Fantasy football managers who are in desperate need of a win to stay in the playoff hunt in their league may have to make some contingency plans at the running back position with Alexander Mattison, D’Onta Foreman, and Khalil Herbert all dealing with injuries heading into Week 11. Let’s take a closer look at the most recent updates we have on these players and the fantasy fallout heading into the weekend.
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Mattison was once looked at as a long shot to take the field against the Denver Broncos after missing Wednesday’s practice while still in concussion protocol. Well, Mattison fantasy shareholders got an encouraging update on Friday afternoon when a recent report from Tom Pelissero listed Mattison as questionable for their Week 11 contest on Sunday Night Football.
His questionable tag heading into a prime-time game doesn’t exactly make things easier for Mattison shareholders. If he is a game-time decision on Sunday, fantasy managers will have to decide whether or not to roll the dice on Mattison potentially being made inactive for the latest game on Sunday.
MORE: NFL Injuries Week 11 — Tracking Every Injury
Mattison is currently the RB26 in PPR formats and has failed to rush for 100 yards in any single game this season. Fortunately, his involvement in the passing game — where he has 24 receptions for 164 yards and three scores on the year — has been consistent enough to give his fantasy managers a reliable floor in PPR formats.
If Mattison is able to go on Sunday, he will face off against a Broncos defense that is allowing an average of 29.8 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs this season, which is the most in the league. If Mattison doesn’t suit up against Denver, then Ty Chandler will see an expanded role in the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield in Week 11.
This analysis was last updated at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2023.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears rushing attack has run mostly through Foreman over the last five games with Herbert out of the starting lineup. Well, there is still a chance he can lead this backfield against the Detroit Lions on Sunday if his ankle doesn’t prevent him from taking the field. According to a recent report from Courtney Cronin, Foreman is questionable heading into Week 11.
Foreman has been a reliable option for fantasy managers over the last five games with Herbert on injured reserve (IR). He has topped 80 yards rushing in three of his last four games, which has given fantasy managers a reliable fantasy floor despite having an undrafted rookie quarterback under center for the majority of these games.
If Herbert misses a sixth straight game, Foreman would be a good bet to see north of 20 carries for a third straight game in Week 11, putting him firmly in the RB2 conversation. If Herbert does manage to get back on the field this Sunday, then Foreman will drop outside of the top 35 at the RB position this week.
This analysis was last updated at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2023.
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
Speaking of Herbert, the same report from Cronin stated that Herbert doesn’t carry an injury designation heading into the team’s NFC North matchup against the Lions. Herbert may have gotten off to a very slow start to the 2023 season while splitting work with rookie RB Roschon Johnson in a struggling offense through the first three weeks, but he really started hitting his stride before suffering an ankle injury against the Washington Commanders back in Week 5.
Herbert’s production started to jump heading into October after logging his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season against the Broncos in Week 4 and was averaging 7.6 yards per carry over his 10 totes prior to suffering his ankle injury against the Commanders.
The Bears’ offense feels like a mystery at the moment with both Herbert and starting quarterback Justin Fields potentially returning to the starting lineup in Week 11. While it’s possible Herbert does split some work with other players in the Bears’ backfield in his first game back from injury, he would still be a fringe top-25 option at the RB position if he makes his return to the starting lineup on Sunday.
This analysis was last updated at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2023.
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