Week 8 Fantasy Football Injury Recap
As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 8 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 9.
If you’re looking for more detailed injury analysis, check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier and Ultimate members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.
Ravens QBs Lamar Jackson & Tyler Huntley
Jackson: Right Thumb Injury – Out for the year
Huntley: Turf Toe – Likely out multiple weeks, Could land on IR
The Ravens have major QB issues, and to make matters worse, they play on Thursday on a short week against Jacksonville. The headline here is, of course, Lamar Jackson, who was injured on his first pass attempt of the game. His right hand hit Bills DE Greg Rousseau on the follow through, resulting in a significant right thumb injury. The concern here is a dislocation, potentially with an associated fracture. Jackson has already been placed on IR with his injury requiring surgery. Depending on the specifics of the injury, he could be out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Tyler Huntley, who has started the last few games with Jackson sidelined with a high ankle sprain, left the game with a turf toe injury. As of this writing on Monday evening, the severity of that injury has not been reported, but this is very likely a multi-week absence, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Huntley land on IR if this is a Grade II sprain or worse. That leaves UDFA Joe Fagnano as the only “healthy” QB on the active roster. In the second half Sunday, he got up slowly after taking a hit in the pocket, and on Monday, the team listed him as Limited on the estimated injury report. Head coach Jessee Minter said “To Joe’s credit, he’s kind of fighting through a couple things he’s dealing with, but expect him to have a chance to play on Thursday.” We’ll see if he’s able to go. Obviously, the Ravens will be adding multiple players to their QB room in the next 24 hours. They’ve already added Austin Reed to the practice squad.
Players impacted: Joe Fagnano, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers
QB Kyler Murray
Hamstring “Tightness”: Situation to monitor
Murray dealt with some hamstring “tightness” late in the 4th quarter of Sunday’s loss to Detroit. On Monday, head coach KOC said Murray was “sore” and that the team was still evaluating the injury. I’d be careful brushing this off, as there’s a real possibility this is a Grade I hamstring strain versus just some tightness. I’m not saying Murray won’t play in Week 9 against Buffalo, but he’s not a lock to start if this injury lingers throughout the week. If he does start, it’s possible he’s not scrambling as much out of the pocket. Be sure to track Minnesota’s injury report throughout the week.
Players impacted: Carson Wentz, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson
QB Matthew Stafford
Right Arm Soreness: Situation to monitor
This one is flying under the radar a little bit, but the reigning MVP was seen with an ice pack on his right arm leaving the locker room after the Rams’ win over the Chargers. When asked about that on Monday, Sean McVay confirmed Stafford has been dealing with some soreness in that arm, but he declined to provide details. Worth noting, two offseasons ago, Stafford was dealing with tendinitis in his right elbow, so it’s possible this is something similar. Either way, it’s important to note that his aDOT has dropped in six straight weeks: 10.1 > 9.2 > 6.9 > 5.3 > 5.3 > 3.8. I don’t think we need to sound the alarms here, but any time a veteran QB who’s got this much wear and tear on a throwing arm pops up with some downward trends, it’s worth monitoring moving forward.
Players impacted: Puka Nacua
Cardinals RBs Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight
Love: Right Medial/High Ankle Sprain – Out multiple weeks, could land on IR
Knight: Concussion Protocol – Questionable for Week 9
Arizona lost two of their three RBs Sunday against Dallas. Jeremiyah Love aggravated his right ankle injury in what appeared to be an eversion/high ankle mechanism. Going back to the preseason, Love has now injured and re-injured both ankles. Given what he’s dealt with in his young career, I would not be surprised at all to see Arizona shut him down for multiple games in an effort to avoid any lingering concerns late in the season. IR cannot be ruled out, but for those looking ahead to Week 9, I’d plan to be without Love for this week’s game in Seattle. As for Bam Knight, he’s also questionable for this week’s game after leaving Week 8 with a concussion. On Monday, LaFleur confirmed Knight is in the league’s concussion protocol.
Players impacted: Tyler Allgeier
RB Jeremy McNichols
Mid-Foot Sprain: Will be placed on IR; Likely out for the year
McNichols suffered a mid-foot (Lisfranc) injury on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles, and he’s now in danger of missing the rest of the season. Multiple beat reporters have suggested that the RB could miss multiple months, which indicates that surgery is on the table. Regardless, the Commanders are thin at RB in the short term without McNichols. Bill Croskey-Merritt is currently on IR with a groin injury and will miss another couple of games. That leaves Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler as the only two backs on the active roster right now with Devin Neal and Craig Reynolds on the practice squad.
Players impacted: Rachaad White, Austin Ekeler
WR Kendrick Bourne
Fractured Tibia: Out for the year
On Sunday, it was reported that Bourne left their win over the Cowboys with a high ankle sprain, but further testing on Monday confirmed a fractured tibia (shin bone). Bourne won’t require surgery, but this type of fracture does take months to fully heal, so his 2026 season is over. The Cardinals obviously traded away Marv a few weeks ago, and now they’re without Bourne. In addition, Jalen Brooks suffered a season-ending wrist injury last week, and Reggie Virgil got shaken up in this game after he collided with the base of the goalpost on a target in the end zone. They go into Week 9 with a very thinned out WR room, and that’s not to mention the fact that Michael Wilson confirmed he’s playing through two broken ribs.
Players impacted: Michael Wilson, Trey McBride
TE Hunter Henry
Foot Injury (Specifics Unknown): Questionable for Week 9
Henry left Week 8 early with a foot injury. As of this writing, the details of this injury aren’t known, so be sure you’re tracking this one closely. It’s very likely that he is at least missing practice this week. With AJ Brown (Knee) looking iffy for a second week in a row, Henry’s injury becomes even more impactful for a Patriots pass catching group that’s already short handed with Romeo Doubs on IR (Shoulder).
Players impacted: Drake Maye, Eli Raridon, Demario Douglas
TE Jake Ferguson
Left Ankle Sprain: Questionable for Week 9
Ferguson sprained his left ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. He went to the locker room for evaluation/treatment and tried to return, but he was limping on and off the field multiple times before ultimately getting ruled out. On Monday, Brian Schottenheimer said Ferguson has a chance to play next week, suggesting this is a mild (Grade I) injury. For now, I’d consider him questionable for Week 9, but at the very least, he’ll miss some practice time this week.
Players impacted: Brevyn Spann-Ford