Another Sunday, another lineup disaster. From Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury to Saquon Barkley’s soft-tissue scare and even Alvin Kamara leaving early, Week 8 hit fantasy managers hard. Here’s everything you need to know heading into Week 9.
Cam Skattebo, RB – New York Giants
Injury: Right ankle dislocation + fracture
Projected Return: Out for season
Impact: Skattebo’s rookie campaign ends after surgery Sunday night. Expect Tyrone Tracy Jr. to become the lead back with Devin Singletary rotating in. Tracy projects for 15-18 touches per game if the Giants can stay competitive.
Fantasy Take: Priority waiver add in all formats; volume alone makes him a weekly flex.
Saquon Barkley, RB – Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Groin / hamstring strain
Projected Return: Week 10 (after Week 9 bye)
Impact: Barkley pulled up following a long run versus New York. Reports suggest a mild strain, and he told media he’s “not concerned.” With the bye, expect him back for Week 10. Tank Bigsby filled in late and would handle primary touches if Barkley suffers a setback.
Fantasy Take: Don’t panic — use Bigsby as a one-week handcuff stash.
Quinshon Judkins, RB – Cleveland Browns
Injury: Right shoulder / AC sprain
Projected Return: Week 10 (after bye)
Impact: Judkins landed hard on his right side and did not return. The Browns head into their bye week, so he’ll get extra healing time. Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford could split work if Judkins remains limited.
Fantasy Take: Judkins holders should hold tight; stash Sampson in deep leagues as insurance.
Alvin Kamara, RB – New Orleans Saints
Injury: Ankle sprain (left game vs Buccaneers)
Projected Return: Week 9 (“day-to-day”)
Impact: Kamara was rolled up on in the fourth quarter and did not return. Post-game reports indicate it was precautionary and imaging showed no major damage. If he’s limited, rookie Devin Neal would see more work.
Fantasy Take: Monitor practice reports; expect Kamara to be active in Week 9 unless swelling persists.
Marvin Mims Jr., WR – Denver Broncos
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return: Week 9–10
Impact: Mims exited after a helmet-to-turf hit and entered protocol. Rookie Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin would see an expanded role if Mims misses time.
Fantasy Take: Expect at least a one-week absence; Franklin is a deep league flex play.
Luther Burden III, WR – Chicago Bears
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return: Week 9–10
Impact: Burden left early against Baltimore and remains in protocol. Chicago will lean on DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus if he can’t clear tests.
Fantasy Take: Burden is off the radar outside deep dynasty formats; Moore and Zaccheaus may see increased targets.
Drake London, WR – Atlanta Falcons
Injury: Hip strain (reported late in week)
Projected Return: Week 9–10
Impact: London was a late scratch Sunday after popping up on the injury report. The team hopes for a short absence, but monitor practice participation. Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson see slight target bumps in his absence.
Fantasy Take: Hold London through the week; consider Pitts as a buy-low if he flashes with extra looks.
Carson Wentz, QB – Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Left shoulder re-injury (labral tear suspected)
Projected Return: Likely Out for Season
Impact: Wentz aggravated his shoulder again Thursday night and was placed on IR. Rookie J.J. McCarthy is expected to start Week 9 with Max Brosmer backing up.
Fantasy Take: Wentz can be dropped in all formats; expect slightly more balanced play-calling with McCarthy.
Rashid Shaheed, WR – New Orleans Saints
Injury: Lower back / SI joint bruise
Projected Return: Week 9
Impact: Shaheed left briefly but jogged off and appears fine. His status is worth monitoring because of trade rumors and snap count fluctuations.
Fantasy Take: Low-end flex when active; his value depends on deep-ball usage with Kamara healthy.
Braxton Berrios, WR – Houston Texans
Injury: Chest contusion
Projected Return: TBD
Impact: Minimal fantasy impact — he averages under 10 yards per game. Target shares remain concentrated around Nico Collins and Christian Kirk (if healthy).
Fantasy Take: No action needed; ignore for fantasy purposes.
D’Wayne Eskridge, WR – Miami Dolphins
Injury: Shoulder strain
Projected Return: Week 9–10
Impact: Eskridge was ruled out early against Atlanta and has been an afterthought in the Miami offense all year.
Fantasy Take: Completely off the radar.
Daniel Bellinger, TE – New York Giants
Injury: Neck strain
Projected Return: Week 9–11
Impact: Bellinger had five targets over the past two weeks before exiting. With Skattebo out, New York will likely focus more on short passes to Tracy and Wan’Dale Robinson.
Fantasy Take: Stream-only option; no need to hold outside deep TE-premium leagues.
