And just like that, we have another full slate of football for us to enjoy this week. With Week 7 in the rearview mirror, we can now turn our attention to Week 8, which has a number of high-profile matchups, including the "Thursday Night Football" showdown between the Packers and Cardinals. We also have a number of notable inner-division contests, including Steelers-Browns, Dolphins-Bills, and Bucs-Saints.
In this space, we're going to cover the injury angle of these games as most of the team begin their week of on-field preparation, while the Packers and Cardinals release their final injury report. Below, you'll be able to see who's in and who's out in the Week 8 opener on Thursday as well as a breakdown of the initial injury reports for every other club.
All odds come courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (-6.5) (Thursday)
- Packers: T Dennis Kelly (back) DOUBTFUL; CB Kevin King (shoulder, back), LB Preston Smith (oblique) QUESTIONABLE
- Cardinals: DL J.J. Watt (shoulder) OUT; DL Rashard Lawrence (calf), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), OL Max Garcia (Achilles), TE Darrell Daniels (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Davante Adams reportedly did not make the trip to Arizona with the Packers on Wednesday, and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Thursday morning that the star receiver was not able to clear COVID-19 protocols, meaning he'll be out for Week 8. Allen Lazard will also be out because he is unvaccinated and couldn't be cleared in time. Neither of these Green Bay receivers are on the official injury report because they've been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Meanwhile, the Packers were hoping to activate Marquez Valdez-Scantling off of injured for this game, but Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that he is not expected to be able to play.
As for the Cardinals, the big blow comes on the defensive side of the ball as J.J. Watt will be sidelined for this matchup due to a shoulder injury. Watt did not practice all week, so the writing was on the wall for him to potentially miss time. As for Hopkins, he did not practice all week due to that hamstring injury but is expected to play barring a pre-game setback, per Schefter.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Detroit Lions
The Eagles were missing several important players at practice Wednesday. Among them were wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (back), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (shoulder), safety Anthony Harris (thumbs/groin), cornerback Zech McPhearson (hamstring), running back Miles Sanders (ankle/foot) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (headache). Offensive lineman Jack Anderson (hamstring), center Jason Kelce (foot/rest) and defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (groin) were limited participants.
All Lions were accounted for at practice Wednesday, but linebacker Trey Flowers (knee), tight end T.J. Hockenson (ankle/knee), cornerback AJ Parker (neck) and running back D'Andre Swift (groin) were limited participants.
San Francisco 49ers (-4) at Chicago Bears
The 49ers are banged up entering Week 8. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion), defensive lineman Dee Ford (concussion), defensive lineman Maurice Hurst (calf), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (knee), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), safety Jaquiski Tartt (knee) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle, elbow) did not practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Marcell Harris (thumb) and quarterback Trey Lance (knee) were limited participants.
Chicago did not have linebacker Khalil Mack at practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, and it appears like he'll be sidelined for a bit. According to the NFL Network, Mack is expected to miss Sunday's game against San Francisco. Meanwhile, Allen Robinson (ankle) and Akiem Hicks (groin) were among the notable Bears limited in practice to begin the week.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-13.5)
The Dolphins had many limited participants in practice Wednesday. On that list were linebacker Jerome Baker (knee), cornerback Xavien Howard (shoulder/groin), cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (knee/ankle), safety Brandon Jones (ankle), cornerback Byron Jones (Achilles/groin), offensive lineman Greg Mancz (groin), wide receiver DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring), linebacker Jaelan Phillips (ankle) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (shoulder).
For the Bills, offensive tackle Spencer Brown (back) and tight end Dawson Knox (hand) missed practice Wednesday. Defensive tackle Justin Zimmer (foot) was a limited participant.
Tennessee Titans (+1) at Indianapolis Colts
The Titans had several starters miss practice Wednesday. Defensive tackle Teair Tart (groin), wide receiver Chester Rogers (groin), linebacker Monty Rice (illness), wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring), cornerback Chris Jackson (foot), safety Amani Hooker (groin), linebacker Bud Dupree (knee) and fullback Khari Blasingame (knee) were sidelined. Offensive tackle Bobby Hart (chest) and offensive tackle Kendall Lamm (ankle) were limited participants. In good news, left tackle Taylor Lewan was a full participant after missing last week's matchup with a concussion.
For the Colts, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (quad), cornerback BoPete Keyes (hamstring) and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (calf) missed practice Wednesday. Running back Nyheim Hines (ribs), offensive lineman Braden Smith (foot/thumb), running back Jonathan Taylor (ribs), defensive end Kemoko Turay (groin) and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (ankle) were limited participants.
Cincinnati Bengals (-10.5) at New York Jets
The Bengals were missing just a couple of players at practice Wednesday, as running back Chris Evans (hamstring) and center Trey Hopkins (knee) sat out. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (shoulder) was a limited participant.
Jets running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring), defensive lineman Bryce Huff (back), tight end Trevon Wesco (knee) and linebacker Quincy Williams (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Safety Ashtyn Davis (shoulder), tight end Tyler Kroft (back), defensive lineman Shaq Lawson (wrist) and linebacker C.J. Mosley (hamstring) were limited participants.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-3.5)
Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice with pectoral/hip injuries. Joining him as limited participants were linebacker Melvin Ingram III (groin) and wide receiver Chase Claypool (hamstring).
The Browns had a long Wednesday injury report. Pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney (ankle/groin/knee), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee), wide receiver Jarvis Landry (knee), wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) and cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) did not participate. Wide receiver Odell Beckham (shoulder), running back Nick Chubb (calf), offensive tackle Jack Conklin (knee), linebacker Tony Fields II (illness), cornerback A.J. Green (groin), offensive guard Blake Hance (elbow), quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder), linebacker Malcolm Smith (abdomen), center JC Tretter (knee), offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Mack Wilson (calf) were limited participants.
Los Angeles Rams (-14.5) at Houston Texans
Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth (knee), safety Jordan Fuller (knee), defensive back Robert Rochell (knee), defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day (chest), linebacker Terrell Lewis (ribs) and offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum Jr. (illness) missed practice on Wednesday.
Texans offensive lineman Justin Britt (knee), linebacker Christian Kirksey (thumb) and offensive lineman Justin McCray (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Running back Rex Burkhead (hip) and defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson (back) were limited participants. An interesting note was that wide receiver Brandin Cooks was limited in practice as well, but did not have an injury designation.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. was the only Panther who missed practice on Wednesday due to a concussion. Cornerback C.J. Henderson (shoulder), linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot), fullback Giovanni Ricci (concussion) and offensive tackle Cameron Erving (neck) were limited participants.
For the Falcons, cornerback A.J. Terrell was limited with a concussion. Fellow cornerback Avery Williams was also listed on the injury report with a hamstring issue, but he was a full participant.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks (-3)
Jaguars defensive tackle Jay Tufele was the only player who missed practice on Wednesday with a hand injury. Cornerback Tyson Campbell (toe), defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (shoulder), linebacker Myles Jack (back), long snapper Ross Matiscik (hamstring) and offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (groin) were limited participants.
Offensive tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) and safety Marquise Blair (knee) were the only Seahawks who did not practice due to medical reasons on Wednesday. Running back Alex Collins was limited with a groin injury.
New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers (-5)
The Patriots had a bevy of players who were limited participants in practice on Wednesday: Center David Andrews (ankle), linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (ribs), wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (shoulder), defensive back Kyle Dugger (neck), kicker Nick Folk (knee), defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (finger), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (ankle), linebacker Brandon King (thigh), offensive lineman Shaq Mason (abdomen), tight end Jonnu Smith (shoulder), linebacker Josh Uche (shoulder), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin), cornerback Shaun Wade (concussion), defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. (knee) and defensive lineman Carl Davis (hand).
For the Chargers, linebacker Drue Tranquill was limited on Wednesday with a chest injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) at New Orleans Saints
Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle), cornerback Dee Delaney (ankle), pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand) and defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh (knee) missed practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Lavonte David (ankle), tight end O.J. Howard (ankle), tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) and cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring) were limited participants.
The Saints had a few notable names miss practice on Wednesday. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat (pectoral), running back Dwayne Washington (neck), quarterback Taysom Hill (concussion), wide receiver Deonte Harris (hamstring) and defensive end Payton Turner (calf) sat out. Star cornerback Marshon Lattimore was also listed on the injury report with a hand injury, but he was a full participant.
Washington Football Team at Denver Broncos (-3)
The Washington Football Team was missing some offensive players at practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Dyami Brown (knee), offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi (ankle), wide receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring), wide receiver Curtis Samuel (groin) and offensive guard Wes Schweitzer (neck) sat out. Running back Antonio Gibson (shin), cornerback William Jackson III (knee), offensive guard Brandon Scherff (knee), tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (quad) and wide receiver Cam Sims (hamstring) were limited.
Pass rusher Von Miller (ankle) and defensive lineman Mike Purcell (thumb) missed practice on Wednesday for the Broncos, while offensive tackle Garett Bolles (foot), wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (ankle), safety Jamar Johnson (quad), linebacker Aaron Patrick (ankle) and linebacker Malik Reed (hip) were limited participants.
Dallas Cowboys (-1.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was limited on Wednesday due to his calf injury. His status will be something to monitor throughout the week. Joining him as limited participants were defensive end Dorance Armstrong (ankle), cornerback Trevon Diggs (ankle) and offensive tackle Tyron Smith (ankle).
Defensive tackle Michael Pierce (elbow) and wide receiver Dede Westbrook (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday for Minnesota, while linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) and tight end Ben Ellefson (knee/foot) were limited participants. Running back Alexander Mattison (shoulder) and wide receiver Adam Thielen (foot) were listed on the injury report as well, but were full participants.
New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5) (Monday)
To be announced.
