NFL Week 8 Injury Update: Status on Cousins, Bourne, Stafford and Others

• NFL

Injuries are an unfortunate but unavoidable aspect of NFL competition, affecting not only players and teams but also fans who revel in the thrills of the game. Week 8 of the NFL season was no exception, as several key players sustained season-altering injuries.

Cousins' Season Ends

Minnesota Vikings' star quarterback Kirk Cousins will sit out the remainder of the season due to a devastating Achilles tear. The injury occurred during a decisive victory against the Green Bay Packers.

Cousins, 36, is entering free agency at the end of the season, and his future with the Vikings is now up in the air. Extension talks have been ambiguous, but even after this setback and given his age, Cousins is likely to have several teams vying for his quarterbacking expertise.

The New England Patriots' offense suffered a severe blow as rising receiver Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL during a 31-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Bourne had been experiencing increased targets, showcasing his indispensability to the Patriots' offense.

His absence exacerbates New England's already precarious quarterback situation, leaving them scrambling for reliable targets. Los Angeles Rams' quarterback Matthew Stafford has been listed as "day-to-day" following a UCL sprain in his right thumb, as confirmed by head coach Sean McVay.

Backup quarterback Brett Rypien stepped in for Stafford on Sunday, but the team's only other QB option on the 53-man roster is John Wolford. If Stafford is unable to return for the next matchup, the Rams may need to make roster adjustments to secure a backup.

Falcons' star defensive tackle Grady Jarrett will also miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, incurred during a loss to the Tennessee Titans. Atlanta acted quickly, trading for Eagles' defensive tackle Kentavious Street using a late-round pick.

Meanwhile, Jalen Carter underwent an MRI for a back issue but is expected to be back in action against the Dallas Cowboys come Sunday. The injury landscape after Week 8 raises numerous questions about roster moves and season outlooks for several teams. As the NFL season progresses, these injuries could very well be turning points that reshape the playoff picture.