It's that time of the fantasy football season when injuries and bye weeks start to play major roles, forcing fantasy owners to count on waiver-wire streamers and deeper sleepers to stay afloat. Entering Week 7, three key banged-up RBs -- Jonathan Taylor, D'Andre Swift, and Damien Harris -- have a profound effect on the RB rankings. Will any of these must-start running backs return to game action this week?
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 7 fantasy landscape. For news on ailing TEs Darren Waller, Pat Freiermuth, and Dalton Schultz, go here; for the latest on banged-up QBs Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa, and Carson Wentz, click here; for updates on hurting WRs Keenan Allen, Jahan Dotson, and Rashod Bateman, go here.
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WEEK 7 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Jonathan Taylor injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
Taylor (ankle) was ruled out of the Colts' Week 6 home matchup against the Titans, missing his second-straight game after suffering an ankle injury back in Week 4. Luckily for Indianapolis, they've won their past two games without Taylor, staying right in the thick of the AFC South race.
In Taylor's absence, fellow RBs Deon Jackson (67 percent) and Phillip Lindsay (33 percent) took over the backfield duties with Nyheim Hines (concussion) also being ruled out ahead of Week 6. Jackson did sustain a quad injury in the Colts' 34-27 come-from-behind victory over the Jaguars, and his Week 7 status also needs monitoring. With Taylor practicing in a limited fashion last week, he has a shot to return to game action this weekend in Tennessee. Taylor's potential return diminishes Jackson's and Lindsay's fantasy value, while Hines still warrants a bench spot in PPR formats.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
D'Andre Swift injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
Swift (shoulder) has had time to heal up after Detroit's Week 6 bye week, boosting his prospects to suit up in Week 7 against Dallas. Swift was sidelined in Weeks 4 and 5 after getting banged up in Week 3 against Minnesota. The initial timetable for his injury pegged him to potentially return in Week 7.
Once Detroit releases its initial injury report on Wednesday, we'll have a much clearer picture of his Week 7 status. If Swift returns, Jamaal Williams retains fantasy value as the goal-line back but sees a drop in his overall fantasy value, especially this week in a tough matchup against the Cowboys. Swift would be a must-start, especially in PPR leagues, but he'll remain a constant injury worry all season.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Damien Harris injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
Harris (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion to end the week leading into New England's road matchup in Cleveland, but he ended up landing on the team's inactive list. In his absence, Rhamondre Stevenson was the team's bell-cow RB, toting the rock 19 times for 76 yards and two TDs.
After sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 5, Harris was trending toward missing multiple games but has recovered a bit quicker than expected. He was truly a game-time decision in Week 6, and if he was close to returning to game action, his Week 7 prospects look even brighter. His potential return muddies up the Patriots' backfield as Stevenson's workload will likely decrease a bit. Once New England releases its initial injury report later this week, fantasy owners will hopefully get a better idea of how to manage their RB start-sits. Harris does get one more day to heal up with the Patriots facing off against the Bears on Monday Night Football, so expect there to be ambiguity going into the weekend.
