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This NFL season has seemingly been plagued by injuries more than ever before, which has led to tough start-or-sit decisions in fantasy football lineups. Our fantasy football injury reports for Week 8 as of October 24, 2024, will give managers the latest updates around the league.
Some of the banged-up players on this list are at more risk of missing this week's contests than others. Still, fantasy managers should pay close attention to the statuses of Cooper Kupp, Zay Flowers, Deebo Samuel Sr., Jaylen Waddle, George Kittle, and more.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 8.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Cooper Kupp Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is off the injury report and will play on Thursday evening against the Vikings, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Kupp has been sidelined since Week 3 after suffering an ankle injury during the second week of the season. In the season opener, the former Super Bowl MVP caught an impressive 14 receptions for 110 yards and a score off 21 targets. Before leaving early in Week 2, Kupp brought in four of his six targets.
After a week’s worth of full practices, Rams WR Cooper Kupp is off the injury report and expected to play Thursday night vs. the Vikings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2024
Fantasy managers should feel confident starting the 31-year-old in all formats on Thursday night as he should see a hefty target share and have top-10 positional upside in PPR formats facing a Minnesota defense that has allowed the most points to opposing wideouts.
Zay Flowers Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Flowers picked up the injury in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Given his quick and "twitchy" style of play, an ankle injury could seriously dampen Flowers' outlook this week if he can suit up. Flowers has been boom or bust in 2024. He has scored at least 19 fantasy points in three games and 11.1 or fewer points in every other game. The Ravens offense can win through the air and on the ground which has affected Flowers week-to-week.
Ravens injury report pic.twitter.com/8gfR2FH64Y
— Cordell Woodland (@CordellWoodland) October 23, 2024
Flowers also now has legitimate target competition with the reemergence of tight end Mark Andrews and the emergence of wide receiver Rashod Bateman as a downfield threat. With the Ravens headed into a Week 8 matchup against the lowly Cleveland Browns, Flowers could have a chance for a nice game. The once-stout Browns' defense is now No. 27 against opposing wide receivers in fantasy. Keep an eye on Flowers' status as the week progresses and stash Bateman just in case.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist/illness) did not practice on Wednesday. Samuel has been battling a wrist injury for a couple of weeks and he was limited to four snaps in Week 7 for what was described as a "pneumonia-like" illness. Samuel was even hospitalized with fluid in his lungs and was released on Tuesday. It sounds like Samuel is back with the team this week which is a good sign that his recovery is going well. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has remained non-committal on Samuel's status for the weekend.
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan indicated it's still too early to know for sure but there is hope that WR Deebo Samuel will play Sunday night against Dallas after bout with pneumonia.
Samuel was around and in good spirits in the locker room today.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 23, 2024
However, the hope is that Samuel will be able to play against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. If he can play, then Deebo is in line for a huge workload. None of the 49ers' main weapons practiced on Wednesday. Someone will need to catch passes for this team and should have a good time doing so against a lackluster Cowboys defense. In Samuel's five full games in 2024, he has recorded 335 receiving yards and a touchdown. He also has 51 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (quad) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Waddle is no stranger to the injury report but it would be best to keep an eye on the situation as we head into the weekend. With the Dolphins hoping to start quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, Waddle would see a huge boost in potential fantasy production. Waddle has all but disappeared without Tagovailoa in the lineup.
Dolphins’ first injury report against Cardinals.
Neck issue for Kader Kohou. Liam Eichenberg has two ailing shoulders.
Tua officially limited in return through concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/J770up6BCF
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) October 23, 2024
He has not exceeded 8.6 fantasy points in a game since Week 1 when Tagovailoa last played a full game. In the five games since Waddle has only caught 17 passes for 160 yards. He also has not caught a touchdown this season. He has been completely unplayable but things are looking up. Luckily Waddle was able to participate in practice in some capacity so for now there is no immediate worry about his status for Sunday's game. However, fantasy managers should still monitor the situation on Thursday and Friday.
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. Kittle has a sprained foot and is considered day-to-day. Veterans with various ailments are often permitted a day off on Wednesdays so Kittle's practice participation will need to be monitored as the weekend approaches. With the 49ers nursing several injuries, they will need all hands on deck. Kittle has been awesome in 2024. He currently sits as the TE2 with 375 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
#49ers TE George Kittle (foot) and WR Deebo Samuel (wrist/illness) won’t practice today.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 23, 2024
Despite the 49ers' ups and downs this season, Kittle is still on his way to a monster season. The 49ers play the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 in what should be a high-scoring affair. With so many weapons down for the 49ers, Kittle may literally be the last man standing. Presuming he can suit up this weekend, Kittle should be a smash start once again.
Jordan Mason Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (shoulder) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice. The 25-year-old running back and interim starter with Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) sidelined, Mason finds himself on the injury report once again but is trending toward playing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.
#49ers #Cowboys injury report pic.twitter.com/wdEgBL7b4Z
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 23, 2024
While the last few games haven't treated Mason incredibly well (he's averaging 13.7 touches, 83.0 yards, and zero touchdowns over the last three weeks), he's in a great position to bounce back against a Cowboys defense allowing the fourth-most rushing touchdowns and seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Jonathon Brooks Injury Update
Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday as the team prepares for their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Brooks had his 21-day practice window opened last week but ultimately wasn't activated from Injured Reserve to make his NFL debut in the Week 7 blowout loss to the Washington Commanders. The 21-year-old second-round selection is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last year in college, but he could make his debut this Sunday in Denver if he makes progress in practice this week.
Panthers QB Andy Dalton officially didn’t practice. A lot of others did though.
Wednesday, October 23
DNP
Andy Dalton (right thumb)
Sam Franklin (NIR-personal/foot)
Dane Jackson (hamstring)
Diontae Johnson (NIR-rest/rib)
A’Shawn Robinson (knee)
Nick Scott (hamstring)…— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 23, 2024
The RB selected in April's draft should be rostered in all fantasy formats and can demand a sizeable workload next to Chuba Hubbard in Carolina's backfield by season's end. If Brooks is active against Denver, we'd recommend keeping him on the bench as the Panthers likely ease him in.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (illness) remains on the injury report for Week 8 and was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice. Walker was questionable with an illness he picked up last weekend but ended up playing in the Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons and didn't seem very sick despite playing only 47% of the offensive snaps. The 24-year-old had 14 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown and added two catches for 24 yards and another score.
#Seahawks injury report for Wednesday: pic.twitter.com/zwWgVLBGTs
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) October 23, 2024
It would be a surprise if Walker isn't able to play in Week 8 against the visiting Buffalo Bills, where he'll be a must-start, high-end RB1 for fantasy managers. Through only five games played in 2024, Walker checks in as the RB8 in half-PPR scoring with 303 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also has 23 catches for 160 yards and another score. Given his injury-prone ways, though, backup Zach Charbonnet is an excellent handcuff.
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. The Buccaneers did not actually practice on Wednesday after losing to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, so Irving's status was an estimation. We should have a better idea of whether the 22-year-old will be able to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in the next two days.
During Wednesday’s walk-through, Mike Evans (hamstring), Bucky Irving (toe), Tykee Smith (concussion) and Payne Durham (calf) did not participate. pic.twitter.com/6lk4bkENcq
— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) October 23, 2024
In Rachaad White's return on Monday, Irving played 36% of the offensive snaps to White's 47% and had 12 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. White had four more touches and scored twice through the air. Irving should remain involved in Tampa's backfield moving forward, giving him RB3/flex appeal every week, but Sean Tucker could see more run this Sunday if Irving is limited or out.
Jauan Jennings Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Jennings missed the 49ers' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs already. The 49ers are hopeful that they can get him back in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers are thin at wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is done for the year and Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist/illness) is questionable for this week. Jennings has proven he can be an excellent fill-in. With Samuel out in Week 3, Jennings caught 11 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns.
Deebo Samuel (pneumonia) will not practice today, but Kyle Shanahan said there's a chance he plays on Sunday. "We'll see how it goes the rest of the week."
No Jauan Jennings (hip) today, either.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 23, 2024
He projects to be the 49ers' No. 2 wide receiver moving forward. While it is still early in the week, it is never too soon to look at who may be affected by Jennings' absence. Rookie wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing would undoubtedly see more opportunities in the absence of Jennings. For now, keep a close eye on Jennings' status as we approach the weekend.
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