During Week 8 of the 2024 NFL regular season, several players made a comeback from multigame injuries, which is promising news as some fantasy football stars are expected to rebound from a string of lackluster performances.
The Cleveland Browns underwent a quarterback change, and their offense has shown significant improvement, scoring a season-high 29 points against the Baltimore Ravens after struggling to surpass 18 points in the first seven games. Browns receivers are now regaining their fantasy football value as QB Jameis Winston has breathed life into the offense in place of the injured QB Deshaun Watson.
In other news, Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love suffered a groin injury. While initial reports suggest it may not be a long-term issue, it’s a development that’s being monitored closely, particularly in terms of its impact on wide receiver performance. With QB Malik Willis stepping in, the Packers’ passing game appears less favorable for Green Bay receivers from a fantasy perspective.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ passing offense also is under scrutiny with WR Chris Godwin (leg) out for the season and WR Mike Evans (hamstring) sidelined for at least two more games. This will be an offense in flux for another game or two.
As we approach Week 9, the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers are on their bye week, leaving the remaining 30 NFL teams ready for action.
Cleveland Browns wide receivers
It’s been a couple of weeks of change in Cleveland. It has been a long time coming, too, probably.
The Browns shipped WR Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills prior to last week’s game. In the Week 7 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns lost QB Deshaun Watson to a torn Achilles tendon. In Week 8, we had a look at what the offense is going to be, and it’s not too shabby.
QB Jameis Winston, inspired by Eminem, had his shot to start against the Baltimore Ravens, and it looked like an uphill climb. But, we all know, Jaboo wins.
Winston developed a nice rapport with WR Cedric Tillman, connecting seven times for 99 yards and two touchdowns. It has been Tillman, and to a lesser extent Elijah Moore, who has filled the void left by Cooper.
Moore actually tied for a game-high 12 targets, cashing in eight of those targe for 85 yards. Jerry Jeudy secured five receptions for 79 yards on eight targets, too.
If Famous Jameis can spread the ball around like that on a regular basis, Tillman and Moore would be WR3 or flex fantasy options in leagues of 12 or more teams, with Jeudy holding WR4 value.
It will also help the pass game once the offensive line continues to get healthy, and once RB Nick Chubb gets back up to speed after his lengthy absence, making defenses key on the run a little more.
New York Giants running backs
You should never really lose your job due to injury. However, sometimes a coach needs to see things done in game action rather than on the practice field to have a change of heart.
Whether it is because of money, or evaluation in practice, or a little bit of both, Devin Singletary was the starting running back out of the gate for head coach Brian Daboll. It took an injury to shake things up for Big Blue.
Singletary was sidelined for Week 5 in Seattle, and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. received a chance to start. He 129 rushing yards on 18 carries, and he burst onto the fantasy scene.
The rookie out of Purdue had to share the load last week, as Singletary returned, but neither did a thing. The two shared the backfield on Monday night in Pittsburgh, and Tracy again was the dominant back. After his showing against the Steelers, going for 145 yards on 20 carries, it’s hard to see Singletary getting his starting job back, outside of a Tracy injury.
In fact, Tracy did leave the game earlier due to a shoulder injury, but he returned to action. However, after a hard tackle, he hit his head on the turf and had to be checked for concussion. He was unable to return, so this situation is worth watching closely.
Tracy should be relied upon as a RB2 in most fantasy leagues when healthy, while Singletary should be treated as a low-end RB3 or flex fantasy option in leagues of 12 or more teams.
Green Bay Packers passing game
Fantasy managers of the Green Bay Packers wide receivers, as well as the new legion of those players who picked up TE Tucker Kraft, are holding a vigil, praying to the groin gods to protect QB Jordan Love and get him back on the field as soon as possible.
The good news is that an MRI on Love’s groin showed that he has just a strain, and not a major injury. There is certainly a possibility he missed time, but the good news is that he has a shot to play in Week 9.
Kraft had three receptions for a team-game high 78 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. Romeo Doubs was the top wideout with 72 yards on three receptions, while Jayden Reed was good for 55 yards on two grabs, including a 51-yard reception. Christian Watson had four catches for 39 yards on six targets.
When Love is healthy, Reed is a strong WR2, and Doubs has emerged as a low-end WR2 or flex fantasy play since one-game suspension. Watson is injury-prone, but he can be trusted as a WR4, as he has been solid on the short to intermediate routes, helping PPR fantasy managers in recent weeks.
Love has a special connection with each of the receivers, so fantasy managers will be paying close attention to the news. If Malik Willis were to start in Love’s place, it’s a major downgrade for all receivers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing game
There was huge concern for the viability of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing game after WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin left the Week 7 game last Monday.
We found out who the players are going to be with Evans is out at least two more games, and Godwin is done for the season.
TE Cade Otton was the top target for QB Baker Mayfield, racking up nine receptions for 81 yards, and two touchdowns on 10 targets. In the past two games, he has 17 catches, 181 yards, and two touchdowns with 20 targets, quickly emerging as a TE1 in all fantasy leagues.
WR Jalen McMillan was targeted seven times, which was second-most to Otton, while he posted four receptions for 35 yards. He is the player worth watching going forward for fantasy managers. Mayfield seems to trust him, as he has been targeted 15 times in the past two games. While he has just seven catches and 50 yards to show for it, the potential is certainly there.
WR Rakim Jarrett had 58 receiving yards on three catches, highlighted by a 20-yard reception on his three targets. He shot past WRs Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard in terms of production, and former Furman standout WR Ryan Miller also had three receptions.
Your best bets for fantasy production are Otton, who is now firmly a TE1, and McMillan, who is worth scooping up as a reserve in fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams based on his targets the past two games. Jarrett is someone to simply keep an eye on. If he produces decent yardage again in Week 9, he’ll be worth some fantasy attention. Miller, Palmer and Shepard can remain waiver-wire material.
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers
The Indianapolis Colts have a major problem. QB Anthony Richardson managed to complete just 10 of 32 pass attempts in Houston in Week 8. The Colts fell by just three points, but imagine how much better they’d be with an NFL-caliber signal caller.
WR Josh Downs managed to shake free for four receptions for 109 yards, largely due to a 69-yard touchdown against busted coverage. He appeared to have a second score in the fourth quarter but was ruled down at the Houston 1.
Fantasy managers of WR Michael Pittman Jr. weren’t as fortunate. He had just a single 16-yard catch on six targets in H-Town. Both of his touchdown receptions in Weeks 5-6 came from QB Joe Flacco. Those who have stock in Pittman are thrilled head coach Shane Steichen came to his senses and installed Flacco back under center to save the season.
With Richardson, Pittman is nothing more than a WR5, but with Flacco, those two seem to jell nicely, and he can be trusted as a WR3 or flex option.
