We didn’t see any trajectory-changing injuries in Week 8 of the NFL. In fact, very few players were even lost for their game. Most of the week’s injury concerns were holdover injuries from weeks before. But they matter, too, so let’s give it a look:
Fantasy football aftermath: The injuries of Week 8
We’ve gone a few weeks now without any super-dramatic fantasy-relevant injuries. Either we’re due for something, or the fantasy gods are getting nicer.
Jason Miller
Running back injuries in Week 8
- The Bengals were without Giovani Bernard for the game's last eight minutes Sunday as he dealt with a hip injury. It didn't come up much after the game, so it doesn't sounds as though Bernard's injury is anything to worry too much about. Keep an eye on his reports over the next week, though unless the rest of the Bengals come back healthy, they're likely going to continue to lean on the second-year back.
- It's clear now that Reggie Bush probably shouldn't have played in Week 7, and likely only did because it was his former team on the other side of the field. He missed Week 6 with his ankle injury and was held out of Sunday as well, with the Lions having a Week 9 bye. We know have two weeks to wonder about Bush's status, so there aren't any real conclusions to draw about him yet, but if he misses more time, Theo Riddick looks very interesting.
- Doug Martin left Sunday's game in the third quarter with an ankle injury, and was pretty far from effective even before that. Initial reports on Martin's injury didn't make it sounds serious, but with Bobby Rainey outproducing Martin and rookie Charles Sims eligible to return from injured reserve as early as Week 9, Martin's not worth the fantasy roster spot anymore.
- The Chargers were only supposed to be without Ryan Mathews for four or so weeks, and he's now been gone for six. Rumors say he could return from his MCL sprain this week, and with the Chargers on a losing streak and Branden Oliver losing effectiveness, the team could use its starter. We'll learn more about Mathews' status over the next couple days, but if he was dropped, it's time to go get him.
- Technically, Trent Richardson was active for the Colts Sunday despite his hamstring injury, but he wasn't really, as Richardson never saw a touch. He was a "break glass in case of emergency" player for the Colts. The team has a Week 10 bye, so there's a chance Richardson will be inactive for Week 9 to give him extra rest. Either way, he's not someone you want to be starting any time soon.
- When Darren Sproles first hurt his knee, he was supposed to miss at least two weeks, and then suddenly it looked like he'd play Sunday. So when he was declared inactive, some were disappointed, even though that's exactly what he was supposed to do from the beginning. There's not much reason to expect Sproles to miss Week 9, as close as he was to playing Sunday.
Wide receiver injuries in Week 8
- The Bengals have now been without, or basically without, A.J. Green four times in seven games, after he missed Week 8 with his toe injury. The wide receiver spoke confidently about being active for Week 9, though he said the same about Week 8 seven days earlier. Still, all signs point to him being active next week, and an active A.J. Green is a fantasy starter.
- From here, it never really looked like Calvin Johnson would play Sunday, especially with the Lions' bye waiting in Week 9. Fantasy owners have to deal with another week without their first-rounder -- though at least it's a planned one this time -- but there's at least some reason to expect his return in Week 10.
- Word hasn't yet come out as to exactly what the injury was to Brian Quick that forced him from the game in the second quarter and had him leaving the stadium with his left arm in a sling. So it's even harder than normal to give a real prognosis on Quick going forward. Still, with his performance already dropping and the way Sunday went, fantasy owners should plan to be without Quick as a starter for the time being. Look outside St. Louis for a replacement.
- Everyone knew Reggie Wayne was banged up early in the week, but the news kept getting worse, until he was officially ruled out Friday with his elbow injury. For now, the veteran is expected back in Week 9. In his absence, rookie Donte Moncrief had a big game, and there's no reason to think that will stop if Wayne misses more time.
Tight end injuries in Week 8
- The Browns lost Jordan Cameron with a concussion Sunday. For a player with a history of concussions, like Cameron has, this is always worrying news. There's no way to know yet when Cameron might be able to play again, but as spotty as his 2014 production has been even when healthy, he's not someone fantasy owners absolutely have to hold on to.
- The reports on Owen Daniels went from "the Ravens are not concerned" Wednesday to "knee scoped" Thursday last week, and suddenly the veteran tight end was going to miss at least a game, and indefinite time after that. He's safely droppable unless we hear very soon that he's expected back.
- The worries about Jimmy Graham faded away with his five-catch, 59-yard, one-score game Sunday night. Sure, he's not the Jimmy Graham we're all used to, but that's the kind of performance a banged-up star tight end can offer. He'll probably still be on the injury report for Week 9, but it's Jimmy Graham. You're playing him.
