Another week, another round of key NFL injuries with big fantasy implications. Week 8 brought setbacks to several stars, including Bryce Young, Jayden Daniels, and Mike Evans, while others like Kendre Miller suffered a season-ending injury. As fantasy managers fight for playoff positioning, understanding how these injuries affect player performance, timelines, and risk of re-injury is critical. Below, we break down the Week 8 NFL injury updates and fantasy football impact for every major name to help you stay ahead before setting your lineups.

Quarterbacks

Bryce Young

Injury: Right high ankle sprain

Analysis: Young will miss week 8 and possibly more with a right high ankle sprain. The timeline of 2-4 weeks suggests a grade II injury where true injury to the ligaments holding the tibia and fibula bones together occurs, leading to some degree of laxity (instability) in the ankle. As a right-handed passer, Young needs stability in his right ankle to push off to step up in the pocket and create throw power.

The good news for Young is that, historically, quarterbacks average no drop-off in fantasy points when they return from a high ankle sprain. Young is likely not a fantasy option in single QB leagues, but in superflex leagues, fantasy managers should expect him to return sometime in November.

Jayden Daniels

Injury: Right hamstring injury

Analysis: Daniels underwent an MRI, which did not reveal any significant injury, but his week 8 status is hazy for now. Daniels' injury occurred from a non-traditional method, explained in detail earlier this week.

The critical thing to consider is that this is Daniels' right hamstring. Not only does he need to power through his right hamstring for running, but as a right-handed passer, he pushes off the right leg for throwing as well. Daniels may struggle to create fantasy points on the ground for a few weeks after he returns, and throwing may also be impacted. Re-injury is a great concern, with data showing a 20-30% recurrence risk.

Jaxson Dart

Injury: Left ankle injury

Analysis: Dart injured his left ankle but did not miss any time on Sunday and looked just fine. Dart injured his ankle sliding, and video review initially shows what is likely a lateral ankle sprain; however, as he contacts a defender, an eversion force is applied to his ankle, which would create a high ankle sprain. Both are clearly extremely minor as he looked great after the impact, even rushing for a touchdown. At this time, this is just one to monitor; often players can finish the game but experience swelling and pain the following day, so let's keep our eye on Dart's practice status this week.

Michael Penix

Injury: Foot Bone Bruise

Analysis: Penix is day-to-day with a bone bruise in his foot. A bone bruise is painful, but it typically heals well as long as it is protected. Penix may be a little slower with scrambling next week, but he should be able to play well.

Running Backs

Breece Hall

Injury: Knee injury

Analysis: Hall briefly exited Sunday's game with a knee injury but was able to return. Mild knee injuries can swell up and create stiffness after the game, in which case pain and swelling would have to get under control prior to Hall playing. A mild injury can easily get under control with rehab during the week and allow Hall to play well in week eight. We will keep an eye out for updates through the week.

Saquon Barkley

Injury: Left shoulder injury

Analysis: Barkley briefly left Sunday's game, and while the official report was for a concussion screen, he was observed having his left shoulder worked on. Barkley finished the game and did not appear limited, but we will keep our eye out for practice reports.

Kareem Hunt

Injury: Left ankle injury

Analysis: Hunt's left ankle was rolled up on creating a closed-chain eversion moment, which often leads to high ankle sprains. Hunt did return but was limited to just 19% of snaps and very little production. With a suspected high ankle sprain, Hunt's practice reports this week will be telling.

A high ankle sprain impacts a running back's ability to quickly and confidently push off the ankle to change direction. Running backs average missing 2.4 games, but plenty have missed more and less.

Kendre Miller

Injury: Left ACL tear

Analysis: Miller's season is over after tearing his left ACL. A few years removed from a right MCL and meniscus repair, Miller will now have had major surgery on both knees. Depending on when Kendre is able to get surgery, he will likely have around 10 months to rehab and get ready for week one next year. Presently, reports only say his ACL was torn; however, the video review is concerning for MCL and meniscus injury as well, though we will await confirmation there.

Running backs historically struggle in year one after an ACL tear, and with Miller being a backup running back to begin with, it will be challenging to carve out a significant role next season. Miller is extremely talented and only 23 years old, so his career is far from over, and he should continue to be stashed in dynasty leagues.

Hassan Haskins

Injury: Hamstring Injury

Analysis: Haskins injured his hamstring on Sunday and has a quick turnaround to be ready to play on Thursday night. Running backs average missing 1.8 weeks with a hamstring, so three days is going to be tough to get ready. Haskins has not been fantasy relevant, but his absence would clear more space for Kimani Vidal to operate.

Wide Receivers

Mike Evans

Injury: Clavicle Fracture and Concussion

Analysis: Evans experienced a double-whammy as he broke his clavicle and suffered a concussion on the same play. Concussions are unpredictable, but most will clear the NFL concussion protocol within 2-3 weeks, making the clavicle fracture the longer duration of absence. Typical bone healing timelines are 4-6 weeks, but a bone like the clavicle that is thin but still can take on great loads during football usually needs longer to heal. The average return to play in the NFL is 9-10 weeks, though sometimes teams will be aggressive and have their players return in 6-8. Tampa Bay has Super Bowl aspirations, so I believe Evans will push to return at least by the NFL playoffs and should be able to pick up and play well, but his fantasy season is unclear.

Nico Collins

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Collins was knocked out of Monday night's game with a concussion. He will have to clear the NFL's concussion protocol. When he returns, no negative effects on fantasy stats are expected.

Brian Thomas Jr.

Injury: Shoulder injury

Analysis: Thomas Jr. injured his right shoulder in what appeared to be a relatively benign play. It's unclear at this time exactly what he is dealing with, but we will look out for more updates. Receivers average missing less than one game with a shoulder injury.

Dontayvian Wicks

Injury: Calf injury

Analysis: Wicks left week 7 with a calf injury, the second of the season for him. While it's unclear if this is the same calf injury he dealt with in camp, calf injuries are notorious for slowing down receivers. The calf muscles are critical for acceleration and sprinting muscles and carry a 15-20% recurrence rate. No wonder receivers average a huge 33% dip in fantasy points upon return. Wicks is not a fantasy-relevant player at this point anyway.

Tight Ends

Darren Waller

Injury: Pectoral muscle injury

Analysis: Waller is dealing with what is likely a grade II pec muscle strain and is considered week-to-week. The pec muscle is critical for a tight end. It is a major muscle for blocking, catching, and holding onto the ball, and it is impossible to play through a significant injury. Waller is not expected to need surgery, but at age 33, healing is slow. Miami is a terrible team, so there is no reason to rush him back. Miami's bye is week 12.

Cole Kmet

Injury: Back injury

Analysis: Kmet injured his back and did not return. The nature of his injury is unclear at this time, but as a tight end, it is difficult to block and twist to make difficult catches with a back injury. We will look out for more updates throughout the week.