When asked by the media about rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee), Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales did not provide the most jovial of outlooks. Specifically, Canales was asked if it was possible for Brooks not to play this year. "It could be," said the first-year head coach, "but again, we're just going to take it week to week for now, and I'm really hopeful he can stack another good week and see what we got there." It's not exactly a shining endorsement for the second-round pick, but Canales also noted that he wants to make sure he's "fully confident and ready to go" and thinks that's "another week." The door remains open for Brooks to make his NFL debut in 2024. However, it may still be a few weeks away. At 1-6, Carolina hasn't exactly been in a position to rush him.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota could be a viable high-end QB2 in Superflex formats if he is given the starting nod in Week 8. Mariota replaced the injured Jayden Daniels (ribs) early in last week's game and performed quite well as he went 18-for-23 with 205 yards and two scores. He added 34 yards on the ground off 11 carries. This weekend, he will have a much tougher task facing the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the second-fewest points to opposing QBs. However, given how impressive he looked in relief and with his rushing potential, the former first-round pick could be a viable QB2 in Superflex formats, as he may need to push the ball downfield to keep up with a Chicago offense that has continued to improve every week.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's road tilt against the Detroit Lions. The second-year QB practiced in a limited fashion all week, but his status remains in the air for the team's Week 8 matchup. Levis sustained an AC joint sprain back in Week 4 before the team's bye and has not played since Tennessee's Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. If he can't suit up, quarterback Mason Rudolph will again lead the charge on offense for the Titans. Even if he can, the Kentucky alum would be in line for a tough task his first week back against a stout Lions defense. Levis won't be a recommended option, even in superflex and 2QB formats.

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The Miami Dolphins DST has been a tale of two sides in 2024 and will look to limit the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. On one side, they are one of the best defenses in the NFL at defending the pass. On the other hand, they are one of the worst at defending the run. On average, Miami has allowed 21.7 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs compared to 12.5 points to wide receivers. To make matters worse, defensive tackle Zach Sieler (eye) will be sidelined due to an orbital fracture he suffered in practice this week. Miami has a home matchup against the Cardinals in Week 8. The Arizona offense ranks fourth in total rushing yards and third in yards per carry. The Dolphins are ranked 16th among DSTs in the latest RotoBaller rankings, making them mainly a deep-league option in Week 8.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins posted another lackluster performance in Week 7 despite facing an undermanned Seattle defense, finishing as QB23 for the week after throwing more interceptions (2) than touchdown passes (1) for the third time in seven games. Looking ahead to Week 8, the 36-year-old has a chance to get back on track against a Tampa Bay team that he faced in Week 5 and completed 42 of 58 pass attempts for 508 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. The Buccaneers have been vulnerable versus both the pass and the run this season, but are allowing 254.0 net pass YPG (fourth-worst) compared to 132.0 rush YPG (19th), and just yielded five touchdown passes to Lamar Jackson in Week 7. Without their top two receiving options, Tampa Bay could look to the ground game in this one, chewing up clock and limiting offensive opportunities for both teams more than they otherwise would have, so view the veteran quarterback as a volatile high end QB2 with QB1 upside in this matchup.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas began the 2024-25 campaign by finding the end zone three times in the team's first three games. However, he's cooled off significantly of late, totaling only four catches in the last four contests. Without question, managers no longer consider Iosivas a starting fantasy option. It's also likely he's worked his way off of fantasy rosters altogether. But if Tee Higgins (quadriceps) isn't available for the Week 8 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles, Iosivas should enter the flex conversation. To be safe, fantasy managers should immediately grab the 25-year-old off waivers, where available.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown now sits atop the depth chart. While Zack Moss remains involved, he had only six carries for seven yards in Week 7 versus the Browns. On the other hand, Brown logged 15 touches for 44 yards to end the day. Although Moss has the edge in red zone opportunities so far this season, Brown is by far a safer fantasy option for Week 8 versus the Philadelphia Eagles. With that in mind, the Eagles have been solid against opposing running backs throughout the 2024-25 campaign, so the 24-year-old is hard to trust in any fantasy format.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss ran for just seven yards off six carries in the Week 7 win over the Browns. The 26-year-old found the end zone in three of the Bengals' first four games in 2024-25. However, he's gone cold since then, with Chase Brown emerging as the lead back in Cincinnati. While the backfield situation can change at any time, Moss may not be the safest fantasy option for Week 8 against the Eagles. The same can be said for Brown.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is coming off his best performance of the season. The 25-year-old hauled in eight of his 10 targets for 100 yards in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Otton has turned it on over the last few weeks and will likely see a bigger role going forward. The Bucs are going to be without their top wide receivers Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) for the foreseeable future. Both players were injured last week and as a result Otton saw 10 targets in that contest. The expectation is that the Bucs will continue to lean on Otton because he continues to produce when called upon. He has done enough lately that fantasy managers should be able to trust him as a TE1 for the upcoming Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

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Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) is listed as questionable for the team's Week 8 home matchup against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. While the injury is designated as a hip ailment, it's worth noting that the 29-year-old reported he's dealing with a glute strain that affected his sciatic nerve. Bosa put in a week of limited sessions leading up to the weekend and expects to suit up for the first time since Week 3. He confirmed as such, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, and also expects to be on a snap count for the contest. It's excellent news for Los Angeles, who is grievously hurting on the opposite side of the ball with five combined wideouts and tight ends listed as questionable or doubtful. Expect the Chargers to reserve him for critical moments, with defensive ends Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, and linebacker Junior Colson mixing in to fill the gaps.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been on a roll of late. After not finding the end zone in the Bengals' first two games of the 2024-25 campaign, the wideout has scored in four of his previous five appearances. Tee Higgins (quadriceps) has been getting more targets. However, with Higgins uncertain to suit up in Week 8 against the Eagles, Chase could see an uptick in attention from Joe Burrow. But regardless of Higgins' availability, Chase is a must-start.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer is expected to see a bigger role in the offense going forward. Palmer has been quiet this season with only five receptions for 61 yards heading into the Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. However, the Bucs are going to be without their top wideouts in Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring) for multiple weeks. That means, Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, and Palmer should all see increased roles. The 23-year-old only saw three targets last week, but Evans and Godwin were healthy for part of that game. He should see his usage increase, but his value is unpredictable right now. Palmer might have low-end flex value for this weekend's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He hasn't done enough to be trusted as a starter in most formats.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looks to lead his squad to a .500 record with a win over Philadelphia in Week 8. The signal-caller has been a quality fantasy quarterback in 2024-25. In the Bengals' seven games this season, he's thrown at least two or more touchdowns in five of those contests. Burrow has also completed 70.4% of his throws. Tee Higgins (quadricep) is questionable for Sunday's contest. However, Burrow still has Ja'Marr Chase at his disposal. Andrei Iosivas, who had three touchdowns in the first three games of the season, should also have no issues filling the void. Keep Burrow starting in all fantasy formats versus Philly.

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Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane gets a huge boost this week with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Miami offense has been disappointing overall in 2024, scoring only 70 points in six games. Despite this, the 23-year-old has seen consistent volume as a runner and in the passing game. He now gets a solid matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, who rank 20th in fantasy points per game to opposing running backs and allowed the seventh most rushing yards per game (114.4). This is a prime spot for Achane to return to the RB1 conversation. He is a must-start in all formats and is RB15 in the latest RotoBaller running back rankings for Week 8.

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The Philadelphia Eagles defense will go on the road to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. Since the bye, the Eagles have looked much more competent on defense. They have given up just 19 points total in the past two weeks and have tallied 13 sacks. This was against the Browns and Giants, so take the stats with a pinch of salt, but they are looking much better than they did to open the year. However, the defense still has just two total turnovers on the season and remains a low-ceiling option for fantasy, especially against a Joe Burrow-led Bengals passing attack. With no team on bye this week, it is easy to leave the Eagles' defense on the waiver wire in favor of a better option.

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The New York Jets defense will head on the road to take on the New England Patriots in Week 8. The Patriots' offense has looked much better since turning to rookie quarterback Drake Maye two weeks ago but this is still a tough spot for a rookie signal-caller against a talented Jets defense. Treat New York's D/ST as a top-10 option heading into Week 8.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (hip) and tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) are both officially questionable for Sunday's home matchup against the New Orleans Saints. LA's pass-catchers both kicked off the week tagged with DNPs, though it took the former until Friday to log a limited session, while the latter did so twice this week. Tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) is also questionable for the contest, while wide receivers Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Derius Davis (hamstring) have both been deemed doubtful. It's been quite the whirlwind of injuries for the Chargers over the last few weeks. With a litany of athletes' statuses in question, tight ends Stone Smartt and Eric Tomlinson and wide receivers Joshua Palmer, Simi Fehoko, and Brenden Rice are the only Chargers pass-catchers not to carry a designation ahead of Week 8.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) is listed as doubtful for the second consecutive game ahead of the team's Week 8 matchup. Johnston sustained an ankle injury during LA's 23-16 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 6. He then went on to log five straight DNPs before being upgraded to limited on Friday. Despite the improvement, there appears still to be a lack of confidence in his health. With fellow wideouts Derius Davis (hamstring) and Ladd McConkey (hip) deemed doubtful and questionable, respectively, the Chargers could be a bit short-staffed when they host the visiting New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Simi Fehoko, Joshua Palmer, and Brenden Rice are currently the only wide receivers not to carry a designation.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan is likely going to be asked to play a big role in the offense going forward. The Bucs lost both their top wideouts in Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) during last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. That being said, McMillan and Sterling Shepard are expected to be the top options in the passing game going forward. Last week, McMillan hauled in three of his eight targets for 15 yards in the loss. It wasn't a good game for McMillan, but the eight targets shows that the Bucs do have faith in the young wideout. The rookie receiver could end up sliding into the slot role which could be good for his fantasy value. He has a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 8. Fantasy managers should consider McMillan as a low-end WR3 for this weekend.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard will be asked to take on a bigger role during the Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs lost their top two wideouts in Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) during last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They will now be forced to use the committee of Shepard, Jalen McMillan, and Trey Palmer. The expectation is that running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton will be mixed in as well. It's unknown exactly what the Bucs plan to do without their top options available. That being said, Shepard can't be trusted as more than a low-end flex option. He hasn't done much this season outside of a 51-yard performance in Week 4. Sometimes an increased role doesn't always come along with increased value which could be the case here.

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