Fantasy Injury Update: Saquon Barkley, Gus Edwards, and Dameon Pierce Impacting Week 8 Rankings

After a one-week hiatus, bye weeks have resumed across the NFL, leaving fantasy football managers with limited options for their fantasy lineups. In addition to four teams being unavailable for fantasy managers, injuries to Saquon Barkley, Gus Edwards, and Dameon Pierce could drastically impact the RB landscape in Week 9. Let’s take a closer look.

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

Another Wednesday practice session, another appearance on the injury report for Barkley. According to a recent report from Adam Caplan, Barkley was a limited participant in the opening practice of the week as the Giants prepare to take on the Las Vegas Raiders.

Barkley saw a season-high 36 carries on Sunday against the New York Jets, which could mean the organization is simply giving Barkley a day off due to his heavy workload, but an ankle injury being the listed reason for his limited participation is certainly noteworthy.

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Barkley missed three games earlier this season with an ankle injury, which means there is a possibility he reaggravated the injury against the Jets. If Barkley continues to practice as the week progresses, he feels like a good bet to play in Week 9.

If Barkley is active, you are likely rolling him into your starting lineup. He is the driving force of the Giants offense and will continue to be featured moving forward.

Editor’s note: Barkley does not carry an injury designation into Week 9’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

This analysis was last updated at 2:28 p.m. on Friday, November 3.

Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens

According to a recent report from Jamison Hensley, Gus Edwards was a non-participant at the Baltimore Ravens’ Wednesday practice session. Edwards is coming off of the best fantasy performance of his career. His three rushing scores and 80 yards on the ground helped drive the Ravens offense against an outmatched Cardinals defense.

His absence could have something to do with his 19 carries against Arizona, which was the highest total he has seen since late in the 2019 season. If Edwards is active against the Seattle Seahawks, he is a top-20 play at the RB position. If he is unavailable, look for Justice Hill to see an expanded role.

This analysis was last updated at 4:43 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2023.

Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans

The rough 2023 campaign for the second-year back from the University of Florida continues. According to a recent report from Shaun Bijani, Pierce was not on the practice field for the Texans on Wednesday.

Pierce has seen his feature role in this Texans backfield start to disappear with his efficiency issues in a leading role. Backup RB Devin Singletary has seen a minimum of 10 carries over the last two games and has been more efficient than Pierce on a per-touch basis in 2023.

Even if Pierce plays, you could make an argument Singletary is close to stealing the leading role if this trend continues. He is a fringe top-25 play at the running back position this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Editor’s note: Pierce did not practice again on Friday and he is officially ruled out of the Week 9 matchup against Tampa Bay.

This analysis was last updated at 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 3.

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