If you're one of the many fantasy football owners who was happy to get Christian McCaffrey back last week, you have to be devastated that he's likely out in Week 10. Meanwhile, owners of Chris Carson, Miles Sanders, and Kenyan Drake will be wondering about the health of their backs who have all been absent for the past two weeks. These players are routinely atop our fantasy RB rankings and will be there in Week 10 if they're available, but for now, their injuries are creating uncertainty and some tough start 'em, sit 'em decisions for fantasy owners.
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WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Christian McCaffrey playing this week?
UPDATE: McCaffrey was absent from practice on Thursday, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press, so that further confirms that he is unlikely to play this week.
In his first game back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for five games, McCaffrey suffered a shoulder injury in Week 9 that could cause him to miss more time. He didn't practice on Wednesday, and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, McCaffrey isn't expected to play in Week 10 against the Buccaneers.
With McCaffrey out at least one more week, Mike Davis will once again be Carolina's backfield leader. He draws a tough matchup with a Buccaneers defense that doesn't allow a lot of yardage on the ground, but he did total 74 receiving yards against them in Week 2, so Davis still has RB2 upside in this matchup.
The good news for McCaffrey's owners is that he may not be out for long. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "there is hope" that McCaffrey can suit up in Week 11 against the Lions, so that will be something to watch moving forward.
WEEK 10 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Is Chris Carson playing this week?
Carson (foot) is in danger of missing his third consecutive game and wasn't at Wednesday's practice for the Seahawks. According to Joe Fann of NBC Sports Northwest, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said that Carson is ahead of Carlos Hyde (hamstring) in his attempt to return, but he is uncertain if either will play in Week 10.
Carson was given a 50-50 chance to play in Week 8, but that seems like a classic case of Carroll being overly optimistic about a player returning from an injury. Carson's status should be watched moving forward, but until he gets back on the practice field, it's hard to imagine that he'll play. DeeJay Dallas will continue to carry the load if Carson and Hyde can't play while Travis Homer mixes in as more of a pass-catching back.
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Miles Sanders playing this week?
UPDATE: According to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro, Sanders practiced again on Thursday. Things are looking good for him and he should up on Sunday barring any setbacks.
Sanders (knee) is expected to return to action this week after missing both Week 7 and 8. He got in a limited practice on Wednesday, a sign that he will be ready to play against the Giants.
Sanders' return coupled with the thinned-out ranks at the RB position will make him a potential RB1 against the Giants. Meanwhile, Boston Scott will go back to being a fine handcuff instead of a solid starter with Sanders handling most of the workload.
WEEK 10 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Kenyan Drake playing this week?
Drake (ankle) was initially expected to miss a few weeks for the Cardinals, but now it appears that he may have a chance to return in Week 10. Drake was present at Wednesday's Cardinals practice, albeit in a limited fashion. Still, practicing early in the week is always a good thing and indicates that Drake is close to returning.
If Drake can't go in Week 10, Chase Edmonds would be a solid starter and potential RB1 against the Bills. If Drake is healthy, he probably will be a high-end RB2 with Edmonds working his way into the flex range in PPR leagues, as it remains a possibility that they could split carries.
