Week 11 was luckily a light week in terms of in-game injuries at running back, but with your fantasy football luck, the injuries that did occur might just have an impact on your fantasy football team moving forward. If your roster’s structural integrity is dependent on this week’s injury report, then have a look at our Week 12 Fantasy RB Injury Update, where we provide the latest on the health of relevant fantasy RBs, including Patriots RB Rex Burkhead, Jets RB La’Mical Perine, and others.
Fantasy RB Injury Report & Update: The biggest injury question marks heading into Week 12
Will Rex Burkhead be able to benefit from New England’s usage in 2020?
The Patriots have the second-most total carries on record for the 2020 season, and while Cam Newton does account for some of that rushing volume, New England’s offense remains an opportune place for a running back looking to produce. For a short spell, that was running back Rex Burkhead; his Week 10 two-touchdown outing, combined with his versatility, made him an intriguing sleeper in Week 11, but after logging just 12 yards on six carries against the Texans, he was ruled out with a knee injury.
Monday, November 23: We’re still waiting for official confirmation, but according to Patriots beat reporter Jeff Howe, the fear within the Patriots organization is that Rex Burkhead suffered a torn ACL in the team’s 27-20 loss against Houston. Rex Burkhead will have an MRI to receive confirmation. If it is indeed a torn ACL, he will not be back in 2020, and his recovery could span well into 2021.
Is La’Mical Perine going to play in Week 12?
Normally, the Jets aren’t often appealing from a fantasy perspective, but even in the doldrums of Adam Gase’s offense, there is still opportunity for talented players to produce. Le’Veon Bell’s departure opened up some room for players like La’Mical Perine and Frank Gore to earn increased roles, and in Week 11, both players found the end zone. Perine, in particular, has intriguing upside closing out the year, but will he be available?
Monday, November 23: La’Mical Perine is on the Week 12 fantasy RB injury update because he left in the third quarter of the Jets’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers with an ankle injury. Perine was not ruled out immediately, which indicates that his injury might not be serious enough to keep him off the field for an extended period of time. If he can play in Week 12, he’ll have a chance to put up numbers, but Frank Gore will be sharing the workload.
Is D’Andre Swift playing this week?
D’Andre Swift flashed his upside all year and finally earned his first start for the Lions in Week 10 against the Washington Football Team. Swift didn’t disappoint, logging almost 150 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, but he wound up suffering a concussion in the contest. If Swift can return for the Lions’ Thanksgiving game, he’ll face one of the NFL’s worst rushing defenses in the Houston Texans, who’ve allowed a whopping 154.3 rushing yards per game.
Monday, November 23: Swift was officially ruled out for the Lions’ Week 11 game against Carolina on Friday, having entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. There’s a chance he could be cleared before the team’s next game on Thanksgiving, but he’ll have to show enough progress to warrant a return to the field. The Lions have not yet offered an update on his status.
Is Christian McCaffrey playing in Week 12?
A year ago, Christian McCaffrey was one of the most durable and dominant ball carriers in the NFL. That hasn’t been the case in 2020, as McCaffrey has only suited up for three games. Most recently, he missed the Panthers’ Week 10 and Week 11 contest with an AC joint sprain, and his long-term outlook for the rest of 2020 remains unclear.
Monday, November 23: The Panthers have stated that they intend to play McCaffrey once he’s healthy, but it remains to be seen when he’ll reach that point. Given his struggles to stay at that level this year, it seems like shelving McCaffrey to preserve his long-term viability could be an option, especially given that the Panthers are essentially out of the NFC playoff race. With that being said, it all depends on McCaffrey; if he can show progress this week, he could get back on the field.
Fantasy RB Injury Report, Week 12: AFC Players
Jalen Richard, Las Vegas Raiders (Chest)
Sunday, November 22: After suffering a chest injury in the Raiders’ Week 10 battle with the Broncos, Jalen Richard was ruled out for the team’s crucial AFC West-defining duel with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (Foot)
Monday, November 23: Joe Mixon was placed on injured reserve by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. He cannot be taken off of injured reserve for three weeks, so the quickest he can come back is Week 14. Even then, however, he must return to practice with minimal issues before hitting the field again.
Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins (Hamstring)
Sunday, November 22: Matt Breida returned from injury in Miami’s Week 11 game, but he was not a factor in the team’s offensive production, logging just two carries for four yards. Salvon Ahmed received the brunt of the workload, logging 12 carries for 43 yards, along with five receptions for 31 yards.
Fantasy RB Injury Report & Update, Week 12: NFC Players
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (Foot)
Monday, November 23: The Seahawks kept Chris Carson out of the team’s Week 11 Thursday night game against the Arizona Cardinals, but head coach Pete Carroll said in a press conference after the game that he expects Carson to be available for the team’s Week 12 Monday night contest against the Eagles.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (Unspecified)
Sunday, November 22: Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook was taken off the field toward the end of the first half in the Vikings’ Week 11 loss to the Cowboys, as he received a jarring hit from Dallas linebacker Donovan Wilson. Cook did not return before the intermission but came back for the Vikings in the second half and closed out the game, so he should remain available in Week 12.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears (Concussion)
Monday, November 23: David Montgomery missed Chicago’s Week 10 contest with a concussion, but after having a bye week in Week 11 to rest and recover, there’s a chance he could be back for the team’s Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers, whose defense was torn apart by Dalvin Cook a few weeks ago.
Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers (Knee)
Monday, November 23: Tevin Coleman was dealing with a knee injury heading into San Francisco’s Week 11 bye, but now that he’s had more time to heal, there’s a chance he could be back for the team’s next game on November 29 against the Rams. Kyle Shanahan has expressed hope that Coleman will be back by then.
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