Once again, Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook owners are going to have to plug in another replacement at the running back position. Reports suggest Cook will be sidelined until at least Week 11, so you can continue to dial up Latavius Murray if you were lucky enough to handcuff him. There are plenty of replacements out there who could have much bigger roles than expected. Below are a list of key injuries which impacts the Week 8 rankings.
Key Week 8 Injuries
Leonard Fournette (hamstring) – RULED OUT
Sony Michel (knee) – doubtful
Dalvin Cook (hamstring) – likely out until WK 11
Marshawn Lynch (groin) – placed on IR
Marlon Mack (ankle) – will play
Matt Breida (ankle) – questionable
LeSean McCoy (concussion) – expected to play
Chris Thompson (knee/ribs) – active
Royce Freeman (ankle) – RULED OUT
Giovani Bernard (knee) – RULED OUT
Bilal Powell (neck) – placed on IR
Theo Riddick (knee) – doubtful
Darren Sproles (hamstring) – RULED OUT
Cooper Kupp (knee) – doubtful
Allen Robinson (groin) – RULED OUT
Randall Cobb (hamstring) – expected to play
Geronimo Allison (concussion) – expected to play
Robby Anderson (ankle) – RULED OUT
Quincy Enunwa (ankle) – RULED OUT
Jamison Crowder (ankle) – RULED OUT
Kenny Stills (groin) – RULED OUT
Pierre Garcon (knee) – RULED OUT
John Ross (groin) – expected to miss few weeks
Rob Gronkowski (back) – expected to play
Jack Doyle (hip) – expected to play
Josh Allen (elbow) – RULED OUT WK 8
Also check out our Week 8 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Week 8 Rankings
Tarik Cohen vs. NYJ
Tarik Cohen has 30 targets, 22 catches, and 281 receiving yards in his last three weeks. He’s also scored a touchdown in all three games with at least 83 yards in each contest. Cohen had a team-high 12 targets last week and has seen an increase in snap percentage in three straight weeks. Jordan Howard has only had more than 14 carries once and his snap count percentage has declined in three straight weeks. It’s time to start thinking about Cohen ahead of Howard in standard leagues.
Chris Carson @ DET
I’m not sure why so many are down on Chris Carson this week. Carson has 65 carries, one touchdown, and 277 yards in his last three games. Seattle is coming off a bye and Carson has one of the best matchups this week. Detroit has allowed a league-high 5.3 yards per carry and the third-most rushing yards per game. They have given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs and rank 30th in rush DVOA, according to Football Outsiders.
Raheem Mostert @ ARI
This is simple, if Matt Brieda is sidelined, you can feel good about Raheem Mostert as an RB2. At the very least, a FLEX play in standard formats. Mostert had 87 yards on 12 carries in Week 6 with Brieda in the lineup and with Breida sidelined a bit last week, Mostert totalled 78 yards on 11 touches. He caught four passes and has the best possible matchup this week. Arizona has allowed a league-high 32 fantasy points per game to running backs and the most rushing yards per game (148.3).
Kenjon Barner @ BUF
If you are in a bad spot at the running back position, take a look at Kenjon Barner. He was in the Week 8 Waiver Wire piece and Sony Michel won’t play this week. James White is not a 10-12 carry guy. He can be, and he’ll be involved this week, but they won’t risk losing him in an easy matchup. The Bills have a good defense, but the offense may be the worst you’ll ever see. Barner will run the clock out should things get out of hand. He had 10 carries for 36 yards last week, and keep in mind Michel is third in red zone rushing attempts. There’s some value there. I wouldn’t be shocked if he racked up 50 yards and found the end zone. Barner may just get some work in soft matchups while Michel and Burkhead work their way back.
Chris Godwin @ CIN
Chris Godwin’s eight red zone targets inside the 10-yard line are the third most among wide receivers. It’s lead the four touchdowns this season. Godwin has 15 targets, 11 catches and over 100 yards in his two games with Jameis Winston. Cincinnati has coughed up the fourth-most passing yards per game, the second-most yards per game, and the fifth-most points per game. Andy Dalton and the Bengals are going to be able to put up points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which should mean more chucking for Winston who has 93 passing attempts in his last two games. Godwin played the second-most percentage of snaps last week while DeSean Jackson played the second-fewest.
Marquise Goodwin @ ARI
Marquise Goodwin has had one good game this season, so I’m not sure why his expert consensus rank is so high on FantasyPros. He’s yet to have a game with more than five targets or four catches. He’s very boom or bust and the Arizona Cardinals have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wideouts. Seriously, he’s topped 30 yards once.
Martavis Bryant vs. IND
In deeper formats or for tournaments in DFS, I’d much rather take a shot on Martavis Bryant. The Oakland Raiders lost their starting running back and number one wideout this week. It’s the reason I’m high on Jalen Richard (see here), and why I think Bryant could payoff. He has a game with 91 yards already this season and should see an increase in targets. The defense is not very good and Doug Martin, also not very good. Expect to see Derek Carr take some shots down the field. He’s going to have to in this 50.5 total game.
Jordan Reed @ NYG
Jordan Reed has one touchdown and it came all the way back in Week 1. There have been a ton of injuries in the Washington offense and Reed has still be very quiet. He only had two catches on four targets last week and has two or fewer catches in two of his last three games. Reed has been held to eight catches and 100 yards over his last three weeks. Surprisingly, the Giants have been good against TE’s. There are much better options out there.
Chris Herndon @ CHI
The New York Jets have lost Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor and Bilal Powell over the last couple weeks. All pass catchers and they could be without Robby Anderson as well. Chris Herndon has caught six of his nine targets for 98 yards in the past two weeks. He also scored a touchdown in each of those games. Sam Darnold is running out of weapons in the passing game and I don’t expect Rishard Matthews to be a factor this week.
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