healthy. Richardson was tackled and driven into the ground on his shoulder last week, causing him to injure his AC joint. The AC joint connects your shoulder to your collarbone.

AC sprains are graded by severity from one to six. The initial diagnosis for Richardson is a grade 3 sprain. This means the injury is pretty severe, and there are two possible treatment routes. With grade 3 sprains, about half of the patients are able to treat the injury with just rehab, but the other half require surgery. Richardson has already been ruled OUT this week and is seeking more medical opinions on the injury.

In the best case scenario where he is able to just rehab the injury, he would be looking at a 6-8 week recovery timeline. In the worst-case scenario, he would need surgery, and it would end his season early. I would expect the rookie QB to try to rehab his shoulder first, with the option for surgery if it fails. The expectation at this point is that Richardson may require season-ending surgery.

#ForTheShoe Anthony Richardson Injury Thread🚨

Medical Diagnosis: AC Sprain
Laymen’s Terms: Damage to shoulder/clavicle
Gameplay Affect:
1) Throwing Ability
2) Willingness to Run
Level of Concern: High
Takeaway: Surgery or Rehab 🤔 makes a BIG difference, but OUT multiple weeks pic.twitter.com/RzFdPgYwla

— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) October 10, 2023

Colts QB Anthony Richardson will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery – DROP.

Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings

Injury: Hamstring Strain
Injury Date: 10/8/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 8: 3 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Josh Downs (WR) Indianapolis Colts

This is one of the most devastating injuries on this Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Report. Not only did it happen to arguably the best WR in the NFL, but it’s a brutal in-season injury. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson injured his hamstring in Week 5 while running a route. He immediately took himself out of the game and did not return. After some speculation, we quickly learned the injury was pretty serious as he was quickly placed on the IR.

Placing Jefferson on the IR guarantees he will miss AT LEAST four games, and it tells me he suffered a grade 2 strain. This refers to a moderate hamstring strain where more damage is done to the muscle than in a mild case. A grade 2 hamstring strain typically takes 4-6 weeks to recover fully. Unfortunately, hamstring strains also carry a high reinjury rate, especially in the first two weeks of a player returning to play.

The hamstrings play a BIG role in generating a player’s speed and power. The injury will negatively affect his acceleration and jumping ability until it is fully healed. Additionally, a reinjury or setback would lead to more time lost and could easily derail Jefferson’s season. There’s a reason why hamstring strains were found to be one of the most burdensome injuries in the NFL.

#Skol Justin Jefferson Injury Thread 🤕

Medical Diagnosis: Hamstring strain

Laymen’s Terms: Damage to muscle in back of upper leg

Gameplay Affected:
1) Acceleration
2) Jumpball Ability

Level of concern: HIGH

Takeaway: Quick IR decision tells me grade 2, poor ROS outlook 📉 pic.twitter.com/iMhxfV3MYM

— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) October 11, 2023

Vikings WR has landed on IR with a hamstring strain that severely hurts his season outlook – IR.

Top Waiver Wire Targets

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR) Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Mayer (TE) Las Vegas Raiders
Darrell Henderson (RB) Los Angeles Rams
Kareem Hunt (RB) Cleveland Browns
D’Onta Foreman (RB) Chicago Bears
Josh Downs (WR) Indianapolis Colts

Short-Term Injured Reserve

These players will miss a minimum of 4 games.

Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
James Connor (RB) Arizona Cardinals
Khalil Herbert (RB) Chicago Bears
Pat Freiermuth (TE) Pittsburgh Steelers
Evan Hull (RB) Indianapolis Colts
Kenny McIntosh (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Justin Shorter (WR) Buffalo Bills
Jelani Woods (TE) Indianapolis Colts

Season Ending Injured Reserve

These players will miss the entire season.

Mike Williams (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Nick Chubb (RB) Cleveland Browns
JK Dobbins (RB) Baltimore Ravens
Aaron Rodgers (QB) New York Jets