Fantasy football managers face critical wide receiver decisions for Week 8 as several prominent players work through injuries. As of Wednesday, D.J. Moore (shoulder), Rashee Rice (hamstring), Emeka Egbuka (concussion), and Ladd McConkey (concussion) are trending toward playing, while DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Jaylen Waddle (chest) remain uncertain.
Injury Updates
Moore, who missed the past two games, practiced Wednesday in a non-contact jersey. If active against the Ravens — who rank seventh in most fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers — he projects as a No. 2 fantasy option. Should Moore sit again, Keon Coleman becomes a high-end No. 3 receiver after scoring touchdowns in three consecutive games. Rice returned to practice Wednesday and appears most likely to play among the injured group, though he faces a tough Broncos defense ranked sixth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers. Egbuka, who missed Week 7, returned to limited practice Wednesday; if active against the Falcons (11th in most fantasy points allowed to receivers), he projects as a No. 2 option after scoring at least 17.2 PPR points in his previous two games with 25 targets over that span. McConkey practiced Wednesday but remains in concussion protocol after a Week 6 injury; if he plays against the Rams (fifth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers), he should only be started in three-receiver leagues.
Start Recommendations
Parker Washington (Jaguars) projects for 15.8 points against the Colts, who have allowed seven receivers to score at least 11.7 PPR points this season. Stefon Diggs (Commanders) steps into a No. 1 role with Terry McLaurin on injured reserve and faces an Eagles defense ranked second in most fantasy points allowed to receivers; 10 receivers have scored at least 14.6 PPR points against Philadelphia. DK Metcalf (Steelers) draws a favorable rematch against the Browns, who have allowed eight receivers to score at least 11.9 PPR points. Michael Wilson (Cardinals) gets a bounce-back spot against the Cowboys, who rank 10th in most fantasy points allowed to receivers; a receiver has scored at least 12.9 PPR points against Dallas in every game this season. Tre Tucker (Raiders) has scored at least 21.3 PPR points in each of his past two games and faces a Jets defense that has allowed a receiver to score at least 13.6 PPR points in four straight games.
Sleepers
Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets) has thrived while Garrett Wilson struggled, posting 11 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets over the past two weeks against the Patriots and Dolphins. The Raiders have allowed multiple receivers to score at least 11 PPR points in three of their past four games. KC Concepcion (Browns) erupted for 23.2 PPR points in Week 7 and has at least six targets in each of his past five healthy games; he faces a Steelers defense ranked 14th against receivers. Keenan Allen (Colts) draws a Jaguars defense ranked fifth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers; nine receivers have scored at least 10.9 PPR points against Jacksonville. Makai Lemon (Eagles) could see an expanded role if DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks remain out; he caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against Dallas and faces a Commanders defense ranked sixth in most fantasy points allowed to receivers.
Sit Recommendations
Denzel Boston (Browns) has combined for just 8.2 PPR points in his past two games and faces a Steelers defense that has not allowed more than 57 receiving yards to any player in their past three games. Rome Odunze (Bears) draws the league's toughest matchup against the Seahawks, who rank first in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers; only two receivers have scored double-digit PPR points against Seattle this season. Xavier Worthy (Chiefs) faces a Broncos defense ranked sixth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers, and Rashee Rice's potential return further clouds his outlook; Worthy had just three catches for 18 yards on six targets in Week 1 against Denver. Caleb Douglas (Dolphins) could draw a tough matchup against Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and should only be considered a low-end No. 3 option.
Bust Alert
Jameson Williams (Lions) enters Week 8 on a hot streak with at least 16.2 PPR points in three straight games, but faces a Vikings defense ranked fourth in fewest fantasy points allowed to receivers. Minnesota has allowed just one receiving touchdown since Week 1, and Williams has one touchdown and one double-digit PPR game in his past five meetings with the Vikings. He remains a start in three-receiver leagues but expectations should be lowered.
