Usually, running backs are the main source of our injury updates, but in Week 8, wide receivers are the headliners. Thursday's game features key "questionable" players, including DeVante Parker, Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace, and Benjamin Watson, and there are worries from the early Sunday game (Stefon Diggs), Sunday afternoon games (Michael Thomas), Sunday night game (Golden Tate, JuJu Smith-Schuster) and Monday night game (Emmanuel Sanders). Yes, the Week 8 fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions won't be easy.
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WEEK 8 RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is DeVante Parker playing Thursday night?
UPDATE: Parker is officially INACTIVE.
Parker is still battling through an ankle injury, which has already caused him to miss the past two games. On Tuesday, he was limited in practice and the Dolphins have listed him as "questionable" for Thursday's showdown against the Ravens.
He faces a relatively tough matchup at Baltimore with Matt Moore (who is arguably an upgrade over Jay Cutler), making him at least a WR3 if active. His return would also impact the value of Kenny Stills (one of our Week 8 bust picks) who has caught three touchdowns in the two games Parker has missed.
Will Stefon Diggs return in Week 8?
Diggs (groin) has missed the past two games, but he got in a full practice on Thursday, which is the best sign we've seen so far since he suffered the injury. And even better sign is that Diggs will be traveling with the team to the UK, and head coach Mike Zimmer said that Diggs has a chance to play against the Browns on Sunday.
He should be slotted into all your lineups if he's active. Every game in the UK this year has been lopsided, and it looks like the Vikings will be on the good side of a lopsided score. Diggs is a must-start if he plays. One note, the game is set to kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET, so if you own Diggs, be sure to set your alarm clock and double-check that he will play before starting him in your fantasy lineups.
Michael Thomas injury update
UPDATE: Thomas practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday.
Thomas was a surprise addition to the Saints injury report, missing practicing on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Coach Sean Payton told reporters it was not a significant or long-term injury .
For now, fantasy owners should expect Thomas to play in a favorable home matchup vs. the Bears, but this is a situation to monitor throughout the week. He's a must-start if he plays, and receivers like Ted Ginn Jr, Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead (hamstring) receive a big boost if he doesn't play.
WEEK 8 DFS:
Yahoo GPP lineup | Y! cash | DK cash | DK GPP | FD GPP | FD cash | Values | Stacks | DFS lineup builder
Will Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace, Ben Watson play on Thursday?
UPDATE: Maclin and Watson are ACTIVE, Wallace is INACTIVE.
The Ravens are going through all sorts of injury problems at receiver, and they've listed all three of Maclin, Wallace and Watson as questionable for tonight's game.
Maclin (shoulder) is trending in the right direction after participating in a limited role during practice on Tuesday. Wallace (concussion) also practiced in a limited role on Tuesday, but he's considered a game-time decision. Lastly, Watson missed practiced on Tuesday, and one report says he could miss the game, as well.
Watson's value has dropped tremendously now that Nick Boyle is becoming more incorporated into the Ravens offense, but Maclin and Wallace still hold some value, especially in a week with six teams on bye. Maclin is a WR3 if he starts, and Wallace is nothing more than a flex play, at best.
Golden Tate injury update
Tate suffered a shoulder injury in the game before Detroit's bye, and he was expected to miss a couple weeks at the very least. One report earlier this week said he's not expected to play on Sunday night against the Steelers; however, he was seen practicing in a limited role on Wednesday.
More than likely, he'll probably end up missing Week 8, but it's a better sign that he'll be back shorter than the original timeframe. If Tate misses, the Lions will depend on Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay (if healthy) and T.J. Jones as the three wide receivers. Theo Riddick also gets a rise in value as a pass-catching back, but the Steelers are a tough defense on WRs, so this could be a situation to avoid in general -- and that includes Matthew Stafford, who's our No. 16 QB this week.
Emmanuel Sanders injury update
UPDATE: Sanders was held out of practice on Thursday.
Sanders missed last week's game after suffering an ankle injury, and he's still not cleared to practice. Coach Vance Joseph said he's "day to day" with a chance to play this week against the Chiefs.
His status for Monday night is still questionable, but the Broncos will certainly need him if they want to get out of their two-game slide. Continue to monitor his status throughout the week, and if you want to hold out for him on Monday, make sure to have a backup from that game (Bennie Fowler? Demarcus Robinson?) at your ready.
Is Willie Snead playing in Week 8?
Snead practiced in full on Wednesday, removing any doubts if he'll miss any more time with a nagging hamstring injury. He was a surprise inactive against the Packers, but he should play this week against the Bears.
Snead has played in one game, missed two games due to hamstring issues and missed three games due to a suspension. And the one game he did play, Snead only caught one pass for 11 yards. Snead owners are probably getting tired of this, but at least it looks like he'll suit up this week. The status of Michael Thomas is important to watch, as it would boost Snead's value if Thomas doesn't play.
JuJu Smith-Schuster injury update
Smith-Schuster surprisingly entered concussion protocol after the Steelers Week 7 game, but he practiced in full with the team on Wednesday. He's still technically in concussion protocol, but Wednesday's practice is a good sign that he'll be ready to go for on Sunday night against the Lions.
Right now, we list Smith-Schuster as the No. 40 WR in our Week 8 WR rankings.