You can run, but you can't hide from the countless running back injuries that are clouding the Week 7 outlook in fantasy. With Kyren Williams (ankle) and David Montgomery (ribs) essentially already ruled out for this week, fantasy football owners are left to choose between a bunch of bad options on a waiver wire that's looking bleak this time of year.
But wait, there's more. We then add in Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, Kareem Hunt, Aaron Jones, and Roschon Johnson, leaving many teams without a chair when the music stops. We'll attempt to give you the answers you're looking for, as well as help you find replacements for each player if they're sidelined again.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on the endless list of RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 7 fantasy landscape. For updates on ailing QBs Deshaun Watson, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Daniel Jones, click here; for news on banged-up WRs Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, DeVonta Smith, and Diontae Johnson, go here.
WEEK 7 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Christian McCaffrey injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: McCaffrey didn't practice on Thursday.
McCaffrey (oblique) hasn't received an official practice update yet thanks to the 49ers' playing on Monday night, meaning there won't be clarity until later on Thursday at the earliest. The star running back suffered the oblique injury that knocked him out of Week 6's loss to the Browns, but having an extra day of rest should help McCaffrey. 49ers' coach Kyle Shanahan said he hopes that McCaffrey will play, but expressed faith in the other running backs on the roster. Regardless, the team is left to wait to see how the week plays out. The positive is that the injury isn't considered a long-term issue, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Obviously, McCaffrey is a must-start if he suits up on Monday night. However, the problem lies in that not everyone can afford to wait for an update on his status if San Francisco takes this all the way down to 90 minutes before kickoff. Fantasy owners know that he's worth waiting for, but it would help if you had either Jordan Mason or Elijah Mitchell on your roster. It's anyone's guess who ends up taking over the backfield, but the 49ers are likely heading for the dreaded committee approach if McCaffrey can't play. Out of those options, Mason figures to be most involved considering his two-game touchdown streak.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Jahmyr Gibbs injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Gibbs was limited in practice on Thursday.
Gibbs (hamstring) logged a limited practice on Wednesday, his first since suffering the injury in advance of Week 5. Lions’ coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Monday that the rookie is trending in the right direction toward returning in Week 7. As long as he doesn’t suffer a setback, we’ll hope to see Gibbs continue to practice and ideally upgrade to a full participant before the week is over. With David Montgomery likely out thanks to a rib injury, all eyes are on Gibbs in the Detroit backfield.
If the rookie can get back on the field this week, he projects to be a solid fantasy option even in a less-than-ideal matchup against the Ravens. Though Gibbs would likely yield goal-line carries to Craig Reynolds (who missed practice on Wednesday due to toe and hamstring issues), he still should be featured heavily. Gibbs carried the ball 17 times for 80 yards without Montgomery in Week 4, giving us some confidence in him this week. Without the rookie, it will either be Reynolds or Devine Ozigbo shouldering the load.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Kareem Hunt injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Hunt was limited in practice on Thursday.
Hunt (thigh) popped up on the Browns' injury report with the ailment on Wednesday and was unable to practice. It’s not the first injury the running back has dealt with this season, playing through a rib and groin issue in Week 4. That gives us hope that Hunt can suit up on Sunday against Indianapolis, though his value in fantasy has been limited, at best.
After signing with the Browns following Nick Chubb’s season-ending knee injury, Hunt has been used situationally behind Jerome Ford. That was until Week 6, when Hunt doubled his snap count from previous games, leading to 12 carries and even three receptions for 71 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. In a week where there are tons of byes and even more injuries, Hunt is threatening to check in as a low-end flex option. Without Hunt, Ford receives an upgrade at the unquestioned RB1 in terms of workload and production. Pierre Strong Jr. projects as the fill-in for Hunt, but he isn’t a starting option.
WEEK 7 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Aaron Jones injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Jones was limited in practice on Thursday.
Jones (hamstring) logged a limited practice on Wednesday in what has been a season to forget for the running back. He's only been able to suit up twice in 2023, turning in a dominant performance in Week 1 before missing two games and being forced out of action after attempting a return in Week 4. Jones initially downplayed the extent of the injury following Week 1, but he hasn't logged a full practice since. He'll need to boost his practice participation in order for fantasy owners to feel good about his Sunday status.
Due to the nature of the running back position, most fantasy teams probably can't afford to bench Jones if he plays. There are too many teams on a bye and not enough replacements available to be picky. If he's active, you are left to the mercy of Jones and his hamstring. Without him, AJ Dillon is once again a starting option despite his production being extremely disappointing this season, scoring only one touchdown. However, there's hope this week thanks to a matchup with the Broncos' horrific run.
Roschon Johnson injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Johnson failed to practice on Thursday.
Johnson (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, and that isn't a good sign for his Week 7 availability. That means that the rookie still needs to clear concussion protocol, which he can't do until after participating in practice. With only a couple more chances to do so, time is ticking on Johnson's Week 7 chances of playing.
With Khalil Herbert (ankle) already on IR, Johnson was next up on the depth chart. Since his status isn't looking so good either, we then turn to D'Onta Foreman and Travis Homer. Foreman appears to be the player in best position to see the most work in the Chicago backfield in Week 7, but with so many injuries, it's nearly impossible to trust any Bears' running back. That is only further complicated by the likely absence of Justin Fields, who is dealing with a dislocated thumb. Foreman is the player to start if you must, but otherwise, stay very far away.
