2022 NFL Week 8 Injury News: Irv Smith, DeVante Parker and Cooper Kupp Injury Updates

NFL Week 8 is rapidly coming to an end, but fantasy football owners don't escape the week without a few key injuries. The full NFL Injury Report will be out on Tuesday as we know there will be MRI results coming, concussion victims to re-evaluate and we learn about all the usual bumps and bruises that crop up once the players have had time to get some rest and all their painkillers have worn off. But it's always nice to be proactive and do some early prep work for the NFL Week 9 waiver wire, so let's get a jump on things and see who might need to be replaced next week.
NFL Running Back Injury Updates
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints - Knee
The Saints backup running back left during the middle of Sunday's contest with a knee injury and did not return to action. Ingram has been playing during third downs and providing a change of pace for starting running back Alvin Kamara on the season. Should Ingram miss extended time you can bank on the Saints featuring Alvin Kamara more than they already do while also working in the likes of Dwayne Washington as well.
NFL Wide Receiver Injury Updates
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams - Ankle
Tough circumstances here as the game between the Rams and 49ers was well out of reach and yet Kupp was still on the field and unfortunately suffered an ankle injury. Kupp is the highest profiled player to suffer an injury during Week 8 and his injury updates will be one of the most sought after news throughout the week.
Richie James, New York Giants - Concussion
The Giants wide receiver room is already short enough after the team traded away Kadarius Toney this past week and Kenny Golladay has been injured for most of the year. James was a good story for a bit as he was looking like the top receiver for a time there while Wan'Dale Robinson was also injured. As with all concussions, James will have to pass the leagues concussion protocol before being able to re-take the field in Week 9.
DeVante Parker, New England Patriots - Knee
Parker injured his knee in the first half of Sunday's game against the New York Jets and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Patriots rarely give more injury information than is required so any significant injury update will likely come during the middle of the week. Parker had been falling behind Jakobi Meyers as the top option in the passing offense but he was still making plays downfield when targeted.
NFL Tight End Injury Updates
Irv Smith, Minnesota Vikings - Ankle
Smith was injured during the team's touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn and did not return. After the game head coach Kevin O'Connell told the media Smith was scheduled for an MRI on Monday. Those fantasy managers should stay tuned for Tuesday's NFL Injury Report for the latest updates.
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Humphries reported on his social media account a few weeks ago that he had agreed to a contract with the 49ers, but that does not appear to be the case. At least for now. Humphries tore his ACL at the end of the 2023 season and was released by the Cardinals. He spent most of the 2024 season rehabbing before signing with the Chiefs. He started at left tackle in Week 14 before hurting his hamstring and missing the rest of the season. He will continue to search for another opportunity.
Patriots DT Christian Barmore (blood clots) will be ready to play in Week 1.
Barmore was limited to just four games last season while battling blood clots. He told reporters on Thursday that he’s been cleared for all football activity and has been a full participant in the Patriots’ offseason workout program. He expects to be fully ready by Week 1.
Raiders hired Brandon Hunt as Vice President of Player Personnel
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ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reports Caleb Williams considered forcing a pre-draft trade from the Bears before ultimately deciding he could win in Chicago.
In other words, he mulled pulling an Elway. “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” were the words of Caleb’s father Carl to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. Williams reportedly desired a trade to the Vikings, but he changed his mind after touring the Bears’ facility. “I can do it for this team,” Caleb reportedly told his dad. “I’m going to go to the Bears.” Williams acknowledged any attempt to force a trade would require going scorched earth on the Bears and city of Chicago, a process he did not have the stomach for. There have been zero reports of Bears/Williams drama since he made his peace with the idea, even after former coach Matt Eberflus’ clown show 2024 mistakes. It’s an interesting story, but one firmly planted in the past.
49ers signed No. 11 pick EDGE Mykel Williams to a four-year contract.
The deal is worth $24.9 million and is fully guaranteed. As is the case with all first-round picks, his contract includes a fifth-year option. The 49ers shed hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts this offseason and the bulk of those savings came on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end was an obvious position of need and Williams was widely regarded as the best pass-rusher on the board when 49ers GM John Lynch was on the clock. Williams totaled five sacks in 2024 and left Georgia with 14 sacks across three seasons as a starter.
Vikings signed No. 24 pick OG Donovan Jackson to a four-year contract.
It’s a fully guaranteed deal worth $17.2 million with a fifth-year team option. Minnesota taking Jackson with the 24th-overall pick came as a bit of a surprise on draft night, but the Vikings needed offensive line help and Jackson was considered worthy of a first-round pick by some draftniks. He was primarily a left guard at Ohio State but successfully kicked out to tackle for the bulk of his senior season. Jackson is likely fated for guard duties in Minnesota, but the positional versatility remains a plus.