National Football League

Fantasy Football: Top 5 injuries to keep an eye on for Week 8

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Injuries are part of Fantasy Football, unfortunately. Make sure to adjust your lineups accordingly heading into Week 8 action.

C.J. Anderson (22) runs during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”593″ /> Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

However, the good news is, not to sound like we’re cheering for someone’s injury to happen, but with one man’s opportunity gone, another’s presents itself.

With Week 7 in the books, fantasy owners everywhere are absolutely dismantled or pleased with their performances from the past week. As always, Week 8 should promise to be another good one as we get ready to put last week behind us and prepare for the upcoming one.

Without further ado, here’s an injury report heading into Week 8 fantasy football with the top five injuries to keep an eye on.

Matt Jones (31) carries the ball as New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) attempts the tackle in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”566″ /> Nov 15, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball as New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) attempts the tackle in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

5. Running Back Matt Jones – Washington Redskins

The second-year tailback has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals in London. It seemed that this news was expected since he hadn’t practiced all week. It’s also worth noting that he initially suffered his knee injury this past Wednesday in practice.

Perhaps what’s more concerning than the injury is that maybe the team was beginning to lose faith in Jones after a series of fumbling issues the past couple of weeks. He was notably stripped of the ball in an attempt to get into the end zone in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions.

As a result, head coach Jay Gruden benched the 23-year old in favor for the pass-catching tailback Chris Thompson. It’ll be interesting, to say the least, to see how this situation develops. It appears that Thompson and Robert Kelley will both get carries in Sunday’s game. Kelley is more of a power running back player, as where Kelley makes his money catching the football in the backfield.

It’s not crazy to say that if Kelley and Thompson play well this Sunday, Gruden and company won’t go back to Jones too quickly. Remember what happened to RG3? Yea, so do we.

Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) chase in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports” width=”812″ height=”650″ /> Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) chase in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

4. Running Back Tevin Coleman – Atlanta Falcons

This is a blow to the superb Atlanta Falcons offense that has been red-hot the first seven weeks this season. We all knew that teammate Devonta Freeman was going to be the premier back in that backfield. However, we didn’t think this team would find creative ways to get Tevin Coleman involved.

It can be argued that Coleman has played an equally integral part in this team’s success thus far. Through seven games the 23-year old has rushed for 234 yards on 59 carries and scored five touchdowns. However, he’s primarily been used as the feature pass-catching back in that offense. He’s caught for 330 yards and scored one touchdown on 19 receptions. He’s trailing only Pro Bowl wideout, Julio Jones when it comes to receiving yards. That’s saying something.

Obviously, this will bump Jones and Freeman’s fantasy value because we expect them to get more looks this Sunday. We’ll see how long it takes Coleman to get back from his hamstring, which he suffered last week against the San Diego Chargers.

Hopefully, it won’t be long for both the Falcons and fantasy owners’ sake. Get well soon!

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 26-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

3. Running Back Lamar Miller – Houston Texans

The 25-year old was limited all week in practice and listed as questionable entering Week 8’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.

It was encouraging to see the young tailback practice despite his shoulder injury. However, it’s a bit concerning that the team didn’t opt to give him the rest to at least be in somewhat of a better recovery state than he is now.

Nonetheless, owners will have to wait until Sunday morning to see if Miller is active. We want to assume that he’ll play, but will probably be limited and could be on a snap count. That being said, owners should be quick to see if backup Alfred Blue. We don’t like Blue’s overall production level, but he gets to a face vulnerable Lions defense that has been courteous to opposing backs—allowing close to five yards per carry.

This is sort a gimme-game for the Houston Texans as they are facing the Lions at home. They’ll want to win this game if they’re going to have any hope and chance to contend for a division title. Perhaps that factor will sort of force the issue for head coach Bill O’Brien to feature Miller this weekend. Let’s just hope Miller is healthy enough to play.

Darrelle Revis (24) makes a tackle on Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) during the second half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”567″ /> Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) makes a tackle on Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) during the second half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

2. Running Back LeSean McCoy – Buffalo Bills

McCoy deservingly makes this list again for the second straight week. A valuable and stud running back such as himself gives us the responsibility to spread the news of any updates on news and injuries pertaining to him.

Last week we saw the 28-year old leave practice with a hamstring injury. Many thought that there was no doubt he’d miss Week 7’s match up against the Miami Dolphins. However, owners woke up to a nice suppose on Sunday morning to find out that McCoy was going to play.

Needless to say, maybe it was premature to rush McCoy back from his injury because he was a non-factor in Sunday’s game. He only saw eight carries for 11 yards on Sunday before aggravating his hamstring injury.

He’s officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s divisional tilt against the New England Patriots. Head coach Rex Ryan and company sure wish they had given McCoy the week off to perhaps be more healthy for this week.

Nonetheless, as we said last week, we expect backup Mike Gillislee to see the majority of the carries. Although Gillislee is dealing with a foot injury himself. This game is at home for the Bills so hopefully, owners that were smart enough to pick up Gillislee last week will get to see him in action this week.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) scores a rushing touchdown in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. Running Back C.J. Anderson – Denver Broncos

According to ESPN, Anderson had successful surgery to help speed up the process with his torn meniscus. However just a couple of hours ago, Anderson tweeted that he hopes to be back in time for the playoffs—if not for the beginning of next season.

He has been officially placed on IR and what initially was thought as a temporary injury, it seems he might be done for 2016. This is an obvious blow to the Denver Broncos and fantasy owners alike. The Broncos have been steady this season thus far and Anderson is a big reason why. The 25-year old tailback suffered the initial injury during Monday Night Football against the Houston Texans.

Initially, it appeared that it was a non-serious injury because he was able to tough it out and finish the game. The only bright side, however, is that fantasy owners got to see what rookie backup running back Devontae Booker can do with an increased role.

Booker has seen steady carries in all of Denver’s games this season. However, this past Monday night the 23-year out of the University of Utah saw 17 carries, rushing for 83 yards and scoring one touchdown.

Denver is a great football team despite having a low-experienced quarterback at the helm. We already knew that head coach Gary Kubiak likes to run the football, so it only makes sense that assume that Booker will automatically be the feature back in that offense going forward.

Considering that he’s already been consistently involved in the running game this season, we got to see what he can on Monday, fantasy owners should have been wise enough to have picked him up. If he’s still available in your league, PICK HIM UP NOW!