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FFL: Week 8 | NFL: Week 8

Dolphins formally activate Tua Tagovailoa from injured reserve

Sat Oct 26 5:35pm ET
Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins officially activated quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from injured reserve on Saturday.

Tagovaiola will start Sunday's game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals after missing four games due to a concussion sustained in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

Tagovailoa returned to practice this week and didn't have any issues related to the head injury. He was cleared from concussion protocol on Friday and listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

The concussion was the fourth documented one during Tagovailoa's football career. He had two during the 2022 season.

The Dolphins struggled on offense without Tagovailoa and scored just 40 total points during the four games he missed.

Miami also released quarterback Tim Boyle on Saturday. Boyle, 30, got into two games for the Dolphins this season and was 15-of-26 passing for 153 yards..

Skylar Thompson will serve as the backup to Tagovailoa against the Cardinals. Tyler Huntley, who started the past three games, injured his throwing shoulder in last week's 16-10 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts and was placed on injured reserve.

Tagovailoa has appeared in 55 games and is 33-20 as a starter. He has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 13,122 yards with 83 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

Miami also elevated defensive tackle Neil Farrell and long snapper Matt Overton from the practice squad.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 8

Player Notes
Roschon Johnson Oct 26 4:10pm CT
Roschon Johnson

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson has found the end zone in two of the last three games. However, he's coming off a rough showing, amassing five carries for eight yards in Week 6 against the Jags. Still, there are some questioning whether Johnson should be considered a starting fantasy option for Week 8 versus the Commanders. While it's true he will stay involved, the volume likely won't be there, considering D'Andre Swift continues to have a clear edge in that department. Unless Johnson gets some touches inside the 20, he's unlikely to do anything beneficial for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Oct 26 4:00pm CT
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely began the 2024-25 campaign by catching nine of his 12 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. While the 24-year-old has found the end zone two more times since then, he has just 11 receptions in the Ravens' previous six contests. Without question, Likely had a bright future in the National Football League. But unless Zay Flowers (ankle) is sidelined for the AFC North meeting with the Browns, Likely is hard to trust from a fantasy standpoint.

From RotoBaller

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Oct 26 3:50pm CT
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has only three catches this season. However, two of them resulted in a trip to the end zone. While the 27-year-old has a way to go before earning trust from fantasy managers, the door is open for more involvement after DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Chiefs. Granted, Tyler Boyd could also significantly benefit from Hopkins' departure. But Westbrook-Ikhine is at least worth adding to fantasy rosters in case he gets more involved moving ahead. For now, fantasy managers would be taking a risk by including him in their starting lineups for Week 8 versus the Lions.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Oct 26 3:50pm CT
Mike Williams

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams could see some more snaps on Sunday versus the Patriots. With Allen Lazard (chest) doubtful, the former Charger may serve as the No. 3 wideout on the depth chart behind Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. Williams tenure with the Jets hasn't been productive, amassing only 11 catches (19 targets) for 160 yards. There's been talk he'll be traded at some point. But for now, it appears he'll remain a Jet and may get some attention from Aaron Rodgers in Week 8. However, Williams is far from a starting-caliber fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Oct 26 3:40pm CT
Tim Patrick

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick has just 10 catches for 165 yards this season. However, with Jameson Williams (suspension) out for the next few games, Patrick is starting to gain attention from fantasy managers heading into the Week 8 matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Without question, it will be business as usual for Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has a touchdown in each of the last four games. Yet, Patrick is worth considering for streaming purposes for those taking part in deeper fantasy formats. Kalif Raymond, coming off a three-catch, 39-yard, one-touchdown showing versus the Vikings, could also benefit from Williams' absence.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Oct 26 3:20pm CT
Mike Williams

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams could see some snaps on Sunday versus the Patriots. With Allen Lazard (chest) doubtful, the former Charger may serve as the No. 3 wideout on the depth chart behind Davante Adams and Allen Lazard. Williams tenure with the Jets hasn't been productive, amassing only 11 catches (19 targets) for 160 yards. There's been talk he'll be traded at some point. But for now, it appears he'll remain a Jet and may get some attention from Aaron Rodgers in Week 8. However, Williams is far from a starting-caliber fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Cordarrelle Patterson Oct 26 3:10pm CT
Cordarrelle Patterson

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) is now listed as doubtful for Monday night against the New York Giants. He's been limited at practice throughout the week, and head coach Mike Tomlin indicated there was a shot he'd be back for Week 8. However, it appears the veteran will miss his fourth straight game because of the ankle injury. Patterson has 16 carries for 92 yards this season, adding five grabs for 34 yards. However, with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren active, Patterson wouldn't have been involved enough to be relevant for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Oct 26 2:50pm CT
Patrick Mahomes

The San Francisco 49ers D/ST hosts the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football. They come into the game as the fifth-most productive unit in fantasy, averaging eight points per game. Last week the 49ers D sacked Patrick Mahomes twice and picked him off twice, but allowed 28 points. Dallas' offense ranks near the middle of the league in yardage but was dreadful last week, scoring no touchdowns against Detroit and turning the ball over five times. Both the Niners' defense and Cowboys' offense are healthy, but Dallas is coming off of a bye. Given the Cowboys' extra time to prepare and their offensive competency before last week, San Francisco's D/ST is just outside the Top 12 in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Oct 26 2:50pm CT
Bryce Young

The Denver Broncos D/ST is a top option in Week 8 when they square off against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Denver's defense has been one of the more staunch tests for opposing offenses in 2024, and they get a tantalizing outing this Sunday against the Bryce Young-led Panthers offense. Carolina is scoring just 15.7 points per contest -- the fifth-lowest mark in the league -- and has turned the ball over 12 times in seven games, the second-most in the NFL. Additionally, the Broncos' defense will be at near-full strength with the return of lockdown cornerback Pat Surtain II after a one-game absence. This week, the unit tops the list, ranking as RotoBaller's No. 1 overall ranked D/ST ahead of Sunday's contest.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Oct 26 2:20pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has been quiet this season but could finally break through for fantasy purposes against the New York Giants in Week 8. Warren dealt with injuries to begin the campaign and started to look more like his explosive self last week. He took the field for over 50% of the Steelers' offensive snaps for the first time in 2024 and saw more opportunities in the passing game than backfield mate Najee Harris with Russell Wilson at quarterback. With this contest shaping up to be a low-scoring, defensive-oriented affair, Pittsburgh should be expected to rely heavily on its ground game against a Giants defense allowing the eighth-most rushing yards per game. We haven't yet seen enough from Warren to consider him a weekly fantasy starter, but he's worth considering as a low-end flex option for fantasy managers in a pinch this week.

From RotoBaller

Anders Carlson Oct 26 2:20pm CT
Anders Carlson

San Francisco 49ers kicker Anders Carlson will kick off to the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football. The former Auburn Tiger and Green Bay Packer is the third kicker the 49ers have deployed this year, after Jake Moody (ankle) and Matthew Wright (shoulder) both were injured on tackle attempts. Last week, Carlson made field goal attempts from 55 and 24 yards but missed an extra point. Carlson has a big-league leg but has struggled with accuracy during his short career, leading the NFL in missed field goals in 2023 and missing five extra points, including playoffs. The 49ers offense has been brutally decimated with injury, so the days of assuming they'll get their kicker plenty of opportunities may be put on hold. This uncertainty along with Carlson's struggles make him a risky start this week. He's the K20 in RotoBaller's rankings this week.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Oct 26 2:00pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has had some big plays this season, however, they've come on few catches. The 24-year-old owns a superb 25.5 yards per reception average thus far but has just 15 total catches in seven games. One of those catches was a 60-yard touchdown back in Week 1 versus the Texans, which is his opponent in Week 8. It was Anthony Richardson who threw him that ball and it will be Richardson under center again this week, while Houston has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Whether or not that translates to fantasy points for Pierce again seems like more of a roll of the dice with the second-year QB's poor completion rate (48.5%), so view the former second-round draft pick as a boom/bust candidate in the rematch versus the Texans as a WR5.

From RotoBaller

Brian Burns Oct 26 2:00pm CT
Brian Burns

New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (groin) is off the injury report and is expected to play on Monday evening against the Pittsburgh Steelers according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Burns opened the week as a limited participant in practice but was then downgraded to a non-participant on Friday. However, he was able to return in a limited capacity on Saturday. Burns has tallied at least one sack in each of the past three games and tallied 27 tackles (18 solo) through his first seven games in the Big Apple. In addition, the former Panther had registered one forced fumble with six pass deflections this season. With Burns set to play, the Giants defense is worth a look as a deep-league streaming option facing the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Oct 26 1:50pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) was downgraded to out for Week 8. Spears did not suit up last weekend but returned to practice this week in a limited capacity. However, he was unable to progress enough and will now set his sights on returning in Week 9 to face the New England Patriots. Spears has been deployed as the No.2 option out of the backfield this season behind Tony Pollard and has only averaged a mere 22.8 rushing yards per game with just one score. Fantasy managers should expect Pollard to see a heavy dose of work on Sunday afternoon but faces a tough challenge as the Lions have allowed the second-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs this season.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Oct 26 1:50pm CT
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz is one of the better Week 8 options when his team takes on the Carolina Panthers. Lutz has been outstanding this season, knocking through all 12 of his extra-point attempts while drilling 17-of-18 field goal tries (94.4%). The 30-year-old gets an excellent matchup this Sunday against a Panthers squad that's allowed 34.7 points per game to their opponents -- the highest mark in the league. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix playing sound football in his first taste of NFL action, the former Georgia State Panther should continue to be among the fantasy leaders at the kicker position. Lutz ranks as RotoBaller's K7 ahead of Sunday's outing.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Oct 26 1:50pm CT
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell continued what has been a sensational 2024 campaign in Week 7 and will stay at home this week for a Monday night showdown against the New York Giants. While it is worth noting that the Giants have not surrendered a ton of production to fantasy kickers, and that this contest is expected to be the lowest-scoring bout of the week, there are reasons to be optimistic about Boswell in this matchup. The Steelers are running the ball at the second-highest rate in the NFL and both defenses have done a good job keeping opponents out of the end zone. In what should be a slow-paced duel, Boswell could be called upon often, especially if New York can prevent Pittsburgh from pushing the ball downfield. There are many kickers in more enticing game environments this week, but Boswell has been steady enough to earn a permanent spot in fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Lucas Krull Oct 26 1:40pm CT
Lucas Krull

Denver Broncos tight end Lucas Krull will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 this Sunday. The third-year tight end was the team's second-leading receiver in Week 7's 33-10 domination of a depleted Saints squad. Despite being listed as the second-string option behind teammate Adam Trautman on Denver's depth chart, Krull has out-targeted, out-received, and out-gained Trautman over the last three weeks. Still, even in a juicy matchup against a porous Panthers defense, the 26-year-old will not be a viable fantasy option. The former undrafted free agent is RotoBaller's PPR TE31 ahead of the Week 8 outing.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Oct 26 1:40pm CT
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been underwhelming in recent weeks and will look to get back on track against the New York Giants in Week 8. With Russell Wilson under center, Pittsburgh's passing attack was much more exciting last week, but Freiermuth ceded a surprising amount of opportunities to fellow tight end Darnell Washington. The Giants have been stout against opposing tight ends all season, surrendering the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Because this contest is expected to be slow-paced and Freiermuth seems to have only a few guaranteed targets, it will be difficult for fantasy managers to rely on him as anything more than a TE2 on Monday night.

From RotoBaller

DeForest Buckner Oct 26 1:40pm CT
DeForest Buckner

Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (ankle) was activated off the injured reserve and will return to action on Sunday. In a corresponding move the Colts waived running back Evan Hull. Buckner has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the second week of the season. In the season opener, Buckner had a productive afternoon as he tallied six tackles (five solo) with 1.5 sacks. Last season, the lineman posted a career-high 81 tackles with seven pass deflections and eight sacks. Buckner should expected to return to his typical starting role on Sunday afternoon facing the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Oct 26 1:30pm CT
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens finally got rolling this season with Russell Wilson at quarterback in Week 7 and could continue heating up against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Pickens has been Pittsburgh's clear top option in the passing game all year but his talents seem to align perfectly with Wilson's style of play. Although the Giants have been solid defensively in 2024, Pickens' near-30% team target share keeps him in fantasy WR2 territory. It's worth noting that this contest is expected to be incredibly low-scoring, so while expectations should be managed, Pickens could still certainly end up on the receiving end of a few if not all deep balls from Wilson. Fantasy managers can confidently deploy him as a top-24 option in Week 8.

From RotoBaller