A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction, and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Kenyan Drake | RB | 60.3 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Drake left in the fourth quarter of Week 7 due to a high ankle sprain. He will miss a few weeks, and I believe he won’t return until at least Week 11.
ATLANTA FALCONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Calvin Ridley | WR | 81.5 | WR7 | Foot | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Ridley suffered a mild mid-foot sprain in the second quarter of MNF. A typical return-to-play timeline for a Grade 1 mild mid-foot sprain is around one week. I expect Ridley to miss Week 9 and return after the Falcons' Week 10 bye.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Mark Ingram | RB | 54.0 | RB48 | Ankle | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Ingram suffered a mid-to-high left ankle sprain during Week 6. He came back into the game with a heavily taped ankle in the second quarter and exited for good after just one carry. Ingram missed practice Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I do not expect Ingram to play in Week 8.
BUFFALO BILLS
N/A
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | 76.6 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
Mario’s take: McCaffrey sustained a high ankle sprain during a touchdown run in his Week 2 game against the Buccaneers. He returned to practice on Tuesday for the first time since his injury. The Panthers play on Thursday night, so I do not expect him to play.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Joe Mixon | RB | 66.0 | RB47 | Foot | Out |
Mario’s take: Mixon injured his foot in the first half of Week 6. He returned after halftime, but Giovani Bernard saw an expanded role. Mixon did not play in Week 7, and he missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. I do not expect him to play in Week 8.
CHICAGO BEARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Allen Robinson | WR | 80.1 | WR10 | Head | Questionable |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | WR/RB | 61.3 | WR80 | Quadriceps | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Robinson entered the concussion protocol early this week. He will have to make it through the five-step process to play in Week 8. Robinson missed practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. He was listed Doubtful on Friday but cleared the concussion protocol on Saturday. Robinson is expected to play in Week 8.
Patterson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but he was a limited participant Friday. I believe Patterson has a good shot at playing in Week 8.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Hooper | TE | 72.6 | N/A | Illness | Out |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | 75.3 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Hooper popped up on the injury report Friday with a DNP. He suffered appendicitis and missed Week 7 and has been ruled out for Week 8.
Beckham tore his ACL during the first quarter of Week 7. I originally believed his foot inverting might have prevented an ACL tear, but that was not the case. I believe he also damaged his meniscus. Beckham will undergo surgery, and he will miss the remainder of the season.
DALLAS COWBOYS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dak Prescott | QB | 85.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
| Andy Dalton | QB | 52.7 | QB26 | Head | Out |
Mario’s take: Prescott suffered a compound fracture in his ankle during Week 5. A compound fracture is when the bone has gone through the skin. It is unclear if he suffered multiple fractures or ligament damage, which would create instability. He underwent surgery immediately because the risk of infection is high. Typically, patients are immobilized from four to eight weeks and start weight-bearing exercises and physical therapy at six to eight weeks.
Dalton suffered a serious head injury when he took a cheap shot in the third quarter of Week 7. He has been placed into the five-step concussion protocol and is yet to practice. Dalton will not play in Week 8.
DENVER BRONCOS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 72.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Phillip Lindsey | RB | 74.7 | RB51 | Head | Questionable |
| Tim Patrick | WR | 73.7 | WR44 | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. Sutton will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Patrick suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Week 7. I believe he suffered a Grade 1 strain. He missed Wednesday’s, Thursday's, and Friday's practice. I believe he will miss the next two to three weeks.
Lindsay suffered a head injury in the first half of Week 7. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol. He was able to get in a limited practice this week, and I believe he plays in Week 8.
DETROIT LIONS
N/A
GREEN BAY PACKERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Aaron Jones | RB | 66.7 | RB4 | Calf | Out |
Mario’s take: Jones popped up on the injury report late in Week 7 with a DNP due to a calf injury. He missed Week 7 and has been absent from practice all week. Jones has been ruled out for Week 8.
HOUSTON TEXANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jordan Akins | TE | 72.4 | N/A | Ankle/Head | Out |
Mario’s take: Akins missed Week 5, Week 6 and Week 7 with a high-ankle sprain and concussion. He has been ruled out for Week 8.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | 61.3 | N/A | Calf | Questionable |
| Parris Campbell | WR | 72.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Mo Alie-Cox | TE | 91.3 | TE34 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Pittman had surgery to repair compartment leg syndrome in his calf. The typical return-to-play timeline is six weeks. I expect him to return in Week 8.
Campbell was carted off the field in Week 2 after spraining his MCL and PCL. His multi-ligament injury has ruled him out indefinitely. I expect him to be back in four to six weeks.
Allie-Cox did not play in Week 6 or Week 7. He did not practice on Wednesday but returned as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. He's trending in the right direction, and I believe he returns to action in Week 8.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dede Westbrook | WR | 53.7 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Gardner Minshew | QB | 69.7 | N/A | Thumb | Questionable |
| Devine Ozigbo | RB | N/A | N/A | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Tyler Eifert | TE | 54.3 | N/A | Neck | Out |
Mario’s take: Westbrook was carted off in the fourth quarter of Week 7 with a torn ACL. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Ozigbo re-injured his hamstring in Week 7, so I expect him to miss at least the next two to three games.
Eifert missed Week 7 and is expected to be back after their Week 8 bye.
X-rays showed that Minshew has suffered multiple fractures and torn ligaments in his thumb. I believe he will miss some time after their bye.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | 66.9 | WR77 | Hamstring | Out |
Mario’s take: Watkins injured his hamstring in Week 5. He missed Week 6 and Week 7. Watkins did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and he has been ruled out for Week 8.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Bryan Edwards | WR | 70.6 | N/A | Ankle/Foot | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3. He did not play in Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 and Week 7. Edwards was a limited participant at Wednesday’s, Thursday's and Friday's practice. I expect Edwards to return to action in Week 8.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | 84.5 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Virgil Green | TE | 75.1 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
Mario’s take: Ekeler was carted off the field in Week 4. He hyperextended his knee at an awkward angle, immediately grabbed his hamstring and could not put any pressure on his left foot. Ekeler escaped with a Grade 2 hamstring tear and will miss four to six weeks.
Green suffered an ankle injury during a touchdown catch in the third quarter of Week 7. The injury looks like a low-lateral ankle injury. Green has been placed on IR and will miss several weeks.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Tyler Higbee | TE | 71.5 | TE23 | Hand | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Higbee did not play in Week 7. He was a limited participant this week, and he is considered a game-time decision.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Adam Shaheen | TE | 76.2 | TE40 | Shoulder | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Parker injured his groin in Week 6 and did not return to the game. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday and was rested during his Week 7 bye. He will most likely be ready for Week 8.
Shaheen has been a limited participant at practice all week, and I expect him to be ready for Week 8.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dalvin Cook | RB | 82.2 | RB5 | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Cook suffered a groin injury in Week 5. A Grade 1 strain typically takes one to two weeks to recover. He did not play in Week 6 and rested during their Week 7 bye. Cook was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday but a full participant Friday. Cooks will return to action in Week 8.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julian Edelman | WR | 68.8 | WR39 | Knee | Out |
| Damien Harris | RB | 79.9 | RB34 | Ankle | Questionable |
| N’Keal Harry | WR | 65.3 | WR72 | Head | Out |
Mario’s take: Edelman underwent surgery on Thursday and will miss a couple of weeks.
Harris was a limited participant all week, and I expect him to play in Week 8.
Harry sustained a head injury in the second quarter of Week 7. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol. Harry has been ruled out for Week 8.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Thomas | WR | 57.4 | N/A | Ankle/Hamstring | Out |
| Marquez Callaway | WR | 72.0 | WR71 | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Thomas has yet to return to the action since Week 1 due to a high ankle sprain and missed Week 7 with a hamstring injury. He has been ruled out for Week 8.
Callaway did not practice Wednesday, was limited on Thursday and Friday but was ruled out for Week 8.
NEW YORK GIANTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | 60.2 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Devonta Freeman | RB | 55.0 | RB32 | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Barkley sprained his MCL and tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 2. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Freeman was spotted working with trainers on the sideline and missed Thursday’s and Friday's practice. He has been ruled out for Week 8.
NEW YORK JETS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Frank Gore | RB | 64.2 | RB41 | Hand | Questionable |
| Chris Hogan | WR | 56.1 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | 76.7 | WR76 | Groin | Out |
| Breshad Perriman | WR | 59.1 | WR79 | Head | Out |
Mario’s take: Gore was a limited participant Wednesday, DNP Thursday, and a limited participant Friday. He needs to be monitored leading up to kickoff.
Hogan was injured in Week 5 and was put on IR. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.
Crowder did not play in Week 7 and missed practice on Wednesday, was limited on Thursday, and missed practice on Friday. He has been ruled out for Week 8.
Perriman suffered a head injury late in Week 7. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Week 8.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | 69.8 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
| Alshon Jeffery | WR | N/A | WR84 | Foot | Out |
| Jalen Reagor | WR | 54.4 | WR88 | Hand | Questionable |
| Miles Sanders | RB | 60.4 | RB54 | Knee | Out |
| Zach Ertz | TE | 59.6 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Goedert fractured his ankle in Week 3. Typically, bone takes six weeks to heal. Goedert has been activated from IR. I expect him to return to action in Week 8.
Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and was ruled out for Week 7. He missed practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 8.
Reagor tore the UCL in his thumb during the game in Week 2. This is the same injury that caused Drew Brees to miss five games last year. Reagor was designated to return from IR in Week 7 but did not play. I expect him to return in Week 8.
Sanders injured his knee on a 74-yard run in Week 6. The mechanism of the injury leads me to believe he injured his meniscus. He received an MRI, and it is believed that he will miss one to two weeks. Sanders missed Week 7 and has been ruled out for Week 8.
Ertz suffered an ankle injury early in Week 6. He suffered a high-ankle sprain and will miss three to four weeks. Ertz has been ruled out for Week 8.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
N/A
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Deebo Samuel | WR | 73.1 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Jeff Wilson | RB | 78.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | 65.8 | N/A | Knee | Questionable |
| Jordan Reed | TE | 86.9 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| Raheem Mostert | RB | 89.1 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Samuel injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter. I believe it is a Grade 1 strain that will cause him to miss the next two to three weeks.
Wilson injured his ankle while scoring his third touchdown of the game in Week 7. I believe he suffered a high ankle sprain. He could miss a couple of days to three-plus weeks, depending on the severity.
Coleman suffered a knee sprain in Week 2. He did not play in Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, or Week 7. He has been designated to return from IR, and I believe he has a shot at returning in Week 8.
Reed left the first quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second quarter of Week 3. Later in the game, he was seen getting his knee checked out and was ruled out shortly after. Reed was placed on IR and will miss the next five to seven weeks.
Mostert injured his ankle in Week 6. He tried to return in the third quarter but was ruled out for the rest of the game. I believe he either suffered a high ankle sprain or a moderate-lateral ankle sprain. He did not play in Week 7 and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Carson | RB | 80.6 | N/A | Foot | Questionable |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 62.8 | RB19 | Hamstring | Doubtful |
| Travis Homer | RB | 59.3 | RB50 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Carson suffered a mid-foot sprain in the second quarter of Week 7. He will not practice all week, and I do not expect him to play in Week 8.
Hyde has a tight hamstring, has not practiced all week and is doubtful for Week 8.
Homer has not practiced all week, and I am not optimistic he plays in Week 8.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Godwin | WR | 78.5 | N/A | Finger | Out |
| Scotty Miller | WR | 69.6 | WR31 | Hip/Groin | Questionable |
| Rob Gronkowski | TE | 72.2 | TE6 | Shoulder | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Godwin fractured his index finger during a touchdown catch in Week 7. He underwent surgery on Tuesday and will miss Week 8. Godwin will return in Week 9 or Week 10 at the latest.
Gronkowski and Miller were limited participants all week, but they should be good to go for Monday night.
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| A.J. Brown | WR | 82.9 | WR13 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Brown missed Thursday’s practice, but it was for maintenance. I believe he will be ready for Week 8.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Antonio Gandy-Golden | WR | 50.0 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Isaiah Wright | WR | 56.8 | N/A | Shoulder | Out |
| Steven Sims | WR | 62.9 | N/A | Toe | IR |
Mario’s take: Gandy-Golden suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and did not return to the game. He missed Week 7 and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
Wright missed Week 7 and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
Sims was placed on IR with a toe injury but has a chance of returning in Week 8.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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