Fantasy football managers who have relied heavily on James Cook, Najee Harris, and Chase Brown to advance to the next round of the fantasy playoffs may want to start formulating a backup plan at the RB position, with these players all dealing with injuries at the moment.
Here is the latest injury update we have on some big-name fantasy RBs heading into Week 16.
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
If you happened to start Cook in your fantasy lineup last week, he likely helped you advance to the next round of your fantasy playoffs with his career-high 179 rushing yards and two total TDs against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cook is on a five-game streak of 12+ point fantasy performances in PPR formats, which could be closely tied to the team’s decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey last month.
Undoubtedly, fantasy managers are hoping for a repeat performance this week against the Los Angeles Chargers, but they will need to monitor the Bills’ injury report this week to make sure Cook is available for Week 16.
According to a recent report from Sal Capaccio, Cook was not practicing on Wednesday due to an illness, which isn’t cause for too much concern at this point but still needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
If Cook is able to take the field against the Chargers, he will be a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option for fantasy managers in Week 16. If Cook is unable to play this week, then both Latavius Murray and Ty Johnson would likely see an expanded role in the Bills backfield.
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Editor’s note: Harris was a full participant in practice again on Thursday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers struggling offense did provide fantasy managers with a bit of good news on Wednesday when a report from Adam Caplan included an image of the team’s injury report, which listed Harris as a full participant in practice while dealing with a knee injury.
The reason why this is encouraging news for fantasy managers is that Harris was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday’s practice, which means his significant jump in practice participation bodes very well for his potential availability ahead of the team’s upcoming matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Harris has posted back-to-back dud performances while working through his ailing knee injury and the poor quarterback play from Mitchell Trubisky with Kenny Pickett still out of the lineup.
Harris has produced just 62 rushing yards combined on his 24 carries over the last two games. During that two-game stretch, fellow Steelers RB Jaylen Warren has been the higher-scoring fantasy back. That’s mostly due to the fact that Warren has caught nine passes over the last two games in comparison to Harris’ three.
To add insult to injury, Harris has failed to find the end zone in three straight games, which would make him a very risky play heading into Week 16, with Mason Rudolph making his first start of the 2023 season under center against the Bengals.
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Editor’s note: Brown was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday.
Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon has turned back the fantasy clock with some vintage performances over the last two games, but the team has also made a conscious effort to get the talented rookie running back from Illinois involved over the last three games.
Brown has logged 10+ total touches and produced 8+ fantasy points in two straight games.
He has also caught a minimum of three passes in two straight games, which makes him an intriguing Flex option against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense this Saturday, who just gave up 170 yards on the ground to the trio of Indianapolis Colts running backs in Zack Moss, Trey Sermon, and Tyler Goodson.
Brown appeared on the team’s injury report when he was listed as a limited participant for Tuesday’s practice due to a sternum injury.
Fortunately, Brown has made it two straight days at practice, with a recent report from Jay Morrison stating that everyone except WR Ja’Marr Chase was present on the practice field on Wednesday.
His appearance on the practice for both sessions so far this week bodes very well for his potential availability for Week 16.
If the Steelers continue to struggle to slow down opposing rushing attacks, then Brown is fully capable of being a fantasy producer in a complementary role in Week 16.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
