It’s always a challenge to navigate through injuries in fantasy football. The RB position has several players dealing with issues. The time to set Week 10 lineups is near. What is the latest injury information on Aaron Jones, David Montgomery, and Emari Demercado?
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Before last week’s game, head coach Matt LaFleur felt better about Jones’ physical status than he had at any point since Week 1. He said it was time to “cut Jones loose.” And it was.
Jones played a season-high 57% of the snaps, finally flipping this backfield opportunity distribution firmly in his favor. Jones saw 26 opportunities to AJ Dillon’s 10. Most notably, the Green Bay Packers left Jones in near the goal line to punch in a short touchdown. If that continues, that will be massive for his fantasy value.
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After the game, there were no reports of any sort of setback for Jones. He seems healthier than ever, finally shedding the red no-contact jersey at practice.
Given Jones’ veteran status, he doesn’t need to do much at practice. LaFleur knows this and opts to continue being careful with Jones’ practice reps. He was limited on Wednesday, which has been the routine. Jones still hasn’t logged a full practice all season.
Nevertheless, there is no cause for concern. Jones looks back to his explosive self. Given how close he is to Age 29, there is always the risk this is temporary, and his body is starting to break down. But right now, he’s healthy and ready to rock as the Packers’ RB1 and a fantasy RB1.
Editor’s Note: Despite being limited all week, Jones has been cleared for Week 10.
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
Montgomery fell awkwardly on the football back in Week 6 and injured his ribs. He exited the game and hasn’t played since.
While the injury cost him two games, the plan was always to bring him back following the Detroit Lions’ Week 9 bye. As of Wednesday, that plan looks to be fully in motion.
Earlier in the week, head coach Dan Campbell discussed his team’s backfield as if Montgomery’s return was a foregone conclusion. That sure looks to be the case. He got in a full session at Wednesday’s practice. He is all set to make his return this week against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has been tough against the run.
It remains to be seen what Montgomery’s workload looks like now that Jahmyr Gibbs has firmly established himself as capable of a bell-cow role. I still expect Montgomery to start and be the RB1, but there’s no way he will be the 75% snap-share guy he was earlier in the season.
Even with a reduced workload, Montgomery comes with a weekly touchdown upside and remains firmly in the RB2 territory.
Editor’s Note: Montgomery has been cleared for Week 10.
Emari Demercado, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals had no choice but to completely mail it in last week. They traded away starting QB Joshua Dobbs, did not activate Kyler Murray, still were without James Conner, and lost both Michael Wilson and Emari Demercardo to injuries. In Cleveland against NFL Defense Rankings 2023, they never had a chance.
Things are looking brighter for the Cardinals this week. Murray has been activated and will make his season debut on Sunday. Wilson returned to practice Wednesday, and the team opened the window for Conner to resume practicing as well.
Amid all the positive news in Arizona, Demercado’s health is not included. After missing last week’s game with a toe injury, things are off to an ominous start this week.
Demercado did not practice on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Conner got in a limited session. It’s only Wednesday, which gives Demercado a chance to return to practice Thursday or Friday. However, a second DNP on Thursday would spell almost certain doom for his status.
Top players can go DNP-DNP-LP and play. I don’t think Demercado qualifies. If he doesn’t practice on Thursday, he’s almost certainly not going to play.
Between Conner eyeing up a return this week and Demercado’s injury, it seems unlikely fantasy managers will be able to use Demercado again anytime soon. Not only would he have to return from injury, Conner would have to get hurt again.
I fully expect a healthy Conner to immediately resume his bell-cow role, playing as many snaps as he can handle. Demercado will get back his RB2 job behind Conner once he’s ready, as Keaontay Ingram is not an NFL-caliber player. But that role will not have standalone value. For now, Demercado remains a bench stash and nothing more.
Editor’s note: Demercado has been ruled OUT for Week 10.
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