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FFL: Week 8 | NFL: Week 8

Injury-ravaged Bucs place WR Mike Evans (collarbone) on IR

Wed Oct 22 6:33pm ET
Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers formally placed receiver Mike Evans on injured reserve Wednesday, two days after he broke a collarbone that will reportedly require surgery later this week.

If the break was clean, Evans could return in eight weeks for a Week 16 game against the Carolina Panthers. It is also possible he could miss the rest of the regular season.

Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday he's unsure whether Evans will return this season.

"It's going to be touch and go," Bowles said. "We'll see as we get toward the end of the year. It's definitely going to be the end of the year -- hopefully it's before that -- if we get to the playoffs, we go from there. It may be in the playoffs. It depends on how it heals."

Evans was hurt while trying to corral a deep throw from Baker Mayfield in the Buccaneers' 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. He also sustained a concussion.

The injury will end an impressive streak. Evans has put together 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the all-time mark.

Evans has 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in four games this season. He also missed three games with a hamstring injury.

Receiver Chris Godwin (fibula) and running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Godwin has played just two games this season, while Irving will miss his fourth straight.

Outside linebacker Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) was injured against the Lions and underwent an MRI exam. Although the severity isn't yet known, Bowles said Reddick will miss some games.

Among other players who missed practice Wednesday were receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), linebacker Lavonte David (knee/rib) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (toe). Mayfield (knee) was limited.

Tampa Bay promoted offensive lineman Michael Jordan from the practice squad to fill a roster spot and signed receiver Brandon Johnson to the practice squad.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 8

Player Notes
A.J. Brown Oct 22 5:40pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) was listed on the team's first injury report of the week with a hamstring injury and did not practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Brown's status for the Week 8 divisional rematch against the New York Giants this Sunday is now in question after he missed his first practice of the year due to injury. The 28-year-old showed no signs of an injury in the Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, playing 92% of the offensive snaps while going off for 121 receiving yards and two touchdowns on only four catches. It's unclear if this is a serious injury for Brown or if the Eagles are just giving him a maintenance day, but we should know more on Thursday. After a slow start, Brown now has 10 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games. He had six catches for 80 yards on nine targets on Oct. 9 in the first game against the G-Men.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 22 5:30pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) remains on the team's injury report heading into a Week 8 clash with the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday and was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Kamara was a DNP last Wednesday with his ankle injury, but he ended up returning to practice and was cleared from the final injury report. The 30-year-old five-time Pro Bowler ended up handling 11 carries for only 28 yards while catching all three of his targets for just one yard in the Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears. However, Kamara did play a season-high 84% of the offensive snaps due to Kendre Miller (knee) suffering a torn ACL. Rookie Devin Neal will spell Kamara going forward. Kamara is still the Saints' lead back, but he's averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and is showing signs of his age in his ninth NFL season.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Oct 22 5:20pm CT
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee) is dealing with a knee injury and was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Mayfield is coming off one of his worst performances of the season in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions, in which he threw for 228 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while not carrying the ball at all. In addition to his health, Mayfield's lack of healthy weapons in the passing game is now becoming a concern, as the team lost Mike Evans to a broken collarbone on Monday, and Chris Godwin (leg) will miss a third straight game this weekend. Mayfield should play through his knee injury this week. He should be considered a low-end QB1 in fantasy against the Saints.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Oct 22 5:10pm CT
Jaylen Waddle

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Miami Dolphins are getting calls on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but don't "have plans to trade him at this point." With Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the season with a torn ACL, Waddle is a "building block who can translate to any offense." He is due $36 million over 2025-26, which represents a reasonable price for a player of his caliber at his position. ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Waddle's contract makes him a bit difficult to trade, so the odds are that he'll stay put in Miami this season as their top wideout without Hill in the fold. Miami's offense went off the rails in Week 7 against a tough Cleveland Browns defense, and Waddle had only one catch for 15 yards on four targets. However, the two weeks prior, he went off for 12 catches (17 targets) for 205 yards and a touchdown as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's top target. Waddle will remain a volume-based WR2/3 in fantasy if he sticks with the Dolphins through this year's trade deadline.

From RotoBaller

Emeka Egbuka Oct 22 5:10pm CT
Emeka Egbuka

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) was unable to practice on Wednesday, per Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Egbuka injured his hamstring in Week 6 and only practiced one day before suiting up in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 7. The Ohio State product played 75% of the offensive snaps and didn't look 100% healthy, catching only four of his 12 targets for 58 yards against an injury-ravaged Detroit secondary. He's clearly still not 100%, but if he can return to practice on either Thursday or Friday, he figures to play this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Mike Evans (collarbone) will miss most of the rest of the year, and Chris Godwin (leg) will miss another game, so if Egbuka is active this weekend, he should be good for double-digit targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield. In his first five NFL games before getting hurt, Egbuka was fantastic with 25 catches, 445 yards, and five touchdowns on 38 targets.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Oct 22 4:40pm CT
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) said his "goal and my plan is to play this week" when the team takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on Sunday Night Football in Week 8, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Watson added that his talks with the team "indicate that's the direction it's headed." Watson, who hasn't played yet in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year, was limited in practice all of last week before being held out of the Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals. All signs are pointing toward the 26-year-old being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday and playing for the first time on Sunday night, as long as he's able to upgrade to a full practice by Friday. An explosive deep threat when fully healthy, Watson will make Green Bay's offense more dynamic, but he'll be a pretty risky boom/bust WR4/flex play in his season debut on a potentially limited snap count.

From RotoBaller

Hassan Haskins Oct 22 4:30pm CT
Hassan Haskins

Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been officially ruled out for the Thursday night game in Week 8 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Haskins suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and won't be able to suit up on a short week. With the 25-year-old sidelined and with rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton (ankle) still on Injured Reserve, the Bolts are expected to elevate veteran Nyheim Hines to the 53-man active roster to serve as Kimani Vidal's backup against Minnesota. Trayveon Williams could also come up from the practice squad to serve as backfield depth on a short week. Haskins' next chance to suit up will come in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 2, against his former team, the Tennessee Titans. In the RB2 role with Hampton on IR, Haskins has minimal fantasy value and has been dropped in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Oct 22 4:30pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) is considered questionable to be activated from Injured Reserve to make his return in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Vikings opened Jones' 21-day practice window on Tuesday, and he was listed as a limited practice participant the last two days, suggesting that he'll likely be held out for another week. The 30-year-old has been on IR since suffering a hamstring injury back in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. If he ends up being activated and suiting up on Thursday night in Los Angeles, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's the second option out of the backfield behind Jordan Mason, who has been operating as the team's lead back with Jones out. If Jones stays on IR this week, his next chance to return would come in Week 9 versus the division-rival Detroit Lions.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 22 4:20pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears, a source told Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. However, he's expected to play on Sunday when the team hosts the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave apparently injured his ankle in last Sunday's loss but still managed to play 84% of the offensive snaps while dominating for fantasy managers with five catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is getting a maintenance day on Wednesday and should return to practice later this week and be fine to suit up against the division-rival Bucs this weekend. Olave has exactly 98 yards in each of the last two weeks and has been a must-start in fantasy lineups despite working with quarterback Spencer Rattler this year.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Oct 22 4:10pm CT
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (back) did not participate in Wednesday's practice after leaving in the second quarter of Week 7's matchup against the Saints. Kmet ultimately did not return to the game after catching his lone target for 16 yards. It's been a quiet season so far for Kmet, catching just nine of 19 targets for 132 yards and a touchdown in six games. The 26-year-old tight end's status for Week 8 against the Ravens is uncertain, with more updates expected in the coming days. If Kmet is unable to go, rookie Colston Loveland would be expected to see a big boost in snaps and routes, making him a viable streamer on Sunday against Baltimore.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Oct 22 4:00pm CT
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (groin) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, according to the team. Swift was limited in practice last week due to the injury, but still managed a season-high 19 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown, along with one reception for 14 yards in Week 7 against the Saints. The 26-year-old has maintained a consistent workload in Chicago's backfield with at least 15 touches in every game and has been surging of late, becoming the fourth running back this season to rush for over 100 yards in consecutive games after his last two games. His injury status will be updated throughout the week, and if he is unable to play on Sunday, rookie Kyle Monangai would likely handle the majority of the touches.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Oct 22 4:00pm CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore (groin) did not participate in practice on Wednesday, according to the team. Moore cleared the injury report ahead of Chicago's Week 7 game against the Saints after being hospitalized following the Week 6 win at Washington, but he enters this week in a similar situation. The 28-year-old has gotten off to a slow start this season, surpassing 50 receiving yards in only one game, which came in Week 1. The team has trended more run-heavy out of the bye week, and Moore has earned some rushing work, with nine rushes for 34 yards for the season, but he's fallen behind second-year WR Rome Odunze as the team's top target in the passing game. Moore's injury status should become clearer as the week goes along.

From RotoBaller

Jeffery Simmons Oct 22 3:40pm CT
Jeffery Simmons

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) will be week-to-week after suffering the injury in their Week 7 loss to the Patriots, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Simmons suffered a hamstring injury during the first half and ultimately did not return. The 28-year-old was playing at an elite level over the first seven games, ranking second in total pressures generated and sacks among interior defensive linemen, per PFF. His absence will be a major blow to a Titans defense that has struggled to stop opposing offenses even with Simmons on the field, allowing the fifth-most points per game this season.

From RotoBaller

Graham Gano Oct 22 3:30pm CT
Graham Gano

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (groin) has been designated to return from injured reserve and will practice on Wednesday, per Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Gano missed the minimum of four games with the injury and is set up to make his return in Week 8 against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles. The team released kicker Jude McAtamney on Tuesday following missing two extra points in a one-point loss to the Broncos in Week 7, while former Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo remains on the practice squad. The 38-year-old Gano would be a streaming option if he is back in Week 8 with rookie Jaxson Dart leading an efficient Giants offense.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Oct 22 3:10pm CT
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been on a tear to start his 2025 campaign after missing the first three games due to a suspension for violating the NFL's Substances of Abuse Policy. Addison has been highly efficient since returning, hauling in 18 of 26 targets for 283 yards and a touchdown. His 94.3 receiving yards per game ranks third in the NFL, only trailing superstars Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz honed in on Addison in their Week 7 loss to the Eagles, leading the team with 12 targets. Wentz will make another start in Week 8, where Addison will look to stay hot as the Vikings face the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 22 3:00pm CT
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) was held out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 7 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Head coach Dave Canales said that Young is considered "day-to-day" for this Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Bills. High-ankle sprains typically sideline players for at least several weeks, so fantasy managers should be planning on being without the 24-year-old this weekend. The good news is that the young signal-caller wasn't seen wearing a walking boot on Wednesday. The team isn't ruling Young out yet for Week 8, but the expectation is that veteran QB Andy Dalton will make his first start of 2025 this Sunday against the visiting Bills. At best, Dalton will be in play as a low-end QB2 streamer in leagues that start two QBs if Young is officially ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Michael Penix Jr. Oct 22 2:50pm CT
Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (foot) is still day-to-day and will be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a bone bruise in his foot in the Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, putting his availability for a Week 8 tilt against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday somewhat in question. The 25-year-old second-year QB's injury doesn't sound too serious, but it's enough to keep him out of a full practice in the first session of the week. Morris is optimistic about Penix playing this weekend, but fantasy managers will want to monitor the left-hander's status the rest of the week. If he can practice in full on Thursday or Friday, he should be just fine to play against Miami, where he'll have clear QB1 upside against the Dolphins' weak defense. If Penix cannot go, veteran Kirk Cousins would see his first action of the year and would immediately be on the streaming radar in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Oct 22 2:50pm CT
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) was not seen participating in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. Wicks still has two more days to try to get back on the practice field, but he's off to a bad start after injuring his calf in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The good news for the Packers is that if the 24-year-old is unable to go in Week 8 on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they could be getting Christian Watson (knee) back from the Physically Unable to Perform list for his 2025 debut. Romeo Doubs has been Green Bay's WR1 with Jayden Reed (collarbone) on Injured Reserve, and rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden has seen more involvement as well in recent weeks. Wicks has been off the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues with 13 catches for 134 yards and no scores on 20 targets through six games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Oct 22 2:40pm CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) was back in the mix at practice on Wednesday, according to Brian Batko. It's unclear what Austin's official practice status is, but it's good news as he tries to return for a Week 8 contest this Sunday night versus the Green Bay Packers. For what it's worth, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he was optimistic about Austin's chances of playing this week for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Week 4. In the 26-year-old's absence, DK Metcalf has continued to serve as the clear WR1 in Pittsburgh, with tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington picking up more slack in the passing game. When Austin gets back onto the field on game day, he should resume his role as the Steelers' WR2 after catching 10 of 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns in four games. He may need a full practice this week to avoid taking a questionable tag into the Sunday night contest.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Oct 22 1:50pm CT
Josh Palmer

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice as the team returned from its bye, and head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Palmer is considered week-to-week. The veteran receiver has quietly carved out a role in Buffalo's revamped passing attack, appearing in every game this season and posting 14 receptions for 234 yards while operating as a reliable secondary option for Josh Allen. However, his recovery timeline remains uncertain, and the Bills may choose to be cautious to avoid a longer-term setback. With Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir firmly established as the top three targets in the offense, Palmer offers limited fantasy upside even when healthy. For now, he should remain on the waiver wire in standard formats, though he may warrant monitoring in deeper leagues if his role expands later in the season.

From RotoBaller