There’s never a good time for injury, but it’s especially unfortunate timing for Miles Sanders. Sander’s had been running quite well recently, and the Philadelphia Eagles are currently entrenched in a battle for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC playoffs. For fantasy football purposes, the Eagles’ backfield has been a bit of a riddle all season — Let’s assess the fallout from Sanders’ injury.
Miles Sanders’ injury
Sanders is believed to have broken his hand. With just one week remaining in the fantasy season, all we need to concern ourselves with is whether Sanders will play in Week 17. If Sanders’ hand is indeed broken, he won’t play.
Fantasy impact of Sanders’ injury
The hierarchy in the Eagles’ backfield is as follows: Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, and Kenneth Gainwell. If Sanders is out, Howard would start as the primary runner with Gainwell or Scott mixing in on passing downs.
However, Howard suffered an injury of his own, leaving the game due to a stinger. It doesn’t sound serious, but as of now, we have no idea if he’ll play next week. Howard has been quite efficient this season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. If he can go next week, he will be a touchdown-dependent RB2 against a beatable Washington defense. Howard had 15 carries for 69 yards against them in Week 15.
What about Boston Scott?
Scott has been productive every time he’s been called upon. He had 12 carries for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns in Week 8, 11 carries for 81 yards and 2 catches for 24 yards in Week 10, and 15 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 12. Of those games, Howard was only active for Week 8.
My fear with Scott is he and Howard play similar roles for the Eagles. If they are sharing early-down work, but Howard is the goal-line back, Scott will struggle to produce. I would not trust Scott as anything more than a Hail Mary RB4 unless both Sanders and Howard are out.
What about Kenny Gainwell?
The only clarity we have regarding this backfield for next week is Gainwell. There’s nothing here. Even with Sanders and Howard going down in Week 16, Gainwell played just 2 snaps.
2 … in the entire game.
The Eagles look at Gainwell the same way I look at the new shirt I bought that looks kind of nice but just is never quite comfortable. I know it’s there, but I’m never going to wear it.
The Eagles are never going to play Gainwell. Not unless they absolutely have to. There’s no scenario outside of all three of the other Eagles backs being out where you would feel comfortable starting Gainwell.
How should fantasy managers approach Week 17 in the wake of Sanders’ injury?
Fantasy managers absolutely need to pursue Howard and Scott off the waiver wire. It’s championship week. You have two objectives: 1) Field the best possible starting lineup; 2) Prevent your opponent from fielding the best possible starting lineup.
The second one is rather difficult since you can’t set your opponent’s lineup. What you can do is pick up players for your bench that your opponent might use in their starting lineup.
If by some miracle Sanders’ hand isn’t broken and he is able to play, he will remain the lead back and render all other Eagles RBs unstartable. Assuming Sanders is out, Howard will be a viable starter if he can go. Otherwise, Scott is very much in play. Check back with us throughout the week for updates on Sanders and Howard’s statuses.