Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Delanie Walker, O.J. Howard, Chris Herndon, more affect Week 8 TE rankings

Billy Heyen

Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Delanie Walker, O.J. Howard, Chris Herndon, more affect Week 8 TE rankings image

Tight end is frustrating of late in fantasy not just because it's a barren wasteland; rather, because injuries have really reared their ugly head. The Week 8 status of multiple fantasy-relevant tight ends is in doubt. Delanie Walker, O.J. Howard, Chris Herndon and Jared Cook could all miss Week 8 due to injury, and if that happens, Jonnu Smith, Cameron Brate, and Josh Hill would be interesting start 'em, sit 'em calls.

Follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy for more news and updates, or check out our individual injury updates articles on QBs Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Patrick Mahomes (click here); RBs Alvin Kamara, David Johnson, James Conner, and Josh Jacobs (click here); and WRs Davante Adams, Tyrell Williams, DeSean Jackson and more (click here). 

WEEK 8 NON-PPR RANKINGS
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

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Is Delanie Walker playing Week 8?

After Walker (ankle) was basically David Johnson-ed Sunday, his status for Week 8 is in some doubt. He sat out Wednesday's practice, and the veteran could also face a similar situation Sunday even if he's active.

(Update: Walker was absent from Thursday's practice, too.)

For us Jonnu Smith truthers, an inactive Walker would make everything easier. Smith becomes a low-end fantasy starting TE with Ryan Tannehill at QB against a bad Bucs pass defense if Walker is inactive, and Smith would be a definite DFS value.

Week 8 DFS Lineups: 
Y! Cash | Y! GPP | FD Cash | FD GPP | DK Cash | DK GPP

O.J. Howard injury update

Howard (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice but was downgraded to out of Thursday's practice. That's not an encouraging sign for his availability Sunday against a Titans defense that funnels catches to tight ends.

If Howard is out, Cameron Brate moves right into the 10-12 area in our Week 8 TE rankings and would be a straightforward replacement for Howard owners.

WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end

When will Chris Herndon be back?

Herndon has missed the first couple weeks since returning from suspension due to a hamstring injury. He's been limited in practice so far on Wednesday and Thursday, so his return appears close. The Jets play the Jaguars in Week 8 before a string of successive great matchups.

Herndon's ownership has declined the last couple weeks after the Herndon stashers grew frustrated with his injury. If you wanted to stash him while suspended, now might be the time to jump back in and stash him again with the great matchups coming up.

MORE WEEK 8 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder

Is Jared Cook playing Week 8?

Cook sat out Week 7 with an ankle injury and missed Wednesday's practice. The Saints play the Cardinals in Week 8, which has been the best matchup for tight ends in fantasy this season. Josh Hill would start if Cook is out.

Either Cook or Hill should be in fantasy lineups, whichever one is starting for the Saints. Hill caught three passes for 43 yards and a score in Cook's Week 7 absence against the Bears.

Billy Heyen