Week 1 is finally here, and what would an NFL week be without checking in on running back injuries. Fantasy owners who are counting on Miles Sanders or David Montgomery could be in luck, though, as there's more optimism about their respective injury situations than there was early in camp. And if Devine Ozigbo was a waiver pickup or late-round sleeper for you, he has already let you down and handed the backfield in Jacksonville over to James Robinson, one of our Week 1 RB sleepers. (At least that's one start 'em, sit 'em decision that's a little easier now, right?)
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Miles Sanders injury update
UPDATE: Sanders was limited in Thursday's practice, keeping him on track to play against Washington.
Sanders (hamstring) returned to Eagles practice Wednesday. It's the first time the media had seen him at practice since the first week of training camp. Philadelphia has been calling Sanders "day-to-day" lately, with Doug Pederson acknowledging that the Eagles could limit Sanders' snaps Sunday. Philly plays in Washington on Sunday.
Sanders was likely drafted as your RB2, and if he's healthy against a Washington defense with plenty of question marks, he's probably still worth playing even if he doesn't get a full allotment of snaps. Boston Scott becomes more interesting if Sanders is limited, though, especially in PPR formats as a flex play. If Sanders is out, Scott's an RB2 in all formats.
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is David Montgomery playing Week 1?
UPDATE: Montgomery practiced in full on Thursday, putting him on track to play in Week 1 against Detroit.
Montgomery (groin) was officially limited in Chicago's Wednesday practice, taking part in stretching and individual drills. Chicago opens the season Sunday in Detroit. A limited practice Wednesday puts Montgomery on track to play Sunday.
The Lions allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2019. If Montgomery is active, he's an RB2 for Week 1 unless there's any strong indication that his workload will be held well shy of its usual amount. If Montgomery regresses and misses the game, Tarik Cohen is worth playing in PPR leagues while Ryan Nall likely gets the early-down work. Nall would be a speculative flex play, at best.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Devine Ozigbo injury update
Ozigbo missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury. Thursday morning, Ozigbo was placed on Injured Reserve. That means he has to miss at least three weeks. The Jaguars signed released Buccaneers RB Dare Ogunbowale to their active roster.
Ozigbo's absence actually make things more predictable here for fantasy owners in a RB room with plenty of unknowns after the release of Fournette. Rookie James Robinson from Illinois State would receive the early-down work after already being named RB1 on the Jacksonville depth chart. Chris Thompson would see passing-down work, with Ogunbowale likely only getting work on special teams after signing only a few days before game day.
The Colts were one of the stingiest run defenses in football last season, so this isn't a super attractive matchup for anyone. Robinson's likely downside would be an early Jacksonville deficit keeping him off the field. In PPR formats, Thompson could work his way to a flex-worthy day in comeback mode. Robinson is a risky flex play in standard leagues due to the matchup and the unknown about how his talent will play at the NFL level.