We already know David Njoku (ankle) and Daniel Bellinger (eye) are out, and a handful of other fantasy-relevant tight ends, including Darren Waller, Dalton Schultz, and Juwan Johnson, might not be suiting up this Sunday due to nagging ailments. Knowing these players' latest injury updates is crucial ahead of your Week 8 fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these tight ends and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 8 fantasy landscape.
WEEK 8 INJURY UPDATES: Early-game WRs | Late-game WRs
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WEEK 8 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Darren Waller playing Week 8?
UPDATE: Waller is officially OUT.
Waller (hamstring) is officially listed as "questionable" ahead of the Raiders' Week 8 road matchup against the Saints, according to the team's official injury report. Waller was a limited participant in practice this week, which gives him a decent shot to return on Sunday against New Orleans.
Waller aggravated his hamstring in the first half of the Raiders Week 5 matchup against the Chiefs and hasn't seen game action since. In his place, fellow TE Foster Moreau shouldered a larger snap count, but he only hauled in three passes for 28 yards in Week 7. Given the lack of depth at the tight end position, if Waller's good to go, he remains a must-start, even against a Saints defense that's allowing the second-fewest FPPG to tight ends (5.0). If Waller isn't active, expect another high-snap game for Moreau, but Moreau should likely remain on fantasy owners' benches in shallower leagues.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Dalton Schultz playing Week 8?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Schultz is expected to play against Chicago.
UPDATE 2: Schultz is officially ACTIVE.
Schultz (knee) carries a "questionable" tag entering the Cowboys' Week 8 matchup against the Bears, according to the team's official injury report.
Schultz practiced every day, albeit on a limited basis, but he should be out there against Chicago this Sunday. Even if he plays, he might not be at 100 percent, which makes him a fairly risky fantasy option. On top of that, the Bears' defense is allowing the fifth-fewest FPPG to tight ends (5.7), so Schultz will likely be kept quiet in Week 8. If he's out, look for Jake Ferguson to pick up the majority of TE targets for Dallas.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Juwan Johnson playing Week 8?
UPDATE: Johnson is officially ACTIVE.
Johnson (hamstring) is officially listed as "questionable" ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Raiders. Johnson did manage to log back-to-back limited sessions in practice to end the week, boosting his prospects of suiting up against Las Vegas.
Johnson's coming off a big showing in Week 7, catching five passes for 32 yards and two touchdowns in New Orleans' 42-34 loss to Arizona. He draws an enticing matchup against a Las Vegas defense allowing the fourth-most FPPG to tight ends (14.0), but the potential return of fellow tight end Adam Trautman (ankle) could cap Johnson's ceiling. Still, without Michael Thomas (foot) or Jarvis Landry (ankle), Johnson is worth a deep-league start if he plays.
