Fantasy Injury Updates: Derrick Henry, Jordan Howard, James Conner, more RBs impact Week 13 start 'em, sit 'em calls

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Injury Updates: Derrick Henry, Jordan Howard, James Conner, more RBs impact Week 13 start 'em, sit 'em calls image

Fantasy football owners got an early notice that Marlon Mack will be out again, and they've been prepared to go down to game time with Jordan Howard, James Conner, Damien Williams, and Matt Breida. But Derrick Henry? That mid-week development was certainly not welcome. Week 13 start 'em, sit 'em decisions won't be easy, especially if these key RBs are out. Here are the latest injury updates so you can hunt for sleepers and make any necessary late-week waiver wire pickups.

For updates on injured WRs, such as Adam ThielenOdell Beckham Jr.Golden Tate, click here; for news on banged-up TEs Evan EngramZach ErtzDavid Njoku, and more, go here. Follow us for more news and updates on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

WEEK 13 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST  | Kicker

Derrick Henry injury update

UPDATE: Henry practiced Friday and is not on Tennessee's final injury report.

Henry exited practice early on Wednesday because of a sore hamstring, but he returned to practice on Thursday and should be in good shape for this Sunday's game against the Colts. 

There's a good chance Henry is still listed as "questionable" depending on his activity on Friday, but for now, it doesn't look like fantasy owners need to pick up handcuff Dion Lewis. 

WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver Tight end

Is Jordan Howard playing Week 13?

Howard (shoulder) hasn't played in the past two games, and as of Wednesday, he still hasn't been cleared for contact. Barring a big late-week improvement, he seems likely to miss Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Obviously, fantasy owners will have to pay attention to the practice reports, but it looks like Miles Sanders will be in play as an RB2 against the Dolphins porous run defense. Jay Ajayi would be a deep sleeper in standard leagues, as well.

WEEK 13 DFS LINEUPS:
FD Cash | FD GPP | DK Cash | DK GPPY! Cash | Y! GPP

Is James Conner playing Week 13?

UPDATE: Conner is officially listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game. 

Early in the week, Conner (shoulder), who has missed the past two games, said "it'll be a little longer" in reference to how long he'll be out. However, he returned to the practice field on Thursday for the first time since aggravating his injury. It was just a limited session, but it still gives him a chance to play this Sunday against the Browns. 

If Conner plays, it seems unlikely he'll receive a full complement of carries, making this a messy situation for not only himself, but also Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell Jr. Conner will be tough to sit in a favorable matchup, but he'll be a risk either way. If Conner is out, Snell seems likely to dominate carries like he did last week, giving him legit RB2 value. Samuels will be in the mix on receiving downs, giving him some PPR FLEX value. 

MORE WEEK 13 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder

Damien Williams injury update

UPDATE: Williams has officially been ruled "out" for Sunday's game. 

Williams (ribs) hasn't practiced this week, and considering Kansas City was on bye last week, that's not a good sign for his availability for Sunday's game against Oakland.

If Williams is out, LeSean McCoy and Darrel Williams would split carries. Darrel led the team in carries in Kansas City's last game after Damien exited, but McCoy was also banged up that game. It's tough to say which has more value, but with Darrel more active in the receiving game, we like him a little more, especially in PPR formats.

MORE WEEK 13: Start/sit | Sleepers | Busts

Matt Breida injury news

An ankle injury has kept Matt Breida out of the past two games, but he's gotten in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, which bodes well for his chances of suiting up on Sunday in Baltimore.

Breida is nothing more than a FLEX given how San Francisco splits touches among its RBs, but his big-play upside gives him more value than most committee backs. 

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.