Week 8 Waiver-Wire Pickups: Available Sleepers in Most Yahoo Leagues

Injuries to NFL players can sometimes come out of nowhere and catch fantasy football managers by surprise. That's when the depth of rosters will get tested.

For example, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is dealing with a hip injury that could keep him out of action for more than a month, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 22-year-old is a must-start player in fantasy when healthy, but managers may now be scrambling to find replacements if they didn't have great WR depth on their bench.

However, there are some notable players still on the waiver wire this week who could be helpful for lineups moving forward.

Here's a look at several who are available in the majority of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

The Chargers' receiving corps is quite banged up nearing the midway point of the regular season.

Keenan Allen played last week, but he has suited up for only two games thus far due to a lingering hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Mike Williams is dealing with a high ankle sprain that will cause him to miss at least four games, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper.

This week, Los Angeles has a bye, so that will give Allen time to heal up even more. But Williams will be out when the team returns to action. So, the Chargers will need other playmakers to step up to take some of the pressure off Allen to produce.

Joshua Palmer should have a bigger role in the offense after Los Angeles' bye week.

In Week 7, the 23-year-old set season highs in catches (nine) and targets (12) while recording 57 yards. He also got into the end zone earlier this year when Allen was out, scoring a touchdown in the Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Although Palmer (rostered in only 22 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros) can't help fantasy managers this week, the Tennessee product could be a useful addition for Week 9 and beyond, especially if Williams' injury continues to trouble him.

Tyquan Thornton flashed his potential during the Patriots' Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, notching four receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown, the first of his NFL career.

The 22-year-old was less productive in a Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears (one catch for 19 yards), but he was still targeted a season-high tying five times.

It seems Thornton's role in the Pats' offense is growing, and that could be an encouraging sign for his fantasy value. He has already proved he has plenty of talent and can put up solid numbers when given the opportunities.

New England doesn't have the easiest matchup in Week 8, as it's going on the road to face the AFC East rival New York Jets. So, it may be a risk to start the Baylor product this week.

If Thornton (rostered in only 7 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros) continues to get targeted frequently, though, he'll be a start-worthy fantasy option when the Pats have better matchups. And that could happen in the second half of the season.

This week, the Browns may be without one of their top offensive playmakers. Tight end David Njoku hasn't been practicing due to an ankle injury, and it's possible he'll miss Monday night's AFC North matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

If the 26-year-old ends up being a game-time decision and fantasy managers need a tight end they can pivot to at the last minute, Harrison Bryant should be in consideration.

Even though Bryant has been blocked on the depth chart by Njoku, the 24-year-old has recorded multiple catches five times this season.

So, he already has a connection with Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who may need to lean on Bryant (rostered in only 6 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros) more in Njoku's potential absence.

Although the Florida Atlantic product hasn't scored a touchdown this season, Monday's game could provide his best opportunity to get into the end zone thus far.

Plus, Cleveland could be passing the ball quite a bit while likely playing from behind against Cincinnati.