Entering Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season, a ton of notable players have suffered serious injuries that required a stint on injured reserve. Numerous teams have been affected, both in real life and in fantasy football. Which IR players are nearing a return, and who will be out for the remainder of the season? Each week, we examine the latest news and recovery timeline for every fantasy-relevant player on IR.
Which Fantasy Players Are on IR in Week 8?
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
During the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his fourth concussion in five years. It was a scary scene, as he appeared to involuntarily assume the fencing position, just as he did when he suffered a similar head injury against the Cincinnati Bengals two years ago.
Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve, but he has already missed the four games he was required to sit out. The Dolphins made it clear that they weren’t placing any timeline on him as he recovered. Now, since he’s been symptom-free since Sept. 13 (the day after the hit), the team has designated him to return from injured reserve.
The Tua Tagovailoa news we’ve all been waiting for pic.twitter.com/I9VnsYaEHl
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 21, 2024
The Dolphins are 1-4 in the five games that Tua didn’t start, and the offense has been dreadful in his absence. After averaging the third-most points per game (27.9) in the NFL last season, Miami is scoring by far the fewest points per game this year (11.7). Also, the Dolphins had the NFL’s least efficient offense in Weeks 3 through 7 (-0.26 EPA per play).
Tagovailoa will resume practicing this week, but it’s worth noting that he still needs to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in order to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
“Our plan is to start him practicing on Wednesday,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. “The clearing doesn’t come until after some of the activity. We’re obviously doing so in the hope of everything going well so that he can play Sunday, but that will be to be determined.”
In his first comments since the latest concussion, Tagovailoa said that the Dolphins made the right decision placing him on IR “to protect myself from myself.”
When asked about the risks associated with continuing his NFL career, he said: “There’s risk in anything. I’m willing to play the odds.”
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
After finishing as the RB1 last season, Christian McCaffrey has yet to play in 2024 due to Achilles tendinitis in both legs. He was a surprise inactive in Week 1, and he was placed on injured reserve shortly after.
McCaffrey recently traveled to Germany to see a specialist. While he reportedly participated in on-field work in early October, the 49ers haven’t opened his practice window. Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said that he would be “surprised” if McCaffrey played in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.
The 49ers have a Week 9 bye and then McCaffrey could return in Week 10 when the 49ers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
From @GMFB: The latest on the #49ers injuries, including Brandon Aiyuk potentially lost for the season, and #Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has a minor knee injury. pic.twitter.com/nNeEUDUqoP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024
This lines up with what Rapoport reported a while back: that McCaffrey has been targeting an early November return all along.
For the 49ers, it makes sense to err on the side of caution since playing McCaffrey could put him at risk of tearing his Achilles. The 49ers have firsthand experience dealing with Achilles tendinitis, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw dealt with it toward the end of last regular season and then tore his Achilles while running onto the field during the Super Bowl.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers (NFI)
The rookie second-rounder is on the non-football injury (NFI) list as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last November while at Texas, but that could change soon.
The Carolina Panthers opened Brooks’ practice window last week, and he participated in a pair of limited practices as the team eased him back from his torn ACL that he suffered while at Texas.
Here's 3 minutes of Jonathon Brooks being an absolute beast for your timeline today pic.twitter.com/bue2kdMP1p
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) July 25, 2023
Chuba Hubbard has thrived as Carolina’s starting running back without Brooks and should remain involved upon the rookie’s return. This backfield will likely be a timeshare initially as Brooks works his way up to speed, but this should be his backfield eventually.
It’s clear that the Panthers are taking things slow with Brooks. Still, he’ll need to return this week against the Denver Broncos or in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. If he isn’t activated by Week 9, his season will be over due to NFI rules.
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers’ backup running back was placed on IR before the team’s Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos with an ankle injury. Edwards will be eligible to return in Week 10 versus the Tennessee Titans.
Edwards has appeared in four games with the Chargers, rushing 38 times for 113 yards and zero touchdowns.
Entering the season, some projected Edwards to be Los Angeles’ lead back, but that role instead went to J.K. Dobbins, who has 95 carries for 478 yards and three touchdowns.
Even before Edwards got hurt, his snaps and touches were decreasing due in large part to Dobbins’ success. With Dobbins taking a clear hold of the Chargers’ backfield, Edwards can be safely dropped.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs placed Isiah Pacheco on IR after he fractured his fibula and suffered damage to his ankle ligaments in Week 2. ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially reported that he would miss six to eight weeks, but it’s worth noting that head coach Andy Reid has been non-committal when asked if Pacheco would return this season.
Kareem Hunt is the Chiefs’ running back to own. He turned 27 carries into 102 yards and a touchdown in Kansas City’s Week 6 win over the New Orleans Saints, and he posted 78 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s win over the 49ers. Since taking over as Kansas City’s starter, Hunt has been the RB9.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
MarShawn Lloyd injured his ankle while making his NFL debut in the Packers’ Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Unfortunately, the Packers’ third-rounder hasn’t been able to stay healthy. The rookie missed OTAs and the start of training camp with a hip issue, strained his hamstring in his first preseason game, and then suffered this ankle injury in his first regular-season action.
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After being put on IR, Lloyd sat out four games before becoming eligible to return in Week 7. However, Lloyd didn’t practice last week, and it remains to be seen when he’ll return.
In Lloyd’s absence, Emanuel Wilson has stepped into the RB2 role, rushing 47 times for 221 yards while also contributing 47 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wilson’s strong play likely means that Lloyd won’t have any fantasy value when he returns, so he can be dropped if you need the IR spot.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens (PUP)
Keaton Mitchell looked electric in his 2023 rookie debut, averaging an absurd 8.4 yards per carry on 47 attempts before tearing his ACL in Week 15. He was on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list all offseason and remained there as the regular season began.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh noted last Monday that there was no change in Mitchell’s status.
Coach Harbaugh on RB Keaton Mitchell: pic.twitter.com/qvyW6Q4qaz
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 14, 2024
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reported in August that Mitchell is not expected back until the latter portion of the season, which aligns with Harbaugh’s brief update.
Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the past five years and has posted a league-leading 873 rushing yards this season. Behind Henry, Justice Hill has played well as the team’s third-down back, catching 21 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns (while also rushing 25 times for 99 yards).
While Mitchell showed flashes toward the end of last season, it’s unclear what role he will play in Baltimore’s backfield once he returns.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins was on track to earn first-team All-Pro honors and still ranks fourth in the NFL with 567 receiving yards despite missing most of the last three games.
However, Collins suffered a hamstring injury in the Texans’ Week 5 game against the Buffalo Bills and was placed on IR before Week 6.
Collins will be eligible to return for Houston’s Week 10 game versus the Detroit Lions. It’s unclear whether Collins will require additional time on IR before making his return, as head coach DeMeco Ryans just labeled Collins “week to week” before his IR stint.
Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell are the main beneficiaries of Collins’ absence, but Collins will be back in your starting lineup the second he returns to the field.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua appeared to aggravate the knee injury he battled through training camp during the Los Angeles Rams’ season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions. The second-year WR initially returned to Week 1 for one play before being carted to the locker room at halftime.
Head coach Sean McVay soon announced that Nacua had a sprained PCL and the Rams placed him on injured reserve.
Fortunately, the Rams just designated Nacua to resume practicing, which means his return should be right around the corner.
LA Rams Roster Moves:
• Designated for Return, Returned to Practice WR Puka Nacua pic.twitter.com/9m0btRjgWG— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 22, 2024
In Week 4, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that Nacua would be out for at least another month, suggesting that the 2023 fifth-round choice will be sidelined until Week 9 at the earliest. It’s very possible that the Rams will have both Nacua and Cooper Kupp back in their lineup by Week 9 when Los Angeles faces the Seattle Seahawks.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The second-year wide receiver had knee surgery on Oct. 8, and Andy Reid noted that the timeline for recovery is similar to that of a torn ACL, meaning Rice’s season is over.
Rashee Rice had surgery on his posterolateral corner (PLC), per Coach Reid, who added the following:
"It's probably the same result you would get timewise for an ACL. It takes a while…He'll get into his rehab and get rolling on that."
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) October 14, 2024
Rice will remain on IR for the remainder of the regular season, so there’s no need to hang onto him in redraft leagues.
While Rice is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2025 season, he may have to miss additional time since the NFL is expected to suspend him for his role in a high-speed hit-and-run in March 2024. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that Rice may try to serve his potential suspension while injured.
Hollywood Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Hollywood Brown fell awkwardly on his shoulder in the Chiefs’ first preseason game. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution, and it was determined that he suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation.
Kansas City placed him on injured reserve after Brown underwent surgery on Sept. 16 to repair the joint.
Unfortunately, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brown is not expected to play for the remainder of the 2024 regular season, so he can be dropped in all redraft leagues.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
Adam Thielen hauled in a 31-yard touchdown from Andy Dalton with 28 seconds remaining in the second half of Week 4. However, he immediately appeared to be in pain while his Panthers teammates started signaling for medical attention. Thielen eventually left the field with a limp.
The 34-year-old suffered a hamstring strain that was severe enough for Carolina to place him on injured reserve. Thielen missed Week 5 and won’t be eligible to suit up again until Week 9 when the Panthers will face the division-rival Saints.
With Thielen out at least a month, Diontae Johnson is locked in as a high-end WR2, if not a WR1. First-round rookie Xavier Legette has caught a touchdown in two out of the four games since Thielen’s injury. The rookie is more of a low-end WR3 or high-end WR4 given the lack of volume in the Panthers’ passing game.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed finished the Saints’ Week 6 game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seemingly coming out unharmed. However, shortly after, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Shaheed suffered a concerning knee injury.
His knee ultimately required season-ending surgery to repair the meniscus, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that he’ll be out for four-to-six months as he recovers. This timeline indicates that Shaheed underwent a full repair of his meniscus, which is better for the long-term health of his knee. Had he opted for a trim, he would be sidelined for four-to-six weeks but could have some issues down the road.
Shaheed can be dropped in redraft leagues since he’s out for the year. Fortunately, he’s expected to be fine for the start of the 2025 season (potentially even in time for spring OTAs and minicamp).
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings (PUP)
Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL during a game against the Detroit Lions last December. The injury ended what was a fantastic season for Hockenson, who racked up 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games.
Hockenson remained on the PUP list to start the season, meaning he had to miss at least four games before making his 2024 debut. Last week, Hockenson returned to practice, and now it seems like he may make his season debut in Week 8.
Vikings practicing today, light session out of the bye week. T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner both participating while still on I.R.
Aaron Jones (hip) here, too, with a helmet. pic.twitter.com/YnASfTeXtI
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 14, 2024
Hockenson’s practice window expires this week, so he must be activated before Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. All indications are he’ll be good to go.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (PUP)
Tyler Higbee suffered the same knee injury — torn ACL and MCL — as Hockenson, but the Rams TE went down about a month later, lengthening his return timeline.
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reported this summer that Los Angeles always expected Higbee to miss more than the minimum four games.
Last Monday, head coach Sean McVay said Higbee was ahead of schedule with his rehab. Still, it’s unlikely Higbee will return for Thursday’s game against Minnesota.