Several key starters went down with injuries in Week 8 and their absences could affect who the top waiver wire targets are ahead of Week 9. Injuries have somehow gotten worse for the mangled San Francisco 49ers as two more starters went down in Week 8. Let’s go over some of the most important injuries to consider ahead of next week’s games.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Garoppolo looked horrendous against the Seattle Seahawks before he was benched because of an ankle injury. He dealt with a high ankle sprain earlier in the year and this injury could open the door for Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard to creep back into the picture.
TE George Kittle, 49ers
Kittle suffered a foot injury in Week 8 against Seattle after catching two passes for 39 yards. He’s one of the NFL’s elite tight ends and there’s no reliable replacement with Jordan Reed on the IR. Taking a flier on Ross Dwelley probably isn’t worth it so it’s best to look elsewhere for a new tight end if you’re in need of one.
RB Tevin Coleman, 49ers
Coleman ran for 20 yards on three carries in his return from the IR on Sunday before exiting the gam with knee pain. It appears like JaMychal Hasty is set up to lead the 49ers rushing attack while Jerick McKinnon contributes as more of a passing back. Jimmy G hasn’t looked good throwing the football for two games and San Francisco could look to lean on the run more during while he struggles.
RB Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams
The face of the Rams’ deep backfield went down in Sunday’s matchup against the Dolphins with a thigh injury and did not return. Los Angeles has a Week 9 bye but if the starter hasn’t recovered by Week 10 Cam Akers and Malcom Brown could see more work than usual.
WR, Kenny Golladay, Lions
Golladay was ruled out of the Lions’ Week 8 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts after failing to catch a pass on four targets. His streak of 100-yard games came to a close but Marvin Hall ended up exploding for 113 receiving yards on four receptions. Hall could be a pivot worth considering over Marvin Jones Jr., who has underperformed all year long after having a sensational season in 2019.
WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Hilton injured his groin and was ruled out in fairly short order. This would seem to indicate he might miss a little bit of time. The Colts host the Ravens this week, and if Hilton can’t go, Zach Pascal becomes the top wide receiver on the depth chart. The Ravens entered Week 8 giving up the ninth fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, but JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool each had double digit afternoons against them. After Pascal, Marcus Johnson, Ashton Dulin, and Michael Pittman round out the depth chart. None after Pascal is worth a start outside of the deepest of leagues.
WRs N’Keal Harry & Julian Edelman, Patriots
Harry didn’t practice at all ahead of Week 8 because of the concussion he suffered in Week 7 while Edelman is on the IR with a knee injury that will require surgery. The Patriots passing attack isn’t promising but N’Keal Harry has begun to emerge as a viable flll-in over the past two weeks. He or Damiere Byrd could become WR2s once Harry is back in business.
WR, Adam Humphries, Titans
Humphries suffered a concussion in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. There’s no clear pivot to turn to behind the Titans’ under-the-radar WR3 but Corey Davis could assert himself as more of a threat playing opposite A.J. Brown with one less reliable target out wide.