RADIO
Jared Goff Could Be Set Up for Bounce-Back Game in Week 9
Across seven games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 67.7% of his pass attempts for 1,964 yards, 15 touchdowns, and one interception. Goff is coming off his worst game of the season in Week 8 against the very tough Minnesota Vikings defense. However, the 32-year-old has a much easier matchup on paper in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. Through eight weeks, Miami's defense ranks last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.3) and 29th in passing touchdowns allowed (16). The Lions have shifted to a more run-heavy approach in recent games, as Goff has averaged 29 pass attempts per game since Week 5 after averaging over 40 attempts per game through Week 4. Still, Goff should have a chance to move the ball against the Dolphins and profiles as a must-start fantasy quarterback.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Amon-Ra St. Brown Questionable for Week 9 Against Dolphins
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib) is questionable for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins after being limited in practice throughout the week. Wednesday's designation was an estimate because Detroit held a walkthrough, while St. Brown remained limited Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old briefly exited last week's victory over the Minnesota Vikings before returning, finishing with seven receptions for 46 yards on eight targets. He has recorded 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns across seven games this season, including nine receptions for 153 yards against Green Bay in Week 7. St. Brown expressed optimism Thursday about his availability, acknowledging that he was banged up but expected to be fine for Sunday. He remains a high-end fantasy WR1 if active.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown Limited Again in Thursday's Practice
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to a rib injury, according to Tim Twentyman of the team's official website. St. Brown came out of Sunday's win over the division-rival Minnesota Vikings briefly with a rib injury but later returned. The Lions are taking it easy on the star receiver in practice this week, but he should be fine to play this weekend on the road in an excellent matchup against the Miami Dolphins. If the 27-year-old can upgrade to a full practice on Friday, he could be removed from the final Week 9 injury report. St. Brown is one of the highest-floor fantasy receivers in the game with 53 receptions on 76 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns across the first seven games of the 2026 season. The four-time Pro Bowler saw only eight targets in Sunday's win over Minnesota, which was his first time without double-digit targets since the win over the New York Jets on Sept. 27. That was also the last time he found the end zone.
Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
Amon-Ra St. Brown Limited in Wednesday's Practice
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ribs) was estimated as a limited practice participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. St. Brown apparently injured his ribs in Sunday's Week 8 win over the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, but he returned to the contest and finished with seven catches on eight targets for 46 yards, although the 27-year-old All-Pro wideout just missed a long touchdown that was overturned on video review. Week 8 was the first time since Sept. 27 that the Sun God did not see double-digit targets, and it was a disappointing showing for his fantasy managers after he had nine grabs on 11 targets for a season-high 153 yards in the Week 8 victory over the division-rival Green Bay Packers. St. Brown is expected to be fine to play this weekend on the road in an excellent matchup against the Miami Dolphins, but we will closely monitor his practice status for the rest of the week. If he is active on Sunday in South Beach, he should remain locked into all starting fantasy football lineups. St. Brown heads into Week 9 action as the WR5 in half-PPR scoring with 53 catches on 76 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns in seven games played.
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Jameson Williams Emerging as a Locked-In WR2 for Fantasy Managers
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has been on a tear over the past four weeks, scoring five times since Week 5, including three of his last four contests, with 13.2 or more fantasy points in each and finishing as the WR19 or better in all four. More importantly, he has seen a fairly consistent target share, with six or more in three of the four contests. Williams has always been an explosive fantasy option, as shown by his 33.3 percent explosive reception rate this season, but his top-13 rankings in routes per game and targets per game inside the 20-yard line suggest his on-field production holds up under the hood. He is a rising WR2 and a locked-and-loaded option with upside until further notice.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Emerging as Intriguing Handcuff Option
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards and caught one pass for five yards in Sunday's 19-15 win over Minnesota. Vaki had totaled just 56 rushing yards on 16 carries entering Week 8. His performance drew praise from head coach Dan Campbell, who said Vaki had earned more trust from the coaching staff. Jahmyr Gibbs remains Detroit's lead back after rushing for 153 yards Sunday, but Vaki could see additional opportunities moving forward. RotoBaller ranks Vaki RB62 for Week 9 against Miami, making him a worthwhile handcuff stash rather than a dependable fantasy starter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Posts Best Efficiency Numbers of the Season
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 23 carries, 153 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Sunday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught two of his four targets for an additional 15 receiving yards. Interestingly, this was Gibbs' lowest catch and receiving yard totals of the season. However, that's a testament to just how elite he has been in the passing game this year. Although his receiving workload was scaled back Sunday, Gibbs made a huge impact in the rushing game. Despite facing a top-tier Vikings run defense, the 24-year-old running back averaged 6.7 yards per carry, which is his highest single-game mark of the season. He will remain the undisputed overall RB1 heading into next week's lopsided matchup against the 1-6 Miami Dolphins, who just allowed 120 rushing yards to the duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Coming Off a Disappointing Performance
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught just one pass in his return from the bye week last Sunday. While LaPorta's one catch on two targets proved to be a frustrating stat line, fantasy managers should be encouraged by the fact that he played a whopping 97% of the offensive snaps. Playing time has never been an issue for the talented tight end, so we expect him to get back on track with more volume in the upcoming weeks. After all, despite the Week 6 bye and the Week 7 dud, LaPorta still ranks as the overall TE6 in PPR scoring this season. This Detroit offense has repeatedly shown that it can simultaneously support big performances from LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs in fantasy football. We'll look for LaPorta to get back on track in Week 8, despite a tougher matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Detroit Lions Defense is Still Tough to Trust in Week 8
The Detroit Lions defense has been a much-maligned unit in 2026, and for good reason. The Lions have allowed the second-most total passing yards (1,881) and touchdown passes in the NFL (16) through seven weeks. However, Detroit has been a bit better recently, holding the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers to a combined 38 points in their last two games. The Lions have also gotten their pass rush going, ranking second in the NFL with 21 sacks. In Week 8, Detroit will take on the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota's offense has had some issues so far this season, as they've scored more than 23 points just once in six games. Even so, Detroit's defense has had enough issues that it is tough for fantasy managers to trust. The Lions defense has moved out of must-avoid status, but managers should still go in a different direction if possible in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Bates a Low-End Starting Kicker Option in Week 8
Across six games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has converted all 10 of his field goal attempts and all 22 of his extra-point tries. While the Lions offense has been successful moving the ball this season, head coach Dan Campbell's fourth-down aggressiveness typically takes some field goal opportunities away from Bates. However, Detroit may have a tougher time being productive on the plus side of the field in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota's excellent defense has a chance to completely shut down the Lions' scoring attack, but they could also have more success keeping Detroit out of the end zone than keeping them from moving the ball at all. Bates also has the advantage of kicking inside the domed Ford Field, taking weather out of the equation. Bates profiles as a low-end top-12 kicker option for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta a Bounce-Back Candidate in Week 8 Despite Tough Matchup
Across six games in 2026, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 28 catches for 334 yards and three touchdowns on 39 targets. The 25-year-old is coming off a rough game in Week 7, in which he logged just one catch for 18 yards on two targets against the Green Bay Packers. LaPorta now faces a tough task in his attempt to bounce back in Week 8, as he will face a Minnesota Vikings defense that currently ranks first in the NFL in both total passing yards allowed (1,085) and passing touchdowns allowed (three). Minnesota has been especially tough on tight ends, allowing just 18 receptions and 233 receiving yards to the position through six games. However, LaPorta has had some success against the Vikings defense in the past, recording six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown on eight targets in his lone outing against them last season. Even coming off a quiet Week 7, LaPorta remains a must-start tight end for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaac TeSlaa is Tough to Trust in Difficult Week 8 Matchup
Across six games in 2026, Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has recorded 10 catches for 197 yards on 21 targets. The 24-year-old has flashed upside at times, but he's also seen his usage scale down recently. Over Detroit's last two games, TeSlaa has logged just one catch for 10 yards on four targets. In Week 8, TeSlaa is now set to face a very difficult matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Through seven weeks, the Minnesota defense ranks first in the NFL in both total passing yards allowed (1,085) and passing touchdowns allowed (three). Between the tough opponent and his diminished role in the Lions' passing game, TeSlaa should be off the starter radar for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jameson Williams a High-Risk, High-Reward Wide Receiver Option in Week 8
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams got off to a slow start to the 2026 season, but his production has begun to pick up lately. Over his last three games, Williams has recorded 13 catches for 240 yards and four touchdowns on 21 targets. In Week 8, Williams faces a tough matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Through seven weeks, Minnesota ranks first in the NFL in both total passing yards allowed (1,085) and passing touchdowns allowed (three). Williams specializes in explosive plays, so he does not need Detroit's offense to have sustained offensive success to produce big numbers for fantasy managers. Still, the matchup against the Vikings also makes it more likely that Williams gets shut down completely. All in all, Williams profiles as a boom/bust, low-end WR2 option for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Amon-Ra St. Brown Remains a High-End Wide Receiver Option in Week 8
Across six games in 2026, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has recorded 46 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns on 68 targets. The 27-year-old has been the focal point of the Detroit passing game, logging at least eight targets in every game this season and seeing double-digit targets in five out of six contests. St. Brown and the Lions will face a very difficult matchup in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings. Through seven weeks, Minnesota ranks first in the NFL in both total passing yards allowed (1,085) and passing touchdowns allowed (three). St. Brown also missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury, although he was able to return to full practice participation on both Thursday and Friday. As long as he stays healthy throughout the game on Sunday, he should continue to see heavy target volume. Fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations slightly given the matchup, but St. Brown remains a high-end wide receiver option for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Unlikely to See Significant Workload in Week 8
Despite holding his team's RB2 role, Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has played a minimal role on offense in 2026. Across six games, the 25-year-old has recorded 108 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches. The Lions have leaned very heavily on star RB1 Jahmyr Gibbs, leaving very little opportunity for Vaki to rack up fantasy-relevant production. Gibbs missed practice on Wednesday of this week with a shoulder injury, but he returned to full participation on both Thursday and Friday and is off the injury report heading into Detroit's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Vaki may see a few extra touches if Gibbs is battling a minor injury, but Minnesota has been one of the best defenses in football in 2026 and enters Week 8 ranked third in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (587). All in all, Vaki should not be in starting consideration for fantasy managers on Sunday against the Vikings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
