Week 8 fantasy football inactives watch: Who's in, and who's out?

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Week 8 fantasy football inactives watch: Who's in, and who's out?[/h]
[h=1]To help you set your lineups and avoid starting a player who doesn't take the field, we will post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their Sunday inactive lists before kickoff. Any rankings cited in this column come from our ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.
Teams on bye this week: Rams, Dolphins, Giants, Steelers, 49ers, Ravens
Refresh often for the latest information.


[/h][h=2]Ruled out before Sunday[/h][h=1]RB Matt Jones (knee), QB Cody Kessler (concussion), WR Corey Coleman (hand), RB Thomas Rawls(leg), RB Jamaal Charles (knee), RB Tevin Coleman (hamstring), RB Doug Martin (hamstring), RB C.J. Anderson (knee), RB James Starks(knee), WR Marquise Goodwin(concussion), WR Chester Rogers(hamstring/foot), TE Dwayne Allen(ankle), DE Michael Bennett (knee), S Kam Chancellor (groin), QB Tony Romo (back), DT Stacy McGee (knee), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle).
London game, 9:30 a.m. ET
TE Jordan Reed (concussion, questionable) -- active
WR Jamison Crowder (groin, questionable) -- active
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring, questionable) -- active
TE Vernon Davis (groin, questionable) -- active
Early games, 1 p.m. ET (seven scheduled)
RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring, doubtful)
RB Mike Gillislee (foot, questionable)
WR Robert Woods (foot, questionable)
TE Charles Clay (knee, questionable)
TE Martellus Bennett (ankle, questionable)
WR Julian Edelman (foot, questionable)
DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle, questionable)
TE Eric Ebron (ankle/knee, questionable)
RB Lamar Miller (shoulder, questionable)
WR Michael Floyd (hamstring, questionable)
WR John Brown (hamstring, questionable)
Late games, 4:05 and 4:25 p.m. ET (two scheduled)
TE Hunter Henry (concussion, questionable)
WR Travis Benjamin (knee, questionable)
WR Tyrell Williams (knee, questionable)
LB Denzel Perryman (shoulder, questionable)
WR Randall Cobb (hamstring, questionable)
WR/RB Ty Montgomery (illness, questionable)
Sunday night game, 8:30 ET
WR Dez Bryant (knee, questionable)
TE Jason Witten (chest, questionable)
[/h][h=2]Updates/analysis (most recent first)[/h][h=1]Washington Redskins (8:10 a.m.): We knew Matt Jones would be out, opening the door for Robert Kelley to handle the rushing duties. The good news is that all of the other major questionables are active, including Josh Norman, who should spend most of the morning shadowing A.J. Green of the Bengals.
Tyler Eifert (8:00 a.m.): There should be no worries about the Cincinnati tight end this week, as the Bengals have declared C.J. Uzomah to be a healthy inactive. They certainly wouldn't do that without being confident that Eifert could play a full 60 minutes.
LeSean McCoy (7:40 a.m.): According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bills RB will not be able to suit up against the Patriots today, as he is still nursing a hamstring injury. Mike Gillislee is expected to start in his stead, though he was limited in practice on Friday due to a toe injury of his own.
Lamar Miller (7:35 a.m.): The Houston running back is "adamant" that he will play against Detroit this afternoon, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, even if does convince the Texans to let him suit up, he may not truly be able to handle a full workload. Tread carefully for fantasy.
Julian Edelman (7:30 a.m.): A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that both Edleman and TE Martellus Bennett will be able to play for the Patriots today, despite the questionable status for both on the New England injury report.


Michael Bennett (7:25 a.m.): The defensive lineman will sit for the first time in his career as surgery is now on tap for a cartilage issue in his knee. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says a 2-3 week absence can be expected. Seattle's defense is already without Kam Chancellor, so the Saints potent offense should have a solid Sunday.
Randall Cobb (7:20 a.m.): The Packers, fearing that Cobb's hamstring injury may linger, are planning to be extra-careful with the wide receiver. As such, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Cobb is not expected to be active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in at approximately 8 a.m. ET for the London game, 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games, 2:30 p.m. ET for the later set and 7 p.m. ET for the Sunday night game.


[/h]

 

[HacheMan]

Answering your Week 8 start-or-sit questions for fantasy football

10:57 AM ET

Sometimes, rankings and columns just aren't enough to help you decide which player should go in your lineup. If you're still not sure about that final spot before Sunday's games kick off, send us a question on Twitter using the hashtag #startsitESPN, and you just might get yours answered below.
Each week, ESPN Fantasy analysts KC Joyner and Jim McCormick will provide advice for players just like you stuck with tough choices to make.
The fact that there are six teams on byes in Week 8 creates additional lineup dilemmas, so let's get started on answering your fantasy football questions for this week's games.

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@ESPNFantasy Blount or Asiata? #StartSitESPN
- Elliot Ostercamp (@ostercamp01) October 30, 2016
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With Jerick McKinnon ruled out, I have vaulted Matt Asiata ahead of LeGarrette Blount. This is likely a bit bold, but the premise is he'll consolidate work in the passing and receiving phases and has a fairly high total yardage floor. The other factor is some risk in usage with Blount, given the Pats' penchant to prove pass-heavy (84 percent pass rate in Week 2 last season in Buffalo) against top pass rushes -- and Buffalo ranks second in pressure rate. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy James White or Devontae Booker in a PPR league?? #StartSitESPN
- Chris Marusich (@Mckuskie814) October 30, 2016
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Even as I dig James White's PPR floor, given the aforementioned pass-rate precedent for the Pats, Booker is a nearly elite option. The Chargers have ceded the seventh-most fantasy points per game to backs, while Booker consolidates touches for the Broncos -- who rank first in run blocking on Pro Football Focus this season. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy Ryan Matthews or Jeremy Maclin for Flex. Standard Scoring. #StartSitESPN
- Howard Wright (@wrightfitness22) October 30, 2016
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Siding with Maclin -- he still has a 22 percent share of the team's targets so far and could be busy on the road in a game with some potential for a shootout, given such a lofty point total hovering around 50 points, per the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy @ESPNFantasy Help!! Brandin cooks, Will fuller, or Donte moncrief at wideout? #StartSitESPN
- Adrian Carrillo (@MexiDipNChips) October 30, 2016
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Let's stick with Brandin Cooks. It's nice to see Donte Moncrief back in the fold, but Cooks' target share and big-play upside for the Saints is still valuable. The Seahawks are a tough matchup, sure, but we should also consider Cooks works often from the slot and thus can get free releases away from their stingy outside corners. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy start Lamar Miller or sit him out because of his shoulder injury? #StartSitESPN
- Will Peterson (@Will_Peterson21) October 30, 2016
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Reports suggest Miller should play but will potentially be limited in regard to snaps and touches against the Lions. I'd treat Miller like a risk/reward flex option, given this information, and seek out higher-floor options on the bench and in free agency. -- J.M.

Quincy Enunwa or Davante Adams at flex #StartSitESPN
- King Gilgamesh The 2 (@NxtStopNewport) October 30, 2016
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Let's stick with Adams -- Rodgers has averaged more than 47 attempts the past three games and could again be forced to pass a ton in a potential shootout with the league's top offense. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy if Cobb out, start DThomas or Marvin Jones? #StartSitESPN
- Coach Buckets (@bucketscoach1) October 30, 2016
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Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Randall Cobb will sit with his hamstring ailment. Given this, I'd deploy Demaryius Thomas over Marvin Jones. It's a close decision, but favoring Thomas' matchup against a depleted San Diego secondary. -- J.M.

#StartSitESPN RB Gillislee or RB M Gordon standard league. Thanks!!
- Chris Giraldi (@Chris_Giraldi) October 30, 2016
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Even with the Denver Broncos' sound rush defense, I'd start Melvin Gordon, given his awesome usage rate and goal-line role. Mike Gillislee didn't dominate valuable touches with LeSean McCoy ailing last week, as Reggie Bush also factored in. Gordon also has enough usage in the passing phase to deliver sound scrimmage results. -- J.M.

QB start: Ryan or Luck? #StartSitESPN
- Blerd in Red Country (@DShakota) October 30, 2016
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With Matt Ryan as my top quarterback this week, he edges out Andrew Luck. I truly like both today, but Ryan's setup at home against a depleted Green Bay secondary gives him the edge. -- J.M.

#StartSitESPN Dez Bryant or D. Thomas?
- Daniel Medlin (@MedlinKid13) October 30, 2016
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Once again, I have Thomas rated with a higher floor for fantasy production, given the nice setup against the Chargers' depleted secondary and his high-percentage rapport with his quarterback. I have Dez Bryant ranked as a solid WR2, but Thomas is merely ahead of him given more cost certainty. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN start Brady vs Bills or Rodgers vs Falcons?
- Barbara (@bmer_grl) October 30, 2016
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With Tom Brady averaging more than 10 yards per attempt -- which is just silly -- I'll side with his elite efficiency over Aaron Rodgers and his significantly less-efficient offense. You've probably heard this already this season, but pursuing a trade to get skill talent back for one of these arms would be wise, especially once the Pats get past their bye. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy Gillislee or J Stew in PPR? #StartSitESPN
- James Graham (@j_graham17) October 30, 2016
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Jonathan Stewart rates ahead of Gillislee for me; he should see a nice workload and the Cardinals' struggles against running quarterbacks (they have allowed the most rushing yards/game to QBs over the past two seasons) could open up lanes. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy Should I bench Lamar Miller? Would it be better to start Blue, Sanu, or J. Brown in his place? #StartSitESPN
- Meghan Bitter (@NaniHaoleGurl) October 30, 2016
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This is an understandably popular topic, thanks to Miller's injury and questionable usage for today. In this case, with reports suggesting Miller won't consume a full workload, let's go with John Brown, who is expected to play and has real upside against a young Carolina secondary. It's clearly the call of Miller's investors, but I'm going conservative with him today, based on reports. -- J.M

Zach miller or martellus Bennett standard @NFLfantasy@georgegfantasy@MatthewBerryTMR@FieldYates #StartSitESPN
- Tessarose (@mztubbyrose) October 30, 2016
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Martellus Bennett is expected to play, per Schefter, and thus is the preferred play to me over Zach Miller. With the Pats running the most two-TE sets in the league since Brady returned, Bennett's floor and ceiling are arguably higher than Miller's. -- J.M.

@ESPNFantasy Ty Montgomery or Golden Rate as a FLEX? #StartSitESPN
- Geoff Hahn (@Snr_iIrelevant) October 30, 2016
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Let's ride with Monty's unique workload, especially with Cobb sidelined. The Texans' secondary has been sound against opposing wideouts, which also tips the scales over Golden Tate in this comparison. -- J.M.