October 22, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (hamstring), who suffered a low-grade hamstring strain on Sunday in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, will not play on Monday night in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Veteran
Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the season. Fantasy managers will have to go in another direction this week, but hopefully the second-year signal-caller can make it back to play in the Week 9 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. After a phenomenal rookie season in 2024 in which he nearly led the Commanders to the Super Bowl, the 24-year-old QB will now miss his third game of his second season due to an injury after previously sitting out Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee sprain. Mariota can still use his legs to pick up yards and could be getting both receivers
Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) back from injuries, but he'll be a tough QB2 sell in fantasy against a stout Chiefs defense on the road.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
October 22, 2025
The Miami Dolphins placed tight end
Darren Waller (pectoral) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday due to the pectoral injury he suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Waller will now be sidelined for at least the next four games. In a corresponding move, the Dolphins promoted tight end
Greg Dulcich to the active 53-man roster. Waller won't be eligible to come off IR until after the team's Week 12 bye to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 13 on Sunday, Nov. 30. In the meantime, the 1-6 Dolphins will try to get by with
Julian Hill,
Tanner Conner, and Dulcich at the TE position. None of them are really worthwhile waiver targets in standard-sized fantasy leagues in the Dolphins' struggling offense. The 33-year-old Waller got a late start to the season after coming out of retirement, but he scored four touchdowns in his first three games before injuring his pec last Sunday.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
October 22, 2025
New York Jets quarterback
Tyrod Taylor (knee) is dealing with a knee injury this week and is considered day-to-day, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Although nothing has been confirmed, the Jets are reportedly heading towards naming Taylor as the starter over
Justin Fields for their Week 8 contest this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, although it's unclear if Taylor's new knee injury will factor into the final decision. The 36-year-old veteran played the second half of the team's 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday after Fields was benched at halftime. Taylor was unable to lead the Jets to their first win, going 10-for-22 passing for 126 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. The matchup this weekend against Cincy's porous defense is a good one, but Taylor still won't be much more than a desperation low-end QB2 play in superflex leagues if he makes the start over Fields.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Brian Costello
October 22, 2025
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that running back
Breece Hall (undisclosed) is day-to-day on Wednesday as the team begins preparations to face the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Hall, whose name has been thrown around in trade rumors with the deadline approaching, came out of the Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers with some bumps and bruises, but he should be fine to suit up this weekend against the Bengals. The 24-year-old hasn't been awful this year as a runner, but the Jets' offense has been abysmal, especially in recent weeks. Hall just hasn't had any room to run, and the team's non-existent passing attack has been a big reason why. He had 11 carries for only 38 yards last Sunday, adding two catches for 14 yards. Hall should have more room to run against Cincy, but the Jets moving to backup quarterback
Tyrod Taylor won't inspire much confidence.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Brian Costello
October 22, 2025
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that wide receiver
Garrett Wilson (knee) is considered day-to-day, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Wilson suffered a hyperextended knee in the Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos in London and did not suit up in Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old appears to have a shot at returning this weekend when the Jets square off against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it will likely come down to how much he can do at practice this week. Wilson is the team's clear No. 1 receiver and has 56 targets through six games played, so the Jets desperately need him back with the team expected to give veteran quarterback
Tyrod Taylor his first start of the year in Week 8. Wilson's fantasy ceiling has been low in New York's struggling passing attack, and it's unlikely that Taylor will be much of an improvement. If Wilson sits out again this weekend,
Josh Reynolds will again serve as the Jets' WR1.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Brian Costello
October 22, 2025
Veteran quarterback
Aaron Rodgers' first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers has gone so well that the team "could rethink its 2026 quarterback plans," according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. The Steelers are definitely going to scour the draft market for a QB of the future for next year and are already doing so. Still, Graziano writes that if you ask people with the Steelers whether they'd consider bringing Rodgers back in 2026, "the answer would be a resounding yes." The future Hall of Famer has "maintained his elite ability to throw the football" and is moving much better than he did in New York with the Jets last year. Rodgers is now healthy and a full two years removed from tearing his left Achilles in 2023, and it's showing. The 41-year-old hasn't been an elite QB1 for fantasy, but he's coming off a four-touchdown performance in Week 7 against the Bengals and has a 14:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in six games as he enters a Week 8 revenge game against his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
October 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver
Josh Downs (head) remains in the league's concussion protocol, but he will practice on Wednesday, according to Jake Arthur of Locked on Colts. Downs suffered a concussion in Week 6 and was unable to suit up in Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He appears to be making progress through the league's protocols for head injuries, and his return to practice on Wednesday is a good sign. Downs will most likely be limited in Wednesday's practice, though, and he will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. When healthy, Downs has served as the team's WR2 behind
Michael Pittman Jr. If Downs can play this Sunday, it would make
Alec Pierce less attractive as a flex play after his big performance against the Bolts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Locked On Colts - Jake Arthur
October 22, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Malik Washington has been one of the least efficient pass-catchers in the NFL so far this season, recording 21 catches on 33 targets for just 99 yards. Still, Washington saw a season-high eight targets in Week 7 and has earned at least five targets in all three games since the Dolphins lost wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) to a season-ending knee injury. With tight end
Darren Waller (pectoral) considered week-to-week with a pectoral strain, there's a chance that Washington is Miami's number three option in the passing game behind wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle and running back
De'Von Achane in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. Washington also brings some potential for fantasy production as a rusher, as he's logged nine carries for 61 yards this season. It will be tough for fantasy managers to trust Washington as a starter until he shows some ability to be efficient with his touches. Still, he may be worth rostering in deep leagues given his recent uptick in usage and the opportunity for targets that exists in Miami.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz has been a steady contributor this season, recording 23 catches for 229 yards and four touchdowns across seven games. Ertz's role has expanded over the last two weeks, as he's recorded nine catches for 80 yards and two scores on 13 targets. The Commanders are dealing with injuries to wide receivers
Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel),
Terry McLaurin (quad), and
Noah Brown (groin, knee), which have aided Ertz's recent production. Washington will definitely be without Brown and could once again be without Samuel Sr. and McLaurin in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, so Ertz could be set for another game with a featured role. It's worth noting that all four of Ertz's touchdown catches this season have come in games started by Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (hamstring), whose status for Week 8 is unclear. Still, Ertz profiles as a high-floor low-end starting tight end option for fantasy managers in Week 8.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco has had an underwhelming season so far in 2025, recording 314 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 77 total touches through his first seven games. However, there may be reason to believe that the 26-year-old is trending upwards. Pacheco has at least 12 carries and 51 rushing yards in each of his last two games. Additionally, the Chiefs' offense is getting healthier and has averaged 31.5 points per game over the last four weeks, which means Pacheco should see more red zone opportunities going forward. Kansas City will likely continue to split backfield work between Pacheco,
Kareem Hunt, and
Brashard Smith, which limits Pacheco's upside. Still, Pacheco has been stealing early-down work away from Hunt in recent weeks and has a higher upside in both real life and fantasy. Pacheco could be a good buy-low candidate for fantasy managers and profiles as a low-end RB2 heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce earned a career-high 10 targets in his team's Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, hauling in five catches for 98 yards. Pierce missed two games due to a concussion earlier this season, but he's been productive when healthy this season. Across five games, the 25-year-old has recorded 16 catches for 317 yards on 27 targets. Perhaps most encouragingly, Pierce has played at least 81% of the Colts' offensive snaps in both games since returning from the concussion. Part of the reason for his target spike in Week 7 was the absence of Colts wideout
Josh Downs (concussion). When all three of Downs, wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr., and tight end
Tyler Warren are healthy, it may be difficult for Pierce to see consistent target volume. However, given Pierce's big-play ability (career 17.8 yards per reception), he can post big weeks without seeing a huge target share. Pierce profiles as a boom/bust WR4/flex option for fantasy managers heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Since taking over as his team's starter in Week 4, New York Giants rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart has flashed significant fantasy upside. In four starts, the 22-year-old has completed 60.2% of his pass attempts for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Perhaps most encouragingly, Dart has rushed for 178 yards and three scores on 37 attempts so far this season. Dart's ability to use his legs appears to be a feature of his game, as he's rushed for at least 50 yards or a touchdown in three out of four starts. Dart profiles as a low-end starter in single-quarterback formats and a must-start player in two-quarterback formats heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday from the knee injury that sidelined him for the team's Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins, per The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Additionally, Jackson reports that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he is "hopeful" that Njoku will play in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. The 29-year-old recorded 23 catches for 223 yards and a touchdown on 36 targets across six games before getting injured. If Njoku returns, he would likely eat into the workload for Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr., who earned a team-high five targets in Njoku's absence in Week 7. As long as Njoku and Fannin Jr. are splitting snaps in Cleveland, both players are hard for fantasy managers to trust for anything beyond low-end starter production.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
October 22, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Romeo Doubs has performed as the team's clear WR1 to open the 2025 season. Through six games, he's caught 24 of 36 targets for 306 yards and four touchdowns, ranking as the WR25 on a per-game basis. With
Christian Watson and
Jayden Reed sidelined and rookie
Matthew Golden still being eased into the offense, Doubs has capitalized on the increased opportunity. The Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. The Steelers' secondary has been shredded by top targets like Ja'Marr Chase,
Justin Jefferson, and
Garrett Wilson. While Doubs isn't on that tier, he remains a strong fantasy start and a potential top 20 option for Week 8.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram is trending upward after logging his highest snap share of the 2025 season in Week 7. Against his former team, the New York Giants, Engram drew eight targets, catching five passes for 42 yards in the Broncos' thrilling comeback victory. Engram played 54% of the offensive snaps, while
Adam Trautman saw his lowest mark of the season (33%). While the game script could've played a role, it's encouraging to see Engram finally leading the tight end rotation. Heading into Week 8, Engram faces a struggling Dallas Cowboys defense that's allowed consistent production to tight ends. Though still a bit risky due to snap volatility, Engram is a solid streaming option and a potential solid fill-in for fantasy managers this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
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