Running back injuries could be the difference between making the fantasy playoffs with a Week 13 win and missing out due to playing an eight-touch pickup from the waiver wire. Our Week 13 RB rankings have a number of question marks due to injury news. James Conner, Damien Williams, Jordan Howard, Matt Breida, and Devonta Freeman all will have a big impact on pickups and start/sit decisions. At least we already know that Marlon Mack (hand) is out, leaving Jonathan Williams on the "start" side of the start 'em, sit 'em bubble.
For the latest news on injured WRs Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyreek Hill, and more, go here; for updates on TEs Austin Hooper and Evan Engram, click 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
Is James Conner playing Week 13?
Conner told reporters Monday that "it'll be a little longer" before he's ready to play again. That makes it sound like he's not going to be ready for Sunday's matchup with the Browns as he works his way back from a recurring shoulder injury.
Benny Snell Jr. is the biggest beneficiary of a Conner absence, receiving 21 carries in the same arrangement in Week 12. Snell is a solid RB2 play against the Browns if Conner is out, while Jaylen Samuels becomes a PPR FLEX option with no Conner.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Damien Williams injury update
Williams hurt his ribs in Week 11 before the Chiefs bye, exiting Monday Night Football and not returning. His absence meant more work for LeSean McCoy and Darrel Williams. Andy Reid has yet to provide any updates on Williams' status for Week 13 against the Raiders.
Whoever gets the KC running back start slots in as a fantasy RB2, so if that's McCoy while Williams is out, so be it. Darrel Williams actually led the Chiefs in carries that night and has remained tantalizing in short bursts, so he's also worth a pickup in most formats.
WEEK 13 DFS LINEUPS:
FD Cash | FD GPP | DK Cash | Y! Cash | Y! GPP
Will Jordan Howard play Week 13?
Doug Pederson said Monday that Howard (shoulder) remains day-to-day. With how liberally Pederson has used that term all season, that could mean basically anything as Howard has yet to be cleared for contact in return from his shoulder injury. Pederson added that Howard hasn't yet regained full strength in his shoulder.
(Update: Howard still hasn't been cleared for contact as of Wednesday morning.)
The Eagles play the Dolphins on Sunday, so the starting RB for Philly will be an automatic fantasy starter. If Howard plays, Miles Sanders is no more than a boom-or-bust FLEX play, while if Howard is out and Sanders starts, Jay Ajayi would be a TD-or-bust FLEX play.
Is Devonta Freeman playing on Thanksgiving?
On the Falcons' estimated injury report Monday, Freeman (foot) was listed as a limited participant. Freeman hasn't actually practiced in the past two weeks as Brian Hill has picked up two Atlanta starts at RB. The Falcons host the Saints on Thanksgiving night.
(Update: Freeman returned to practice Tuesday in a limited fashion.)Freeman is a sure-fire RB2 in PPR leagues if he's active, but Hill is less of a sure thing if Freeman is out. He's been inefficient and the Saints are solid against the run. You still probably would play Hill as a FLEX because he's likely to see 15 touches. Qadree Ollison would remain in a touchdown vulture position if Freeman remains out, but you can't really bet on that in season-long leagues.
MORE WEEK 13 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder
Matt Breida injury update
Speaking in broad terms about injured 49ers, including Breida, on Monday, Kyle Shanahan said they have a "chance" to play Sunday afternoon against the Ravens. Breida has now missed two straight games because of a foot injury.
At this point, you can really only trust Tevin Coleman in Baltimore if Breida is out. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. both get backup work, but without consistent double-digit touches for either, they aren't as strong of plays.
When will Marlon Mack be back?
Colts head coach Frank Reich has already announced Mack won't play in Week 13. That means another week of Jonathan Williams as the Indianapolis starter with Nyheim Hines as the change-of-pace back.
After 29 touches a week ago, you've got to fire Williams right back up as a fantasy RB2 against the Titans on Sunday. Hines remains in play in PPR formats coming off a season-high nine carries to go with his usual handful of catches.