It's never easy to navigate the running back position this late in the year. Injuries knocked out Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Jordan Howard, and Michael Carter before the games even began, and D'Andre Swift and Ezekiel Elliott got hurt during Thursday's contests. Throw in "questionable" RBs from the early games (Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Saquon Barkley, Cordarrelle Patterson) and late games (Aaron Jones, Elijah Mitchell), and fantasy football owners everywhere are dealing with start 'em, sit 'em headaches. That's why we'll be here throughout the day on Sunday with the latest injury updates below on Jones and Mitchell.
For updates on early-game RBs Saquon Barkley, Cordarrelle Patterson, Damien Harris, and Rhamondre Stevenson, click here; for news on Kareem Hunt, go here; for more on Marquise Brown, click here; for the Week 12 weather forecast, go here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 12 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Aaron Jones playing Week 12?
UPDATE: ESPN Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Jones will test his knee before Sunday's game before making a final decision on his availability.
UPDATE 2: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Sunday morning there is "optimism" Jones will play in Week 12.
UPDATE 3: Jones is officially ACTIVE.
Jones (knee) was originally given a "one-to-two-week" timetable when he was injured in Week 10. After missing last week and getting in three straight limited practices this week, he's in play to get on the field against the Rams. Jones is officially "questionable" and will be a game-time decision. It should be noted, though, that with the Packers having a bye next week, Jones could get two more full weeks of rest of he sits out Sunday.
Even if Jones is active, it's likely he won't get a full complement of touches. AJ Dillon has proven himself as a runner, even getting more carries than Jones in a close game when both were healthy in Week 8. At this point, it might be easier for both Jones and Dillon owners if Jones gets another week off. If Jones plays, consider both backs flexes with upside. Given their talent, both could easily pay off as worthwhile starters, but they obviously come with risks, as it's impossible to predict their usage.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Elijah Mitchell playing Week 12?
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Mitchell is expected to play.
UPDATE 2: Mitchell is officially ACTIVE.
Mitchell (finger) was only using his left hand in practice early in the week, and coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that the team will be able to protect Mitchell's broken finger if he's "comfortable" playing. So, despite being "questionable" after a week's worth of limited practices, it sounds like it's up to Mitchell whether he plays against the Vikings.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
If Mitchell can't go, Jeff Wilson Jr. will once again start and handle the bulk of the RB touches. He's worth a spot as at least a flex against a Vikings defense that's struggled against running backs all year. If Mitchell is active, we can reasonably expect him to be a full-go, which should yield around 15 touches and RB2-level production. JWJ will get enough touches to be a potential flex, but Mitchell has dominated playing time in this backfield when healthy.
WEEK 12 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
If you're going to wait for Mitchell, make sure you have a backup from the late games. Have him in your flex spot so you can sub in a WR or TE in addition to an RB if you have to.
WEEK 12 DFS: Best values | Lineup Builder
