Not all injuries are created equal, and that is why savvy managers will study the fantasy football IR situations. Will it be a limited stay? When can my player return? How is the roster build around my injured player?
By asking those questions, you’re taking the first step to fantasy football greatness. Answering them is the next order of business, and that’s what I’m here to do!
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Which Running Backs Are on IR in Week 7?
De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins
The fantasy football cheat code that is the rookie out of Texas A&M is only expected to miss the mandated four weeks with a knee injury that he suffered in Week 5. With the Dolphins on bye in Week 10, that means a Week 11 return in an advantageous spot against the Raiders.
MORE: Should You Start Jeff Wilson Jr. or Ezekiel Elliott in Fantasy Football Week 7?
Of course, there are several moving pieces here. Fantasy managers not only have to worry about another mouth to feed with Jeff Wilson Jr. returning this week, but the schedule isn’t exactly friendly when it matters most.
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- Week 14: vs. Titans
- Week 15: vs. Jets
- Week 16: vs. Cowboys
- Week 17: at Ravens
You’re holding Achane for the time being, though sharp fantasy managers will at least note that a sell-high situation if/when he lights up the Raiders upon his return.
James Conner | Arizona Cardinals
James Conner is eligible to return from his knee injury in Week 10 against the Falcons, but it’s an uphill battle to return the fringe RB2 value that he had through the first month of the season.
Not only is Conner at risk of this injury lingering — he has never played a full NFL season, so there is fragility built into his profile to begin with — but what if the Cardinals throw in the towel on the season?
The running backs behind Conner don’t pose much of a threat in terms of his role when fully healthy, and that’s enough to stash him and hope — just be aware that it’s very possible that the best fantasy days from Conner in 2023 are in the rearview mirror.
Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams
News broke this weekend that Kyren Williams (ankle) will miss at least the next four games (five weeks due to the Week 10 bye) after he was placed on injured reserve.
This week, the Rams signed Myles Gaskin, elevated Royce Freeman, and brought back Darrell Henderson, a flurry of moves that tells you all you need to know about Zach Evans, the RB who was presumed to be the next man up to open this week.
MORE: Fantasy Football Week 7 Consensus RB Rankings
All reports point to Henderson getting the first crack at the lead role in this backfield, but this is a committee waiting to happen.
As productive as Williams has been for fantasy managers, let’s not lose track of the fact that he averaged over 4.1 yards per carry once this season. Efficiency isn’t something we can count on, and if the touch pie is going to be split three ways, does anybody have a full plate?
We’ll know more of what lies ahead after this week, but I have a hard time thinking any of these backs will earn an RB2 ranking next week (at Dallas). All deserve to be rostered due to the lack of clarity, but your expectations need to be low.
On the Williams front, I’m holding. We will get news on his recovery with time, but early estimations are that his stay on IR will be just the mandated four games. With that said, I have six glorious words that Williams managers should feel good about:
“Long rest, Week 17, at Giants.”
Play the long game with Williams. In the meantime, look for other solutions to fill out your roster than those replacing him in Los Angeles.