PDRunning backs are the lifeblood of any successful fantasy football team, and chances are, if you're in your semifinals, you have at least two good ones. Unfortunately, a few of those backs, including Kenneth Walker III, AJ Dillon, Alexander Mattison, and D'Onta Foreman, could be affected by injuries in Week 16, creating a domino effect that enhances or limits the value of other RBs.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these key RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 16 fantasy landscape. We'll continue to provide updates here right up until kickoff on Sunday, so check back for the latest.
WEEK 16 INJURY UPDATES: Lawrence | WRs/TEs | Jacobs
Is Kenneth Walker III playing Week 16?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Walker is expected to play against the Titans.
UPDATE 2: Walker is officially ACTIVE.
Walker III (shoulder) managed to get in a limited practice on Friday after missing Wednesday's and Thursday's sessions, but coach Pete Carroll assuaged everyone's fears by saying on Friday that Walker is "expected to play" against Tennessee.
We'll take Carroll at his word and assume Walker will be out there. As long as he is, he's a safe RB2 after his monster Week 15 against a nasty Eagles' run defense. Still, Walker owners would be wise to have a backup plan ready, with Seahawks' RB Zach Charbonnet being the obvious pivot if Walker misses time.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Alexander Mattison playing Week 16?
UPDATE: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported late Saturday night that Mattison is expected to play against the Lions.
UPDATE 2: Mattison is officially ACTIVE.
Mattison (ankle) returned to practice on Friday after starting the week with two DNPs. He appears to be a true game-time decision for Minnesota's game against Detroit.
Ultimately, Mattison doesn't have much standalone value at this point anyway. Earlier this week, Vikings' coach Kevin O'Connell implied that Ty Chandler would be the lead back even when Mattison returns, so Mattison's presence would mainly serve as a nuisance for Chandler owners. Against Detroit's No. 1 RB defense and eighth-ranked run defense, Chandler would be a mid-tier flex if Mattison is back. If Mattison remains out, Chandler bumps up to a low-end RB2/high-end flex.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is AJ Dillon playing Week 16?
UPDATE: Dillon is officially ACTIVE.
Dillon (broken thumb) was limited in practice all week after missing last week's game. It seems likely he'll return from his brief hiatus and split carries with Aaron Jones against the Panthers, but given the nature of his injury, it's possible he sits out another contest.
Either way, it's tough to trust Dillon despite the premium matchup. He failed to do much even when Jones was out, so it's tough to imagine him getting enough touches to provide flex value with Jones back. He could always score a short TD, but we wouldn't bank on that. Jones is a must-start either way given the matchup against a Carolina defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to RBs, but his value would would rise if Dillon is out.
WEEK 16 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Is D'Onta Foreman playing Week 16?
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Foreman is not expected to play against the Cardinals.
UPDATE 2: Foreman is officially OUT.
Foreman (personal) missed practice on Thursday, but he returned for a limited session on Friday. Still, the Bears listed him as "questionable" ahead of a cake matchup against Arizona.
WEEK 16 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Foreman started last week, but after totaling -6 yards on six carries, he was quickly shuttered to the sidelines in favor of Khalil Herbert (six carries, eight yards) and Roschon Johnson (five carries, 36 yards). That was against Cleveland's dominant run defense, though, and against Arizona's 31st-ranked unit, whoever gets carries for the Bears should have fantasy value. Unfortunately, that's impossible to predict right now, and Foreman's lack of practice time doesn't help him. There's a chance he has a good game, but only those in very deep leagues should take a chance on him. We slightly favor Johnson over Herbert.
