Relatively speaking, the RB injury report for Week 11 feels somewhat light in terms of major fantasy football concerns. However, there are still a handful of situations that require observation as the NFL injury updates roll in during the week.
Let’s examine the latest updates and the potential Week 11 availability for the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Gus Edwards, David Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, and the other RBs on the injury reports this week.
RB Injury Report Heading into Week 11
Please note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
Ezekiel Elliott, DAL | Knee (LP)
It is good to see Ezekiel Elliott once again opening the week by at least being limited. However, it is worth noting that he was limited all last week and then did not suit up. Another week removed from the injury, Elliott should have a greater chance to be active this week.
The tough part will be knowing whether to trust him in your fantasy lineups. Tony Pollard has performed nicely in his absence, and the two could be in line for an even split of work. In those situations, it can be tough for either to have reliable fantasy value.
MORE: Fantasy Injury IR Updates Week 11
If Elliott does miss the game, Pollard remains a solid starting option. Equally, if Elliott ends up being cleared from the injury report, it would be hard to sit him. It might be one of those situations where fantasy managers end up starting whichever one they have and hoping there is enough room for both to succeed.
The best-case scenario for fantasy managers is in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball leagues. In that format, you can take a shot on either, pairing them with a mix of floor and ceiling options. Then if they have a big week, you look like a genius, but if they struggle, you hopefully have other options to make up a winning lineup.
Gus Edwards, BAL | Hamstring (LP)
It was good to see Gus Edwards back in practice to open Week 11. The Baltimore Ravens RB missed the team’s Week 9 game with a hamstring injury he picked up in Week 8. However, with a bye week to recover further, he looks on track to return this week.
It is an intriguing situation for the Ravens, with Kenyan Drake having performed well in recent weeks. They also have Justice Hill on the roster, who could take some carries away. Therefore, it will be hard to trust either Edwards or Drake with any confidence in Week 11 if both are active.
If Edwards misses the game, Drake should be a fairly straightforward starting option. However, with both active, the only place you can feel great about having them on your roster, like with Elliott and Pollard above, is in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball formats, where you can reap the benefits if they have a big game but minimize the risk of them playing a small role in the offense.
David Montgomery, CHI | Personal (DNP -> FP)
This is worth noting simply because David Montgomery is a high-profile RB that could have a huge workload in Week 11. However, we rarely see “personal” issues on a Wednesday or Thursday end up costing a player a game, except in extreme circumstances.
Montgomery returned to practice as a full participant on Thursday. He should be fully cleared Friday and ready to start for the Bears on Sunday. Without Khalil Herbert, Montgomery should be the bell-cow back for the Bears over the next few weeks.
Jamaal Williams, DET | Illness (DNP -> FP)
Jamaal Williams was listed on the Detroit Lions’ injury report as a non-participant Wednesday. We’ve seen illnesses end up being nothing, but we have also seen them have an impact on players in the following week.
MORE: Week 11 Fantasy Football Rest-of-Season Rankings
New England Patriots RB Damien Harris missed Week 9 due to illness. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams RB Darrell Henderson Jr. and Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams both played through their illnesses earlier in the year but struggled to deliver for fantasy managers.
The fact that Williams was able to return to practice as a full participant on Thursday is promising. Williams should be a full go on Sunday, barring a setback, and his role around the goal line should mean that he’s a starting consideration in most leagues this week.
Deon Jackson, IND | Knee (DNP -> LP)
After missing practice throughout Week 10, Indianapolis Colts RB Deon Jackson began Week 11 as a non-participant with his knee injury. He was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday, giving him a chance to suit up and play this week.
However, this injury is really more of a footnote because when Jonathan Taylor is healthy, Jackson likely doesn’t have a major role. However, in deeper leagues, fantasy managers may yet have the option to use Jackson in the hopes he has a role alongside Taylor.
Jerick McKinnon, KC | Hamstring/Shoulder (LP)
While this combination of hamstring and shoulder issues should not be dismissed, the fact that McKinnon is limited to open the week on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice report is promising. McKinnon’s role in the receiving game has given him an intriguing PPR floor in recent weeks. That should continue if he is active this week, but his ceiling remains capped in this committee situation.
Mark Ingram, NO | Knee (DNP)
The early signs for Week 11 are that fantasy managers should prepare to be without Mark Ingram. The implications of that are not huge, with Ingram only having a minor role while Alvin Kamara is healthy. However, this leaves things up in the air as to a backup should Kamara miss time for any reason.
MORE: Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 11
J.D. McKissic, WAS | Neck (DNP)
This neck injury for J.D. McKissic is starting to throw up major red flags. We saw Chris Carson forced to retire in the past year as he dealt with a neck injury. Hopefully, McKissic can recover and get back to being active. However, while Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson continue to impress, there is not really a fantasy-relevant role right now for McKissic.