The RB injury report for Week 7 has some intriguing names on it as fantasy football managers continue to deal with the fallout from recent weeks. Let’s take a look at the latest NFL injury updates and examine the fantasy implications of the latest news regarding the likes of Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins, and more.
RB Injury Report Heading Into Week 7
Note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
Jonathan Taylor, IND | Ankle (LP)
Nyheim Hines, IND | Concussion (FP)
Update: Both Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines have no injury designation for Week 7.
After sitting out the last two weeks with his ankle injury, the signs are good to start the week for Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor. Having been a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice last week, multiple beat reporters tweeted that Taylor was practicing to open Week 7. Therefore, his limited participation on Wednesday indicates that he is on track to play.
The past couple of weeks could not have played out much better for the Colts. Without Taylor, they went 2-0 to climb above .500 and keep themselves in the hunt in the AFC South. However, for fantasy managers, potentially getting Taylor back will be most welcome.
MORE: Fantasy Injury IR Updates Week 7
The loss of your first-round pick in Weeks 5 and 6 could spell the end of your fantasy season if you started poorly. If that was the case, or if your season is hanging by a thread, then Underdog Fantasy is the place for you. New users can get a $100 deposit bonus on sign-up and have the opportunity to draft a new team every week. With Taylor looking likely to return to the Colts this week, he could be an intriguing player to consider in your Underdog Fantasy lineups.
Alongside Taylor’s return came the news that Nyheim Hines is out of the red non-contact jersey. That would indicate he has passed through most or all of the concussion protocol and should be on track to play in Week 7. If Taylor were to miss time, Hines would be expected to share the backfield with Deon Jackson, who broke out for the Colts and fantasy managers in Week 6.
D’Andre Swift, DET | Shoulder (LP)
Update: D’Andre Swift is listed as questionable for the Lions’ Week 7 matchup.
After missing the past two games and not practicing during that timeframe, D’Andre Swift was back at practice following the bye week. Swift’s presence is not a guarantee that he will play this week. When asked after practice whether he believes he will play, Swift’s response was, “I’m pushing towards that.” That would indicate he is on track to play, but the rest of the week’s injury reports will provide more clarity.
If Swift is absent again, Jamaal Williams would be the lead back. He has a tough outing against the New England Patriots but has generally been a solid fantasy option this season. Even if Swift is active, Williams should still have enough of a role, especially around the goal line, to be a fringe Flex consideration in 12-team leagues.
J.K. Dobbins, BAL | Knee (DNP)
Update: J.K. Dobbins has been ruled out for Week 7. Additionally, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that he will miss the next 4-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery next week.
All too soon, we are back on the J.K. Dobbins knee watch. After the game on Sunday, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that Dobbins felt his knee tighten up, which is why the talented running back had a reduced workload. To follow that up, Dobbins was absent from the Ravens’ practice on Wednesday and did not return to practice on Thursday.
One key thing to note is that last week, Harbaugh referenced Dobbins having Wednesdays off as a scheduled maintenance day. Therefore, we need to watch and see what this means on Friday. With Kenyan Drake stepping up as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury and both Justice Hill and Gus Edwards nearing a return, the Ravens can afford to be delicate for Dobbins if he is at less than 100 percent.
It would be tough to trust Dobbins this week, even if he is active. The Ravens have made it clear they are not going to overwork him, and they also appear very committed to a running-back-by-committee approach.
If Dobbins misses time, determining who has fantasy value in this backfield could be tough. If Justice Hill or Gus Edwards is back, then we could see a rotation between the group. Drake would have the most value, but his usage is limited to fringe Flex consideration in 12-team leagues. Even then, that is only because we have four teams on a bye this week.
Saquon Barkley, NYG | Shoulder (LP)
Update: As expected, Saquon Barkley has no injury designation for Week 7.
It is not all that surprising to see Saquon Barkley back on the injury report to open Week 7. We saw this exact same situation last week, and he ultimately carried no status into Sunday. He went on to have 22 carries, including a game-clinching play against the Ravens in Week 6.
MORE: Week 7 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Recommendations
We should expect that to be the case again this week, so fantasy managers should remain calm. If he were to miss time, we would likely see a split between Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell, but whether either would see enough work to carry significant fantasy value is up for debate.
Raheem Mostert, MIA | Knee (LP)
Update: Raheem Mostert has no injury designation for Week 7.
Much like with Barkley, it is not a big surprise to see Raheem Mostert back on the Dolphins’ injury report to open Week 7. Mostert was limited last week and entered Sunday questionable. However, he was still the Dolphins’ lead back and should continue to be so. Barring a setback, Mostert should be a solid starting option for fantasy managers this week.