Breece Hall's knee injury garnered the most attention on Sunday, but several key pass-catchers, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Mike Williams, DK Metcalf, Allen Lazard, and David Njoku, exited early, too. Waiver-wire pickups and Week 8 fantasy rankings will be affected as the latest updates on these players trickle in throughout the week.
Below we'll give you the latest news on these pass-catchers and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 8 fantasy landscape. For the latest on banged-up running backs Breece Hall and Chuba Hubbard, click here; for updates on ailing QBs Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, click here; for more on RBs D'Andre Swift, James Conner, and Cam Akers, go here; for news on hurting pass-catchers Michael Thomas, Darren Waller, and Jahan Dotson, click here.
Follow your fantasy team and watch every week during the 2022 NFL season on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange or Blue for $35/month, or both for $50/month. Right now, get half off your first month, plus SHOWTIME, STARZ, AND EPIX -- first month on us! SIGN UP FOR SLING!
WEEK 8 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Monday that St. Brown didn't actually suffer a concussion, but he wasn't allowed to return to the game because he exhibited ataxia, or poor muscle control and clumsy movements. He will still need to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in order to play in Week 8.
St. Brown exited Sunday’s game in the first quarter against the Cowboys due to a concussion. Now, the second-year receiver will have to pass the NFL's concussion protocol in order to be cleared for next week against the Dolphins.
St. Brown got off to a great start this season before an ankle injury slowed him down. The concussion issue certainly doesn't figure to help, but we have seen players cleared within a week. If St. Brown cannot play against the Dolphins, Josh Reynolds becomes a viable flex option, as he figures to operate as the Lions’ No. 1 WR like he did when St. Brown was previously out. Reynolds had a quiet performance against the Cowboys with one catch (two targets) for eight yards. However, he could bounce back against a Dolphins defense that allows the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs this season (30.2), making this a solid matchup. Kalif Raymond, who led the Lions in receiving on Sunday, is another possible deep-league flex.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Mike Williams injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday afternoon that Williams is expected to miss "some time" with a high ankle sprain after L.A.'s Week 8 bye.
Williams exited Sunday's game against the Seahawks after suffering a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter. The veteran wide receiver could be out for some time after Keenan Allen told reporters that Williams has a high ankle sprain. Williams still has to get an MRI to confirm that diagnosis, however.
Before exiting Sunday's game, the 28-year-old receiver had five receptions (seven targets) for 86 yards and a touchdown. If Williams is out for multiple weeks, all the attention goes back on Keenan Allen as WR1 in Los Angeles' offense. Josh Palmer, who missed last week's game because of a concussion, would step back into the WR2 role and have WR3/flex value in fantasy. The Chargers have a bye in Week 8, so fantasy owners will need a fill-in for Williams either way.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
DK Metcalf injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Carroll told said on Monday that Metcalf will not need surgery after injuring his patella in Sunday's win over the Chargers, according to beat writer Michael-Shawn Duggar. However, the wide receiver's status going forward is unclear. He still figures to miss at least a game or two.
Metcalf (knee) was carted to the locker room late in the first half against the Chargers and did not return. Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said after the game that Metcalf's X-rays were negative, but he will get an MRI when they return home, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.
It's been an up-and-down season for Metcalf, but we know that he can have a breakout game at any moment, as we saw against the Saints in Week 5 (five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown). If Metcalf is out, Tyler Lockett steps in as the unquestioned WR1 in the Seahawks' offense and will continue to be an every-week play. Marquise Goodwin (four catches, 67 yards, two TDs) stepped up in Metcalf's absence on Sunday and is worth picking up as a boom-or-bust flex play next week in a tough matchup against the Giants. TE Will Dissly will also see a bump in value.
Allen Lazard injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
Lazard suffered a shoulder injury in the Packers' two-point loss to the Commanders on Sunday. The veteran wide receiver initially left the game in the third quarter but returned. However, he left again in the fourth quarter and remained on the sidelines.
Lazard has been one of the more consistent pass-catching options for Aaron Rodgers, averaging five receptions per game. If Lazard can't play next week, Sammy Watkins and rookie Romeo Doubs will step up as Green Bay's top receivers if Lazard misses time, but neither is appealing in Week 8 against a Bills defense that's allowing the fifth-fewest points to WRs this season. Watkins could have value in better matchups, though, so if Lazard is expected to miss multiple games, the veteran receiver could be worth a pickup in 12-team leagues.
David Njoku injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Njoku is expected to miss two-to-five weeks with a high-ankle sprain that will not require surgery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The veteran tight end was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Ravens in the fourth quarter because of an ankle injury. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Njoku's sprained ankle "isn't serious." However, there will be additional tests to determine the full extent of the injury.
Njoku had another outstanding performance for the Browns on Sunday afternoon, recording seven receptions (seven targets) for 77 yards before leaving the game. He has emerged as the Browns’ No. 2 receiving option behind Amari Cooper and become one of the most consistent fantasy TEs. If Njoku misses time, which seems likely, the Browns will turn to Harrison Bryant, who had two receptions for 15 yards against the Ravens. Bryant is a mid-tier streaming option this week, especially with Travis Kelce and Gerald Everett on the bye.
