As teams posted their initial practice reports of the week, fantasy football owners with banged-up pass catchers like DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Darren Waller, Michael Thomas, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Allen Lazard need to stay in the know on their most recent injury updates. Knowing these players' current statuses plays a key role in spotting potential sleepers and navigating your start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
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 updates on ailing RBs Ezekiel Elliott, D'Andre Swift, Chuba Hubbard, and James Conner, go here.
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WEEK 8 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
DK Metcalf injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
Metcalf (knee) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, according to the team's official injury report. Additionally, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson, there's still no word on his status for this Sunday's game against the Giants.
Metcalf was carted off to the locker room late in the first half of the Seahawks' 37-23 win over the Chargers, and while the injury looked a bit concerning, the initial X-rays came back negative. He did avoid surgery, but it's unlikely Metcalf ends up playing this week regardless of Pete Carroll's optimism.
In his potential absence, fellow pass-catchers Tyler Lockett, Will Dissly, Noah Fant, and Marquise Goodwin all see boosts to their fantasy stock. Lockett and Dissly are the clear frontrunners for targets, but don't be surprised to see another big performance from Goodwin, as well.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Deebo Samuel injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE 3: Samuel (hamstring) is out for Week 8.
UPDATE 2: Samuel (hamstring) wasn't seen during Friday's practice, hindering his chances of playing this Sunday against the Rams.
UPDATE: Samuel (hamstring) was not seen during Thursday's practice session, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner.
Samuel (hamstring) failed to participate in Wednesday's practice. According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, Kyle Shanahan labeled Samuel as "day-to-day" on Monday. We'll see if Samuel returns to the practice field for San Francisco's Thursday and Friday sessions, but there's a good chance he's hit with a "questionable" tag ahead of a big matchup with the Rams.
While Samuel's had just one "big" fantasy performance this season in Week 4 against the Rams, he's garnering a respectable 26.7-percent target share and remains one of the most lethal after-the-catch receivers in the game. If Samuel ends up missing this week, look for Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle to shoulder a bigger load in the passing game while a larger focus could be on their running game, headlined by All-Pro RB Christian McCaffery.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Darren Waller injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
Waller (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday, according to the Raiders' official injury report. Waller missed Las Vegas' Week 7 win over Houston dealing with a pulled hamstring suffered early in the Raiders' Week 5 loss to Kansas City.
In his absence this past week, fellow TE Foster Moreau took on the TE1 role but only hauled in three catches for 28 yards. Waller's potential return makes him a must-start despite New Orleans' allowing the second-fewest FPPG to TEs (5.0). If Waller ends up missing this week, pivoting to a tight end in the free agent pool like Harrison Bryant (vs. Bengals) or Juwan Johnson (vs. Raiders) might be a better move than starting Moreau.
WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Michael Thomas injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE 2: Thomas (foot) missed practice on Friday and is out this Sunday, according to Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football.
UPDATE: Thomas (foot) missed practice once again on Thursday according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, as he's likely now facing an uphill battle to suit up in Week 8.
Thomas (foot) didn't practice for the Saints on Wednesday, already complicating his status for Week 8. Thomas has missed the past four weeks while dealing with a foot injury sustained back in Week 3.
When Thomas has been on the field, he's produced, racking up 16 receptions for 171 yards and three TDs through three weeks. Should Thomas miss his fifth straight game, expect a high target share for Chris Olave along with increased snaps for Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway. Both are tough to trust despite the favorable matchup, but they can work as flexes in deep leagues.
WEEK 8 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE 2: St. Brown (concussion protocol) is trending toward plating this Sunday, according to Tim Twentyman.
UPDATE: St. Brown (concussion protocol) was limited in practice for a second-straight day, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard.
St. Brown (concussion protocol) was a limited participant in the team's Wednesday practice after being ruled out of Detroit's Week 7 game with concussion-like symptoms.
St. Brown played on just 10 snaps before exiting the game, but he figures to be back out there for the Lions this week once he officially clears concussion protocol. Should St. Brown end up missing game action, fellow WRs Khalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds sit as potential flex options.
Allen Lazard injury update, Week 8 fantasy outlook
UPDATE 2: Lazard (shoulder) is unlikely to play this Sunday night.
UPDATE: Lazard (shoulder) missed his second-straight practice on Thursday, complicating his status for this Sunday night.
Lazard (shoulder) missed Green Bay's Wednesday practice session. Lazard was seen in a sling following Green Bay's Week 7 matchup, and a DNP to begin the week isn't the best sign for his playing availability.
Lazard's status is worth monitoring as the week progresses, as it's likely he carries a "questionable" tag entering Sunday. With the Packers playing Sunday night, it might be beneficial to start another wideout over him in case he ends up missing this week's matchup against the Bills. Green Bay's passing attack has severely underperformed this season, and it's best to avoid other Packers' wide receivers despite the potential for a negative game script. Romeo Doubs would be the only real consideration in deep leagues.
