2026 NFL Week 8 injury report: Lamar Jackson expected back, Taylor Moton's season over, Matthew Golden in doubt for Thursday
Lamar Jackson is expected back at Buffalo, Carolina's Taylor Moton is out for the season, and Matthew Golden has yet to practise in a short week, in the Week 8 injury and lineup picture.
Week 8 runs from Thursday, Oct. 29 through Monday, Nov. 2, with fourteen games. Houston, New Orleans, the New York Giants and San Francisco are on bye. 1
One game has official practice participation on file this morning: Carolina at Green Bay, Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. 2 Both clubs filed Monday and Tuesday columns. The Wednesday column and every game status are still empty. 3
The other thirteen games' clubs file their first column this afternoon. Where a name below has no team-issued participation, it comes from that club's own announcement or from an injured-reserve move. Where ESPN supplies a status word, this article labels it as ESPN's estimate of availability rather than a designation. 4
Carolina lost right tackle Taylor Moton for the season on Sunday. 5
Green Bay's Sean Rhyan has a high ankle sprain expected to cost him at least a month. 4 Baltimore's Lamar Jackson, out since Week 4, is expected back Sunday at Buffalo. 6
The short version
- Lamar Jackson is expected back. Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Baltimore's quarterback will play at Buffalo after missing Weeks 5, 6 and 7 with an ankle injury. 78
- Taylor Moton's season is over. Carolina's right tackle fractured his fibula Sunday and will have season-ending ankle surgery. The fibula itself needs no procedure. 5
- Sean Rhyan is expected to miss at least a month with a high ankle sprain, and Green Bay put lineman Jacob Monk on injured reserve Monday. 45
- Zaire Franklin will not play Thursday. Green Bay's linebacker has a hairline fracture in his shin, and Matt LaFleur ruled him out Tuesday. 9
- Matthew Golden has missed both walkthroughs of Green Bay's short week, and LaFleur would not commit to him. 310
- The Giants lost Tyrone Tracy Jr. to injured reserve for at least four games, which leaves Cam Skattebo the backfield coming out of the bye. 911
Thursday night: Carolina at Green Bay
Carolina is 3-3 and Green Bay is 4-3. Both built their first two columns around walkthroughs rather than live practices. 59 Wednesday adds the third column this afternoon, and the Out, Doubtful and Questionable tags arrive with the final report. 2
| Player & team | Pos. | Injury | Mon | Tue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaelan Phillips, CAR | LB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP |
| Torricelli Simpkins III, CAR | G | Ankle | DNP | DNP |
| Akayleb Evans, CAR | CB | Triceps, knee | DNP | DNP |
| Damien Lewis, CAR | G | Knee | DNP | DNP |
| Bobby Brown III, CAR | DT | Hand | DNP | FP |
| Jalen Coker, CAR | WR | Shoulder | LP | FP |
| Bryce Young, CAR | QB | Knee | FP | FP |
| Zaire Franklin, GB | LB | Shin | DNP | DNP |
| Travis Glover, GB | G, T | Knee | DNP | DNP |
| Matthew Golden, GB | WR | Shoulder, foot | DNP | DNP |
| Sean Rhyan, GB | C, G | Ankle | DNP | DNP |
| Devonte Wyatt, GB | DT | Ankle | DNP | LP |
| Anthony Campbell, GB | DT | Ankle | DNP | LP |
| Aaron Banks, GB | G | Knee, toe | LP | LP |
| Brenton Cox Jr., GB | EDGE | Quadricep | Not listed | LP |
| Benjamin St-Juste, GB | CB | Hamstring | FP | FP |
Both columns come from the clubs' filed report, and Green Bay's page carries Carolina's grid beside its own. 3
Carolina's problem is up front, where Moton is gone and both starting guards have yet to practice. 3 That matters for Chuba Hubbard, who carries the backfield with Jonathon Brooks still on injured reserve. 6
Bryce Young took full part in both of Carolina's walkthroughs, and Jalen Coker moved from limited to full on Tuesday. 39
Green Bay's receiver room is the part of this game fantasy managers are watching. Golden's shoulder and foot kept him out of both walkthroughs. 3 LaFleur's answer on whether Golden plays Thursday: "I sure hope so. We're still kind of working through it." 10
If Golden sits, Christian Watson is the receiver who takes his work, with Savion Williams and Tucker Kraft behind him. 6 Josh Jacobs is absent from Green Bay's report. 3
Confirmed losses: multiple weeks or injured reserve
| Player & team | Injury | What is official | Expected absence | Who takes the work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Moton, CAR OT | Fractured fibula, ankle | Placed on injured reserve Monday; season-ending ankle surgery, no procedure on the fibula 5 | The rest of 2026 5 | Not announced 5 |
| Sean Rhyan, GB C | High ankle sprain | X-rays negative; ESPN's Matt Zenitz reported he is expected to miss at least a month 45 | At least one month 4 | Not announced; Green Bay signed tackle Mekhi Becton to the active roster Monday 5 |
| Jacob Monk, GB C | Quadriceps | Placed on injured reserve Monday 5 | ESPN lists an estimated return of Dec. 6 4 | Not announced 5 |
| Zaire Franklin, GB LB | Shin, hairline fracture | Hurt when he was kicked in the shin at practice; LaFleur ruled him out of Thursday's game 59 | Thursday, with Green Bay expecting minimal time beyond it 5 | Not announced 9 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG RB | Hamstring | General manager Joe Schoen said Tracy will go on injured reserve after Sunday's win 9 | At least four games 11 | Cam Skattebo, who is expected to be fine after his own hamstring scare; the Giants signed Gregory Desrosiers off the Chargers' practice squad 59 |
| Erick All, CIN TE | Torn ACL | Placed on injured reserve Tuesday after the injury in Sunday's win over Baltimore 912 | The rest of the regular season 6 | Mike Gesicki; Cincinnati signed Cam Grandy off Minnesota's practice squad 69 |
| Jalen Brooks, ARI WR | Wrist | Announced season-ending surgery himself; placed on injured reserve Tuesday 59 | The rest of the season 5 | Michael Wilson and Trey McBride keep the targets 6 |
| Cole Kmet, CHI TE | Knee | Ben Johnson called the injury season-ending; Kmet went on injured reserve Oct. 23 46 | The rest of the season 6 | Colston Loveland, with Sam Roush as the second tight end 6 |
Two more names went on injured reserve this week without a fantasy replacement to name. Indianapolis put cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt there Tuesday. 9 Cleveland lost guard Teven Jenkins to a back injury Saturday. 4
Houston is on bye, which gives Jaylin Noel's turf toe a week to settle. The Texans were still gathering information on the injury Tuesday. 56
Still open, and when each case clears
| Player & team | Injury | Where it stands | When it clears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Golden, GB WR | Shoulder, foot | No practice in either walkthrough; LaFleur would not commit 310 | Wednesday's final report, before kickoff |
| Lamar Jackson, BAL QB | Ankle | Out since Week 4; Rapoport expects him to play Sunday at Buffalo 67 | Baltimore's Wednesday report |
| Saquon Barkley, PHI RB | Back | Left Monday's loss in the fourth quarter in his first game back from a hamstring injury; Nick Sirianni said he was on a pitch count 5 | Philadelphia's Wednesday report |
| DeVonta Smith, PHI WR | Hamstring | Out of Week 7; ESPN lists him questionable for Sunday 46 | Philadelphia's Wednesday report |
| Dameon Pierce, PHI RB | Undisclosed | Hurt on a kick return in the fourth quarter Monday, with no update from the team as of Tuesday 6 | Philadelphia's Wednesday report |
| Jaylen Waddle, DEN WR | Chest | Left Week 7 in the fourth quarter, and Tuesday brought word it was an aggravation of an earlier chest injury; his week is decided by practice 1314 | Denver's Wednesday report |
| Rashee Rice, KC WR | Hamstring | Out since Week 4 and ruled out of Week 7; Rotoworld raises Denver on Sunday as a possible return 6 | Kansas City's Wednesday report |
| Emeka Egbuka, TB WR | Foot, concussion | Out of Week 7; ESPN lists him questionable for Sunday 46 | Tampa Bay's Wednesday report |
| Zach Charbonnet, SEA RB | Knee | Practiced in full last Wednesday and was still ruled out Friday; Mike Macdonald declined to say whether he plays Monday 6 | Seattle's Wednesday report |
| Rashid Shaheed, SEA WR | Knee | Left Sunday's win over Kansas City; Macdonald said the early returns are positive 613 | Seattle's Wednesday report |
| Aaron Jones, MIN RB | Knee | Left Sunday's win over Indianapolis and did not return; day to day 513 | Minnesota's Wednesday report |
| Jeremiyah Love, ARI RB | Ankle | Mike LaFleur said Love would take part in Wednesday's practice 4 | Arizona's Wednesday report |
| Kyle Monangai, CHI RB | Thumb, toe | Not spotted at Tuesday's walkthrough, and Chicago plays Monday 615 | Chicago's Wednesday report |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET WR | Ankle | Tweaked it Sunday; Dan Campbell said Tuesday he should be fine and should practice Thursday 46 | Detroit's Thursday practice |
| Breece Hall, NYJ RB | Quadriceps | Limited through last week and did not play against Miami 6 | New York's Wednesday report |
Four cases sit behind those. Seattle left tackle Charles Cross has a high ankle sprain the Seahawks hope costs him one to two weeks. 5 Green Bay edge rusher Micah Parsons could return to practice next week, LaFleur said. 9
Indianapolis receiver Alec Pierce will not practice this week while he rehabs his heel in the hope of avoiding surgery. 6 Arizona's Mike LaFleur said "potentially" when asked whether James Conner plays again this season, and ESPN lists an estimated return of Nov. 1. 4
Lineup changes already decided
Baltimore gets its quarterback back. The Ravens started Tyler Huntley for three games. 6 Rapoport's report has Jackson back under center at Buffalo, where Zay Flowers has been among the league's most efficient receivers. 67
Minnesota's backfield belongs to Jordan Mason if Jones cannot go. Rotoworld lists Mason as the workhorse in that case, which is the difference between an RB1 and a flex play for anyone holding either back. 6
Chicago splits the backfield two ways. With Monangai out, D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson divide the touches. 615
Las Vegas stays with Kirk Cousins. Klint Kubiak said Cousins starts Sunday against the Jets and that top pick Fernando Mendoza "is going to play at some point." 5
The Giants' backfield narrows to Cam Skattebo. Mike Garafolo reported Skattebo is expected to be fine after feeling something in his hamstring on an overtime run, and Tracy is on injured reserve. 59
Seattle rebuilt its interior line in one afternoon. The Seahawks acquired guard Quenton Nelson from Indianapolis for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth. 916
Cleared, and the clubs with no new injuries
Jacksonville came out of its bye with nothing fantasy-relevant on the tracker and plays Indianapolis on Sunday. 6
Tampa Bay started Baker Mayfield in Week 7 after a three-game absence with a dislocated right thumb. 17
Cleveland activated quarterback Dillon Gabriel off injured reserve after his back injury. 5 Las Vegas activated receiver Dont'e Thornton off injured reserve and designated Jack Bech to return. 59
Washington gets Marcus Mariota, who has a knee injury, and defensive end Charles Omenihu, who has a groin injury, back at practice this week. 5
San Francisco's bye is the reason its receiving corps can absorb another week. Christian McCaffrey's hamstring strain is mild, and Shanahan said he is "pretty optimistic" McCaffrey will be fine coming out of the bye. 56
New Orleans receiver Jordyn Tyson is trending toward returning once the Saints are past their bye. 6 Carolina running back Jonathon Brooks has been jogging at practice and has an estimated return of Nov. 8. 4
What to do before Thursday's kickoff
Act now:
- Sit Matthew Golden unless Wednesday's report clears him. Two missed walkthroughs and a coach who would not commit are enough in a short week. 310
- Start Christian Watson if Golden is ruled out. Watson is the receiver who takes the work. 6
- Start Josh Jacobs. Green Bay's report does not list him. 3
- Sit Zaire Franklin in IDP leagues; LaFleur ruled him out Tuesday. 9
- Replace Tyrone Tracy Jr. now. He is on injured reserve for at least four games and the Giants are on bye. 911
- Drop Cole Kmet and Erick All. Both are done for the regular season, and both teams already have a replacement working. 69
Check again after Wednesday's reports:
- Golden's game status, which arrives with Green Bay's final report this afternoon. 2
- Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dameon Pierce, who all clear with Philadelphia's report before Sunday night in Washington. 56
- Waddle, Rice, Egbuka, Charbonnet, Shaheed, Aaron Jones, Love, Monangai, St. Brown and Breece Hall, whose first participation reports land this afternoon. 2
Leave alone:
- Houston, New Orleans, the Giants and San Francisco, whose players lock with their teams in Week 9. 1
Next checkpoints
Wednesday afternoon: the third column and the game statuses for Carolina at Green Bay, plus the first columns for the other thirteen games. 2
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET: Carolina at Green Bay kicks off on Prime Video, the week's first lineup lock. 1
Friday: Out, Doubtful and Questionable designations for the rest of the slate. 2
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET: Philadelphia at Washington closes Sunday's slate on NBC. 1
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET: Chicago at Seattle ends the week on ESPN. 1
References
- 1NFL: 2026 Week 8 schedule
nfl.com
- 2
- 3Packers: Official injury report
packers.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Rotoworld: 2026 NFL Week 8 injury report
nbcsports.com
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11r/fantasyfootball: Tracy to IR
reddit.com
- 12r/fantasyfootball
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- 13NFL
nfl.com
- 14r/fantasyfootball
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- 15r/fantasyfootball
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- 16
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