Injury Fantasy Week 8: Darren Waller, Deebo Samuel and Ezekiel Elliott

We’ll give you the most up-to-date information on their traumas affecting fantasy week 8 landscape down below.

Update Injury Reports for Fantasy Week 8: Deebo Samuel, Darren Waller and Ezekiel Elliott

• Deebo Samuel

UPDATE 3: Samuel (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 8.

UPDATE 2: Samuel (hamstring) was not seen during Friday’s practice, limiting his chances of playing against the Rams this Sunday.

UPDATE: According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, Samuel (hamstring) was not seen during Thursday’s practice session.

Samuel (hamstring) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Kyle Shanahan described Samuel as “day-to-day” on Monday, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. We’ll see if Samuel returns to the field for San Francisco’s Thursday and Friday practices, but there’s a good chance he’ll be labeled “questionable” ahead of a big game against the Rams.

• Read also: The Browns are looking for an unrealistic return for Kareem Hunt.

While Samuel has only had one “big” fantasy performance this season, against the Rams in Week 4, he has a respectable 26.7-percent target share and remains one of the game’s most lethal after-the-catch receivers. If Samuel is unable to play this week, expect Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle to take on a larger role in the passing game, with a greater emphasis on their running game, led by All-Pro RB  McCaffery.

• Darren Waller

According to the Raiders’ official injury report, Waller (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday. Waller was out of Las Vegas’ Week 7 win over Houston due to a hamstring injury suffered early in the Raiders’ Week 5 loss to Kansas City.

In his absence this week, fellow tight end Foster Moreau filled in at TE1 but only had three catches for 28 yards. Despite New Orleans allowing the second-fewest FPPG to TEs, Waller’s potential return makes him a must-start (5.0). If Waller is unable to play this week, a free agent tight end like Harrison Bryant (vs. Bengals) or Juwan Johnson (vs. Raiders) may be a better option than starting Moreau.

• Ezekiel Elliott

UPDATE 2: According to Clarence Hill, Elliott (knee) is not expected to play this Sunday and may need to rest his knee for a few weeks.

UPDATE: According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Elliott (knee) did not practice on Thursday.

According to beat writer Clarence E. Hill Jr, Ezekiel (knee) suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and thigh bruise last week and is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Bears, though Elliott has indicated he still has a chance to play.

Given that Dallas has a bye in Week 9, it’s unlikely that Elliott will be risked. The Cowboys will rely on Tony Pollard, who had a season-high 65 percent of offensive snaps against the Lions last week. Pollard did a little bit of everything for the Cowboys’ offense, totaling 109 yards on 14 touches, and he should keep the momentum going against a Bears defense that allows the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Pollard is a simple RB1.

• Read also: Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets Include D’Onta Foreman and Mecole Hardman

NFL Schedule 2022 – NFL Week 8

• Sunday, Oct. 30

Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., Fox

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m., Fox

Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., CBS