The Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving injury report is a lengthy one, and RB AJ Dillon is one of the names that will be causing fantasy football managers the most angst. With a chance to be the lead back for the Packers, the RB’s groin injury has him questionable for Week 12. Let’s take a look at whether Dillon will be playing this week and what fantasy options may be available in the Packers’ backfield if he does not play.
Editor’s Note: AJ Dillon is active for the Packers Week 12 game.
Is AJ Dillon Going To Play in Week 12?
The picture with Dillon is somewhat unclear as to whether he will play in Week 12. The hope is that the RB will be able to play, but we have not got a clear indication either way following the release of the Packers’ final injury report for the week. That means fantasy managers will need to be alert on Thanksgiving morning for his status.
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Dillon was listed as limited all week in terms of his practice status as he deals with his groin issue. It is worth emphasizing that the Packers did not actually hold a full practice this week. They did not have practice on Monday, and Tuesday and Wednesday were walkthroughs. Therefore, the reports for all three days this week are estimations.
We didn’t really get anything concrete from Matt LaFleur when it came to Dillon’s status during the week. The positive is that he was not considered a downgrade through the week and will travel with the team. With Aaron Jones ruled out and Emanuel Wilson placed on IR, the Packers really need Dillon on the field.
Potential Fantasy Options if Dillon Is Out Include James Robinson and Patrick Taylor
With Jones and Wilson both expected to miss this week at least, the Packers had to make some emergency calls to get reinforcements into place for their Week 12 game. The additions of James Robinson and Patrick Taylor look even more important with Dillon dealing with a groin injury.
According to Taylor, the Packers reached out to him during their game last Sunday to tell him that they would be bringing him back to Lambeau this week. At the time, Taylor was on the Patriots’ practice squad, having spent some time with the Packers earlier in the season, so has scheme and coaching familiarity.
Similarly, Robinson was with the Packers for a spell earlier in the season. He has also spent time with the Patriots this year but has not seen the field. Taylor played in four of the first five games for Green Bay this year and has 11 carries for 31 yards with five receptions for 28 yards. In his NFL career, he has played 27 games for the Packers, carrying the ball 44 times for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Of the two, Robinson has the better NFL pedigree after bursting onto the scene as a rookie in 2020. Unfortunately, an injury in 2021 appears to have derailed a promising career. After rushing for 1,837 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first 28 games, he has added less than 500 yards since the 2021 season.
If Dillon is ruled out on Thanksgiving morning, fantasy managers may be scrambling for options. Hopefully, there are more reliable options available on your waiver wire than either Robinson or Taylor. One of them could find fantasy value with volume, but predicting who is tough to do.
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