Each and every week, players across the NFL suffer injuries. This weekly article will explore the injuries that affect your dynasty squads. We will briefly discuss both the injured players themselves and the players who stand to benefit or suffer as a result. To make them easier to follow, we will break down the injuries by division. Without further ado, let us examine the Regular Season Week 8 injuries and the next men up.
AFC East:
Kendrick Bourne –
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 29, 2023
Some concern for right ACL injury just before getting tackled on his plant.
Hopefully I’m wrong on this one.
pic.twitter.com/tgxBGYAeBV
New England wide receiver Kendrick Bourne injured his knee in his team’s Week 8 loss. Testing after the game revealed that Bourne had, in fact, torn his ACL, and his season is over. This is a blow to the Patriots and their quarterback, Mac Jones, as Kendrick was operating as the #1 option in the passing game. Fellow receiver DeVante Parker suffered a concussion in the game as well, leaving a big hole in the Patriots receiver room. With Bourne out for the year and Parker in danger of missing action, New England will be forced to turn to Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor to play alongside intriguing rookie Demario Douglas. Bill Belichick and company will almost certainly rely heavily on 12-personnel packages featuring their talented tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki going forward. This is quickly becoming an offense to avoid in fantasy, if possible.
AFC South:
The AFC South emerged from Week 8 without any fantasy-relevant injuries.
AFC North:
Kenny Pickett injury appears to be AC sprain. Should not be too serious. Because throwing arm return today 50/50. pic.twitter.com/Tvtwsqw41f
— Dr. Mark Adickes (@jocktodoc) October 29, 2023
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett was knocked out of his team’s Week 8 contest with a rib injury. Pickett had a Jacksonville defender land on him during a hit, causing the ailment. The Steelers sophomore signal-caller has had an up-and-down second year in the NFL. The injury does not appear to be major, but he may sit out a week with Pittsburgh set to play the Titans on Thursday Night Football. If he cannot go, Mike Tomlin and company will turn to former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Despite being turnover-prone, Trubisky should be okay for the Steelers pass catchers as he has been in the system for over a year. He would be a back-end QB2 player in Superflex leagues.
AFC West:
I’m @PatrickMahomes hand is hurting! #NFL #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/dmqLKh1XYI
— 🤟🏾 Photographer/Videographer: Chris Holmes 📸🎥 (@CHolmes_) October 29, 2023
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes hurt his non-throwing hand during his team’s shocking Week 8 loss to Denver. The All-Pro signal-caller entered the game suffering from a bout of the flu, which clearly affected his performance against the division rival. Mahomes finished the game with a glove on his left hand. After the game, the quarterback indicated he believed he had been stepped on but would be alright moving forward. Nonetheless, this is still a situation to monitor as the week progresses. If, for some reason, the hand keeps Mahomes out, the Chiefs would turn to former Jaguars first-round pick Blaine Gabbert.
NFC East:
Tyrod Taylor suffered an injury on this play.
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) October 29, 2023
Tommy DeVito is in at quarterback for the Giants.
pic.twitter.com/RYxjKITs7Y
New York quarterback Tyrod Taylor injured his ribs during his team’s Week 8 loss to the in-city rival Jets. Tyrod was taken to a local hospital, where he was forced to spend the night following the game. He has since been released from the hospital, but with starter Daniel Jones now cleared to play, he will again be relegated to #2 status. If Tyrod is forced to miss any time, the Giants will look to undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito as the backup.
New York tight end Darren Waller was forced from Week 8 with a hamstring injury. The talented playmaker has dealt with his fair share of soft tissue injuries over the last couple of seasons. This appeared to be a re-aggravation of a previous ailment that had kept Waller out. Keep an eye on his practice reps as the week goes by, as these injuries tend to linger. With the Giant’s season in freefall, it is fair to assume they will be cautious with their star tight end. Head coach Brian Daboll will look to talented sophomore Daniel Bellinger for any time that Waller misses. He would be a middling TE2 play.
NFC South:
Falcons now say Drake London has a groin injury, questionable to return. pic.twitter.com/sqZU9OsCHi
— Fantasy Football News Today (@FFNewsToday) October 29, 2023
Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder was forced to leave his team’s Week 8 contest for a concussion evaluation. This one was somewhat strange as he was later revealed to be cleared for contact, but Head Coach Arthur Smith chose to leave back Taylor Heinicke in the game. Thus far, Smith has been coy about who will be his starting quarterback in Week 9 and moving forward as Heinicke led the team on several touchdown drives, looking decent in the process. Keep your eyes peeled for news about this one, as a quarterback change could happen in Atlanta if they believe they have seen enough of Ridder.
Atlanta wide receiver Drake London was knocked out of his team’s Week 8 loss with a groin injury. The star receiver had been coming on as of late after a slow start to the season. Head coach Arthur Smith said the injury wasn’t as bad as they initially believed. However, team officials wouldn’t commit to London’s status for Week 9. They may rest their star receiver. If London can’t go, the Falcons would turn to KhaDarel Hodge to play alongside Van Jefferson and Mack Hollins until London gets back into action. The most likely scenario is that the Falcons lean on the run game and a 12-personnel package featuring their talented tight ends Jonnu Smith and Kyle Pitts.
NFC North:
Another angle of Kirk Cousins injury.
— Hipp Sports (@HippSports) October 29, 2023
Non contact injuries are always scary😬pic.twitter.com/lwsDuTUCPU https://t.co/Dz6gQZUUIe
Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins exited his team’s Week 8 victory with an ankle injury. Unfortunately for Cousins and the surging Vikings, testing revealed that Cousins tore his Achilles Tendon and will miss the rest of the season. This is a worst-case scenario for Cousins heading into free agency, and it puts the Vikings behind the 8-ball as they were climbing back into contention. Cousins is a strong hold for Superflex leagues, and the Vikings will likely turn to just-acquired Joshua Dobbs to steer the ship for the rest of the year. He was acquired just ahead of the trade deadline and will be feverishly attempting to learn the playbook ahead of their next game. If he isn’t up to speed, the Vikings will turn to rookie Jaren Hull until Dobbs is ready to take the reins.
NFC West:
🏈 Rams QB Stafford Sidelined with Thumb Injury! 😔 Matthew Stafford's injury during the loss to the Cowboys is a concern for the team. Hoping for a quick recovery! #MatthewStafford #InjuryUpdate #GetWellSoon 🏥🏈🙏 pic.twitter.com/8W4Msy4gXN
— Latest Sports News (@latest_snews) October 30, 2023
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford injured his hand in his team’s Week 8 contest. The veteran signal-caller was revealed to have a UCL injury to his right thumb, affecting his ability to grip the football. He was replaced by veteran Brett Rypien, who would get the start for any action Stafford misses going forward. Keep an eye on Stafford’s practice reps as the week progresses. The Rams are fading in the standings, but with a Week 10 bye on tap, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if they chose to rest their franchise quarterback in Week 9, giving him two weeks to heal up before the stretch run.
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