Our Week 8 NFL injury report is now live with focus on those of importance in your fantasy football leagues and DFS contests.
Quarterbacks Justin Fields and Ryan Tannehill are unlikely to go for their teams in Week 8 while Jimmy Garoppolo will likely return for the Las Vegas Raiders Monday night.
At running back, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley once again shows up on the injury report after suffering a hyperextended elbow last week.
Below, is our Week 8 NFL injury report with analysis on the biggest names and what it means heading into this week’s action.
Week 8 NFL injury report: Quarterbacks
| Player | Team | Injury | Backup | Status |
| Brock Purdy | 49ers | Head | Sam Darnold | Questionable |
| Kyler Murray | Cardinals | ACL | Joshua Dobbs | Questionable |
| Justin Fields | Bears | Thumb | Tyson Bagent | Doubtful |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | Raiders | Back | Brian Hoyer | Probable |
| Daniel Jones | Giants | Neck | Tyrod Taylor | Questionable |
| Ryan Tannehill | Titans | Ankle | Malik Willis | Questionable |
| Anthony Richardson | Colts | Shoulder | Gardner Minshew | INJURED RESERVE |
| Deshaun Watson | Browns | Shoulder | Dorian Thompson-Robinson | OUT |
| Aaron Rodgers | Jets | Achilles | Zach Wilson | INJURED RESERVE |
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
- Update: Purdy returned to practice on Thursday. He still has to pass through the final stage of the concussion protocol in order to play Sunday.
In what has to be considered surprising news, Purdy is in the NFL Concussion Protocol and did not practice on Wednesday. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that the second-year quarterback started feeling concussion symptoms on the 49ers’ flight back from Minneapolis earlier this week. If Purdy is unable to go, veteran journeyman Sam Darnold will get the start Sunday afternoon against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
- Update: Kyler Murray is now completely off the Cardinals’ injury report. Whether this means he’s playing Sunday remains to be seen. It still seems unlikely.
Murray was designated for return from injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL last season. He practiced with the Cardinals on this past week. Even then, there is no telling when he’ll suit up again. Arizona has a three-week window to fully activate Murray or shut him down for the remainder of the season.
At least for Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, Joshua Dobbs will likely get the start for the one-win Cardinals. Dobbs has thrown six touchdowns compared to three interceptions in seven starts this season.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Fields is doubtful to go Sunday against the Los Angeles after suffering a thumb injury in Week 6. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is preparing to go with undrafted rookie free agent Tyson Bagent again on Sunday. Bagent led Chicago to a shocking win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week, completing 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards with a touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders
Update: Jimmy Garoppolo returned to practice on Thursday and is highly likely to play Monday night against Detroit.
Garoppolo missed the Raiders’ Week 7 loss to Chicago with Brian Hoyer (129 yards, 2 INT) struggling big time in his stead. The expectation is that the veteran will be able to go Monday night against the Detroit Lions as he deals with a back injury. Regardless, the only fantasy relevant option on the Raiders’ offense right now is Davante Adams. In parts of five games this season, Garoppolo has thrown seven touchdowns compared to eight interceptions.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Watson once again finds himself on our NFL injury report heading into Week 8. He exited in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts after missing each of the past two outings with a shoulder injury. As of right now, Watson is questionable for Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks after an MRI in his shoulder came back negative. But this is something to watch moving forward on the week.
Week 8 NFL injury report: Running backs
| Player | Team | Injury | Backup | Status |
| Raheem Mostert | Dolphins | Ankle | Jeff Wilson | Probable |
| De’Von Achane | Dolphins | Knee | Raheem Mostert | OUT |
| Kyren Williams | Rams | Ankle | Zach Evans | INJURED RESERVE |
| James Conner | Cardinals | Knee | Emari Demercado | OUT |
| David Montgomery | Lions | Ribs | Craig Reynolds | Questionable |
| Khalil Herbert | Bears | Ankle | D’Onta Foreman | INJURED RESERVE |
| Nick Chubb | Browns | Knee | Kareem Hunt | OUT for season |
| J.K. Dobbins | Ravens | Achilles | Gus Edwards | OUT for season |
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
- Update: Raheem Mostert returned to practice on Thursday and seems highly likely to go against the Patriots.
Mostert missed practice on Wednesday as he deals with an ankle injury. It’s not yet known whether he’ll be able to go Sunday against the New England Patriots. Given that star rookie De’Veon Achane is also on injured reserve, RB1 duties would go to Jeff Wilson is Mostert is not able to suit up.
Week 8 NFL injury report: Wide receivers
| Player | Team | Injury | Backup | Status |
| Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | Hip | Probable | |
| Deebo Samuel | 49ers | Shoulder | Ray-Ray McCloud | Questionable |
| Justin Jefferson | Vikings | Hamstring | N’Keal Harry | INJURED RESERVE |
| Christian Watson | Packers | Knee | Questionable | |
| DK Metcalf | Seahawks | Rib/Hip | Jake Bobo | Questionable |
| Zay Jones | Jaguars | Knee | Tim Jones | OUT |
| Mike Williams | Chargers | ACL | Quentin Johnston | INJURED RESERVE |
| Treylon Burks | Titans | Knee | Chris Moore | Questionable |
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
- Update: Tyreek Hill returned to practice on Thursday and should be good to go Sunday against New England.
Hill’s status for Week 8 is completely up in the air after he missed Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. We won’t know more about his status against the Patriots until further NFL injury reports are updated later this week. Though, there is a belief that he might not be able to go. If not, the onus will land on Jaylen Waddle to produce for Miami.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Samuel exited San Francisco’s Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns due to a shoulder injury. At least initially, there was some concern that this would be a long-term injury. Instead, Samuel missed last week’s outing against the Minnesota Vikings and it will sit out Week 8 when San Francisco hosts the Cincinnati Bengals. Look for George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk to pick up Samuel’s target share this week.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson will be sidelined for at least two more games after being placed on IR due to a hamstring injury he suffered back in Week 5. With the game’s best receiver sidelined last week against the San Francisco 49ers, Jordan Addison stepped up big time (7 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD). We wouldn’t be surprised if the rookie continues to do his thing as Minnesota visits the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf missed his first NFL game last week against the Arizona Cardinals with rib and hip injuries. He was a surprise inactive. It remains to be seen if the star receiver will be able to go Week 8. Whether he gets a practice session in on Wednesday will play a large role in that decision. Last week saw the surprising Jake Bobo record four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in Metcalf’s stead.
Week 8 NFL injury report: Tight ends
| Player | Team | Injury | Backup | Status |
| Dawson Knox | Bills | Wrist | Dalton Kincaid | OUT |
| Pat Freiermuth | Steelers | Hamstring | Darnell Washington | INJURED RESERVE |
| Greg Dulcich | Broncos | Leg | Adam Trautman | Doubtful |
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Knox is slated to have wrist surgery and is out indefinitely, head coach Sean McDermott noted on Tuesday. The Bills’ TE1 has caught just 15 passes for 102 yards this season. With him sidelined, rookie Dalton Kincaid will continue to see major play from Josh Allen. He tallied eight catches for 75 yards last week against the New England Patriots.