Nearing the midpoint of the NFL season, fantasy owners are gearing up for playoff runs in just six short weeks. With every team taking the field for Week 8, what fantasy news should owners and managers know?

Learn which players to start or sit (and much more) in this week’s Fantasy News for NFL Week 8.

Chicago Bears to Start Rookie QB Tyson Bagent

Chicago HC Matt Eberflus will hold out QB Justin Fields again for Week 8, starting undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent for a second straight contest. Bagent was victorious in his first outing, completing 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards and a score.

Fantasy Impact: Without Fields, many fantasy owners will continue to scramble to cover their starting QB position. While Bagent performed admirably in the 30-12 win over the Raiders, the rookie was not a factor in any fantasy league format. Look elsewhere until Fields returns from his thumb injury.

Cleveland Browns Turn (Again) to RB Kareem Hunt

The Browns are on their third starting RB after Jerome Ford was injured Sunday in a 39-38 victory over Indianapolis. Ford – who suffered a high-ankle sprain that will sideline him for 1-2 weeks – will be replaced by former Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt after rejoining the team earlier this season.

Fantasy Impact: Hunt rose to the occasion Sunday in the victory. Although he finished with 31 yards, his second TD of the game was the difference maker. On fourth and goal from the one-yard line, Hunt punched it in through up the middle.

With Ford out this week, he’s a serviceable option to fill your RB slot. Seattle – this week’s opponent – is a Top 10 defensive unit against RBs, so there are better options available. But as a stopgap until Ford returns, fantasy team managers could also do worse.

Seattle Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf Could Return Against Browns

After missing the first NFL game of his career, Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf could return as early as Sunday, multiple reports indicated. On his weekly radio show, Seattle HC Pete Carroll said, “I would expect he’ll do everything to make himself available” for Week 8.

Fantasy Impact: Officially, Metcalf is listed as questionable heading into the team’s Week 8 game against the Browns. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor this situation and have a stand-by ready.

Rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a fantasy manager’s best pick-up option after the receiver led the team in targets (7), receptions (4), and yards (63) against Arizona without Metcalf in the lineup.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Expect To Play

The Eagles had a scare early in their 31-17 victory over Miami Sunday when QB Jalen Hurts suffered a left knee injury. When asked after the game about the incident, Hurts said “I’ll be fine” for their Week 8 contest against the Washington Commanders.

Fantasy Impact: When Hurts returned to the field in the second half, the QB was seen wearing a brace on his left knee. Although he is officially listed as questionable heading into the team’s Commanders contest, expect Hurts to take the field for this Week 6 rematch against Washington.

Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams IR Return Date Set

Los Angeles HC Sean McVay set the team’s Week 12 contest against Arizona as a possible return date for RB Kyren Williams, according to multiple reports. The second-year RB was placed on the Injured Reserve (IR) list, meaning he must sit out four games before returning to the field.

Fantasy Impact: Without Williams, the Rams turned to Darrell Henderson Jr and Royce Freeman. The duo delivered 127 combined rushing yards against Pittsburgh in the team’s 24-17 loss last week.

Neither Henderson nor Freeman are viable fantasy options at this point for team owners. Instead, expect elevated numbers from WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua without Williams manning the backfield. Owners should look elsewhere for fantasy RB replacements in the meantime.