Thursday Night Football didn’t lack drama as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to hang around and make it interesting at multiple points of the game. I’m not sure what this says about the Bills ability to weather losing Tre’Davious White and Matt Milano for the season. The top storyline coming out of the game will revolve around the health of Josh Allen, who was seen favoring his shoulder and even spent some time in the blue tent. Other storylines include Rachaad White looking competent on the ground while adding seven for 70 through the air, Khalil Shakir finally emerging, and Dalton Kincaid remaining part of the offensive gameplan. On the IDP side of things, storylines include Tyrel Dodson starting and dominating snaps over Dorian Williams, AJ Epenesa’s continued emergence, and Lavonte David continuing to make a case to reclaim his LB1 status. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

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IDP Start em, Sit em – Week 8

Start em

Damone Clark (LB – DAL)
Damone Clark has taken over the full-time middle linebacker role with Leighton Vander Esch sidelined and needs to be started in all formats. Clark played 99 percent of the snaps in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing with seven solos and one assist. He is on the LB2 radar for as long as LVE is sidelined and should be treated as such for a plus Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Try to find a way to plug Damone in as a starter, even without any byes this week.

Markquese Bell (S/LB – DAL)
Bell stepped in as the Cowboys’ second middle linebacker in Week 6 and is expected to continue with that role in Week 8. Rashaan Evans remains on the practice squad and could cut into Bell’s minutes eventually, but until the switch is made, Bell becomes an extremely valuable depth option for IDP managers. S/DB eligible despite now playing LB, Bell could pile up the fantasy points as long as he maintains a steady snap count. Treat Bell as a DB2 option as long as he is playing this high-leverage role.

Blake Cashman (LB – HOU)
DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans shocked the IDP world when they made Denzel Perryman a healthy scratch in favor of Blake Cashman. Cashman, who has operated as the Texans’ third linebacker while Perryman and Christian Harris dealt with injuries, has a secure role due to his ability to contribute on special teams. Henry To’oTo’o has officially passed Perryman on the depth chart, meaning Cashman will be active for the remainder of the season regardless of who else is healthy. Yes, things can change over the course of a week; just ask all of the IDP managers who dropped Tyrel Dodson after a four snap Week 6, only to see him produce in Week 7. However, Cashman has produced well enough to warrant a roster spot even as a speculative stash after his nine solos, six assists, two tackles for loss, and two passes defended in Week 6. Plug Cashman in as an LB3 option where needed for a plus matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Tony Adams (S – NYJ)
Tony Adams stepped up in Week 6, proving that all of the offseason buzz wasn’t just smoke. He finished the contest against the Bills with five solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. The pick was a game-changer that permanently shifted the momentum in a stunning victory authored by the Jets’ defense. Adams is suddenly a must-start in Week 8, regardless of who lines up under center for the New York Giants. Yes, there is a lot more upside with the $160,000,000 dollar man under center, but expect the Giants to hold him out as long as possible as Tyrod Taylor gives them a much, much better chance to win and is a better fit for the offense.

Baron Browning (DE/LB – DEN)
Baron was quiet in his first game back for the Broncos, recording just one assist and one pass defended on 45 percent of the snaps. However, he led the team with four pressures and a 25 percent pass rush win rate, proving he’s still the same player that prompted the Broncos to move on from their stud edge rushers in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Browning should see a big increase in snaps this weekend and be around the 70 percent mark. The matchup is a neutral one, but this is more about role and talent. Tap Browning as a DL3 option for Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sit em

Nicholas Morrow (LB – PHI)
As expected, Morrow saw a further decrease in his role in Week 7, ceding more snaps to the now-healthy Nakobe Dean. Morrow played just 35 percent of the snaps in Week 7 and could see his role dwindle further in the coming weeks now that Kevin Byard has joined the team. Dean played just 61 percent of the snaps in Week 7 and will continue to be ramped up to an everydown role. Byard being on the team means less need for a second off-ball linebacker due to his versatility against both the run and the pass. Morrow is a solid stash if roster size allows for it, but where roster space is an issue, it is time to cut ties with the productive but role lacking linebacker. Look elsewhere for your LB3/flex2.

Ivan Pace (LB – MIN)
Pace was a top waiver wire add after being tapped to start over Brian Asamoah, and he looked good to start the season. Unfortunately, the rookie seems to have fallen out of favor with Brian Flores over the last two weeks, seeing his snaps drop to 18 percent in Week 6 and nine percent in Week 7. Pace lost his role primarily to Patrick Jones but also to Andrew Booth, who is sometimes on the field as a sixth defensive back, which allows Harrison Smith or Camryn Bynum to roam in the box. Pace is a worthwhile dynasty stash, but redraft managers may want to look elsewhere altogether.

Dean Marlowe (S – LAC)
It appears that Marlowe will be headed back to the bench in week 8 after Alohi Gilman, who managed just one practice last week, got in a limited session on Wednesday. Marlowe was doing an impressive job filling in for Alohi, at least as far as IDP, most recently recording a season-high 10 solos and one assist against the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, with Gilman likely to finally make his return, Marlowe will likely go back to special teams only. Perhaps they will have a role for him after his impressive play, but the hope for fantasy relevance is slim unless they move him to nickel or use him as a third safety. Keep Marlowe benched for Week 8 and beyond while this situation sorts itself out.

Andre Chachere (S – ARI)
Stupid is as stupid does. The Arizona Cardinals decided to release breakout safety K’Von Wallace in favor of Andre Chachere. Both were liabilities in coverage this season, but with Budda Baker back in the lineup, that wouldn’t be as much of an issue as Wallace was set to see more box snaps. Perhaps the team is ready to move Jalen Thompson back to safety and promote 2023 third round pick Garrett Williams to starter at nickel. That would at least be a move that was potentially made with the best interests of the team in mind. However, last week, Chachere played every snap. Whatever the rationale, outside of a solid six solo performance last week, Chachere has not been productive enough to consider on a non bye, and with his role potentially in flux, taking the week to monitor his usage and role is suggested. Look elsewhere for your Week 8 DB3/flex1.

Dennis Gardeck (DE/LB – ARI)
Gardeck started the season like gangbusters, wreaking havoc through the first two weeks, recording two sacks in Week 1 and one sack in Week 2. He wrapped up Brock Purdy in Week 4, making it four sacks in four games. However, he has been a non-factor in the three games since. He has managed no more than two solos in any of those contests, and his only fantasy-relevant adjacent day of the three came last week when he had a fumble recovery. Gardeck is still a solid depth piece for competitive 11 vs. 11 leagues but should remain glued to benches for Week 8. Look elsewhere for your DL3/DE3.

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.