Ja’Marr Chase, Lamar Jackson & more fantasy football injury updates for Week 8

Week 8 of the NFL season is bringing several important injury developments for fantasy football managers, with Ja'Marr Chase, Lamar Jackson, Matthew Golden, DJ Moore, Emeka Egbuka and Aaron Jones among the biggest names to monitor.

Wednesday's practices provided some encouraging developments, but there are still plenty of questions that could impact fantasy lineups heading into the weekend.

Ja'Marr Chase absence raises concern while Lamar Jackson returns

Ja'Marr Chase was not spotted during the portion of Wednesday's Cincinnati Bengals practice open to the media, an unexpected development considering he did not appear to suffer an injury during the team's Week 7 win over Baltimore. Chase caught five of seven targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in that game and has 32 receptions for 351 yards and five touchdowns through six games this season.

The lack of clarity surrounding Chase is something fantasy managers will want to monitor closely. If he is dealing with an issue that ultimately keeps him out against Tennessee, Tee Higgins would become a much more important part of Cincinnati's passing game.

Lamar Jackson provided a much more encouraging update for fantasy managers. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback was spotted in uniform and jogging onto the field at the beginning of Wednesday's practice as he works his way back from an ankle injury. Jackson has missed three consecutive games, making his return to practice a major development ahead of Baltimore's Week 8 matchup with Buffalo.

Jackson's eventual participation level and his status later in the week will be critical, but getting back onto the practice field is clearly a positive step.

Golden, Moore, Egbuka and Jones remain fantasy players to watch

Matthew Golden remains questionable for Thursday night's game against Carolina because of shoulder and foot issues. Packers coach Matt LaFleur previously expressed hope that Golden would be available, but his status remained uncertain heading into Thursday. Fantasy managers will need to monitor the final inactive list before making a decision.

DJ Moore also provided a positive development Wednesday, practicing in a non-contact jersey while dealing with a shoulder injury. The NFL's official Week 8 injury report lists Moore as a limited participant, giving him a better outlook than if he had remained sidelined.

Emeka Egbuka is another receiver trending in the right direction. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Egbuka participated in individual drills Wednesday but "needs to do more Thursday" to move closer to a return. That makes Thursday's practice especially important for his fantasy outlook.

Aaron Jones, meanwhile, did not participate in Minnesota's Wednesday practice because of his knee injury, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. Jones is considered day-to-day, leaving fantasy managers waiting for his participation later in the week.

With so many high-profile players dealing with injuries, Thursday and Friday practices will be critical. Chase's status is one of the biggest developments to watch, while Jackson's return to practice gives fantasy managers reason for optimism.