Injuries and Waiver Wire week 8 2022

By Joe COLONNA
Joe COLONNA

NFL WEEK 8 INJURIES
 

QUARTERBACKS:

None of note

 

RUNNING BACKS:

Gus Edwards (Hamstring) - Edwards has a minor hamstring strain and will be questionable for MNF but hasn't been ruled out, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic-Baltimore.
Mark Ingram (Knee) - Ingram suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport said, which means he's likely out 3-4 weeks..

Jonathan Taylor (Ankle) - Taylor briefly left Sunday's game with an ankle injury but was able to return.

 

 

 

WIDE RECEIVER

Maurice Alexander (Ankle) - Alexander suffered an ankle injury and could not return.

Rashod Bateman (Foot) - Bateman aggravated his foot injury. According to Ian Rapoport, Bateman will be out a few weeks with a foot injury. It was more serious than they originally believed.

Cooper Kupp (Ankle) - Kupp suffered a minor ankle injury but was able to finish the game. He "dodged a bullet," per McVay. Kupp is expected to be day-to-day with his ankle sprain.

Richie James (Concussion) - James suffered a concussion. He will have to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol.

DeVante Parker (Knee) - Parker suffered a knee sprain on the first play in Sunday's win, Ian Rapoport said. If he misses time, it'll likely only be one game.

Christian Watson (Concussion) - Watson suffered a concussion. He will have to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol.

 

 

 

TIGHT END:

Mark Andrews (Shoulder) - Andrews could not return after injuring his shoulder. Andrews' injury looks like it's not a major thing. It's something he's dealing with like a lot of guys do, per Rocco DiSangro of Fox Baltimore.

Tyler Higbee (Neck) - Higbee suffered a neck injury and could not return.

Irv Smith Jr. (Ankle) - Irv Smith is expected to be sidelined 8-10 weeks with his high ankle sprain, per Adam Schefter.

Brock Wright (Concussion) - Wright suffered a concussion. He will have to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol.

 

 

 

WEEK 9 WAIVER WIRE:

 

QUARTERBACKS:

Justin Fields (CHI) - Over his last two weeks, Justin Fields has been getting it done from a fantasy perspective. His arm and more importantly, his legs have carried him to score 23.36 and 26.04 fantasy points. In week seven, Fields went 13/21 for 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, and added 14 rushing attempts for 82 yards and a rushing TD. In week eight, Fields went 17/23 for 151 yards, two passing TDs, along with eight rushes for 60 yards and a touchdown. In week nine, the Bears face off against the Dolphins. Fields should have a field day next Sunday.

Also consider:
Daniel Jones (NYG)

 

 

 

RUNNING BACKS:

Kenyan Drake (BAL) - If Gus Edwards misses any time with his hamstring injury, you can take a look at Kenyan Drake as a short-term replacement. Drake has shown some upside this season, specifically in week six vs the Giants when he rushed for 119 yards and a TD. Drake also had 62 yards and a TD in week eight @ TB. Edwards' status is not looking promising, as of this writing.

D'Onta Foreman (CAR) - The Panthers traded star RB Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers in week seven, leading what was supposed to be a two-man committee for the Panthers. In their first game without McCaffrey, Foreman led the way with 15-118 on the ground and 2-27 through the air. In week eight, Foreman ran for the ball 26 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. It is worth noting Hubbard left week seven with an injury, leaving Foreman as the lead option for the short-term. Foreman is going to continue to get as much volume as he can handle. Don't sleep on Hubbard in deeper leagues, though.

Gus Edwards (BAL) - Edwards left week eight with an injury, so that is something to keep an eye on. However, Gus Edwards remains a waiver wire addition, despite the injury. Edwards played in his first game back from injury in week seven, and led the Ravens in rushing with 16-66-2, totaling 18.60 fantasy points. The two TDs might not be there every week, as shown in week eight, when Edwards totaled 11 carries for 65 yards and no touchdowns. The injury is worrisome, but Edwards should not be on many waiver wires.

Isiah Pacheco (KC) - The Chiefs made a change at their RB position in week seven, naming seventh-round rookie RB Isiah Pacheco the starter for their week seven game. In his first game as a starter, Pacheco had eight rushes for 43 yards. KC had their bye in week eight, but this news is still relevant. It may still be a committee in KC for the time being, but Pacheco should not be on waiver wires after this news. I expect Pacheco to eventually gain more touches over time.

Also Consider:
Rachaad White (TB), Chuba Hubbard (CAR),

 

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Ron'Dale Moore (ARI) - Rondale Moore has been a bit boom or bust play since returning from his injury in week four, but in half of his games, he has scored double-digit PPR fantasy points. He scored 3.70 in his debut, followed by 13.10, 10.90, a down week with 4.10, and a boom week of 23.40 fantasy points. With DeAndre Hopkins and Robbie Anderson playing on the outside, Moore is playing in the slot, where he thrives. Moore was a former first-round pick and is playing in an explosive offense. He should continue to see volume as the season goes on.

Josh Palmer (LAC) - Chargers top outside WR in Mike Williams suffered an ankle sprain in week seven and will miss a few weeks. It will be up to Keenan Allen, Josh Palmer, and the rest of the Chargers receivers to fill Williams' void. Palmer was a former 2021 third-round pick and has shown upside this season when given the opportunity. In games with at least eight targets, Palmer has scored 13+ fantasy points. Specifically, in week two, Palmer scored 13.0 fantasy points @ KC, 15.9 fantasy points vs JAX, and 14.7 fantasy points vs DEN. The Chargers are coming off a week eight bye and have a nice schedule and some potential shoot outs coming up with games vs ATL, SF, KC and ARZ coming up over the next four weeks.

Van Jefferson (LAR) - The Rams have designated WR Van Jefferson to return from IR. He was a former first-round NFL draft pick back in 2020. He's suffered some injuries along the way, but he will have an opportunity as he returns. Behind Kupp, the Rams have had inconsistent production from Allen Robinson, and sporadic games from Ben Skowronek. Van Jefferson did not play much in week eight, but his snaps will increase as time goes on. Perhaps he can be that deep threat receiver that the Rams offense desperately needs.

Odell Beckham Jr. (FA) - Beckham has not signed with a team as of this writing, so this is more of a proactive add, as we expect him to sign sometime in the very near future. He's probably going to sign with a contending team that could use WR help, which would be a great addition for fantasy. Keep an eye out for any news regarding OBJ, and if he lands in a great spot, you could have a nice FLEX/WR3 on your hands. The best destinations for Beckham in my opinion would be the Ravens, Packers, or the Giants, but don't sleep on a few surprise teams like the Rams or the Titans, as both of those teams currently in the playoff hunt. Only add Beckham if you have an easy drop, though.

Also Consider:
Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE), Zay Jones (JAX)

 

 

 

TIGHT ENDS:

Greg Dulcich (DEN) - Dulcich was activated off of IR in week six and totaled 12.40 fantasy points. In week seven, he totaled 11.10 fantasy points. The fantasy goodness continued in week eight, where Dulcich led the Broncos in receiving, gathering four receptions for 87 yards. If you're looking for a fix at the position, take a look at the rookie.

Evan Engram (JAX) - It has not been consistent, but Engram has been quietly productive this season. He's scored 12.90, 9.0, 10.70 and 15.50 fantasy points over his last four weeks. It's not great production, but outside of Kelce and Andrews, there has not been much consistency at the position in general.

Also Consider:
Cade Otton (TB)