Aaron Jones' status was the only "new" RB injury (that we know of) from last week's games, but a handful of key running backs (Jonathan Taylor, Elijah Mitchell, Ezekiel Elliott, and Kyren Williams) have been on their respective team's injury reports for the past several weeks. The statuses of these backs play a big role in the Week 10 fantasy RB rankings and start 'em, sit 'em decisions, so it's crucial to know the latest updates.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 10 fantasy RB landscape. For updates on ailing players Aaron Jones, Josh Allen, and Romeo Doubs, click here; for more on troubling WRs Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Deebo Samuel, and Brandin Cooks, click here; for the latest on injured TEs Darren Waller and David Njoku, go here.
Follow your fantasy team and watch every week during the 2022 NFL season on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange or Blue for $35/month, or both for $50/month. Right now, get half off your first month, plus SHOWTIME, STARZ, AND EPIX -- first month on us! SIGN UP FOR SLING!
WEEK 10 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Jonathan Taylor injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Taylor (ankle) missed his third game this season in Week 9 dealing with an ankle injury originally suffered back in Week 4. Taylor didn't practice at all last week and his practice status this week is worth keeping an eye on.
In his absence, Deon Jackson played the most snaps out of Indianapolis' running backs (39), but he was largely ineffective, finishing as the overall RB36 in PPR formats (5.6 FPTS). Indianapolis draws a plus matchup against a Las Vegas defense allowing the seventh-most FPPG to RBs (23.7), so whoever starts for Indianapolis will have value. If Taylor can return to game action, he still sits as a plug-and-play RB1 despite his disappointing season.
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Elijah Mitchell injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Mitchell (knee) was designated to return from injured reserve this week, giving the 49ers 21 days to activate him to their 53-man roster. If Mitchell is activated this week, there's a good chance he returns to game action for the 49ers' Sunday Night Football showdown against the Chargers.
Mitchell injured his knee in the first half of Week 1, and while Christian McCaffery is going to see a higher snap count, Mitchell could still carry flex value in deeper leagues given the highly favorable matchup. He's a risky play in Week 10 given the circumstances, but he's a must-have handcuff who could gradually build value as the season goes along.
WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Ezekiel Elliott injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones said on Tuesday that he expected Elliott to play this week.
Elliott (knee) didn't practice on Monday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. Elliott still has a chance to return to game action this Sunday against the Packers after missing the Cowboys' Week 8 win over the Bears.
Elliott's potential return certainly limits Tony Pollard's ceiling, as Pollard finished as the overall RB4 in his lone game as Dallas' No. 1 running back. Expect Elliott to reassume the early-down workload in a plus matchup against a banged-up Packers' defense, which makes both him and Pollard RB2/flexes, depending on the depth of your league.
Kyren Williams injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Williams (ankle) has yet to be activated from injured reserve but could be elevated to the team's active roster ahead of Week 10. Williams' insertion to the Rams' backfield would be a much-needed boost to a Rams offense sporting the second-worst rushing attack in the NFL.
Williams' projected workload is still tough to get a feel for, as he'll likely be splitting carries with fellow RBs Darrell Henderson Jr. and Cam Akers. He's certainly worth a free agent add given the ineffectiveness of the Rams' RBs, and he could eventually become a weekly flex play. As the week progresses, we'll get a better feel for his Week 10 status.
