Last week many of us expected Lamar Jackson to return to face the Cincinnati Bengals. That turned out to be premature. In Week 8, we are feeling more confident in Jackson's return, partially because he practiced in full on Wednesday.
Jackson and the Ravens will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 8, which is a fantastic matchup. The Bills have given up 29 or more points in every game but one this season, and Jackson is a top-six QB in his return even though we have some concern about whether he will run as much as he typically does. His return puts Zay Flowers inside the top five at receiver and boosts Derrick Henry back inside the top 12 despite some uninspiring efficiency this season.
Here's what else we're monitoring on Thursday: Egbuka is still in the concussion protocol and has a foot injury, but there is reason to be optimistic about his return. He was at practice on Wednesday in a non-contact jersey and showed up on Thursday in his regular jersey. We aren't 100% sure he'll play, but we are confident enough to rank him as a number three receiver.
You should still start Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden (if he's active) over Egbuka on Thursday night. His return makes Chris Godwin far less appealing as a number three receiver. Saquon Barkley, Devonta Smith, and Dontayvion Wicks all missed practice on Wednesday, and none of them were seen at the early portion of Thursday's practice.
The team also placed Dameon Pierce on Injured Reserve earlier in this week. The top two healthy running backs at this time are Jaydon Blue and Elijah Mitchell, who is still on the practice squad. We would expect an elevation for Mitchell if Barkley can't go and would view him as the best Eagles running back, though we wouldn't want to start Mitchell or Blue.
If Smith and Wicks remain out, then Makai Lemon is a good WR3 in full PPR leagues. Dallas Goedert looks like a must-start tight end as well. This is a big one, and we don't have much clarity on it yet.
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