Jeff Wilson Jr., Damien Harris, and Khalil Herbert weren't healthy enough to play in Week 15 and will likely pop up on their teams' respective injury reports after this week's initial practices. Staying up to date on their statuses is a must ahead of your Week 16 waiver wire pickups and start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these backs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 16 fantasy RB landscape. For updates on banged-up QBs Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson, go here; for news on hurting WRs Courtland Sutton, Brandin Cooks, Treylon Burks, and Chase Claypool, go here; for more on ailing stars Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Lockett, click here; for the latest on injured TEs Hayden Hurst and Dallas Goedert, go here.
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WEEK 16 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner
Jeff Wilson Jr. injury update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
According to the Sun Sentinel's David Furones, head coach Mike McDaniel said Wilson Jr. (hip) was close to playing last Saturday in Buffalo. Wilson Jr. was officially listed as "questionable" heading into Miami's Week 15 road tilt in Buffalo after practicing in a limited fashion on Friday.
Considering Wilson Jr. was close to suiting up in Week 15, there's a good chance he's on the field this Sunday against Green Bay. While Wilson Jr. started to separate himself as the lead back in Miami, his injury coupled with Raheem Mostert's big day in his absence (17 carries, 136 yards) muddies up the Dolphins' backfield situation. Both Wilson Jr. and Mostert draw low-end RB2/flex appeal in a juicy matchup against a Packers defense allowing the second-highest EPA/rush (+0.038 EPA) while also allowing the ninth most fantasy points to RBs. If Wilson's a surprise inactive, Mostert has high-end RB2 appeal.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Damien Harris injury update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
Harris (thigh) missed his third straight game in Week 15 after practicing in a limited fashion all week. Harris last played in New England's Week 12 contest against Minnesota and could potentially suit up in Week 16.
Even in Harris returns to game action, he's a risky flex play with Stevenson assuming the RB1 duties. Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris have also seen an uptick in snaps the past couple of weeks, depreciating Damien Harris' fantasy value. Stevenson remains a must-start even against a league-average Bengals' rush defense while Harris is best suited for bench-warming duties.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Khalil Herbert injury update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
Herbert (hip) was designated to return from injured reserve on and has a shot to be activated ahead of the Bears' Week 16 matchup against the Bills this Saturday. Herbert still remains on the reserve/injured list.
Even with Herbert flashing more explosiveness and being more efficient than David Montgomery, it's too risky to start him with your fantasy season on the line. Herbert could return to fantasy relevancy in Week 17, but it's best to wait it out and see exactly how the Bears divvy up their backfield duties. Should Herbert fail to suit up this week, Montgomery sits as an RB2 against a Bills defense that just allowed Raheem Mostert to rush for 8.0 yards per carry.
