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Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 8 (2024), as of 10/26. Includes updates on Diontae Johnson, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Tyreek Hill, Zay Flowers and more.
At least seven wide receivers that are started in the majority of leagues are either out or could miss Week 8. That doesn't include those on injured reserve.
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Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 8.
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Mike Evans (TB) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT
Mike Evans limped off the field after his touchdown catch in the first quarter. When Baker Mayfield went back to him in the end zone later in the half, his hamstring gave out. That ended his evening and will keep him out of the lineup for several weeks. He's avoiding injured reserve because of the timing of Tampa Bay's bye week.
Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard, and Trey Palmer will see the most playing time without Tampa's top wideouts. Tight end Cade Otton and running back Rachaad White will get a target bump.
Zay Flowers (BAL) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Zay Flowers' ankle got pinned under a tackler on Monday night. He hobbled to the sideline in pain, only to return a few plays later. As has been the case for several players, the ankle worsens once the adrenaline wears off and players miss practice and games. Flowers missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He picked up a limited session on Friday.
Zay Flowers back to practice for the #Ravens after missing the previous two days. Listed as questionable, while CB Marlon Humphrey is looking like he’s out. https://t.co/84RlM9L5G0
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 25, 2024
Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the weekend. Flowers will be a WR2 if he's active. If not, Rashod Bateman will operate as Baltimore's top wideout and bring upside to fantasy football lineups.
Tee Higgins (CIN) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Stop me if you've heard this one before. Tee Higgins popped up late in the week with a previously unreported injury. A hamstring injury in practice leading into Week 1 cost the Bengals' receiver two games.
This time around, it's a quad injury. He's officially questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles.
A new addition to the #Bengals injury report: WR Tee Higgins suffered a quad injury and is questionable for Sunday's game vs. the #Eagles.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2024
Fantasy managers will have to monitor Higgins' status through the weekend, as he is now in danger of missing the game. If he sits, Andrei Iosivas will move into the number-two role.
Tyreek Hill (MIA) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Earlier this week, Tyreek Hill told the world, "We're back, baby! Start me this week!" Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back from his stint on injured reserve, giving Hill the much-needed boost to his fantasy value. Since then, things have trended in the wrong direction.
Hill appeared on the injury report as a limited participant with a foot ailment on Thursday. He was downgraded to a non-participant on Friday. Head coach Mike McDaniel thinks Hill will be ready to play.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel said he’s very optimistic that WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will play Sunday vs. Cardinals despite popping up on injury report this week.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 25, 2024
Diontae Johnson (CAR) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT
The Carolina offense will not be pretty in Week 8 (was it ever pretty?). Bryce Young is making his first start since Week 2 and won't have his top wideouts. Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (injured reserve, hamstring) won't play against Denver.
Johnson's name has been swirling in trade rumors. Head coach Dave Canales refused to answer if that's why Johnson is missing a game. He played through this rib injury last week.
Asked if decision on holding Diontae Johnson out is related to the trade deadline, Dave Canales says that’s a conversation for Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis. pic.twitter.com/TmUbkjsCnq
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 25, 2024
Rookie Xavier Legette will lead the wide receivers this weekend. Against a tough Denver defense, there aren't any startable assets on the Carolina offense.
Allen Lazard (NYJ) Injury Update
Game Status: Doubtful
Allen Lazard is doubtful to suit up this Sunday against the New England Patriots because of a chest injury. He sat out of practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Injury report: With Allen Lazard doubtful, it looks like Mike Williams will be back in the 3 WR package. Jake Hanson and Isaiah Oliver are candidates to replace AVT and Tony Adams, respectively. Morgan Moses trending toward playing. #Jets pic.twitter.com/Es5h4bltRa
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 25, 2024
Mike Williams will see an increase in snaps but the Jets' downfield passing game is now a two-man show. Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams will see the majority of targets from Aaron Rodgers.
Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston (LAC) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable / Doubtful
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned in a limited fashion on Friday. He's dealing with a hip injury that clearly hampered him on Monday night.
Friday #Chargers practice at The Bolt.
Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Will Dissly and Denzel Perryman all have helmets and are getting some work in today. pic.twitter.com/HnIlEpFyrU
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) October 25, 2024
Quentin Johnston missed that Monday night matchup with an ankle issue. He practiced for the first time on Friday but is listed as doubtful.
Justin Herbert leaned on tight end Will Dissly (who is also questionable with a shoulder injury) on Monday due to his injured receivers. No Los Angeles pass catchers should be started in fantasy football this week.
DK Metcalf (SEA) Injury Update
Game Status: Doubtful
DK Metcalf is officially doubtful with an MCL sprain in his right knee. He did not practice all week.
DK Metcalf, listed doubtful with a knee injury, didn’t practice today but it’s “not out of the question” he plays Sunday, Mike Macdonald says.
“We’re gonna see on Sunday and go from there.”
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) October 25, 2024
His injury was described as "week-to-week" earlier in the week after he fell awkwardly and got carted off the field. It would be a surprise to see Metcalf running routes on Sunday. Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will dominate targets if Metcalf can't go. Noah Fant and Jake Bobo are deeper league options.
Jakobi Meyers (LV) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Jakobi Meyers is trending toward a Week 8 return. The Raiders' top wide receiver has missed two games with an ankle injury. Meyers was limited on Wednesday, sat out for a rest day on Thursday, and fully practiced on Friday.
Maxx Crosby and Jakobi Meyers finish out the week at practice for the Raiders matchup this Sunday against the Chiefs.
🎥: By @Sean_Zittel, Vegas Sports Today#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/Igi2piHGFk
— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) October 25, 2024
Meyers will push DJ Turner and Tre Tucker down the depth chart. Neither took advantage of Meyers' absence.
Ja'Lynn Polk (NE) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT
A concussion will keep rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk out of the Patriots' lineup against the New York Jets. Polk was sidelined for practices all week.
The #Patriots have ruled OUT WR Ja’Lynn Polk (concussion) and OG Layden Robinson (ankle) for Sunday’s game against the #Jets. pic.twitter.com/ac1GfjcZ50
— Andrew Guindon (@NestPgs) October 25, 2024
It's been a brutal start to the season for the second-round pick. He's totaled 10 receptions for 78 yards through his first seven games. Demario Douglas and Hunter Henry will be the primary targets for Drake Maye again this week.
Deebo Samuel Sr., Jauan Jennings (SF) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable / OUT
Deebo Samuel Sr. has looked like himself on the practice field, showing few signs of the pneumonia case that hospitalized him earlier this week. He's also on the injury report with a wrist injury.
Deebo Samuel (wrist, illness) and George Kittle (foot) are questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Jauan Jennings (hip) is OUT
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 25, 2024
A hip injury will keep Jauan Jennings sidelined for a second week. Brandon Aiyuk is on injured reserve and George Kittle is also questionable. If everyone sits, Ricky Pearsall will be the top receiver for Brock Purdy.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (KC) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT
JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a hamstring injury in Thursday's practice last week. The expectation was that he was good to go on Sunday. He was, for all of seven snaps. The hamstring flared up and sent him to the sideline for good. He's been ruled out for Week 8.
Kansas City, already 6-0, will play it safe with Smith-Schuster. They traded for DeAndre Hopkins earlier this week. The veteran will lead the wide receiver room for the foreseeable future.
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