Introduction

This season has been a rollercoaster for fantasy football managers, especially with a surge in significant injuries among star players and unexpected draft busts. As teams navigate through byes and injuries, Week 8 poses unique challenges, particularly with several notable teams sitting out.

Key Teams on Bye

Week 8 will see the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks taking a break. This week, fantasy managers with players like Matthew Stafford, Jahmyr Gibbs, Ashton Jeanty, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Davante Adams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Trey McBride might want to prepare for a tough matchup as these stars are sidelined.

Injury Picks and Waiver Wire Sleepers

For those only missing a couple of key players, viable replacements may still be on the waiver wire. One player to keep an eye on is New York Jets backup running back Isaiah Davis. With Braelon Allen dealing with an MCL sprain, Davis is getting opportunities behind starter Breece Hall. He managed two carries and two receptions for 32 scrimmage yards last week, a promising sign for deeper leagues. This week, the Jets face a Cincinnati Bengals defense that is allowing 4.7 yards per carry and has given up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Furthermore, with a possible switch from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, the Jets are expected to rely on a strong running game to support Taylor. Isaiah Davis could be an emergency option for those managing their rosters in deeper leagues as he is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

On the other hand, amidst struggles for the Tennessee Titans offense, rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike has emerged. After the recent coaching change from Brian Callahan to Mike McCoy, Dike caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. As the Titans prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts, who have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers, Dike presents a potential sleeper play for managers searching for flex options. He is currently rostered in just two percent of leagues.

Conclusion

As fantasy managers venture into Week 8, strategizing around bye weeks and player injuries will be crucial. Keeping an eye on sleeper picks like Isaiah Davis and Chimere Dike could provide much-needed assistance, particularly during this tricky part of the season.