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FANTASY SPORTS
Green Bay Packers

Fantasy football tips for Week 8

USA TODAY Fantasy Sports
Julio Jones has been limited in practice this week with an ankle injury.

A few additional fantasy nuggets to help owners set their Week 8 lineups, including injuries, a key sit/start matchup and the stat of the week.

Injury report

Be sure to check the USA TODAY Fantasy Sports player notes for the latest updates prior to kickoff.

RB James Starks, Green Bay Packers (questionable): Not a fantasy factor in his own right, but Starks missing time would translate to more reps for the volume-dependent Eddie Lacy.

WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (questionable)
Limited by an ankle injury in practice again this week, but looks on track to make the trip to London.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints (out)
Will miss at least two weeks with a shoulder injury, but last week's return of Mark Ingram softens the blow.

RB Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles (questionable)
Working his way back quickly from a slightly torn knee ligament; wasn't expected to be ready this week but has been able to practice on a limited basis.

WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (questionable)
Pain in injured ankle has finally allowed him to take part in drills, but Lions may play it safe with bye week up next.

QB Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans (questionable)
Charlie Whitehurst could get a third straight start if Locker's thumb doesn't show any progress before Sunday.

WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts (questionable)
Elbow injury may have been a factor in some uncharacteristic drops last week. Has yet to practice so far this week.

QB Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins (questionable)
Not worth starting yet for fantasy purposes, especially on a Monday night, but Colt McCoy's time under center is limited.

-- Steve Gardner, USA TODAY Sports

Key matchup

START: QB Kyle Orton, Buffalo Bills

In three starts, Orton has five TD passes and is averaging 296.7 yards per game. His production should continue against the New York Jets' struggling defense. The Jets allow 26.4 points per game and have surrendered a league-high 18 touchdowns through the air. With a $5,000 FantasyScore salary, Orton is the biggest bargains on the board.

SIT: QB Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

This isn't the week to start Cutler. The Bears are reeling and the New England Patriots defense is full of ball-hawking defensive backs. The Patriots allow a league-low 208 passing yards per game and FantasyScore.com players should invest their $7,600 elsewhere.

— Marc Caviglia, BrunoBoys.net

Stat of the week

19

The league-leading number of red-zone opportunities for Chicago Bears' tight end Martellus Bennett. Fantasy owners in touchdown-heavy formats take note. When the Bears get inside their opponents' 20-yard line, Bennett frequently has his number is called.

-- Tony Holm, FantasySharks.com

Play the game

Daily fantasy games represent the fastest growing segment of the fantasy sports industry. This NFL season, USA TODAY has introduced its own daily game, FantasyScore, where fantasy owners can draft a new lineup each week and win cash prizes. For more information and to sign up, go to www.FantasyScore.com.

The offensive and defensive rankings through the first seven weeks of the NFL season.
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