The Week 14 RB injury report has a handful of big names when it comes to fantasy football impact. With six NFL teams on a bye, potentially losing another two or three contributors will have fantasy managers tearing their hair out. Let’s take a look at the latest NFL injury updates and the fantasy implications of the latest news on Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette, Kenneth Walker III, and more.
RB Injury Report Heading Into Week 14
Saquon Barkley, NYG | Neck (Active)
Update: Saquon Barkley is active for Week 14.
Anytime a player is a midweek downgrade, it’s a concern. Anytime a running back has a neck injury, it’s a concern. Both of those statements are true about Saquon Barkley this week.
After being a full participant on Wednesday, Barkley was downgraded to limited on Thursday. The Giants’ RB was out doing drills on Friday, which is a positive sign. However, when he spoke to the media, head coach Brian Daboll did not sound hugely optimistic.
Daboll told reporters that Barkley’s neck was “a little sore” and said that they have “probably got to see” if the RB can play against the Eagles. All of this points to Barkley being a game-time decision on Sunday. Fortunately, the game begins at 1 p.m. ET, so fantasy managers will have options at their disposal if Barkley is ruled out.
The reports on Sunday morning further emphasize that this really is a game-time decision. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that the Giants have described the injury as a “legit 50-50.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Barkley is optimistic about playing, but it will depend on how he feels ahead of the game.
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Ahead of the game on Sunday, Daboll told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo that Barkley will play in Week 14.
Benching Barkley is close to impossible if he’s active, but this is going to be a nervous week for his fantasy managers. Entering the game limited is never ideal, especially with something like a neck injury. If the game begins to get one-sided, or if Barkley re-injures his neck, he could end up on the bench for the remainder of the game.
If Barkley is ultimately unable to suit up, his workload will likely be split between Gary Brightwell and Matt Breida. Neither will have the same upside as Barkley, but they could have 14-team fantasy value this week.
In the event Barkley misses the game, Brightwell or Breida could be late-round Underdog Fantasy Best Ball options if managers are looking to differentiate themselves from the crowd.
Leonard Fournette, TB | Foot (Active)
Update: Leonard Fournette is active for Week 14.
Leonard Fournette appeared on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ injury report Thursday with a new injury. His foot issue is not something that we had seen before, and that in itself is a further concern to the midweek downgrade. On Friday, we found out from head coach Todd Bowles that Fournette’s foot was sore, so they limited him in practice Thursday.
Bowles added that the Buccaneers hoped Fournette would feel better by Sunday. That would suggest he’ll be a game-time decision and makes him a risky fantasy option this week. If the foot issue flairs up during the game, Fournette’s day could end early, limiting his fantasy value.
On Sunday morning, the reports from both Schefter and Rapoport indicated that Fournette is expected to play, barring a setback in warmups.
If Fournette misses the game, Rachaad White should be the main beneficiary. The matchup this week against the 49ers is tough, and with the pair splitting touches, both are risky starting options for fantasy. The decision on White would be much simpler if Fournette is out.
Kenneth Walker III, SEA | Ankle (Inactive)
Update: Kenneth Walker is inactive for Week 14.
It’s intriguing to see Kenneth Walker III listed as questionable after he did not practice through the first two days of the week. The rookie RB is dealing with an ankle injury that has been described as a strain and not a sprain by head coach Pete Carroll this week.
The early week thinking was always that rest and time were what Walker needed if he was to have a chance to play in Week 14. Accordingly, he did not practice all week but remains a game-time decision, according to Carroll.
On Saturday night, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Walker is not expected to play. He referred to Walker as “a long shot barring surprise.” The focus now will turn to Walker’s attempt to get healthy for Thursday Night Football in Week 15.
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Even if Walker is active, he’s a tough player to start this week. While there are some nice elements to this matchup, the re-injury risk for ankle ailments tends to be above that of many other injury situations. Therefore, Walker might be an option you have to lean towards sitting this week for fear of another mid-game downgrade in status.
If Walker is inactive, then how you approach the Seahawks’ RB decision will largely depend on the health of the other options this week.
DeeJay Dallas, SEA | Ankle (Inactive)
Update: DeeJay Dallas is inactive for Week 14.
Given that DeeJay Dallas’ injury was described as a “high ankle issue” by Carroll, it’s somewhat of a surprise that he is listed as questionable to close out the week. Dallas did not practice at all this week, making it unlikely that he’s active for Week 14.
Carroll categorized both Walker and Dallas as “wait and see,” giving both a chance to play. Dallas is set to be a game-time decision, but even if he plays, it’s hard to trust him with the ankle issue. On Sunday morning, Schefter reported that Dallas is not expected to play against the Panthers.
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In many ways, the easiest solution for fantasy managers will be if both Walker and Dallas are inactive. At least then, both Travis Homer and Tony Jones Jr. could be viewed as fringe starting options for Week 14.
Damien Harris, NE | Thigh (Doubtful)
Damien Harris was a non-participant at practice this week but was surprisingly not ruled out on Saturday when the Patriots released their final injury report. He was tagged as doubtful, so the odds are very much against him suiting up, but it was intriguing to see the Patriots leave the door slightly open for him to potentially play this week.