Week 8 personnel decisions are taking shape across the NFL, with Baltimore monitoring Lamar Jackson’s ankle, Buffalo preparing to play without suspended defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and several clubs activating players from injured reserve ahead of key games.
Key takeaways
- Lamar Jackson is pushing to return from an ankle injury, though Baltimore expects a clearer update on Wednesday.
- Buffalo placed C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the reserve/suspended list, ruling him out against the Ravens in Week 8.
- Panthers tackle Taylor Moton will miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured fibula against Tampa Bay.
- Kirk Cousins will start for the Raiders against the Jets, while rookie Fernando Mendoza is expected to see action later.
- Seattle hopes left tackle Charles Cross can return within one or two weeks from a high ankle sprain.
Quarterback calls and major injury updates
Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Jackson has been working hard in his rehabilitation and could be in a favorable position entering Week 8. The club will have a better sense of the quarterback’s status Wednesday.
Buffalo will be without Gardner-Johnson when it faces Baltimore. The defensive back received a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct after spitting on a Raiders player during the Bills’ Week 6 victory. Following Buffalo’s bye, he was formally moved to the reserve/suspended list.
Carolina received encouraging news on quarterback Bryce Young, who was projected as a full participant in Monday’s walkthrough while recovering from a knee injury. Wide receiver Jalen Coker was projected for limited work because of a shoulder issue, while guard Damien Lewis was expected to sit out with a knee injury.
Moton’s season is over after the starting offensive tackle fractured his fibula in Sunday’s defeat to the Buccaneers. He is scheduled for ankle surgery, although the fibula itself does not require an operation. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, linebacker Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Akayleb Evans were all non-participants, with Brown dealing with a hand injury, Phillips a hamstring injury and Evans triceps and knee issues.
The Browns activated quarterback Dillon Gabriel from injured reserve, while defensive tackle Maliek Collins completed a two-year extension. Tight end Carsen Ryan was released.
Green Bay is awaiting MRI results on center Sean Rhyan after he was believed to have sustained a high ankle sprain in the loss to Detroit. Initial X-rays did not reveal a fracture, but Rhyan was projected as a non-participant Monday. The Packers also placed offensive lineman Jacob Monk on injured reserve.
Wide receiver Matthew Golden was projected to miss Monday’s walkthrough with shoulder and foot concerns. Guards Aaron Banks and Travis Glover were listed with knee injuries, with Banks projected as limited and Glover unavailable. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt was also out with an ankle injury.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin is managing a small fracture in his leg after being kicked in the shin during practice. Green Bay expects him to miss only a limited amount of time, but he was projected to sit out Monday. Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, meanwhile, was projected as a full participant as he returns from a hamstring injury.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak confirmed that Cousins will keep the starting quarterback job for the Week 8 meeting with the Jets. The Raiders have dropped four straight after opening the season 3-0, but Kubiak said top overall selection Fernando Mendoza is “going to play at some point.” Tight end Jack Bech has also been cleared to resume practice from injured reserve as he works back from a forearm injury.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones is considered day to day with a knee injury. The Giants expect running back Cam Skattebo to be available after concerns that he might have injured his hamstring in Sunday’s win over Houston.
Roster moves, returns and practice-squad transactions
The Eagles activated tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers, along with guard Landon Dickerson, from injured reserve before Monday’s game against the Cowboys. Calcaterra has been sidelined by a back injury, Stowers by a quad issue and Dickerson by a knee injury. Cornerback Jakorian Bennett was downgraded to out for the Monday matchup.
Seattle plans to open running back Jadarian Price’s 21-day return window this week. Price has been on injured reserve since Oct. 3 with a chest injury. The Seahawks also received positive early indications on wide receiver Rashid Shaheed’s knee after he exited Sunday’s win over Kansas City.
Cross’ MRI confirmed a high ankle sprain suffered against the Chiefs. Seattle is aiming for an absence of only one to two weeks, though his timetable will depend on his recovery. The club also waived wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr.
Washington expects quarterback Marcus Mariota and defensive end Charles Omenihu to return to practice this week. Mariota is recovering from a knee injury, while Omenihu has been sidelined with a groin issue.
Among other transactions, defensive back Wydett Williams Jr. was waived, while wide receiver Jalen Brooks announced that wrist surgery will end his season. Tight end E.J. Jenkins joined a practice squad, and tight end Jack Velling was released from one.
Defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins signed to a practice squad. Linebacker Nick Hampton was elevated from the practice squad to an active roster, as was offensive lineman Mekhi Becton.
Linebacker Jose Ramirez joined a practice squad. Offensive lineman Jacob Rizy was released from a practice squad, and punter Bryce Baringer was released from injured reserve. Running back Elijah Mitchell and linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby received game-day elevations.
