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As the midway point of the season approaches, there are more injuries than ever to some of the top players in fantasy. Some have already been lost for the season, some are potentially playing through injury, and some are returning from injury at just the right time for fantasy managers.
A few of those aforementioned top players are Tyreek Hill, George Kittle, DK Metcalf, Jayden Daniels, and Jayden Reed. Those are just some of the many injured players to keep an eye on before the Sunday and Monday games.
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.
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Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa Injury Updates
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill (foot) and Jaylen Waddle (quad), along with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), are each dealing with injuries before this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Tua and Hill are officially listed as questionable, while Waddle has no injury designation.
Tua reportedly cleared concussion protocol, and after two full practices in row, seems like he has a good shot to make a long awaited return from injured reserve. His return should benefit the entire Dolphins offense greatly, returning many of their weapons to top fantasy form. One of those guys is Waddle, who after practicing fully on Friday, will play.
While Waddle trended in the right direction all week, Hill has been trending in the wrong direction, not practicing Friday after a limited practice Thursday. It's possible Mike McDaniel is being cautious with his top veteran receiver, but fantasy managers need to keep a close eye on this suddenly concerning injury situation.
Dolphins injury report lists Tyreek Hill as QUESTIONABLE.
Zach Sieler was ruled OUT earlier Friday by McDaniel. Kohou OUT, Duck DOUBTFUL.
Tua is listed as questionable, but only because he’s still technically on IR, to be activated Saturday. pic.twitter.com/ZISQlJhoPu
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) October 25, 2024
George Kittle, Deebo Samuel Sr., Jauan Jennings, Jordan Mason Injury Updates
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (foot), wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist, illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip), and running back Jordan Mason (shoulder) are all dealing with injuries heading into Sunday night's matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Jordan Mason has been fully cleared, Kittle and Deebo are questionable, while Jauan Jennings has been ruled out.
After losing Brandon Aiyuk for the season and still missing Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers are thin on offense. Deebo left last week with pneumonia, so it seems possible that he could try playing while sick once again. If Kittle and Deebo play, they should dominate targets from Brock Purdy, but Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing are two youngsters who could contribute as well in the absence of Jennings.
Mason should be viewed as an RB1 in a great matchup, Kittle should be viewed as a top TE option as long as he plays, while Deebo seems like a WR2 with a high ceiling and low floor.
#49ers injury report for Sunday night:
OUT - DT Kevin Givens (groin), WR Jauan Jennings (hip), K Jake Moody (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE - TE George Kittle (foot), S George Odum, CB Deommodore Lenoir (illness), WR Deebo Samuel (wrist, illness)
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 25, 2024
Kenneth Walker, DK Metcalf Injury Updates
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker (illness), and wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) are trending in opposite directions for Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Walker has been dealing with an illness going back to last week, but seems fine to play this week. He should be fired up in fantasy lineups as a clear RB1 in a great matchup.
Metcalf is officially doubtful, and after not practicing all week, seems primed to miss this Sunday. In his likely absence, wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett would be tasked with stepping up, along with tight end Noah Fant. Jake Bobo and Zach Charbonnet could also be involved a bit in the passing game.
Macdonald on Metcalf, who didn't practice all week with his Grade 1 MCL sprain from last Sunday: "It’s doubtful right now for the game. It’s not out of the question 100% yet, so we’ll take it to Sunday and then we’ll go from there."
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) October 25, 2024
Jayden Daniels Injury Update
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (rib) returned to practice Friday in a limited fashion, earning him a questionable tag heading into a matchup with the Chicago Bears on Sunday. After not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, a limited practice Friday should make fantasy managers somewhat optimistic.
However, given backup Marcus Mariota led the team to a huge victory in relief last week, the Commanders could decide to be careful with their thriving rookie QB. Normally having Mariota ready would be the easy play for fantasy managers, but a matchup with the top Bears secondary may mean better options are out there to replace Daniels in fantasy lineups.
Jayden Reed Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (ankle) practiced fully on Friday and has no injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is fantastic news for Reed fantasy managers, as he faces off with the porous Jaguars secondary in what should be a big game for Jordan Love and the Packers passing offense.
The entire receiving core is healthy, but that shouldn't stop Reed from putting up WR1 numbers given his ability to maximize the limited touches he receives, whether catching deep passes, receiving handoffs, or even returning punts.
Zay Flowers Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (ankle) returned to practice Friday, and is officially questionable for Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Flowers has been a bit boom-or-bust in fantasy for the run-heavy Ravens, but as long as he is playing, fantasy managers should play him.
If Flowers were to miss out, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman would be the pass catchers that would benefit the most. If he were to play, he should be viewed as a volatile WR2 in a game where the Ravens should be up early and run often with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.
Zay Flowers #ravens
Right ankle gets rolled on from the outside. Common mechanism for a high and/or medial ankle sprain. He’s moving around on the sidelines so may not be too serious but we’ll see. pic.twitter.com/gYxDg0mdTd
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) October 22, 2024
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadricep) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After a limited practice Friday, Higgins has a decent chance to play for a Bengals team underperforming and in need of a win streak to get back to their expected level.
Since returning from a previous injury in Week 3, Higgins has gotten at least six targets in each game. Both Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase have thrived in fantasy with Joe Burrow having to throw a lot due to the team's struggling defense. If Higgins were to miss out, Andrei Iosivas would be the primary benefactor.
Travis Etienne Jr. Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is officially questionable and considered a game-time decision for Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. He practiced in a limited fashion all week, making his status up in the air. Last week Tank Bigsby dominated touches to the tune of 26 carries for 118 yards, so would repeat that volume if given the starting nod once again.
The Packers are a tougher matchup than the Patriots, so if Etienne Jr. plays, it becomes hard to trust both him and Bigsby. Based on this season so far, Bigsby seems like the better back, but as of now Etienne Jr. still should be the starting back and get plenty of opportunities to earn more work. Both backs feel like flex options with RB2 or even RB1 upside without the presence of the other.
This sounds like it might be time to fire up and roll out the Tank one more time. Bigsby has been great for the Jaguars in Travis Etienne’s absence. Two multiple touchdown, RB1 games. 👀 https://t.co/KqSTESmLTF
— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) October 25, 2024
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Irving is one of three running backs who has shown fantasy potential for the Buccaneers, so if he were to miss out, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker are plenty capable of picking up the slack.
With Chris Godwin out for the season and Mike Evans ruled out until after the bye in Week 11, this week could be an opportunity for the Buccaneers running backs to show they should be more involved in the passing game. However, given his backfield competition, it wouldn't be surprising if Irving has to wait a week to showcase his versatile talents after just one limited practice all week.
This was Bucky Irving moving around at the beginning of practice. It was warmups, so nobody’s really going full speed during it. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/J6NCDLHYsY
— Matt Matera (@matty4_matera) October 25, 2024
Players ruled out earlier Friday: Diontae Johnson, Jonathon Brooks, Dallas Goedert, Jerome Ford
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