Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 8: Injuries, Notes, & Waiver Wire

by Samwise · Featured
fantasy football injuries waiver wire

Planes, trains, and automobiles. This is how we are reduced to attempting to move across this barren wasteland to seek out Week 8 of the NFL in 2025. The byepocalypse snuck us and consumed us all way earlier than was expected. Welcome back to “Fantasy Whiplash!” As our travels pick up speed every Tuesday, the fantasy football news, injuries, and waiver wire wonders wait for no man(ager). This ugly landscape we find ourselves in is not for the faint of heart. There are ebbs and flows to every fantasy journey, and the next couple of weeks will separate the survivors from the “what ifs?” Fasten up your boots, we’re starting this journey on foot.

Let’s chat a little to pass the time on these god-forsaken plains: Waiver advice, news & notes on upcoming (and past) games, maybe even some notable starts/sits. The information plods on like your aching legs and comes in a long-winded stream of consciousness rivaled only by the YouTube show/podcast of the same name (9 p.m. EST Tuesday nights on YouTube).

Hear Me Now, Listen to Me Later Tonight

Given the current circumstances, I have some wisdom to pass along regarding the latest noteworthy developments in the NFL and how they impact you, the manager. This may include trending thoughts from industry analysts on Twitter, as well as my own perspectives on specific subjects. It’s all for the benefit of everyone, from casual fans to accomplished veterans. Whatever may remain of the league, we’ll talk it out.

Let’s hope we can hitch a ride at some point; my feet are killing me slowly, and I’m so tired. Week 8 is closer than you think. Load up your weapon and ready your goggles. We’re facing byemageddon head-on. If you see anyone at all, the answer is that you do know how to fly a plane or helicopter. I’ll corroborate the story, and we’ll figure it out from the cockpit. Just don’t let on that your fear is causing you to hold back an Amber Heard.

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Fantasy Football News

No Sudden Moves and Eyes Wide Open

fantasy football injuries waiver wire

Luckily, some kind souls came before us to alert us to the brain-dead fantasy managers coming out of the woodwork. You know the ones. The lines for the top projected points on the waiver wire will stretch for miles. Luckily, you still have your faculties about you and know your way around waiver wire. There are six teams on bye this week, and a long list of lineup stalwarts to replace. Nearly every fantasy football team will have to traverse this landscape, and our move will be to bob and weave.

The hot commodities on the waiver wire this week will be season-long replacements. That’s all well and good if you need them, but given how tight rosters are, it’s likely more advantageous to simply make a pivot. The guy you want might not be at the top of the list at all. Maybe you should be keying in on a “one-week wonder” while Trey McBride is out? Jonnu Smith (19% rostered) and Pat Freiermuth (7%) are taking aim at the fourth-worst defense at defending the tight end in the Packers.

What of Dalton Kincaid (81% rostered, and dropping) or Dawson Knox (1%) battling the second-worst defense against tight ends, the Carolina Panthers? Mason Taylor (34%) of the New Jersey Jets of New York at the Meadowlands, Central Park adjacent, will happily feast on the Bengals, who have allowed an eye-popping 35 more points through seven games than any other team. Pivot! Pivooooot!

We’ve Got Tonight. Who Needs Tomorrow?

Are you getting this? You don’t need a player to take you to the championship. You need a one-game replacement. Bob and weave, bob and weave. While other managers all fight for Darius Slayton, you could already have claims in for Alec Pierce (10% rostered), one of the 6-1 Colts’ pass-catchers who already has 47.7 PPR fantasy points on the season. Why not the returning Steelers wideout Calvin Austin III (7%)? These are both potential boom/bust plays that are more likely to go boom! You only need them for one game.

Of course, if someone really goes off, you could have quite the beneficial conundrum on your hands.

Slow Down, You Crazy Child

One of the biggest mistakes fantasy managers make in these situations is stacking up 10-15 waiver claims and seeing what they end up with. The great Axl Rose once said, “You just need a little paaaatience. Yeeeeeeeah—eahhhh-eaaah.” Don’t forget that while the waiver wire is your friend, these are the weeks where you can improve your squad while simultaneously sticking it to a leaguemate.

Inevitably, one or more of your opposition is getting destroyed by the bye weeks. If you can’t figure out who … well, it’s you. If it’s not, however, some of your fellow managers are going to have to cut bait with players that they hope they’ll get back next Wednesday. Are you already in desperation mode at running back? Keep your eyes peeled for the dude that absolutely has to drop David Montgomery, Bam Knight, or Zach Charbonnet. You laugh, but it happens year in and year out. Not only does it, but it does at every position. A crummy team in last place can almost rebuild its roster to something respectable by combining wire claims with dropped players.

Re-Evaluate Your Tactics

Put in the research. Maybe it’s more time than you’d care to invest, but someone in your league is, and the chances are he wins the ‘ship more often than his drafting would suggest. So tonight, put in claims for guys you’ve got to have. The invaluables. The Thursday-nighters. I already have quite a few set up, and not a single one is the highest projected at their position. However, I checked the defenses and picked out a rag-tag bunch more likely to boom than bust. I have to have them.

Case in point: Joe Flacco had the fifth-highest projection of avaialble QBs in one of my leagues. That projection (15 points) is wrong. The people who create projections are not Vegas handicappers. There are always mistakes. Flacco is taking on the 2025 Jets this week. Not the 2015 Jets. Even after allowing just 13 points last week, they’re still the seventh-worst in points allowed at 26.1/game. I’m pretty sure I’m comfortable with gambling on “Elite Joe” and Ja’Marr Chase in this situation.

What did Axl say, again? Ah, yes, patience. Your lineup does not need to be set on Wednesday morning. However, you can be first to make claims on players your opponents did not want to drop. Think of it like Christmas Eve and Day. You get a few things on Christmas Eve, but the haul comes the next morning. Except this way, you’re stealing gifts from other children.

Speaking of gifts, in the space of three sections, I gave you Kenny Rogers, Sheena Easton, Billy Joel, and Axl Rose. *holds for applause* Thank you. Oh, gosh, you don’t need to stand. Thank you. I’ve forgotten how I was going to bring this back full circle. Oh yes! Your opposition is brain-dead zombies of the byepocalypse. You’re smarter.

Fantasy Football Injury Watch

Quarterbacks

  • Lamar Jackson (BAL) injured his hamstring in Week 4’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The game had already gotten out of hand at that point, but news was made when head coach John Harbaugh said afterwards that Jackson would not have been able to return even in a close game. Since then, he missed two full games at home (Texans and Rams) and was widely considered to be returning after last week’s bye. Now there is word that he was still unable to practice yesterday, casting doubt on his assumed return. He’ll need to put in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and go full on Friday to be considered out of the woods. The Ravens are currently 1-5 and cannot afford to lose more anytime soon. Monitor the practice reports. It would be hard to envision Baltimore going to Cooper Rush again; Tyler Huntley (0% rostered) would be the next logical move if Jackson can’t go.
  • J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has made progress in limited practices but is still not prepared (high-ankle sprain) to take the reins. Another week (at least) is in the cards for veteran Carson Wentz on Thursday when the team travels to Los Angeles for a date with the Bolts.
  • Bryce Young (CAR) is expected to miss this weekend’s game when the team hosts the Bills. His replacement would be the “Red Rifle” Andy Dalton (0% rostered), who has emerged to be one of the better backups in the NFL. Fantasy managers could do far worse.
  • Jayden Daniels (WAS) left last Sunday’s game and was replaced late by Marcus Mariota. Coach Quinn said that Daniels’ hamstring injury is not “significant,” but still expressed caution that it would keep him out for this week’s tilt against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Mariota (1%) is widely available in most formats, perhaps as late as gametime on Monday.
  • Brock Purdy (SFO) was expected to make a go at it last Sunday, but sat again with his toe and shoulder injuries. He’ll try a week of practice again this week. Mac Jones is 12% rostered, though predominantly by Purdy owners. He’s a fine bye-week replacement if Purdy sits again.
  • Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bone bruise in his foot that is reportedly not too serious. Regardless, monitor his practice availability. If he sits out a game due to the pain, you know what that means. It seems every NFL fan wants to see the elusive Kirk Cousins (1%). Well, everyone but those in the “Dirty South.”

Running Backs

  • Josh Jacobs (GBP) said after Sunday’s game that, regardless of what the coaches said to the media, there was “no way” he was sitting out. The week before the calf, it was the flu. He played through both with no issues. Jacobs is a gamer, and suffice it to say that as long as he doesn’t have any missteps that make it worse in practice, he will suit up per usual on Sunday night at Pittsburgh.
  • Kendre Miller (NO) tore his ACL and is done for the season, just as his participation was gaining momentum. It’s unknown currently if this means rookie Devin Neal will see more action after suiting up for back-to-back games, but he has moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart. Right now, he carries very little fantasy relevance for managers except as a handcuff to Alvin Kamara. Kamara has already said he will turn down any trade, so there is no reason to stash a running-back-in-waiting.
  • Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN) has been designated to return from the injured reserve and should see some practice this week. The door is open for him to be activated in time for Thursday Night’s game, though they’ll need to see him at full speed. Jordan Mason seems to have a stranglehold on the lead-back gig, so Jones might be returning to a more pass-catching-heavy role. He’ll still be a key figure for fantasy managers down the stretch. Jones’ roster share has sagged a bit to 77%, so it’s worth checking your free agents for a possible stash play.
  • Bucky Irving (TBB) is still not practicing, and the Tampa coaching staff is mum on whether he will this week. As of now, all signs point to “no” with regard to his foot and shoulder issues, meaning another week of Rachaad White is likely upon us.

Wide Receivers

  • Along with Purdy, Ricky Pearsall (SFO) was expected to give it a go last week before the team decided on Thursday that he would be held out again. Mac Jones has been terrific with what he’s had, but the return of Pearsall and George Kittle might be able to offset the litany of injuries that Jauan Jennings is supposedly suffering through. While it’s hard to believe Jones has made do with a bunch of knuckleheads, one has to assume that the return of these players and possibly Brandon Aiyuk could open the door for an improbable run, or to continue the one they are already on.
  • In Tampa Bay, “the show must go on” for Emeka Egbuka, even as the curtain closes on Mike Evans in 2025. Like Irving, Chris Godwin is still not practicing. Meanwhile, two other Tampa receivers can be completely trusted as bye week fillers, and likely longer. Sterling Shepard (14% rostered) has a floor of seven to eight points on a weekly basis. It’s not flashy, but he doesn’t put up donuts. A bigger claim is rookie Tez Johnson (18%), who has assembled back-to-back weeks with a touchdown while scoring over 15 fantasy points (PPR) in each. He should remain in the outside “speed demon” role for the remainder of the season.
  • Nico Collins (HOU) left the game last night with a concussion. The extra day late does not help matters, as it is tough on a normal turnaround to come back the week following banging one’s noggin on the ground. This past week, Christian Kirk was out again (hamstring), which meant more involvement for rookie Jaylin Noel (1% rostered). If Collins misses this week’s game, Jayden Higgins (14%) is a must-add for Houston’s game against San Francisco.
  • Commanders wideouts Terry McLaurin (quad) and Deebo Samuel (heel) are expected to participate in daily practices this week in the hopes of participating on Monday night, regardless of the quarterback situation. I hate to sound like a broken record, but all the wide receiver practice scenarios in this section will require constant monitoring. However, most teams will know by Friday, so the number of “game-time decisions” should be minimal.
  • Anyone not listed above (Calvin Ridley, Jakobi Meyers, Josh Downs, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, etc.) is day-to-day. And guess what? They require monitoring.

 Tight Ends

  • We spoke just a little too early on Darren Waller (MIA), apparently. It is a pectoral strain, not a tear. No surgery, and he is now week-to-week. Assuming he’ll sit out at least the next two contests is a fair assumption, but at that point it’s mainly a pain tolerance issue. If you’ve heard his “music,” you get what I mean.
  • Dalton Kincaid (BUF) has an oblique issue that kept him out of Week 6 before the Bills’ bye week this past weekend. He and Dawson Knox (1% rostered) can both be started against the Carolina Panthers’ woeful tight end defense.
  • David Njoku (CLE) went all week last week without practicing with his knee issue. He’ll need to be full by Friday to avoid sitting out again. Whether Njoku is on the field or not, Harold Fannin Jr. (58% rostered) is a must-roster in every league. He and Quinshon Judkins are the only things worth talking about at the “Mistake on the Lake.”
  • Cole Kmet (CHI) is not setting any stat sheets on fire this season, and now he’s popped up with a back issue that forced him out of Week 7. Rookie Colston Loveland (22% rostered) was already running more routes than Kmet at this point. If the veteran misses Week 8, Loveland has TE2/Flex appeal against the Ravens.

More “Whiplash!” to Come

Next Tuesday, we’ll go again with more football junk food to satisfy those cravings before you settle in for waiver wire claims! More Quick Hits and Injury Updates than you can shake a stick at. Your mission this week is simple: SURVIVE the byepocalypse! Smash the waivers, steal some drops, talk some smack, and get your popcorn ready. It’s the wasteland of loneliness known only as Week 8 of the fantasy football season — byemageddon.

Keep in mind, on “Fantasy Whiplash! LIVE” at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesdays (that’s tonight!), we dig deeper into waiver wire gems, fades, and sleepers! I’ll see you back next Tuesday for all your fantasy football news needs.

Be sure to check us out on “Fantasy Whiplash LIVE!” wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube at 9 p.m. EST every Tuesday night! It’s completely different from the hum-drum same-old you’re used to!

For more articles from PlayerProfiler, check out the fantasy home page – NFL Fantasy | PlayerProfiler – Fantasy Football News & Media and follow Samwise on Twitter/X @BuyAndSellYou!