| | | | Sunday, October 29, 2023 | | We've gotten so used to bad injury luck this season that it's a genuine surprise when we get some good news, as we did over the course of the weekend with Jerome Ford and Brock Purdy. Earlier in the week, it looked like both players were going to sit out this week's games; Purdy with a concussion, Ford with what was described as a "low-grade, high-ankle" sprain. | | But, both got work in Friday during practice, and Purdy has already cleared the concussion protocol and will start Sunday against the Bengals. Ford, meanwhile, still needs to get through pre-game warm-ups, but is apparently trending toward playing without even missing a single game. | | You'll get my thoughts on how to handle those two situations along with every other injury you need to know about in today's newsletter, along with my updated rankings for each position. And, if you need more specific help with some of your decisions, the FFT team is here for you in multiple places. Head to Twitter and use the hashtag "#AskFFT", where our whole team will be answering questions all morning; and go to the FFT YouTube channel to chat with Adam Aizer, myself, and the rest of the FFT team starting at 11:30 a.m. ET. We'll be there right up until kickoff answering as many questions as we can, so make sure you're in the chat early to get your questions in. | | Now, here's everything you need to set your Week 8 lineup, plus the latest on injuries and more: | | Week 8 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WRWeek 8 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TEJamey, Dave, Heath's Rankings My Week 8 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE Dave Richard's Lineup DecisionsCheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR | | Injury report updates | | Here's what we know – or what we think we know – as of around 11 am: | | Out or probably out | | Justin Fields, QB, Bears (thumb) Daniel Jones, QB, Giants (neck) Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals (knee)Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns (shoulder) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans (ankle) David Montgomery, RB, Lions (ribs)Gary Brightwell, RB, Giants (hamstring) Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers (shoulder)Zay Jones, WR, Jaguars (knee) Robert Woods, WR, Texans (foot)Laviska Shenault, WR, Panthers (ankle) Zach Ertz, TE, Cardinals (quadriceps)Kyle Granson, TE, Colts (concussion) | | There shouldn't really be any surprises here, but I do want to highlight Robert Woods, whose absence probably shouldn't directly impact too many Fantasy players. But it does potentially open a path for Tank Dell to be a very good Fantasy option for the next few weeks, with Woods given a 2-to-3 week timetable for his injury. We've gotten some big games from Dell, but he hasn't been consistent enough to trust; that could change with Woods out. | | The one other unknown? Who will start for the Titans at QB. Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Will Levis is expected to start in Tannehill's absence and should see "most of the snaps," which still leaves room for Malik Willis to play a role. That'll likely only be for a few option plays to keep the defense honest, but it's enough to make it impossible to trust Levis in his first NFL start, even in a 2QB league. There's some upside here, but my expectations are pretty low. Expect a lot of Derrick Henry this week. | | Still questionable | | Jerome Ford, RB, Browns (ankle)Zack Moss, RB, Colts (elbow/heel)Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks (hamstring)Michael Thomas, WR, Saints (illness)Joshua Palmer, WR, Chargers (knee)Curtis Samuel, WR, Commanders (foot) Darren Waller, TE, Giants (hamstring) | | Ford was assumed to be out due to his high-ankle sprain, but apparently was impressive in practice Friday and has a real chance to play this week. I would be wary of trusting him given the injury -- high-ankle sprains have a tendency to limit production even when a player is cleared -- but he's in the RB3 range of the rankings if he plays. That's the same range Moss will occupy assuming he plays, which is expected. I think he'll take on more of a clear-cut No. 2 role behind Jonathan Taylor, and I might have expected it even if Moss was fully healthy. | | Sunday morning reports indicate Lockett is expected to play, Samuel and Waller are all leaning that way too, apparently. The biggest question mark right now is Thomas, who was added to the injury report Saturday with his illness. That late addition to the report is always a concern, so keep an eye on the inactive reports at 11:30 to determine whether to roll him out there; Thomas is in the WR3/4 range. | | Palmer looks like a legitimate game-time call after only getting up to a limited practice Thursday. The hope is he'll be able to play, and Palmer has been pretty impressive since Mike Williams' injury, with four straight games of at least 60 yards. He would be in the WR3 discussion if he plays, however with the Chargers not playing until tonight, it might be best to just avoid him if you have other comparable options in the early games. | | On track to play | | Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers (concussion) Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars (knee)Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Raiders (back) Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins (ankle) Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears (concussion)DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks (hip/rib) JuJu Smith-Schuster , WR, Patriots (concussion)Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints (calf) Taysom Hill , TE, Saints (chest)Gerald Everett, TE, Chargers (hip) | | Purdy, Lawrence, and Garoppolo all seem good to go barring any unforeseen setbacks, which is good news for their respective offenses. Purdy is a top-15 QB for me in Week 8, while Lawrence is a top-10 option; Garoppolo is more like a QB2. | | Mostert figures to remain the lead back for the Dolphins, and it doesn't really seem like there's much risk to his role until De'Von Achane is able to play again; Jeff Wilson was cleared last week and made his season debut, but played just seven offensive snaps. I do expect his role will grow, but not into more than a No. 2 option behind Mostert. | | One of the most interesting situations to watch this week will be the Bears backfield. Back when Khalil Herbert got hurt, the initial reaction was that Johnson's Fantasy value was about to take off like a rocket ship, except he suffered a concussion that same week that ultimately cost him two games. With D'Onta Foreman stepping up for a three-touchdown game last week, I'm expecting Johnson to be the No. 2 option here, handling a few carries and most of the passing snaps; more like a replacement for Darrynton Evans than Herbert, in other words. If that's right, Johnson still has some value as an RB3/4, but if it's wrong and he is the lead RB here, there could be a few huge opportunities for him before Herbert is able to come back. He's an interesting DFS play for that upside alone. | | Week 8 rankings updates | | QB rankings | | Jalen Hurts @WASPatrick Mahomes @DEN Lamar Jackson @ARIJustin Herbert vs. CHI Tua Tagovailoa vs. NE Jared Goff vs. LVKirk Cousins @GB C.J. Stroud @CARTrevor Lawrence @PITDak Prescott vs. LAR Matthew Stafford @DALBrock Purdy vs. CINJoe Burrow @SF Gardner Minshew vs. NOGeno Smith vs. CLE Sam Howell vs. PHI Russell Wilson vs. KCJoshua Dobbs vs. BALJimmy Garoppolo @DET Bryce Young vs. HOUDerek Carr @IND Desmond Ridder @TEN Jordan Love vs. MINTyrod Taylor vs. NYJ Mac Jones @MIAKenny Pickett vs. JAX P.J. Walker @SEA Zach Wilson @NYGTyson Bagent @LACWill Levis vs. ATL | | RB rankings | | Christian McCaffrey vs. CINAustin Ekeler vs. CHI Alvin Kamara @INDSaquon Barkley vs. NYJ Tony Pollard vs. LAR Bijan Robinson @TENJahmyr Gibbs vs. LV Travis Etienne @PITJosh Jacobs @DET Kenneth Walker vs. CLE Breece Hall @NYGJonathan Taylor vs. NOD'Andre Swift @WASRaheem Mostert vs. NE Derrick Henry vs. ATL Isiah Pacheco @DENJoe Mixon @SF Javonte Williams vs. KCDarrell Henderson @DALAaron Jones vs. MIND'Onta Foreman @LAC Gus Edwards @ARINajee Harris vs. JAX Rhamondre Stevenson @MIA Emari Demercado vs. BALDameon Pierce @CAR Alexander Mattison @GBJaylen Warren vs. JAXZack Moss vs. NO Kareem Hunt @SEAMiles Sanders vs. HOU Brian Robinson Jr. vs. PHI Jerome Ford @SEAAJ Dillon vs. MINChuba Hubbard vs. HOU Kenneth Gainwell @WASEzekiel Elliott @MIA Devin Singletary @CAR Roschon Johnson @LACRoyce Freeman @DALCam Akers @GB Tyjae Spears vs. ATLJerick McKinnon @DEN Tyler Allgeier @TEN Justice Hill @ARIJaleel McLaughlin vs. KC Dalvin Cook @NYGCraig Reynolds vs. LV Joshua Kelley vs. CHI Tank Bigsby @PITAntonio Gibson vs. PHI Zach Charbonnet vs. CLERico Dowdle vs. LAR Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs. PHI Salvon Ahmed vs. NETrayveon Williams @SF Damien Williams vs. BALCordarrelle Patterson @TENJeff Wilson Jr. vs. NE Elijah Mitchell vs. CIN | | WR rankings | | Tyreek Hill vs. NECooper Kupp @DAL Ja'Marr Chase @SFA.J. Brown @WAS Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. LV Keenan Allen vs. CHIPuka Nacua @DAL Davante Adams @DETAdam Thielen vs. HOU CeeDee Lamb vs. LAR Chris Olave @INDJaylen Waddle vs. NE Zay Flowers @ARIGarrett Wilson @NYG Michael Pittman vs. NO Brandon Aiyuk vs. CINJordan Addison @GB Devonta Smith @WASChristian Kirk @PIT Nico Collins @CAR Marquise Brown vs. BALDrake London @TEN Jakobi Meyers @DETTee Higgins @SF D.J. Moore @LAC George Pickens vs. JAXTerry McLaurin vs. PHI Amari Cooper @SEATyler Lockett vs. CLECalvin Ridley @PITDK Metcalf vs. CLE Josh Palmer vs. CHIDiontae Johnson vs. JAX DeAndre Hopkins vs. ATL Josh Downs vs. NOTank Dell @CARChristian Watson vs. MIN Courtland Sutton vs. KCRashee Rice @DENMichael Thomas @IND KJ Osborn @GBKendrick Bourne @MIA Wan'Dale Robinson vs. NYJ Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. CLEJerry Jeudy vs. KC Elijah Moore @SEARomeo Doubs vs. MINCurtis Samuel vs. PHI Brandin Cooks vs. LARTyler Boyd @SF D.J. Chark vs. HOU Rashid Shaheed @INDJahan Dotson vs. PHI Jonathan Mingo vs. HOURondale Moore vs. BAL Treylon Burks vs. ATL DeVante Parker @MIAJosh Reynolds vs. LVJuJu Smith-Schuster @MIA Darius Slayton vs. NYJMack Hollins @TEN Tutu Atwell @DAL Mecole Hardman @DENMarquez Valdes-Scantling @DEN Jameson Williams vs. LVMichael Gallup vs. LAROdell Beckham @ARI Jayden Reed vs. MINAlec Pierce vs. NO Jalin Hyatt vs. NYJ Jake Bobo vs. CLEDarnell Mooney @LAC Jauan Jennings vs. CINDonovan Peoples-Jones @SEA Braxton Berrios vs. NE | | TE rankings | | Travis Kelce @DENMark Andrews @ARI T.J. Hockenson @GBDallas Goedert @WAS Sam LaPorta vs. LV Darren Waller vs. NYJEvan Engram @PITGeorge Kittle vs. CIN Kyle Pitts @TENDalton Schultz @CAR Jonnu Smith @TEN Trey McBride vs. BALHunter Henry @MIA David Njoku @SEAMichael Mayer @DET Cole Kmet @LAC Gerald Everett vs. CHIJake Ferguson vs. LARLogan Thomas vs. PHITaysom Hill @IND Kylen Granson vs. NOLuke Musgrave vs. MIN Durham Smythe vs. NE Hayden Hurst vs. HOU | | Flex top 125 rankings | | Tyreek Hill vs. NECooper Kupp @DALChristian McCaffrey vs. CINJa'Marr Chase @SFAustin Ekeler vs. CHIA.J. Brown @WASAmon-Ra St. Brown vs. LVAlvin Kamara @INDKeenan Allen vs. CHI Saquon Barkley vs. NYJTony Pollard vs. LARBijan Robinson @TENTravis Kelce @DENPuka Nacua @DALDavante Adams @DETJahmyr Gibbs vs. LVAdam Thielen vs. HOUTravis Etienne @PITJosh Jacobs @DET CeeDee Lamb vs. LARKenneth Walker vs. CLEChris Olave @INDBreece Hall @NYGJaylen Waddle vs. NEJonathan Taylor vs. NOD'Andre Swift @WASZay Flowers @ARIRaheem Mostert vs. NEDerrick Henry vs. ATL Isiah Pacheco @DENGarrett Wilson @NYGMichael Pittman vs. NOBrandon Aiyuk vs. CINMark Andrews @ARIJordan Addison @GBT.J. Hockenson @GBJoe Mixon @SFDallas Goedert @WASDevonta Smith @WAS Christian Kirk @PITSam LaPorta vs. LVNico Collins @CARMarquise Brown vs. BALJavonte Williams vs. KCDrake London @TENJakobi Meyers @DETTee Higgins @SFD.J. Moore @LACGeorge Pickens vs. JAX Darrell Henderson @DALTerry McLaurin vs. PHIAmari Cooper @SEATyler Lockett vs. CLEAaron Jones vs. MINCalvin Ridley @PITDarren Waller vs. NYJD'Onta Foreman @LACDK Metcalf vs. CLEGus Edwards @ARI Josh Palmer vs. CHIDiontae Johnson vs. JAXDeAndre Hopkins vs. ATLNajee Harris vs. JAXEvan Engram @PITJosh Downs vs. NOTank Dell @CARRhamondre Stevenson @MIAEmari Demercado vs. BALChristian Watson vs. MIN Courtland Sutton vs. KCDameon Pierce @CARRashee Rice @DENAlexander Mattison @GBJaylen Warren vs. JAXGeorge Kittle vs. CINZack Moss vs. NOMichael Thomas @INDKJ Osborn @GBKareem Hunt @SEA Kendrick Bourne @MIAKyle Pitts @TENWan'Dale Robinson vs. NYJMiles Sanders vs. HOUJaxon Smith-Njigba vs. CLEJerry Jeudy vs. KCElijah Moore @SEARomeo Doubs vs. MINDalton Schultz @CARBrian Robinson Jr. vs. PHI Curtis Samuel vs. PHIJerome Ford @SEABrandin Cooks vs. LARAJ Dillon vs. MINChuba Hubbard vs. HOUJonnu Smith @TENTrey McBride vs. BALHunter Henry @MIATyler Boyd @SFD.J. Chark vs. HOU Kenneth Gainwell @WASDavid Njoku @SEAMichael Mayer @DETRashid Shaheed @INDCole Kmet @LACEzekiel Elliott @MIAGerald Everett vs. CHIJahan Dotson vs. PHIJonathan Mingo vs. HOUJake Ferguson vs. LAR Devin Singletary @CARRondale Moore vs. BALRoschon Johnson @LACTreylon Burks vs. ATLRoyce Freeman @DALDeVante Parker @MIAJosh Reynolds vs. LVCam Akers @GBJuJu Smith-Schuster @MIALogan Thomas vs. PHI Darius Slayton vs. NYJMack Hollins @TENTyjae Spears vs. ATLTaysom Hill @INDKylen Granson vs. NOTutu Atwell @DAL | | | | | | | | CBS Sports Golazo Network | | 24/7 Sports News | CBS Sports Golazo Network, the first-of-its-kind, free, 24/7 channel dedicated exclusively to global soccer coverage is NOW STREAMING on the CBS Sports App, Pluto TV and Paramount+!
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