Dynasty Injury Impact: Week Eight

Michael Zingone

In this series, we’ll cast a wide net to cover many different injuries that occurred during each week of the NFL regular season and what the implications are for your fantasy teams. If there were large injuries during the week, we’ll be sure to have a detailed piece in addition to this article. If there is any injury on your mind that you believe I missed, please feel free to comment below and I’ll give you my thoughts!

Week eight luckily wasn’t filled with major injuries. While we lost one star performer for the rest of the season, fantasy owners won’t be needed to run to the waiver wire this week to make up for lost players. As the trade deadline in the NFL approaches, much of the major headlines will be centered around moving roster pieces. While these headlines are essential for dynasty owners to monitor, injuries can lead to just as much opportunity for change. Let’s delve into this week’s injuries.

Will Fuller, WR HOU

Injury: ACL

The biggest injury news coming out of week eight occurred on Thursday night. Texans co-star wide receiver Will Fuller tore his ACL on a deep pass downfield form Deshaun Watson. Fuller will miss the remainder of the 2018 season. Hopefully, the former first round pick will be ready and recovered by training camp for a fresh start to the 2019 season with no setbacks.

As we saw at points this season and last season, Fuller and Watson have a bright future together. Serious injuries like this often create a buying window in dynasty. I’d definitely be reaching out to the Fuller owner seeing if a late first round pick will get him on your team.

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In the short term, stud wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will command even more targets from Watson. His target share levels could increase to the lucrative levels we saw just a few seasons ago. The other main passing catching option here is Keke Coutee, the rookie wide receiver from Texas Tech.

Coutee has performed admirably in four games played this season, averaging over ten PPR points per game. Additionally, Coutee has averaged a 21% target share per game this season when he plays. There’s a real chance Coutee becomes a usable WR3 for the remainder of the season. I would be sending a second-round pick for his services.

Ronald Jones, RB TB

Injury: Hamstring

Perhaps the biggest rookie running back disappointment this season, Jones was a healthy scratch for much of the early part of the year. After seeing some game action over the past few weeks, Jones will reportedly miss a couple weeks with a hamstring injury. Jones has been ineffective, to say the least, in his time on the field. Averaging 2.2 yards per carry will not cut it long term at the NFL level. Hopefully, Jones can use this time to study the film and see where he can improve going forward.

Peyton Barber will continue to see the bulk of the carries with Jones sidelined. One interesting development out of Tampa Bay is the team giving Ryan Fitzpatrick the start in week nine. In games Ryan Fitzpatrick has played this season, Barber has averaged a measly 6.52 fantasy points per game. Compared to 11.8 per game under Winston, this does not live up to even RB3 level production. While I do believe Barber is a worthwhile add while bye weeks are still in play, he should not be considered anything more than an RB3. Even in this explosive Tampa Bay offense, look for alternatives at the running back position.

Smaller Injuries (quick hitters)

Tyreek Hill, WR KC

Injury: Groin

Kansas City’s top wide receiver suffered what is hopefully only a mild groin injury in Sunday’s contest. Hill left the game early and did not return, but it’s unclear if that was precautionary or a sign of something larger. As a player who relies on his game-breaking speed and quick turning ability, Hill may be affected more than most by a groin injury. The Chiefs still don’t have their bye week until week 12. As one of the best teams in the NFL, it may be worthwhile for the Chiefs to sit their star playmaker until he’s fully healthy. This is certainly a situation to monitor throughout the week, but in the end, I expect Hill to keep playing.

Mike Evans, WR TB

Injury: Knee

Evans had a bit of an injury scare late in Sunday’s game with a non-contact knee injury. Of course, the concern is always ACL these types of injuries. However, there doesn’t appear to be any indication thus far that Evans suffered any sort of serious injury. With the return of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Evans should be in line for a plethora of opportunity moving forward. Should he miss any time, Chris Godwin would serve as the likely top target in this offense. DeSean Jackson, who recently requested a trade, is still on the team as of this writing and will still serve in a deep threat role.

Other notable injuries, but of lesser fantasy significance: Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder), Ben Roethlisberger (finger), A.J. Green (toe), Matt Breida (ankle)

While most of the injuries discussed here today are not season-changing for fantasy owners, there’s always potential to make a positive move for your teams based on injury news. We’ve nearly crossed the two-thirds point to the fantasy playoffs! I know as someone who’s 4-4 or 5-3 in some leagues, I’m looking for every edge I can find to put my team in playoff contention. Make sure to check back here and other DLF articles to gain that edge. We’ll be back next week to cover week nine injuries.

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michael zingone
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