Entering Week 8 of the fantasy football season, we are hopefully getting closer to getting some key assets back. With a spate of injuries last week, fantasy managers are hoping to get the likes of Elijah Mitchell and Cordarrelle Patterson back soon.
Let’s take a look at when the likes of Mitchell, Patterson, Kyren Williams, Damien Williams, and Treylon Burks are set to return. Additionally, with new names going on the IR this past week, when might we see J.K. Dobbins, Marquise Brown, DJ Chark, and Carson Wentz back on the field?
Latest Injury IR Updates for Week 8
If you are tired of waiting to get your fantasy assets back to save your season-long fantasy teams, then why not try Underdog Fantasy in Week 8? With the range of options on Underdog Fantasy, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, new users to Underdog Fantasy can get a $100 deposit bonus and a month’s free access to PFN Pass.
When Will Elijah Mitchell Return for the San Francisco 49ers?
Despite the fact we have not had any kind of update on Mitchell in the last week, the situation surrounding him has shifted dramatically. The addition of Christian McCaffrey via trade means the 49ers have no real reason to rush Mitchell back from the IR.
The timeline for Mitchell was outlined by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan ahead of Week 6. In an interview with NBC Sports, Shanahan outlined the week after the bye as a potential return date. With the 49ers having a Week 9 bye week, that puts Week 10’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers as the target date.
However, with the 49ers having bolstered their RB options with McCaffrey, there is no need for the 49ers to push Mitchell. If there is any kind of minor setback, or he is at all limited in practice heading into Week 10, then the 49ers could delay his return.
MORE: Week 8 Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendations
Even when he does return, the fantasy impact of that return looks very different now. With McCaffrey in the backfield, the potential touches for Mitchell could be significantly limited. In Week 7, with McCaffrey limited, current starting RB Jeff Wilson had just seven rushing attempts and a target.
Assuming Mitchell steps into the role of Wilson when he returns, that usage presents a significant downgrade on Mitchell’s expected fantasy value.
Is Cordarrelle Patterson on Track To Return in Week 9, and When Might We See Damien Williams?
Cordarrelle Patterson was placed on the IR following the Atlanta Falcons Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns. The IR rules state that players must miss at least four games before they can be designated to return. Patterson has now missed three games, with the Week 8 contest against the Carolina Panthers being his fourth.
Therefore, we could see Patterson designated to return to practice as soon as next week. When he was placed on the IR, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said the team expects him to be back “sooner rather than later.” We have not had an update since then, so the expectation is that things have not changed since we heard from Smith in Week 5.
Patterson had been performing well before the injury. In the first three weeks, he had two 100-yard games and two touchdowns. He had also found the end zone in Week 4 before missing the majority of the second half. He came out of Week 4 averaging 14.5 rushing attempts, 85 rushing yards, and 0.75 touchdowns per game.
We do not know what Patterson’s role might look like after he returns. Tyler Allgeier has averaged under 3.5 yards per rush attempt in the past three weeks, while Caleb Huntley is sitting below 3.85 yards per attempt in that timeframe.
With Patterson having averaged 5.9 yards per attempt before the injury, it would be a surprise not to see him have a significant role when he returns. However, the Falcons could choose to be cautious. It seems unlikely Patterson averages more than 15 carries per game again, as he had through the first three weeks.
The situation is further complicated by the potentially imminent return of Damien Williams. After being placed on the IR with a rib injury after Week 1, Smith told reporters that Williams was “getting closer” to returning back on Oct. 12. Therefore, we could expect to see Williams returning to practice and potentially activated in either Week 8 or Week 9. He should also be in contention to get touches in what has become a very crowded backfield.
When Will Kyren Williams Be Ready To Return?
Entering Week 8, the Los Angeles Rams designated three players to return from the IR this week — Van Jefferson, Troy Hill, and Travin Howard — but RB Kyren Williams was not one of them. However, we did get an update on Williams’ potential timeframe from head coach Sean McVay on Monday, Oct. 24.
According to Rams staff writer Stu Jackson, McVay stated the team is “at least a week away” from even discussing a return for the RB. However, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Rams designated Williams to return to practice. This now gives him a shot to play in Week 8. However, Week 9 looks the more likely.
With Cam Akers seemingly having played his last game for the Rams and Darrell Henderson yet to rush for more than 50 yards, there is a lot of potential with Williams. The Rams are seemingly in the market for an upgrade. They were in the race to trade for Christian McCaffrey but couldn’t match the offer from the 49ers.
MORE: Week 8 Fantasy RB Rankings
The other backs on the Rams’ roster are veteran Malcolm Brown and another rookie, Ronnie Rivers. When he returns, Williams could have every shot of earning a starting role and potentially having significant fantasy value.
However, we will most likely need to wait until at least Week 9 to see him. Even then, it may take another couple of weeks before he sees enough carries to be considered a starting fantasy option in 12 or 14-team leagues.
What Are the Timeframes on the Returns of J.K. Dobbins, Marquise Brown, Treylon Burks, and Carson Wentz?
This week saw a flurry of players added to the IR, including two major fantasy options in Dobbins and Brown. We also saw Carson Wentz, who has been a fringe fantasy starter this season, placed on the IR ahead of Week 7. They join another fringe fantasy option in Treylon Burks as being available for an extended period of time.
Burks was placed on the IR ahead of Week 5. However, with the Tennessee Titans having a Week 6 bye week, he is not eligible to return until Week 10. Missing time with a turf toe injury, we have not had any updates on his status since he was placed on the IR.
Assuming he does not have a setback, Burks should be on track to return in Week 10. However, with the Titans’ passing game looking rather messy, he will not have significant fantasy value unless something changes.
We found out on Friday of Week 7 that Dobbins will undergo surgery. The timeframe given was four to six weeks, hence the RB being placed on the IR. The Baltimore Ravens have a Week 10 bye, meaning Dobbins will not be eligible to return until Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even then, we have no idea what his role will look like in a Ravens’ backfield that is hard to predict.
The Arizona Cardinals placed Brown on the IR in Week 7 after he suffered a non-surgical foot fracture. The timeframe for the injury has been placed at six weeks. However, we know that we will not see Brown until at least Week 11. He has to miss four games after being placed on the IR, but that would be an aggressive timeframe for his return.
MORE: Week 8 Buy Low, Sell High Targets
The more likely date for Brown’s return would be after the Cardinals’ Week 13 bye. Therefore, fantasy managers are really not looking at having Brown back until Week 14, which is right around the fantasy playoffs. His return for the playoffs makes him an intriguing cheap IR stash for contending teams in redraft. If the team with Brown on their roster is struggling, then a lowball offer that can help them now could be a solid addition.
Washington Commanders’ QB Wentz is expected to miss at least four weeks after having surgery on his fractured finger. He was placed on the IR ahead of Week 7, making him eligible to return in Week 11. However, after Taylor Heinicke led the Commanders to a win in Week 7, there is a very real chance that Wentz’s time as a starter in Washington could be over.
In Superflex leagues, stashing him on the IR remains an option. However, if you need that IR spot for a player of higher value, then Wentz might actually be a player you consider dropping. Of course, that decision depends on who else you have in terms of QBs on your roster right now.
Which Other IR Players Should We Be Keeping an Eye On?
There are some other players on the IR right now that fantasy managers should be keeping an eye on. Randall Cobb was placed on IR with a high-ankle sprain. He will be out until Week 11 but remains an intriguing IR stash because of the mess that the Packers’ receiving group has been.
DJ Chark also went on the IR this week with an ankle injury. He was seen wearing a walking boot but told reporters he would “definitely be back this year for sure.” Chark’s role in the offense has been frustrating, but the Lions’ receivers have all struggled with injuries this year. He is not a priority IR stash, but if you have space, he has intriguing potential upon his return. The same
The same goes for another Lions’ WR in Quintez Cephus, who is eligible to return from IR in week 10. While his role this year was limited, he is a big-play threat that could be intriguing as a boom-bust option in 16-team leagues upon his return.
The news that Kareem Hunt is reportedly an option to be traded in 2022 makes Jerome Ford an intriguing stash for fantasy managers. If Hunt leaves before the trade deadline, then Ford could very well see some time in the backfield. He is eligible to return after the Browns come off their bye in Week 9. If Hunt is not traded, then Ford becomes an extremely low-priority stash.