Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be a nightmare for fantasy managers, with major injuries and bye weeks wreaking havoc on lineups. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson headlines a growing list of key absences, leaving teams scrambling for replacements.
“Bye-mageddon” strikes hard as six teams take the week off, compounding the challenge for fantasy owners. With players like Brock Purdy and Breece Hall also sidelined, digging deep for sleepers and waiver-wire gems could be the difference between victory and defeat.
Stay ahead of the chaos with the latest injury updates and strategic pickups to salvage your Week 8 lineup.
- Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, and Bryce Young are ruled out for Week 8, forcing fantasy managers to seek QB replacements like Tyler Huntley or waiver pickups.
- Six teams are on bye this week, creating a “bye-mageddon” scenario and increasing reliance on sleepers like Gardner Minshew and Sam Howell.
- Key skill players like Breece Hall, A.J. Brown, and Deebo Samuel are dealing with injuries, making waiver wire strategy crucial for fantasy success.
- The Ravens’ offense faces uncertainty without Lamar Jackson, with Huntley offering limited upside despite his rushing ability.
- Defensive streamer options like the Browns and Saints are highlighted due to favorable matchups against turnover-prone QBs.
NFL Week 8 Injury Report: Lamar Jackson’s Absence Shakes Fantasy Football Landscape
The 2025 NFL season’s Week 8 brings a seismic shift in fantasy football dynamics with multiple star players sidelined. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson (hamstring), Brock Purdy (ribs), and Bryce Young (concussion) headline the injury report, forcing managers to overhaul their lineups. Six teams on bye weeks further intensify the roster chaos, creating what analysts are calling “bye-mageddon.”
MrOwl: “Fantasy championships are often won during these turbulent weeks. The managers who adapt fastest to injury crises will dominate their leagues.”
The Quarterback Crisis: Who Can Replace Lamar Jackson?
Tyler Huntley gets the start for Baltimore but comes with limitations. His career 6.7 yards per attempt pales compared to Jackson’s 8.1, and the Ravens’ offense typically scores 5 fewer points per game with Huntley under center. For fantasy purposes, Gardner Minshew presents a safer floor with 3+ red zone attempts per game since taking over Indianapolis’ starting job, while Sam Howell’s dual-threat capability (259 rushing yards this season) offers higher upside.
Bye Week Survival Guide: Fantasy Football Strategies
With Kansas City, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Houston all inactive this week, waiver wire activity has reached unprecedented levels. The most added players per NFL.com data:
- RB Ty Chandler (MIN): 87% rostered (+65% this week)
- WR Josh Downs (IND): 68% rostered (+52%)
- TE Trey McBride (ARI): 61% rostered (+49%)
MrOwl: “Don’t chase last week’s points. Target players like McBride whose increased role (23 targets over 3 weeks) suggests sustainable production.”
Running Back Roulette: Breece Hall’s Questionable Status
The Jets’ workhorse back carries a questionable designation after limited practices all week. New York faces a Giants defense surrendering 125 rushing yards per game, but backup Dalvin Cook looms as a potential vulture. Key metrics to watch:
| Scenario | Projected Touches | FP Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Hall active | 18-22 | 14-18 PPR |
| Hall inactive | Cook 20+ | 12-15 PPR |
Wide Receiver Woes: Navigating Key Absences
The injury bug has decimated WR corps across the league. AJ Brown (ankle) and Deebo Samuel (shoulder) join Shedeur Sanders on the sidelines, creating opportunities for secondary options. Three underrated replacements:
- Demario Douglas (NE): 86% route participation last two weeks
- Khalil Shakir (BUF): 17.3 yards per reception since Week 5
- Jalin Hyatt (NYG): 4 targets of 20+ air yards in October
MrOwl: “Hyatt is my dark horse. The Giants will trail heavily against Dallas, forcing Tommy DeVito to attempt 40+ passes—many of them deep shots.”
Defensive Streamers and IDP Targets
The Browns defense presents the week’s premier streaming option against Geno Smith’s turnover-prone Seahawks (9 INTs this season). Meanwhile, these individual defensive players warrant consideration:
- LB Frankie Luvu (CAR): 35 tackles in last 3 games
- S Xavier McKinney (NYG): Facing Dallas’ passing barrage
- DE Myles Garrett (CLE): 5 sacks in October matchups
Tight End Landscape: Navigating Kelce’s Bye Week
Travis Kelce’s absence creates a 20-PPR-point void. Trey McBride and Dalton Schultz become top options, but deep-league managers should note these targets:
- Jonnu Smith (MIA): 5+ receptions in 4 straight
- Cade Otton (TB): 85% snap share since Week 3
The Final Whistle: Week 8 Fantasy Outlook
This pivotal week separates contenders from pretenders. The staggering 37% of fantasy-relevant players either injured or on bye demands creative solutions. Key takeaways:
- Prioritize volume over projected efficiency when replacing stars
- Monitor inactive reports until kickoff (Hall, Brown situations particularly volatile)
- Don’t overinvest in one-week rentals; remember long-term roster construction
MrOwl: “The managers who embrace the chaos will thrive. This week rewards boldness—start that 3rd-string RB if he’s getting 15 carries. Fortune favors the aggressive during bye-pocalypses.”
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