While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offenses around them. Here’s an update on some critical RB injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Week 14 Fantasy Football RB Injury Report | AFC
The AFC has endured plenty of running back injuries this year, but the list is fairly thin for Week 14.
David Johnson, Houston Texans
On Sunday morning, the Texans placed David Johnson on the COVID-19/Reserve list. Rex Burkhead will once again be the lead back.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon did not practice all week due to what is apparently a bad cold. This would be the first time I’ve heard of a player missing a game because of a cold, but they rarely play after not practicing all week.
Mixon is a game-time decision, and there is definitely a risk he is “fake active” a la Darrell Henderson last week. Head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipates Mixon playing. Samaje Perine would be the primary back if Mixon can’t go.
Update: Mixon is active.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon got in a limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable with a hip issue. The Broncos expect him to play.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson (heel) practiced fully on Friday. He carries no injury designation and will play Sunday.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler tweaked his ankle last week, but the Chargers did not list him on the final injury report.
Tevin Coleman, New York Jets
Tevin Coleman did not practice all week and is out with a concussion. Ty Johnson and Austin Walter will split carries this week.
Jeremy McNichols, Tennessee Titans
Jeremy McNichols has cleared the concussion protocol and will play Sunday. His return to action puts Dontrell Hilliard’s role in serious question.
Week 14 Fantasy Football RB Injury Report | NFC
Which NFC running backs are dealing with injuries that may affect their game status? Let’s see which RB committees are hobbled heading into Week 14.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Chase Edmonds practiced all week and is expected to return from his high ankle sprain on Monday night. The Cardinals do not have to activate Edmonds until Sunday afternoon, though, so fantasy managers will have to make a decision on Edmonds before the team officially activates him.
David Montgomery and Damien Williams, Chicago Bears
David Montgomery practiced in full Friday. He is not listed on the final injury report and is ready to rock Sunday night. Damien Williams also practiced in full as he recovers from a calf strain. He carries no injury designation either and will return as the Bears’ RB3 behind Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott practiced in full all week. His knee continues to improve, and he will play Sunday. Tony Pollard did not practice at all this week as he deals with a torn plantar fascia. He’s listed as questionable, but players who don’t practice rarely play. Given Pollard’s injury, I do not expect him out there.
In addition, Michael Gehlken said the Cowboys do not expect Pollard to play. The team elevated JaQuan Hardy from the practice squad, which is a strong indicator they expect to be without Pollard this week. On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport reported that Pollard is pushing hard to play but there is not a lot of optimism that he will be active.
Update: According to Jay Glazer, Pollard is out today. Pollard is inactive.
D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
D’Andre Swift did not practice all week and is out with a shoulder sprain. Swift was never going to play the past two weeks, but I think there’s a shot he returns in Week 15. If not, he should be ready to go in Week 16, but there’s a risk the Lions just shut him down amidst a lost season.
Detroit placed Jamaal Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. He will be out this week. As a result, Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike will split touches.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams
Darrell Henderson Jr. was dealing with a thigh issue all week, but that’s moot now. On Saturday, Henderson tested positive for COVID. He is out Sunday, so Sony Michel will once again be a workhorse.
Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
The Saints removed Alvin Kamara from the final injury report. He is fully recovered from his MCL sprain and is set to play against the Jets. Mark Ingram, meanwhile, is on the reserve/COVID-19 list and while not officially ruled out, is reportedly unlikely to play this week.
Update: Ingram is inactive.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
The Giants continue to monitor Saquon Barkley’s practice reps as he deals with lingering effects of his ankle sprain. He’s not listed on the final injury report and will play Sunday.
Elijah Mitchell and Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell is out this week with a concussion. On the other hand, Jeff Wilson’s knee flare-up appears to be behind him as he is not listed on the final injury report. I expect him to get nearly all the touches and be a volume-based RB2. Hasty and Brian Hill are the backs behind Wilson this week.
Alex Collins, Adrian Peterson, and Travis Homer, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks removed Alex Collins from the final injury report as he must be over his abdominal injury. He will play Sunday.
Adrian Peterson is not listed on the injury report because he is still on the practice squad. Whether due to his purported back injury or poor play, the team did not elevate AP. Travis Homer is out due to a calf/hamstring injury.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
J.D. McKissic got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. He remains in the concussion protocol, and Washington listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. According to Adam Schefter, McKissic won’t play this week.
Update: McKissic is inactive.