Sampson only had one carry in this game, gaining seven yards, but he was third on the team in targets and second on the team in receiving yards. Early reports show that he played 11 more snaps than Quinson Judkins and ran a route on 29 of the team’s 49 dropbacks, compared to seven for Judkins. Sampson is very clearly the pass-catching back in Cleveland, and a good one too. If this team is going to be trailing often, he’ll have PPR value.
Lamar Jackson exited after one play due to a thumb injury. Midway through the second quarter, backup Tyler Huntley left the game with a toe injury, forcing Flowers into a nightmare situation with rookie UDFA Joe Fagnano under center. Flowers saw four of his five targets come from Fagnano but was unable to convert any of them into catches, even if they were within his range to do so. With the Ravens now set to face the Jaguars on a short week, and Fagnano possibly set to make his first career start, Flowers needs to be adjusted down to WR3 rankings. With a full week to install a game plan with Fagnano, it’s fair to assume he’ll offer more than the donut we saw here today, but the Ravens’ offense, which was already struggling with Huntley under center, is unlikely to fare any better with Fagnano.
He added a key 17-yard end around in overtime to help set up the go-ahead field goal. Wilson got off to an obscenely slow start with Jacoby Brissett, notching all but 25 of these yards as Minshew Mania took over in the second half. Wilson managed several back shoulder balls and almost caught another of his targets down to the two-yard line before a successful challenge revealed he did not hold on to the ball. It’s unclear how much better Minshew will actually make things, but the Cardinals might as well ride the hot hand. Wilson’s role should have him in the WR3 ranks even if the matchup won’t be this good again in Week 9 against the Seahawks.
McBride’s touchdown with 2:11 left seemed like it would be a bit of a fantasy afterthought, but it quickly proved important as the Cowboys fizzled out after a failed onside kick by Arizona. The veteran tight end caught four passes and 44 yards of this production, as well as the touchdown, once Jacoby Brissett left the game. He’ll remain a don’t-have-to-think-about-it TE1 even in a tough matchup against Seattle in Week 9.
Deshaun Watson threw for 324 yards, but almost all of those were to tight ends and running backs. Concepcion did have a nice gain of 24 yards on one catch but was rarely involved apart from that. He did play 55 of the team’s 67 snaps and run a route on 44 of their 49 dropbacks, so the role is great, but the offense and quarterback play will likely keep him an inconsistent fantasy option.
It was Hockenson’s third touchdown grab of the season, as he remains Kyler Murray’s most trusted target in the run-heavy Vikings offense. He now has at least four receptions in four games this year. Hockenson, who came into Week 8 ranked tenth among tight ends in expected fantasy points per game, should remain in all lineups next week against the Bills.
Godwin has fallen off the map this year, but forces beyond his control caused this goose egg. The Bucs did not complete a pass and only attempted three in total. With their defense terrorizing Michael Penix, Tampa Bay leaned on their ground game to an absurd degree. Emeka Egbuka is working through a foot injury and didn’t play today. Godwin will return to the WR4/5 border if he’s back for Week 9. Godwin would have some FLEX appeal if the Bucs are without their No. 1 receiver versus the Bears next week.
Emergency QB3 Joe Fagnano will finish this one out after Huntley was ruled out during halftime. The Ravens’ QB2 completed 2-of-4 passes for zero yards in relief of Lamar Jackson, who exited after the first play of the game due to a thumb injury.
The Patriots’ No. 2 perimeter cornerback makes his return from a multi-week neck injury for this divisional showdown. The Patriots declared CB Karon Prunty, S Elliott Davison, CB Channing Canada, QB Behren Morton, RB TreVeyon Henderson and WR A.J. Brown (knee/ankle) inactive for Week 8 against the Dolphins. Prunty and Canada have also missed multiple games, dealing with hamstring injuries. They are the Patriots’ primary backups on the perimeter. Both players practiced in full this week, so their absence is a little surprising.
Parkinson will miss at least one game with a rib injury he sustained last week against the Raiders. His absence could have a big impact on playing time for both Davis Allen — who had two touchdown grabs last week — and Tyler Higbee, the de facto TE1 in the LA offense. Both tight ends are better options against the Chargers with Parkinson sidelined.
Brents clears the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to take the field against the Patriots this week. The Dolphins declared OL Kadyn Proctor, TE Justin Joly, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., CB Jaylin Simpson, OG Christian Haynes, WR Jared Wayne and EDGE Jamree Kromah inactive for Week 8 against the Patriots. Losing Proctor, their starting left guard, is unfortunate.
He took four sacks, including back-to-back sacks to kill a third-quarter drive, before being replaced. Brissett hasn’t necessarily played this poorly all season, but we’d been getting plenty of questions at press conferences about if he’d remain the starter so we’re ultimately unsurprised by this move. Minshew took over and we assume Carson Beck will also be mentioned ahead of Week 9. Full Mike LaFleur press conference coverage to come, naturally.
Delane was initially listed as questionable for Week 8 on Friday. He was then ruled out over the weekend. Rookie EDGE R Mason Thomas was questionable for personal reasons but is active.
Jackson, who was questionable headed into Sunday, will miss this game with a hamstring injury he suffered before the team’s Week 7 bye. The Bolts will also be without Derwin James, who was recently placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The Chargers defense is beat up headed into this matchup with Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Campbell’s neck bent awkwardly on a tackle in the fourth quarter. He immediately went limp, and after more than ten minutes, he was carted off with what appeared to be a neck injury. The standout linebacker could be looking at an extended absence. We will update his status as we get more information.
Veteran Murray went down early and was ruled out in the first half. It leaves the Jags’ safety depth perilously low.
His right ankle was rolled up on at the end of a running play and Love immediately slammed his helmet after walking off. He later went to the locker room with trainers and then was officially dubbed questionable. Not great. Love finished with nine carries for 23 yards, including a fourth-and-1 go at the goalline that he didn’t convert. We’ll see what reports say after the game but given Love has already missed time with ankle injuries this year, it’s hard to be optimistic about his status for next week.
Mays went down with the injury in the second quarter. His absence will make it even tougher for the Detroit offense to navigate the Vikings’ complex blitzing schemes. Mays has dealt with injuries for much of the past month.
Hamilton got rolled up in ugly fashion in the second quarter and required the assistance of a cart. He was then quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. That, it goes without saying, is never a good sign. It’s a huge loss for the Jags’ stout defense up front, as seventh-year pro Hamilton has been arguably having his best season.