AJ MassESPN staff writer5 minutes to read
How to handle Bears RB room vs. Chargers?
Field Yates breaks down the Bears’ running backs and where each player should be positioned in Week 8 versus the Chargers.
Who should you start with? Who should you sit with? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the lineup, we’ll post fantasy-related updates and analysis here when NFL teams release their official inactive rosters. Any ratings mentioned in this column come from our website ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.
Sunday inactive attendance must begin approximately 90 minutes prior to scheduled kickoff times: approximately 11:30 AM ET for early games and 2:30 PM ET for late afternoon games.
Update frequently to get the latest information.
Games are at 1 p.m. ET
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, CAR — Outside
Impact: He hasn’t seen a lot of targets this season, but his absence still helps Jonathan Mingo’s fantasy value a bit.
Luke Musgrave, TE, GB — active
Impact: Musgrave was a game-time call-up but appears to be good enough to play. Rookie Tucker Craft could still see some snaps.
Brevin Jordan, TE, HOU — Outside
Impact: A foot injury sidelines Jordan, increasing the odds that Dalton Schultz scores a touchdown in his fourth straight game.
Robert Woods, WR, HOU — Outside
IMPACT: Tank Dell is finally back on the field after suffering a concussion in Week 5 and should see a lot of action in the WR three sets.
Zack Moss, RB, IND — active
IMPACT: Moss will suit up, but he missed two practices this week. Jonathan Taylor could be in line for a lot of touches. Trey Sermon is the only other running back on the Colts roster.
Kellen Granson, TE, IND — Outside
Impact: He did not clear the league’s concussion protocol. Expect Drew Ogletree and Mo Alie-Cox to share the goals.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAX — active
Impact: The team has been cautious about his knee injury all week, but there has been no indication he will miss this week’s game. Start it with confidence.
Z Jones, WR, Jacks — Outside
Impact: Jones continues to miss time, but no one has really surpassed him on the depth chart as the team’s No. 3 player, although Jamaal Agnew has been the closest.
Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA — active
Impact: Mostert will play and should see most of the RBs working for Miami. However, Jeff Wilson Jr. has reportedly been promised “Some touches” also.
Taysom Hill, TE, no — active
Impact: Note that Juwan Johnson is back from a calf injury, which could impact Hill’s workload.
Michael Thomas, WR, NO — active
Impact: It was a very He was added late to the injury report on Saturday due to illness but will clearly try.
Daniel Jones, QB, NYG — Outside
Impact: Tyrod Taylor continues to play well, making it easier for the Giants to rest Jones if he’s not 100 percent.
Darren Waller, TE, New York — active
Impact: Waller will play in this game, so there’s no need to start Daniel Bellinger.
Randall Cobb, WR, New York — Inactive
Impact: Xavier Gipson or Jason Brownlee gets to see some targets with the veteran unable to go.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, TEN — Outside
Impact: Both Will Levis and Malik Willis will likely play at quarterback, regardless of which one of them ends up starting.
Curtis Samuel, WR, WSH — active
Impact: As expected, he will play. However, with no teams having a bye this week, you likely have better flex options.
Games are at 4 p.m. ET
Kyler Murray, QB, ARI — Outside
Impact: It looks like it will be another start for Joshua Dobbs before Murray finally gets the go-ahead for Week 9.
Deshaun Watson, QB, CLE — Outside
IMPACT: PJ Walker takes the reins of this offense once again, and it remains to be seen when we will next see Watson (shoulder) on the field.
Marquis Goodwin, WR, CLE — Doubtful
Impact: It could go both ways for Goodwin. Elijah Moore could be a late pivot if he sits.
Jerome Ford, RB, CLE — Doubtful
IMPACT: He suffered a high ankle sprain last weekend, but coaches hinted he might still be able to play. Kareem Hunt would clearly be a hit in fantasy value if Ford is the right fit. However, Jordan Wilkins was promoted from the practice squad, signaling Ford being a “no.”
Brandon Johnson, WR, DN — outside/infrared
Impact: It may finally be time for the Broncos to let Marvin Mims Jr. lose — the key word here is “may” as Tre’Quan Smith has been promoted from the practice squad.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC – He is expected to play
Impact: This has been called the “Began Robinson Effect” as many teams are taking a lot of caution this week by reporting illnesses of players who are very likely to start the game. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about here, but check back anyway, just in case.
Deebo Samuel, WR, SF — Outside
IMPACT: Jauan Jennings should see an uptick in targets from QB Brock Purdy, who cleared the league’s concussion protocol and will start.
Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA — Doubtful
Impact: Lockett is fully expected to play this week, much to the chagrin of those who pounced on Jackson Smith-Njigba or Jake Bobo off the waiver wire.
Sunday night game
Justin Fields, QB, CHI — Outside
IMPACT: Tyson Bagent will try to go 2-0 as a starter in the NFL.
Roshawn Johnson, RB, CHI — He is expected to play
Impact: He clears the league’s concussion protocol, but we’ll have to see what the breakdown in touches is in the Bears’ backfield before relying on him in fantasy stats.
Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC — Doubtful
Effect: It looks like this will be a real call in game time, so you probably shouldn’t wait for it. If Palmer doesn’t play, Quentin Johnston could be a last-minute fantasy replacement.
Gerald Everett, TE, LAC — Doubtful
IMPACT: He is expected to play but will share time with Donald Parham Jr.
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