There are several starting RBs that fantasy football managers drafted to be the cornerstone of their squads. Unfortunately, now several of them are dealing with injury.
What are the injury updates regarding Aaron Jones, Kenneth Walker III, and De’Von Achane heading into Week 13 of the fantasy season?
RB Injury Updates
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Jones didn’t get to participate in the Packers’ remarkable upset of the Lions on Thanksgiving. He missed the Thursday game due to the sprained MCL he suffered in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He only played 21% of the snaps that week and was the RB54.
Jones did not practice for the Packers on Monday, and there is concern that this could be a multi-week injury, even though he thankfully managed to avoid something catastrophic. If Jones is sidelined again this week for the Kansas City Chiefs matchup, AJ Dillon would be the starting RB.
However, Dillon himself is battling a groin issue. We should hear more about the RB situation from Packers practice later this week. The Packers also waived RB James Robinson on Monday, so there is a chance that they might be bringing in other reinforcements.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Walker was sidelined on Thursday due to an oblique injury he suffered in Week 11. Seattle lost the game to the 49ers. Before the Week 11 injury, Walker was producing well for fantasy, with six finishes in the top 20. He is currently RB20 on the season.
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On Friday, head coach Pete Carroll said that the team hopes that Walker will be able to play in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. Carroll is famous for giving away very little, so fantasy managers should keep an eye on practice reports, the two of which had him listed as a non-participant in practice for Monday and Tuesday.
When Carroll spoke to the media Tuesday he told reporters that he hasn’t seen anything from Walker that shows he is better than last week and will go into this game with questions. We should get a more definitive answer Wednesday when the Seahawks release their final injury report. At best, it looks like Walker will be questionable for Week 13.
If Walker can’t go on Sunday, Zach Charbonnet will once again step in as the RB1 for Seattle.
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Fantasy managers were ecstatic when Achane finally returned to the field in Week 11, but the joy was short-lived, as he only had one carry before he tweaked his already-injured knee. Achane had to sit out the rest of the game and went on to miss Week 12 against the Jets.
Today, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that Achane was inactive against the New York Jets because he wanted to have full confidence in the running back’s health and due to the fact the Dolphins were on a short week versus a physical opponent.
McDaniel said there is a better chance for Achane to play this week with additional time ahead of Sunday’s game at Washington, but currently, his availability is up in the air.
If Achane misses another week, expect Raheem Mostert to be the primary RB, with Jeff Wilson Jr. coming in to spell him as a complementary option.
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