Both AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones are battling through injuries. But Dillon has been able to get over his ailments to be a productive running back, while Jones’ issues appear more serious. We’ll let you know which one of these Green Bay Packers running backs is a better choice to start Sunday night in your fantasy football leagues.
Should You Start AJ Dillon or Aaron Jones This Week?
Editor’s note: Jones has been ruled OUT for Week 13.
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Dillon is the player to start. His projected 9.4 points include 39 rushing yards and two receptions for 15 receiving yards. That projected stat line easily outperforms Jones’ consensus projection of 2.5 points.
My ranking for these running backs aligns with the consensus. Jones is just too banged up at the moment to put any trust in him being able to be a productive back, even if he gets on the field this weekend.
Fantasy Outlook for Dillon This Week
Dillon was able to tough it out last week and play despite a nagging groin issue. But while his 17 touches were impressive for a player who was limited in practice all last week, his all-around production was just as impressive.
Dillon finished with 81 scrimmage yards, finishing with nearly as many receiving yards (38) as rushing yards (43).
This season, Dillon has shown the ability to do a lot with little opportunity. In Week 6 vs. Denver, Dillon had 85 scrimmage yards on 17 touches, and in Week 9 at Pittsburgh, he only had 10 touches but still finished with 81 scrimmage yards.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
While his pass-catching ability is a game-changer for fantasy football managers, Dillon still can’t really get a lot going consistently running the ball. His 3.4 yards per carry is the fewest among all players with 125+ carries.
Dillon did not practice Wednesday but returned on a limited basis Thursday. Considering how he was able to get himself on the field last week, I would be surprised if he wasn’t active for this prime-time matchup.
Fantasy Outlook for Jones This Week
Jones’ biggest issue this season has been the same throughout — injuries. He has missed four games due to injuries, including last week vs. the Lions. He has not practiced this week, so any expectations of seeing him on the field Sunday night should probably be tempered.
Even when he’s been able to get on the field, Jones’ production has been mixed at best. Back in Week 9, he had 99 scrimmage yards against the Rams. But since Week 4, that has been his only game in which he finished with more than 60.
One of the best games of Jones’ career did come against the Chiefs back in 2019, when he finished with a career-high 159 receiving yards and 226 scrimmage yards.
But that was many games and several injuries ago.
The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Jones to finish with 10 yards with one reception for five yards.
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