The bye weeks may be devastating for fantasy football managers, but they're most welcome for NFL players dealing with injuries.
There are some familiar names on this week's list of fantasy stars looking to return from various ailments. And after some encouraging signs and early-week optimism failed to carry over last Sunday, will Lamar Jackson and Zach Charbonnet be on the field this week?
Here are some of the most prominent players dealing with nagging ailments or returning from major issues that will impact fantasy managers most in Week 8. As always, keep an eye on the latest developments leading up to kickoff with our player notes page.
ON BYE: Houston, New Orleans, N.Y, Giants, San Francisco
WEEK 8 RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DST | FLEX
QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson appeared to be in line to play last week, but his limited practices weren't enough. After a second consecutive loss with Snoop Huntley quarterbacking, Jackson's chances are much better in Week 8. He's missed the last three games with a left high-ankle sprain, but should be close to full participation in practice this week.
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall (quadriceps) has missed the last four games, with Braelon Allen filling in most capably (89.3 rushing yards per game over that span). Don't expect the Jets to push Hall too much if he does play. This week's matchup is pretty good though. The Jets are at home against the Raiders, who give up the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Charbonnet returned to practice last week for the first time since his ACL surgery in February. Despite being a full participant during the week, he was inactive on Sunday night. He should be in line to make his 2026 debut in Week 8, but fantasy managers could find themselves in a bind because the Seahawks play on Monday night against the Bears. Be sure to have a backup plan just in case.
RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
In his first action since Week 4, Barkley came out of Monday night's game vs. Dallas and didn't play in the fourth quarter. But it wasn't because of the hamstring injury that sidelined him for essentially the last three games. Barkley said his back was the problem. After carrying the ball seven times for 62 yards and a touchdown, he expects to be good to go on Sunday against the Commanders.
RB Aaron Jones Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Jones is day-to-day with a knee injury that forced him to exit early in Sunday's win over Indianapolis. ESPN is reporting the injury is not believed to be serious. But an even greater threat to Jones' playing time is the Week 7 return of backfield mate Jordan Mason. Just activated off injured reserve, Mason led the Vikings with 15 carries for 68 yards.
RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
After missing the last two games with an ankle injury, Love is in line to practice on Wednesday. However, his place in the backfield rotation isn't clear even if he is able to return to the field. The Cardinals have been splitting reps between Bam Knight and Tyler Allgeier during Love's absence, with Knight being the more effective weapon.
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
McConkey wore a yellow no-contact jersey during Monday's light practice session as he looks to clear the concussion protocol for this week. After missing Week 5 with a foot injury, McConkey only played eight snaps before exiting early the following week. With the Chargers on bye last week, signs are trending in a positive direction for his availability this week against the Rams.
WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith didn't practice all last week due to a hamstring injury, and missed Monday night's game against Dallas. The Eagles were also without No. 2 receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) in that game. They're hopeful to have both back at practice as the work week begins.
WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Rice played only six snaps in Week 4 before leaving with a hamstring injury. He hasn't practiced since, so there's not a whole lot of optimism at the moment that he'll be back for Sunday's clash at Denver. Tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray led the Chiefs with 44 receiving yards on Sunday night, with Cyrus Allen the leading wideout with one catch for 18 yards.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football injury report: Latest Week 8 updates on Lamar Jackson, Zach Charbonnet
