Jayden Daniels, DK Metcalf, NFL Injury Statuses and Fantasy Impact for Week 8

Jayden Daniels' status is in question for the potential showdown of rookie quarterbacks on Sunday.

Daniels is the biggest player to watch on the injury report in the time prior to kickoff on Sunday.

The status of the No. 2 overall pick will be closely watched by Washington Commanders fans and fantasy football players with the quarterback on the roster.

While Daniels has a chance to play, DK Metcalf will likely not be on the field for the Seattle Seahawks. Metcalf is officially doubtful with the knee injury he suffered last week.

Below is a look at all of the significant injury news that will affect fantasy football matchups in Week 8.

• Jayden Daniels, QB, WSH: Questionable (rib), per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
• Aaron Rodgers, QB, NYJ: Limited in practice this week (hamstring), per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
• Tua Tagovailoa, QB, MIA: Will start (concussion), per NFL.
• Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND: Off injury report (ankle), per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
• DK Metcalf, WR, SEA: Doubtful (knee), per Seattle Times' Bob Condotta.
• Kenneth Walker, RB, SEA: Off injury report (illness), per Condotta.
• Jerome Ford, RB, CLE: Out (hamstring), per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
• Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN: Practiced Friday (hamstring), per Titans.com.
• Mike Evans, WR, TB: Out (hamstring), per team injury report. 
• Deebo Samuel, WR, SF: Questionable, per team injury report.
• Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: Questionable (quad), per Pelissero.
• Diontae Johnson, WR, CAR: Out (rib), per Pelissero.
• Adam Thielen, WR, CAR: Out (hamstring), per Pelissero.
• Chris Olave, WR, NO: Cleared to play (concussion), per New Orleans Football's Nick Underhill.
• Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN: Cleared to play (foot), per Titans.com's Jim Wyatt.
• Michael Pittman, WR, IND: Will play Sunday (back), per Pelissero.
• Curtis Samuel, WR, BUF: Out (pectoral), per ESPN.com's Alaina Getzenberg.
• Zay Flowers, WR, BAL: Returned to practice Friday (ankle), per ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley.
• Jauan Jennings, WR, SF: Out, per team injury report.
• George Kittle, TE, SF: Questionable, per team injury report.
• Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI: Out (hamstring), per Schefter.
• Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF: Full participant in Friday practice (collarbone), per team injury report. 

Jayden Daniels Listed As Questionable For Showdown Against Bears

The status of Washington's electric rookie quarterback will be under the microscope until the decision is made on Sunday.

Daniels suffered a rib injury in the first quarter of Washington's Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Prior to the injury, he had five straight games with at least 200 passing yards.

If he plays, Daniels faces a tough matchup against a Chicago passing defense that has not allowed more than 235 passing yards in a single game in 2024.

Chicago is one of eight NFL teams to allow fewer than 100 rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks this season, so even if Daniels plays, he may not be able to take advantage of a defense like he has done in previous weeks.

Former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins and Jameis Winston are among the waiver-wire targets to pick up in case Daniels does not play.

Winston will lead the Cleveland Browns against the league-worst Baltimore Ravens passing defense, while Cousins takes on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that he threw for 509 yards against on October 3.

DK Metcalf Doubtful With Knee Injury

DK Metcalf will likely not suit up for the Seattle Seahawks against the Buffalo Bills.

Metcalf picked up a knee injury in Atlanta last week and it would be ideal for the Seahawks to rest him with three NFC West games coming up in November.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett are the internal replacements you could use to replace Metcalf on your fantasy rosters.

Both wide receivers had six targets in the Week 7 win over the Falcons. Tight end Noah Fant could see a usage increase as well. He caught four passes for 45 yards last week.

Cleveland's Cedric Tillman, who had an uptick in catches and yards after Amari Cooper's departure last week, is one of the sleepers to pick up to replace Metcalf.

Nick Westbrook-Ihkine is a deep sleeper if you can trust anything about the Tennessee Titans offense at this moment in time.

Green Bay's Romeo Doubs could be the most popular waiver-wire pickup in place of Metcalf and other injured wide receivers since he has been Jordan Love's top target for the last two weeks and owns a favorable matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.