For additional Week 8 pickups, check out ASL Founder, Leonard LaPadula's, Streamers For The Desperate - Week 9, or ASL's Colton Peter's Fantasy Football Adds - Week 9.
Running Back:
Injury — Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (Q — Groin)
Opportunity — Tank Bigsby
Barkley did not return to the game after their decisive win against the Giants. His groin injury is seemingly not one he’s worried about, as he expects to be back after the team’s Week 9 bye. Maybe so — but this injury can linger for skill players and result in a multi-week absence. If he can’t go in Week 10, Bigsby is my priority add. The Eagles acquired him this season to be their backup, and he’s a very talented back. He’d be a very good RB2.
Injury — Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (IR — Ankle)
Opportunity — Tyrone Tracy
Skattebo dislocated his ankle on a very gruesome play. What was a very promising rookie campaign has come to an abrupt end. This leaves the door open for Tyrone Tracy. He was a very solid flex option last year and I expect the same. He should be a priority add on waivers.
Injury — Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns (Q — Shoulder)
Opportunity — Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford
Another rookie RB injury, though this one looks much less severe. The team lists Judkins day-to-day with a shoulder issue, so he should be back after their Week 9 bye. However, they said the same about Bucky Irving. If Judkins can’t play, Sampson figures to get most of the work, with Ford taking more of a third-down role. The matchup against the Jets isn’t especially scary, but splitting work in a pretty bad offense caps both. I see them as very low-end flex plays.
Injury — Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (D — Knee)
Opportunity — Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith
Pacheco left Monday night’s game with an MCL injury. Nothing yet on severity, but you can expect him to miss time. This does clear things up a bit more in this backfield while he’s out. Hunt should maintain his red-zone/goal-line work and presumably see a few more carries than he’s been getting, making him a low-end RB2 who’s likely more TD-dependent. Smith, on the other hand, should see an uptick in carries and be more involved in the passing game. He’s still a desperation play for RB-needy teams, but a priority add nonetheless.
Wide Receiver:
Injury — Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (P — Hip)
Opportunity — Kyle Pitts
London was a surprise addition to the injury report late last week and even missed the game. No specifics have come out, so we’re only assuming here, but it’s most likely a minor issue like a hip flexor or hip pointer. I’d expect him back this week. If he can’t go, as we saw on Sunday, it’s Kyle Pitts who benefits most, pushing him back into low-end TE1 range.
