Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (back) has been ruled out for his team's Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens due to a back injury. Kmet suffered the injury during his team's Week 7 win over the New Orleans Saints and did not practice at all this week. With Kmet sidelined, Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland should have his best opportunity of the season to break out. The 21-year-old rookie has had a quiet start to his NFL career, recording eight catches for 78 yards on 13 targets across five games. Loveland has yet to play more than 67% of the Bears' offensive snaps in any game this season, but that should change in Week 8 against Baltimore. Given his lack of production so far, it will be tough for fantasy managers to trust Loveland as a starter. Still, Loveland may be a player to stash in case he has a big week and Kmet's injury proves to be a long-term ailment.

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New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (ankle) is off the injury report and good to go for his team's Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. In six games (four starts) so far this season, Dart has completed 60.2% of his pass attempts for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. The 22-year-old rookie has also been one of the NFL's most dynamic rushing quarterbacks, recording 178 yards and three touchdowns on 37 rushing attempts. Week 8 will be Dart's second game in three weeks against Philadelphia. In Week 6, he recorded 253 total yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. Dart profiles as a low-end fantasy starter in single-QB formats and a must-start quarterback in two-QB leagues in Week 8.

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New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) is off the injury report and will play in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, per Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Slayton has missed each of New York's last two games due to a hamstring injury. Before getting hurt, the 28-year-old had recorded 12 catches for 166 yards on 18 targets. Upon his return to the lineup, Slayton should slot in alongside wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson as one of the top two targets for Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. In the lone game Slayton has played this season without star Giants wideout Malik Nabers (knee), he earned a season-high six targets. Slayton profiles as a low-end flex option for deep-league fantasy managers in Week 8 against Philadelphia.

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is questionable to play in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins due to a knee injury. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter also reports that Morris said Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins has taken more reps later in the week. Through six games, Penix Jr. has completed 61% of his pass attempts for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. If he is unable to play against Miami, the Falcons have one of the most experienced backups in the league in Cousins. In 14 starts for Atlanta last season, the 37-year-old Cousins completed 66.9% of his pass attempts for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Should Cousins get the start in Week 8, he would profile as a solid fantasy QB2 but should likely be avoided in single-quarterback formats.

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Following a four-week stretch that saw him put up nearly 60 yards per game and three scores, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has fallen off the fantasy radar. He's seen two of his lowest snap counts of the season over the past two weeks, while making only one catch. Rashee Rice, in his first game back from a six-game suspension, was targeted nine times on only 19 pass routes, signaling that he has stepped right back into being the focal point of the team's passing offense, and he'll only continue to see the field more as he plays himself back into shape. What's left of the team's pass work opportunities will be divvied up between Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and emerging rookie Brashard Smith, leaving Thornton on the outside looking in. While his speed will always make him a big-play threat, his occasional spikes will be too rare and difficult to predict to give him any fantasy value moving forward.

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After missing the team's first practice of the week on Thursday, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (ankle/knee) will reportedly get back to work in some capacity on Friday. Hunt is dealing with a bone bruise that could have contributed to his season-low 15 snaps in a Week 7 win over the Raiders. With the Chiefs playing on Monday night, Hunt will have an extra day to recuperate, so his Saturday practice participation should be monitored. While Hunt has seen his workload decrease over the past few weeks, a full absence on Monday night would put Isiah Pacheco in a position to see his heaviest usage of the season against a Commanders team that has been middle of the pack at defending the run. Rookie Brashard Smith, coming off a season-high 14 carries, also has flex appeal in a matchup that sees Washington without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Chiefs favored heavily at home.

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In his first game back from a six-game suspension, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was on the field for 33 of his team's 81 offensive snaps against the Raiders, and OC Matt Nagy says he will continue to be brought along gradually. While a ramp-up is to be expected, the good news for fantasy managers is that 22 of those 33 snaps came on passing plays, and Rice was targeted a staggering nine times on the 19 routes that he ran. It's clear the team intends to run the passing offense through their third-year star, and as he sees more involvement, he should be viewed as a locked-in WR1, rewarding managers who held onto him through his lengthy absence. While Patrick Mahomes might see a dip in the rushing numbers that have made him one of the best fantasy quarterbacks to begin the year, the tradeoff is an electric receiver who can rack up yards and fantasy points with the ball in his hands.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) has been ruled out of Sunday's divisional matchup with the Colts, according to interim head coach Mike McCoy. This marks the second straight game missed by Ridley, after battling through injury in a Week 6 loss to the Raiders. In his absence last week, it was the Titans' rookie pass catchers who were leaned on, as Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, and Gunnar Helm combined for 14 targets, with Dike connecting on a long touchdown grab from Cam Ward. While Ward's lowlights from last week included an unforced fumble that led to a defensive score, he still posted a season-high completion percentage and passer rating. While the Titans' offense has left much to be desired, and they face another formidable opponent in the Colts, desperate fantasy managers can throw a dart at Ayomanor or Dike in a week that sees six NFL teams on a bye.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) was a full participant in Friday's practice, and head coach John Harbaugh said the team will "see where it's at going forward." After beginning the week with two limited practices, Jackson's ramp-up is a positive sign for his availability when the Ravens host the Bears in Week 8. With Baltimore off to an unexpected 1-5 start, there is an urgency to get their two-time MVP quarterback back onto the field as soon as possible. Jackson exited the team's Week 4 loss to the Chiefs before missing two games and getting an additional week's rest with a Week 7 bye. While Cooper Rush started and struggled in the previous two games, Harbaugh has indicated that Tyler Huntley would start on Sunday if Jackson is unable to go. Jackson's status should be monitored by all when early-game inactives are announced, as his presence heavily affects the fantasy value of Ravens pass catchers Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman.

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If Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) cannot play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Tyler Huntley, not Cooper Rush, would be in line to be the potential replacement in Week 8. Rush started the team's last two games before the Week 7 bye with Jackson out, but the 31-year-old veteran went 25-for-39 passing for 251 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions in two blowout losses to the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams. Huntley, 27, would definitely be more attractive than Rush for fantasy managers desperate for a QB2 streamer in Week 8 in superflex leagues. The 27-year-old has six years of NFL experience and has made 14 starts in his career (nine with Baltimore). Huntley's rushing ability alone would give him more upside. In five starts in 2024 with Miami, he went 86-for-133 for 829 yards, three touchdowns, and three picks, adding 26 carries for 135 yards and two more scores.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) said on Terron Armstead's podcast that he's undecided if he wants to continue his playing career after suffering a season-ending left-knee injury on Sept. 29 against the New York Jets. "At the end of the day, I feel like that decision is based upon how I feel and where my mindset is at the moment," Hill said. "I'm happy with the career that I've had. I love playing football. I love it, but it takes a lot. It takes a lot on you mentally, it takes a lot on you physically." The 31-year-old had back-to-back 1,700-yard receiving seasons in his first two years in Miami, including a league-leading 1,799 yards in 2023. However, the five-time All-Pro had a down year in 2024 with 81 catches for 959 yards, his lowest totals since 2019. The Cheetah's contract with the Dolphins runs through next season, but at this point, it's unclear if he even wants to play football again.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) is listed as questionable to play in Week 8 versus the hosting New England Patriots on Sunday, according to Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Njoku missed the blowout win over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday due to his knee injury, and he's in danger of missing his second straight game. There has been optimism that Njoku will be able to return this weekend, but his status for Sunday's game in Boston might come down to the wire on Sunday morning. If he misses a second straight game, rookie Harold Fannin Jr. would once again be a clear top-12 option at the TE position in fantasy. The 29-year-old has become more of a high-end TE2 in fantasy this year because of Fannin's presence and immediate production in his rookie year. In six games so far, Njoku has 23 catches, 223 yards, and only one touchdown for the Browns.

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A Carolina Panthers spokesman said on Friday that Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton will start in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, regardless of Bryce Young's (ankle) availability, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Young suffered a high-ankle sprain in last week's win over the New York Jets and is listed as doubtful to play this weekend. Dalton has been preparing all week with the first-team offense to face the Bills, and the Panthers have already generated their game plan around the veteran signal-caller. Buffalo's defense is banged up, and Dalton has plenty of weapons on offense to surprise some folks, but fantasy managers shouldn't treat him as much more than a low-end QB2 option as a game manager for the Panthers in his first start of 2025.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is ready to suit up for Sunday's divisional game against the Tennessee Titans, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. A concussion sidelined Downs for the Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he'll return this weekend after missing just one game with his head injury. The 24-year-old should slot back in to WR2 duties behind Michael Pittman Jr., making Alec Pierce a more volatile flex play for fantasy managers this Sunday in a game where the Colts probably won't need to air the ball out. Before his head injury, Downs was on the rise, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the previous two games. The former third-rounder has 26 receptions, 217 yards, and one touchdown in six games in 2025 and will be in play as a WR3/flex in Week 8 now that he's officially back.

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The Carolina Panthers are listing quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) as doubtful to play in Week 8 this Sunday against the visiting Buffalo Bills, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Young is not going to play this weekend after sustaining a high-ankle sprain in last week's win over the New York Jets, and is also probably going to be in question going into the Week 9 contest at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nov. 2. With Young unavailable to play this Sunday, veteran Andy Dalton will make his first start of 2025 for the Panthers. Dalton has the weapons to put up some numbers for fantasy managers in need of a second QB in two-QB leagues, but the Panthers could lean on their strong backfield of Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, as long as the game script allows. At best, consider Dalton a low-end QB2 streamer in fantasy this week.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller's pectoral injury is not season-ending, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Waller suffered a pectoral injury in the Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns and was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but he should be able to make it back this season. However, the 33-year-old veteran will need to miss at least four games and will not be eligible to return for Miami until Week 13. In the meantime, the team will have to make due with a combination of Julian Hill (ankle), Tanner Conner, and Greg Dulcich at the position in an offense that already lost star receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) for the year. Fantasy managers should be avoiding Miami's TE situation until Waller can return. Waller, who came out of retirement after not playing at all in 2024, got a late start in 2025 due to another injury, but he scored four touchdowns in his first three games before getting injured in Week 7.

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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni declined to give a status update on wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) on Friday for his availability on Sunday versus the division-rival New York Giants in Week 8, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Sirianni did say, however, that Brown is a player who could suit up without practicing at all during the week. Brown has not practiced all week, which typically means a player will not play, but the 28-year-old wideout apparently is still an option to suit up this weekend against the G-Men. Still, fantasy managers have to be pretty unsettled, and if Brown is active on Sunday, he could be operating on a snap count at less than 100% health. If Brown is out or limited this weekend, more targets will be available for DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, while Jahan Dotson and Xavier Gipson could join starting three-wide sets for Philly.

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New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor (quadriceps) is considered questionable to play in Week 8 on Sunday versus the hosting Cincinnati Bengals, according to Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com. However, head coach Aaron Glenn feels that Taylor is trending in the right direction to be active on Sunday. It sounds like the 21-year-old should be able to suit up this weekend, but fantasy managers will want to check back on New York's game-day inactive on Sunday morning just to be sure. With top receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) missing a second straight game, Taylor figures to be heavily involved in the passing game on Sunday if he's active. In last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers, with Wilson out, Taylor caught three of his five targets for 31 yards. The matchup is a good one against Cincy's defense, but the problem for Taylor is that the Jets' passing game has been almost non-existent this year, and they could be turning to veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) in Week 8.

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New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) is listed as questionable to play on Sunday in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com. However, head coach Aaron Glenn said that Hall is trending in the right direction to play this week. Hall came out of the Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers a little dinged up, but Glenn called him day-to-day earlier this week. Although the 24-year-old was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he appears to be on the right side of questionable to face the Bengals. It's good news for the 0-7 Jets, who have ruled out top receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) for the second straight game. The Bengals' defense doesn't pose a serious threat, but Hall's upside has been capped this year mainly because of how bad the Jets' offense has been. It's still unclear if Tyrod Taylor (knee) or Justin Fields will start at quarterback this week. At best, Hall should be considered an RB2 in fantasy in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) is listed as questionable to play in Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to NewYorkJets.com's Eric Allen. However, head coach Aaron Glenn said that the veteran QB is trending in the right direction to be available this weekend. Taylor has been limited in practice this week due to a knee injury that isn't believed to be serious. It's unclear if the 36-year-old's injury will keep him from making the start under center against Cincy over Justin Fields, who was benched at halftime in last Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 0-7 Jets' offense is a mess. Not only is Taylor banged up, but they will be without top receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) for a second straight game, while running back Breece Hall (knee) and rookie tight end Mason Taylor (quadriceps) are questionable. If Taylor is active and makes his first start of the year, fantasy managers in superflex leagues would be better off looking elsewhere.

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