Three starting running backs in the AFC North have missed time in recent weeks, with Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, and Mark Ingram all going on the shelf for multiple games. In the AFC East, Matt Breida missed a potential start last week and now will be looking to get back on the field and serve as a top replacement to the injured Myles Gaskin (knee). These injuries will certainly be having an impact on fantasy football owners as they look to make key start 'em, sit 'em decisions and scour our Week 10 fantasy RB rankings for potential sleepers, streamers, and injury replacements in case any of these players can't go.
For updates on Justin Jackson, David Johnson, Damien Harris, and David Montgomery, click here; for news on Christian McCaffrey, Chris Carson, Miles Sanders, and Kenyan Drake go here; for more on QBs Ben Roethlisberger, Baker Mayfield, and Matthew Stafford, go here; for news on Deebo Samuel, Kenny Golladay, and Allen Lazard, click here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Joe Mixon playing this week?
UPDATE: Mixon was listed as a non-participant at practice on Thursday, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. That's a bad sign for his availability against the Steelers.
Mixon (foot) was limited in his first practice coming off a bye, according to Marisa Contipelli of Bengals.com. The fact that he's not yet a full participant is a bit worrisome for Mixon's owners, but perhaps the Bengals are just making sure they properly ramp him up before unleashing him full-force at practice.
Mixon's status on Thursday will be important to watch. If he's still limited, then Mixon will probably end up with the dreaded "questionable" designation for the Bengals. If Mixon can't play, that would mean another start for Giovani Bernard, who would be a lower-end, volume-based RB2 in a matchup against a great Steelers defense.
WEEK 10 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Is Nick Chubb playing this week?
UPDATE: Chubb was on the practice field Thursday, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, so that indicates that he may have a chance to play on Sunday. We'll know for sure on Friday if Chubb stands a chance of suiting up, but he appears to be trending in the right direction.
Chubb (knee) was designated to return from IR by the Browns and has been practicing for the team this week. According to ESPN's Jake Trotter, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said that Chubb was "progressing" and that the team should know his status by Friday.
It sounds like Chubb certainly could play if all goes well, and even if he isn't ready for Week 10, playing in Week 11 seems likely. That said, if Chubb can't play this week, Kareem Hunt would be a high-end RB1 in a great matchup against the Texans' awful run defense. If both play, both will be top-25 options in such a favorable matchup as a part of a ground-dominant offense.
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Mark Ingram playing this week?
UPDATE: Ingram missed practice on Thursday according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, so it seems like he may have to miss one more game before returning. Friday will confirm that suspicion, but it looks like Ingram should be targeting a Week 11 return.
Ingram (ankle) has missed the past two games for the Ravens, but it seems like he'll be back soon. According to Jeff Zreibic of The Athletic, Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Ingram was getting closer to a return and that he could play in Week 10 against the Patriots. That's far from confirmation that Ingram will play, but it at least remains possible.
If Ingram does suit up, he will work along with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards in a backfield that has, mostly, been a frustrating three-headed monster this year. It's hard to know which one will be given the most carries, but all three will garner flex consideration against a Patriots defense that has struggled against RBs for the better part of the last month. If Ingram is out, Edwards and Dobbins will both be high-end flex options.
WEEK 10 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Matt Breida playing this week?
UPDATE: Breida participated in practice again on Thursday, so it would seem that he is trending in the right direction barring any setback. His status Friday will be critical to watch as it could determine whether or not he's "questionable" for the game.
Breida (hamstring) was limited at Dolphins practice on Wednesday, which is a good sign for him after he failed to practice last week. Even better is what Dolphins coach Brian Flores told reporters on Thursday morning. According to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Flores said that if Breida "continues to do what he's been doing then he'll be fine."
If Breida is active, he should be a solid flex option, as he'll handle some carries and catch some passes, but he will likely lose goal-line opportunities to Jordan Howard. Howard is averaging just 1.2 yards per carry, so he can only be considered a TD-dependent standard-league option and at this point. He shouldn't garner starting consideration unless Breida is out.
