Before we get to the heart of today's newsletter -- the top waiver-wire targets for Week 8 and the first look at my rankings for this week, let's quickly catch up on some of the news you need to know from the past 24 hours, beginning with what is looking like a big absence from Thursday Night Football:

The Big News

• Davante Adams is on the reserve/COVID-19 list -- There's a very slim chance Adams could be cleared to play Thursday, but he would need to return two negative tests at least 24 hours apart ahead of the game, and that is assuming he has no symptoms following his positive test. You should operate under the assumption that you won't have Adams available for Thursday's game against the Cardinals. 
• Nick Chubb (calf) is expected to play this week -- Chubb returned to practice Monday and should make his return from a two-game absence if he can avoid setbacks. D'Ernest Johnson was one of the surprise stars of Week 7, rushing for 146 yards, but will likely serve as Chubb's backup in this one. What will be interesting to see is if Johnson takes over Kareem Hunt's role for the next few weeks, because he could still have Fantasy relevance that way. Chubb is a borderline No. 1 RB for this week against the Steelers, while Johnson is more of a desperation play unless we get some kind of confirmation on his role. 
• Zach Wilson is out 2-4 weeks with a sprained PCL -- The Jets traded for Joe Flacco on Monday, presumably to be the starter ahead of Mike White . We'll see if Flacco can get up to speed quickly enough to start in Week 8, because he would surely provide a steadier hand than White, a 2018 fifth-rounder who appeared in his first NFL game last week. This is going to continue to be an ugly offense no matter who is in there, but Flacco could be good news for Michael Carter coming off a nine-target breakout game. 
• Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) will return to practice this week -- Taylor has been out since suffering the injury in Week 2 is clearly close to returning. Hopefully the Texans will put him back into the starting lineup, because, while he obviously isn't the future of the position for them, the Texans scored more touchdowns on offense in a game and a half with Taylor at QB (five) than they have in five and a half since (four). Unless they really think Davis Mills has some heretofore untapped potential, starting a healthy Taylor is the right choice. 
• Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) will be re-evaluated in two weeks -- Fitzpatrick is set for an MRI in two weeks to determine if he will be able to return from his hip injury. At this point, Taylor Heinicke looks like he's going to be the Football Team's starting QB for the foreseeable future, if not the rest of the season. 

For more on what will be another busy week for Fantasy, make sure you tune in to Fantasy Football Today on CBS Sports HQ at noon ET, and for help locking in your waiver-wire claims join Jamey, Adam Aizer, and me on the FFT YouTube stream tonight at 8 p.m., where we'll be taking your questions live for an hour. If you've got any questions before then, as always, you can email me at Chris.Towers@CBSi.com with the subject line "#AskFFT" to be included this week -- including in tomorrow's trade mailbag. 

And here's what we've got on tap in today's newsletter: 

• ➕Top Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets
• 📈Week 8 Rankings📉

Hopefully, this week's waiver options will be able to make an impact, and there are a few who certainly have the opportunity. You can find Jamey's entire breakdown here. We're gonna need the help: 

1. Kenneth Gainwell (46% rostered) -- Gainwell has been the primary backup to Miles Sanders this season, which makes him the likeliest player to step up in Sanders' expected absence. The Eagles trust him in the passing game and have showed faith in him near the end zone, which points to solid upside in a larger role, even if he is likely to split time. 
2. Boston Scott  (2%) -- Scott played 20 snaps in the second half Sunday, compared to 22 for Gainwell, and actually had more carries -- including a goal-line touchdown. If Sanders is out, Scott is going to have a role, and it's fair to wonder if he might not end up seeing more touches than Gainwell. If you don't want to drop what Gainwell will likely cost on FAB, Scott is a sneaky alternative. 
3. Allen Lazard (8%) -- With Adams likely out, Lazard is worth a look coming off a five-catch, 60-yard game with a touchdown. He's been less involved this year than he was last year, but seems most well-equipped among the team's available options to step up in Adams' absence. Randall Cobb should also see an increased role and is an interesting PPR option if you need help. 
4. Carson Wentz (62%) -- Wentz has multiple touchdowns in four straight and hasn't thrown an interception since Week 2, so he's enjoying a nice bounce-back season -- he has even matched his career high in yards per attempt so far. His volume remains pretty low, but with a matchup against a vulnerable Texans secondary, he should be in line for a solid game. I've got him as a top-12 QB this week. 
5. C.J. Uzombah (45%) -- If you're looking for a Dawson Knox replacement, Uzomah is filling a similar role in the Bengals offense, with five touchdowns in his last four games. He's about as touchdown-or-bust-y as they come, but this is a pretty good offense to be chasing that with, especially against the Jets. 

Here's where things stand for me in my first run through of the Week 8 rankings for PPR leagues. You can find Jamey, Dave, and Heath's rankings right here:

Week 8 is, thankfully, much easier to navigate at quarterback for Fantasy Football. While we have Josh Allen, Hustin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins, Ben Roethlisberger, and Trevor Lawrence on byes, this week, it's only Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr. I don't mean to minimize the absence of those players for those of use who have to deal with them, but there are just a lot fewer of us impacted this week.

That means the need for streamers isn't as great this week. If you do need one, I think the top choice is probably Carson Wentz, who is quietly enjoying a nice little breakout season here. He has multiple touchdowns without an interception in four straight games and now gets an excellent matchup against the Titans, who — Week 7 aside — have been pretty bad against the pass dating to last season.

1. Josh Allen vs. MIA
2. Patrick Mahomes vs. NYG
3. Kyler Murray vs. GB
4. Tom Brady @NO
5. Jalen Hurts @DET
6. Justin Herbert vs. NE
7. Dak Prescott @MIN
8. Matthew Stafford @HOU
9. Kirk Cousins vs. DAL
10. Joe Burrow @NYJ
11. Matt Ryan vs. CAR
12. Carson Wentz vs. TEN
13. Ryan Tannehill @IND
14. Tua Tagovailoa @BUF
15. Aaron Rodgers @ARI
16. Trevor Lawrence @SEA
17. Daniel Jones @KC
18. Taylor Heinicke @DEN
19. Teddy Bridgewater vs. WAS
20. Sam Darnold @ATL
21. Jameis Winston vs. TB
22. Jared Goff vs. PHI
23. Ben Roethlisberger @CLE
24. Jimmy Garoppolo @CHI

Kenneth Gainwell is going to be one of the most sought after players on waivers in Week 8 for Fantasy Football, but does he need to be a high priority if you're looking for immediate help? 

I've got him ranked as RB20 for this week's matchup against the Lions, so I'd say yes. I'm not sure Gainwell is going to have a huge role running the ball -- Boston Scott actually saw more work as a runner after Miles Sanders' injury in Week 7 -- which makes him a little risky to trust  without that floor. However, in the Eagles offense, the running backs haven't actually been used as runners very often, so I'm not sure that floor would be there even if Scott wasn't around. 

What makes Gainwell such an intriguing Fantasy option with Sanders out is his potential in the passing game. He ran 17 routes on his 22 snaps in the second half and should be a focal point in the passing game against a Lions team that has allowed six touchdowns in seven games to running backs as receivers. Gainwell is an RB2 in PPR leagues, while Scott is more like a fringe RB3, though with some decent upside in this matchup. 

1. Derrick Henry @IND
2. Najee Harris @CLE
3. Alvin Kamara vs. TB
4. Ezekiel Elliott @MIN
5. Dalvin Cook vs. DAL
6. Austin Ekeler vs. NE
7. D'Andre Swift vs. PHI
8. Aaron Jones @ARI
9. Cordarrelle Patterson vs. CAR
10. Leonard Fournette @NO
11. James Robinson @SEA
12. Darrell Henderson @HOU
13. Nick Chubb vs. PIT
14. Jonathan Taylor vs. TEN
15. Joe Mixon @NYJ
16. Antonio Gibson @DEN
17. Devontae Booker @KC
18. Chuba Hubbard @ATL
19. Darrel Williams vs. NYG
20. Kenneth Gainwell @DET
21. Michael Carter vs. CIN
22. Chase Edmonds vs. GB
23. Khalil Herbert vs. LAR
24. Elijah Mitchell @CHI
25. Zack Moss vs. MIA
26. Damien Harris @LAC
27. Melvin Gordon vs. WAS
28. Javonte Williams vs. WAS
29. Myles Gaskin @BUF
30. James Conner vs. GB
31. Alex Collins vs. JAX
32. J.D. McKissic @DEN
33. Tony Pollard @MIN
34. Mike Davis vs. CAR
35. Devin Singletary vs. MIA
36. D'Ernest Johnson vs. PIT
37. Jamaal Williams vs. PHI
38. Brandon Bolden @LAC
39. Damien Williams vs. LAR
40. AJ Dillon @ARI
41. David Johnson vs. LAR
42. Boston Scott @DET
43. Ty Johnson vs. CIN
44. Nyheim Hines vs. TEN
45. Alexander Mattison vs. DAL
46. Jerick McKinnon vs. NYG
47. Jeremy McNichols @IND
48. Mark Ingram vs. LAR

Davante Adams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, which comes at an especially bad time with the Packers set to face the Cardinals on Thursday night, given the league protocols around COVID-19 testing. Adams could be cleared to play in time for the game, assuming he doesn't have any symptoms related to his positive test, however he would need to have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart to be clear. That means the first would have to come no later than Wednesday afternoon. If he is symptomatic, Adams doesn't have enough time to be cleared, it would seem.

That means it looks pretty unlikely the Packers will have their No. 1 WR available for Thursday's game. Bad news for them, bad news for Fantasy players, especially since there just isn't anyone in the Packers offense we can feel particularly confident will step up. If you're desperate for a Week 8 starter, Allen Lazard is probably the best option -- he's Jamey's top WR target on waivers this week -- while Randall Cobb could see an increased role and might have some appeal as a low-end starter in PPR leagues. 

1. Cooper Kupp @HOU
2. Tyreek Hill vs. NYG
3. Stefon Diggs vs. MIA
4. Justin Jefferson vs. DAL
5. Ja'Marr Chase @NYJ
6. Deebo Samuel @CHI
7. A.J. Brown @IND
8. Diontae Johnson @CLE
9. Terry McLaurin @DEN
10. Mike Williams vs. NE
11. Keenan Allen vs. NE
12. D.J. Moore @ATL
13. Calvin Ridley vs. CAR
14. Chris Godwin @NO
15. CeeDee Lamb @MIN
16. Mike Evans @NO
17. Amari Cooper @MIN
18. Brandin Cooks vs. LAR
19. Courtland Sutton vs. WAS
20. Robert Woods @HOU
21. DeAndre Hopkins vs. GB
22. Michael Pittman vs. TEN
23. Tee Higgins @NYJ
24. Jaylen Waddle @BUF
25. DeVonta Smith @DET
26. Chase Claypool @CLE
27. Marvin Jones @SEA
28. Adam Thielen vs. DAL
29. Emmanuel Sanders vs. MIA
30. D.K. Metcalf vs. JAX
31. Jakobi Meyers @LAC
32. Allen Lazard @ARI
33. Cole Beasley vs. MIA
34. Jamison Crowder vs. CIN
35. Corey Davis vs. CIN
36. Randall Cobb @ARI
37. Darius Slayton @KC
38. Laviska Shenault @SEA
39. Jarvis Landry vs. PIT
40. DeVante Parker @BUF
41. Darnell Mooney vs. LAR
42. Julio Jones @IND
43. Robby Anderson @ATL
44. Mecole Hardman vs. NYG
45. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. PHI
46. Russell Gage vs. CAR
47. Tyler Lockett vs. JAX
48. A.J. Green vs. GB

Kyle Pitts is the No. 2 tight end for Week 8 with Mark Andrews and Darren Waller on a bye, but it's worth asking whether or not he should be considered the No. 2 TE for Fantasy Football moving forward. He's fifth in Fantasy points per game in PPR leagues, but that is with just one touchdown so far -- every other player ahead of him has at least three. He actually leads the position in receiving yards per game at 78.5 and is currently on pace for 87 catches and 1,335 yards, so the touchdowns are the only place he's falling short.

And those should come. He's running the majority of his routes either out of the slot or split out wide, and he leads the league in average depth of target per target at the position, and there should be more scoring opportunities coming in the future. Pitts is already an elite Fantasy tight end. And he might just be the top guy by 2022. 

1. Travis Kelce vs. NYG
2. Kyle Pitts vs. CAR
3. T.J. Hockenson vs. PHI
4. Dalton Schultz @MIN
5. Mike Gesicki @BUF
6. Dallas Goedert @DET
7. Noah Fant vs. WAS
8. Jared Cook vs. NE
9. Ricky Seals-Jones @DEN
10. Tyler Higbee @HOU
11. Hunter Henry @LAC
12. Zach Ertz vs. GB
13. Evan Engram @KC
14. Dan Arnold @SEA
15. Tyler Conklin vs. DAL
16. Robert Tonyan @ARI
17. Cole Kmet vs. LAR
18. David Njoku vs. PIT
19. Austin Hooper vs. PIT
20. Pat Freiermuth @CLE
21. Mo Alie-Cox vs. TEN
22. Anthony Firkser @IND
23. Tommy Sweeny vs. MIA
24. Gerald Everett vs. JAX

1. Derrick Henry @IND
2. Najee Harris @CLE
3. Alvin Kamara vs. TB
4. Cooper Kupp @HOU
5. Tyreek Hill vs. NYG
6. Ezekiel Elliott @MIN
7. Dalvin Cook vs. DAL
8. Travis Kelce vs. NYG
9. Stefon Diggs vs. MIA
10. Justin Jefferson vs. DAL
11. Ja'Marr Chase @NYJ
12. Austin Ekeler vs. NE
13. Deebo Samuel @CHI
14. D'Andre Swift vs. PHI
15. Aaron Jones @ARI
16. Cordarrelle Patterson vs. CAR
17. Leonard Fournette @NO
18. James Robinson @SEA
19. A.J. Brown @IND
20. Diontae Johnson @CLE
21. Darrell Henderson @HOU
22. Terry McLaurin @DEN
23. Mike Williams vs. NE
24. Keenan Allen vs. NE
25. D.J. Moore @ATL
26. Calvin Ridley vs. CAR
27. Chris Godwin @NO
28. CeeDee Lamb @MIN
29. Nick Chubb vs. PIT
30. Jonathan Taylor vs. TEN
31. Mike Evans @NO
32. Amari Cooper @MIN
33. Brandin Cooks vs. LAR
34. Kyle Pitts vs. CAR
35. Courtland Sutton vs. WAS
36. Robert Woods @HOU
37. Joe Mixon @NYJ
38. DeAndre Hopkins vs. GB
39. Michael Pittman vs. TEN
40. Antonio Gibson @DEN
41. Tee Higgins @NYJ
42. Darrel Williams vs. NYG
43. Devontae Booker @KC
44. Jaylen Waddle @BUF
45. Chuba Hubbard @ATL
46. Kenneth Gainwell @DET
47. DeVonta Smith @DET
48. Chase Claypool @CLE
49. Marvin Jones @SEA
50. Michael Carter vs. CIN
51. T.J. Hockenson vs. PHI
52. Adam Thielen vs. DAL
53. Emmanuel Sanders vs. MIA
54. D.K. Metcalf vs. JAX
55. Chase Edmonds vs. GB
56. Khalil Herbert vs. LAR
57. Jakobi Meyers @LAC
58. Elijah Mitchell @CHI
59. Allen Lazard @ARI
60. Cole Beasley vs. MIA
61. Zack Moss vs. MIA
62. Damien Harris @LAC
63. Dalton Schultz @MIN
64. Melvin Gordon vs. WAS
65. Jamison Crowder vs. CIN
66. Mike Gesicki @BUF
67. Javonte Williams vs. WAS
68. Myles Gaskin @BUF
69. Dallas Goedert @DET
70. Noah Fant vs. WAS
71. Corey Davis vs. CIN
72. Randall Cobb @ARI
73. Darius Slayton @KC
74. James Conner vs. GB
75. Alex Collins vs. JAX
76. Laviska Shenault @SEA
77. Jarvis Landry vs. PIT
78. DeVante Parker @BUF
79. Darnell Mooney vs. LAR
80. Julio Jones @IND
81. Robby Anderson @ATL
82. J.D. McKissic @DEN
83. Tony Pollard @MIN
84. Mike Davis vs. CAR
85. Devin Singletary vs. MIA
86. Mecole Hardman vs. NYG
87. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. PHI
88. Russell Gage vs. CAR
89. D'Ernest Johnson vs. PIT
90. Tyler Lockett vs. JAX
91. A.J. Green vs. GB
92. Christian Kirk vs. GB
93. Rondale Moore vs. GB
94. Jamaal Williams vs. PHI
95. Allen Robinson vs. LAR
96. Brandon Bolden @LAC
97. Odell Beckham vs. PIT
98. Damien Williams vs. LAR
99. Tyler Boyd @NYJ
100. Jared Cook vs. NE
101. AJ Dillon @ARI
102. Marquez Callaway vs. TB
103. David Johnson vs. LAR
104. Boston Scott @DET
105. Ricky Seals-Jones @DEN
106. Dante Pettis @KC
107. Ty Johnson vs. CIN
108. Tyler Higbee @HOU
109. Hunter Henry @LAC
110. Zach Ertz vs. GB
111. K.J. Osborn vs. DAL
112. Elijah Moore vs. CIN
113. Evan Engram @KC
114. Nelson Agholor @LAC
115. Dan Arnold @SEA
116. Brandon Aiyuk @CHI
117. Nyheim Hines vs. TEN
118. Tyler Conklin vs. DAL
119. Alexander Mattison vs. DAL
120. Tim Patrick vs. WAS
121. Robert Tonyan @ARI
122. Jamal Agnew @SEA
123. Cole Kmet vs. LAR
124. Jerick McKinnon vs. NYG
125. Jeremy McNichols @IND
126. Van Jefferson @HOU
127. Mark Ingram vs. LAR
128. Deonte Harris vs. TB
129. Jalen Reagor @DET
130. David Njoku vs. PIT
131. Quez Watkins @DET
132. Terrace Marshall @ATL
133. Danny Amendola vs. LAR
134. Zach Pascal vs. TEN
135. Austin Hooper vs. PIT
136. Dyami Brown @DEN
137. Adam Humphries @DEN
138. Kendrick Bourne @LAC
139. Pat Freiermuth @CLE
140. Nico Collins vs. LAR
141. Demarcus Robinson vs. NYG
142. Kenny Stills vs. TB
143. Mo Alie-Cox vs. TEN
144. Sony Michel @HOU
145. Anthony Firkser @IND
146. Deejay Dallas vs. JAX
147. Gabriel Davis vs. MIA
148. Olamide Zaccheaus vs. CAR
149. Giovani Bernard @NO
150. Mohamed Sanu @CHI