The status of the running back position across the NFL is quite a sad state of affairs. David Montgomery (ribs), Kyren Williams (ankle), and Roschon Johnson (concussion) have already been ruled "out," and Aaron Jones, Kareem Hunt, and Craig Reynolds have become need-to-know injury concerns heading into Week 7, giving you an idea of how tough it is to find productivity at the position this season. Bye weeks are only complicating matters, so fantasy football owners will be earning their wins more so than ever this time around.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on the list of important RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 7 fantasy landscape.
WEEK 7 INJURY UPDATES:
QBs | WRs | McCaffrey | Deebo
Is Aaron Jones playing Week 7?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Jones is expected to play against Denver.
UPDATE 2: Jones is officially ACTIVE.
Jones (hamstring) is listed as "questionable" heading into the Packers' matchup against the Broncos in Denver at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. It's not a great sign and won't inspire much confidence in the running back coming out of the bye week. Jones has essentially been sidelined since Week 1, despite his attempts to return in Week 4 when he was forced out of action again. Considering he was unable to play in Week 5 and then was listed as "questionable" coming off the bye week, we can only conclude that Jones must've suffered a setback somewhere along the way.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Limited practices were once again on the menu for Jones, but his inability to upgrade to a full practice is concerning. Jones hasn't logged a full practice since before Week 1, so even if he does play, we have concerns about the potential production. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, you'll have to assume the risk if Jones does suit up, considering they are facing an atrocious Broncos' run defense and the limited viable options that are otherwise available. AJ Dillon would be in line to start if Jones can't go, catapulting him into must-start territory given the opponent. Even if Jones does play, Dillon projects as a flex option with uncertainty surrounding RB1.
WEEK 7 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Kareem Hunt playing Week 7?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Hunt will be a true game-time decision.
UPDATE 2: Hunt is officially ACTIVE.
Hunt (thigh) was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, a good sign considering he was a DNP on Wednesday. The thigh injury is a new one for Hunt, who has been banged up a bit since arriving back in Cleveland for Week 3. Jerome Ford still handles the bulk of the workload, but his newest backup has been eating into those carries as the season progresses. The dreaded 50-50 split is more of a reality than ever before, making Hunt's status a big one to watch ahead of Week 7. Luckily for fantasy owners, Hunt's official availability will be unveiled no later than 90 minutes before the Browns' 1 p.m. ET kickoff in Indianapolis.
Regardless of what happens with Hunt, Ford is the preferred running back to have in the Browns' backfield. However, Ford rises to an RB1 without Hunt, while receiving a slight downgrade if both play. As for the injured back, he checks in as a low-end flex option as fantasy owners hunt for bye-week fill-ins.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Craig Reynolds playing Week 7?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Reynolds is expected to play against the Ravens.
UPDATE 2: Reynolds is officially ACTIVE.
Reynolds (hamstring, toe) popped up on the injury report after not practicing Wednesday, but he was able to log two limited sessions to end the week. With David Montgomery (ribs) already ruled out and Jahmyr Gibbs cleared to return, Reynolds' ability or inability to play is suddenly a big deal ahead of Week 7. That status will be confirmed by the time there are just 90 minutes before kickoff when the Lions take on the Ravens at 1 p.m. ET.
WEEK 7 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
His upgrade to limited practices is a good sign unless you're hoping for Gibbs' to receive the bulk of the workload. Detroit is a team that enjoys playing a physical brand of football, something that Reynolds brings to the table. With that in mind, he is someone who projects to see around 10 touches, including goal-line carries, capping Gibbs' ceiling. Considering the state of the running back position, feel free to take a flier on Reynolds standard leagues in Week 7 even though the matchup isn't the greatest against a solid Ravens defense.
