Week 8 has added to the list of running backs and receivers that have joined so many stars on the injury report. The likes of Joe Mixon, Raheem Mostert, Miles Sanders, Aaron Jones and many more all missed Week 7. Some are coming back in Week 8, while others are still out. Here are my picks for replacements in Week 8.
Wayne Gallman- Thursday night against the Eagles, Gallman looked like the lead back in New York. With Devonta Freeman suffering an ankle injury limiting him to 20 percent of snaps, Gallman leaped on the opportunity. In his 53 percent share of snaps, Gallman received 10 carries for 34 yards and a score along with catching 5 passes for 20 yards for good measure. Gallman is in his fourth year as part of the Giants backfield and with his countless opportunities to seize the job has never been successful, do not look for this to change now. With an 11 day period between last Thursday and their game on Monday, look for Freeman to possibly return.
Scoville Units: Banana Pepper- 500
Carlos Hyde– In Week 7 against the Cardinals, Chris Carson joined the extensive running back injury report suffering a mid-foot sprain that is set to derail him for at least next week. In his absence on Sunday Hyde got all of the work. Hyde received 48 percent of the snaps taking 15 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown, as well as 3 receptions for 8 yards. Even in an MVP type season for Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are known for favoring their running backs, Hyde is a viable option to start against the 49ers. Also look for Deejay Dallas in deeper leagues.
Scoville Units: Red Savina Habanero- 575,000
Nelson Agholor- This is not the first time that Nelson Agholor has graced my waiver wire, but this the first time that it has been met with good merit. A few weeks ago I suggested Agholor as a potential bench stash based on his production in the first few weeks, the difference between then and now is that he was touchdown dependent then. In the first five weeks, Agholor never eclipsed four targets. Fast forward to Week 7 against a stout Tampa Bay defense and he received nine targets for 5 catches, 107 yards and a score. A level of trust is able to be seen between Carr and Agholor and with a good matchup against the Browns next week, he is definitely worth a look.
Scoville Units: Chocolate Habanero- 577,000
Rashad Higgins/Donovan Peoples-Jones- With OBJ suffering an unfortunate torn ACL, the Browns depth chart has been shaken up. Higgins, usually the third-string receiver, is now mostly slotting into the Beckham Jr. role while Peoples-Jones slots into the Higgins role. Through their three years together Higgins has been a popular target of Baker Mayfield despite his limited role. In Week 7 against the Bengals, Higgins and Peoples-Jones both had productive games catching six of six targets for 110 yards and three targets for three receptions, 56 yards and a score respectively. As a fantasy owner I am more interested in Higgins, but both are definitely worth a spot.
Scoville Units: Ghost Pepper- 1,041,000
Alshon Jeffery- After missing the last three weeks of 2019 and the first seven weeks of 2020, Alshon Jeffery is finally set to return. In an Eagles offense that is looking anywhere they can to find viable weapons, he shoots right up to the top. While I do not see Jeffery surpassing Travis Fulgham in the coming weeks, his value is intriguing especially in deep leagues. In a soft matchup against Dallas, it will be important to see what Jeffery has left in the tank.
Scoville Units: Jalapeno- 8,000
Richard Rogers- With Zack Ertz out and Dallas Goedert not set to return until Week 10, Richard Rogers stepped right into the lead tight end role for the Eagles. Wentz is known to favor his tight end option and that rang true on Thursday against the Giants. Rogers caught six balls on eight targets for 85 yards. The promising volume makes Rogers a start-able option until Goedert returns. Coming up against the weak Cowboys defense, he’s a plug and play.
Scoville Units: Habanero- 275,000
