NFL Week 8 Injury Updates: The Johnson WRs, Wayne, Westbrook & More

It’s Friday morning, so let’s do our typical roundup of the most important injuries on the fantasy football landscape, going game-by-game down the Week 8 schedule.

There are some big names on the injury report this week, especially at the WR position where Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Anquan Boldin, and Jerricho Cotchery all are batting maladies.

Denver-Baltimore

Nothing pertinent here. Joe Flacco showed up on the injury report with an ankle, but he’s fine.

Houston-Buffalo

Andre Johnson Week 8 injury update/status: Johnson has been suffering from a lung contusion since last Sunday. He as officially listed on the Thursday injury report as being a limited participant, but everything out of Houston so far this week indicates that he should play. Check this one up until kickoff and have a replacement ready, but I think Andre will be good to go.

Trent Edwards probably will not dress on Sunday, but hopefully you weren’t considering using him anyway. If so, you’ve got issues. Major ones.

Cleveland-Chicago

There are no Browns players worthy of starting other than Jamal Lewis (and Jerome Harrison, if Lewis ever gets hurt again). Lewis is on the injury report with a wrist, but he’ll play and probably get most of the carries over the more explosive and dynamic Harrison. Go figure.

The Bears have some defensive players on the injury report, but should be close to full health on Sunday.

Seattle-Dallas

Matt Hasselbeck and Julius Jones are both on the injury report, but both participated fully in Thursday’s practice and will play.

Marion Barber is still dealing with a thumb injury, but it has not slowed him down in practice and he’ll be starting Sunday.

Detroit-St. Louis

Another week and another injury merry-go-round with Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

Matt Stafford Week 8 injury update/status: Stafford and his 65.5 QB rating have practiced now for three consecutive days and he appears in line to start Sunday. He could be a decent play against the Rams’ porous defense in a game that could be high scoring. Or it could be low scoring. Or it could just completely suck (the most likely probability).

Calvin Johnson Week 8 injury update/status: Calvin Johnson did practice on Thursday, though only on a limited basis. He does appear in line to start on Sunday, but won’t be 100%. Still, with his QB back and the Rams on the other side of the field, you have to start him. Just check the last minute inactives list and make sure he’s not on it by surprise.

Minnesota-Green Bay

Brett Favre has a hip injury that has limited him in practice. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that he’ll be playing Sunday. Aaron Rodgers is also on the injury report. Again, I think he’ll play, don’t you?

Jermichael Finley Week 8 injury update/status: Finley, the Pack’s explosive TE, is batting a knee injury and most likely will be a GTD. Track his progress but have another starter ready to go.

Percy Harvin Week 8 injury update/status: Percy Harvin has missed practiced for the mysterious reason of “illness” yet again. The assumption is that he is dealing with migraines that reportedly plagued him earlier in the season. He has yet to miss a game, so I’d expect him to be out there, but this another one to track Sunday morning.

Bernard Berrian Week 8 injury update/status: Berrian is dealing with a hamstring issue, but did make it back to practice on Thursday. Sounds like he’ll be a GTD on Sunday.

Indianapolis-San Francisco

For those of you with Anthony Gonzalez, he’s not ready to come back yet. You’ll have to wait until next week, and probably should wait to see him in at least one game before starting him.

Reggie Wayne Week 8 injury update/status: The NFL’s most underrated player (my opinion) has not practiced this week while recovering from a strained groin. He will likely be a GTD and this one to watch as the weekend progresses. Indications seem to be point towards him playing, but have a replacement ready just in case.

Donald Brown Week 8 injury update/status: Brown has not practiced this week and could miss a couple of games with a shoulder injury.

New York-Miami

Ricky Williams is on the injury report with a thumb injury, but start him confidently. He’ll play, and did very well against the Jets earlier this season.

Jerricho Cotchery Week 8 injury update/status: All signs point towards Cotchery being back on the field Sunday. He has been practicing on a limited basis, but his hamstring is apparently doing well. The Dolphins should provide a nice matchup for Cotchery two, as they are currently starting two rookie CBs. To be safe, check the injury updates Sunday morning on this one.

San Diego-Oakland

Everyone looks good for the Chargers, while the Raiders are still without guys like Chaz Schilens and Darren McFadden. Not that you care, or should.

Jacksonville-Tennessee

Not a whole lot to see here. Nate Washington didn’t practice Thursday, but with Vince Young at QB you may want to sit your Titans WRs anyway. No, Jacksonville is not good against the pass, but I’d like to see what VY does before starting him or his WRs.

Carolina-Arizona

Jonathan Stewart has been a full participant in practice this week, so he should be good to go. Muhsin Muhammad and Dante Rosario did not practice Thursday, but how can you justify starting either one of them right now anyway? Until Jake Delhomme stops throwing picks, all Carolina WRs not named Steve Smith should be off limits.

Anquan Boldin Week 8 injury update/status: Things are looking a little concerning for Boldin owners this week, but it’s better than a lot of weeks. He is dealing with a right ankle injury, and although he’s participated in every practice this week, Boldin could be “limited” on Sunday (at least according to one report). He did play well last week — and he is Anquan Boldin after all — so I’d start him confidently. Just monitor this to ensure there are no setbacks.

Steve Breaston is also on the injury report, but should be fine for Sunday in his #3 role.

New York-Philadelphia

Ahmad Bradshaw Week 8 injury update/status: Ahmad Bradshaw is dealing with a cracked metatarsal in his right foot that will most likely linger throughout the season. He could even injure it further by playing. No matter, he’ll be out there. I’m a bit wary of this one, despite Bradshaw’s solid production this year. This could be a good week to take a wait-and-see approach with this injury.

Brian Westbrook Week 8 injury update/status: If I were a betting man, I’d bet on Westbrook sitting this week’s game out. He has yet to practice and the Eagles have a solid replacement in LeSean McCoy. You’ll have to track this up until gametime, but have someone ready for the likelihood that Westbrook does not go on Sunday.

DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin both are on the injury report but both practiced fully on Thursday. Expect them to play.

Atlanta-New Orleans

Nothing serious here. Jeremy Shockey’s on the injury report but is expected to play.

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* – Andre Johnson photo credit: AP Photo/Dave Einsel via Houston’s Clear Thinkers

* – Calvin Johnson photo credit: Top Fantasy Football

Tags: andre johnson injury update, brian westbrook injury update, calvin johnson injury update, Fantasy Football, fantasy football injuries, jerricho cotchery injury update, matthew stafford injury update, NFL, nfl week 8, nfl week 8 injuries, percy harvin injury update, reggie wayne injury update

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