Spooky season is upon us, and there is nothing spookier than relied-upon fantasy football stalwarts going down with injury at the worst possible time.

That has seemed to be the case for the majority of the first eight weeks of the 2023 season, with many quote-on-quote “superstars” enduring the injury bug at one point or another. In particular, the men under center have struggled in this area, as 23 total quarterbacks have popped up on the injury report at least once through the first two months. Fifty different QBs have thrown a pass in an NFL game so far, which has strong residual effects on their pass-catchers and running backs, especially when it comes to fantasy football production.

Week 8 was really no different than the previous seven. Here are the biggest NFL injuries to know and the fantasy football fallout:

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NFL Injury Updates & Fantasy Football Impact

Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN)

The second upper-echelon starting quarterback to suffer the injury this campaign, Vikings’ QB Kirk Cousins, unfortunately, endured a torn Achilles in Week 8 against the Packers. The timing is especially brutal, as Minnesota had been showing legitimate signs of life on offense over the past few games compared to the start of their season. Now, their entire year is likely derailed, as they have lost their starting QB and leader for the remainder of it.

Fantasy Impact:  The Vikings were already without their superstar receiver, Justin Jefferson, and if their season is derailed, there will likely be questions on whether Jefferson returns or how much he will be utilized for the remainder of the campaign. Additionally, the prospects of two other fantasy stars on the field – TE T.J. Hockenson and WR Jordan Addison – drop substantially amidst losing their effective signal-caller.

As it stands, with usual backup QB Nick Mullens currently on IR, rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall could be in line for his first career NFL start in Week 9 against Atlanta. Expectations for this team and the entire skill-position corps must be tempered towards a bottom-five offense across the league.

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

As the QB-roulette injury carousel rolls on, Matthew Stafford took a huge hit to his throwing hand that resulted in him being removed from the game against Dallas on Sunday. The injury seemingly occurred to his right thumb, better known as the thumb that he has hurt multiple times and previously had surgery on. As of Monday morning, there is some uncertainty about his potential availability for Week 9, but there will surely be updates on his status as the week progresses.

Fantasy Impact:  Stafford’s availability is imperative when it comes to fantasy producers, a la Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, sustaining and providing their typical value on the playing field. The Rams backup quarterback is currently Brett Rypien, who would almost undoubtedly sink both receivers’ values and obliterate any other fantasy considerations within the Los Angeles roster. All fantasy managers can do for now is pray and hope that Stafford’s injury was minor and that he will be able to gut through it in Week 9, as he has done with other injuries for the majority of his career.

Darren Waller (TE – NYG)

Darren Waller suffered an apparent setback to his injured hamstring early on in the Giants’ Week 8 bout with the Jets and did not return. Waller had struggled with the hamstring since he first hurt it back in the preseason, and it was apparently enough to keep him out after exiting on Sunday, leaving his fantasy managers with a painful goose egg on the day.

Fantasy Impact:  Waller had been coming off the best game of his season in Week 7, but other than that, he had been underwhelming. Nevertheless, his presence surely could have been used on Sunday when the Giants passed for seven yards. Yes, you read that correctly. It would not be surprising if Waller missed additional time, given the recent setback, but his practice status will be worth monitoring ahead of Week 9’s matchup. TE Daniel Bellinger would be the next man up for New York if Waller is unable to go against his former Raiders’ club.

Kenny Picket (QB – PIT)

To sandwich in a third quarterback, Steelers’ QB Kenny Pickett went down with a rib injury against Jacksonville and did not return in Week 8. Backup Mitch Trubisky finished the game and is now in line to start against the Titans in Week 9 as Pittsburgh faces a short turnaround for “Thursday Night Football.”

Fantasy Impact:  The swap from Pickett to Trubisky shouldn’t be much of a downgrade for the Steelers’ skill-position players, which speaks much more to Pickett’s ineffectiveness as a quarterback than it does to Trubisky’s abilities. For the record, Pickett has not yet officially been ruled out for Week 9, but it would be rather surprising if the Steelers were inclined to risk him to further damage on a short week. Pickett’s status can be monitored throughout the week for updates, but let’s be honest here:  If you were starting him in fantasy leagues, you’re probably better off looking into new hobbies as it is.