With a trip to the fantasy football playoffs potentially on the line, fantasy football owners need to stay on top of all the latest injury updates. Several key running backs, including Kenneth Walker III, Saquon Barkley, DeeJay Dallas, Leonard Fournette, and JK Dobbins, are "questionable" for Week 14, and the statuses of these running backs will have big impacts on start 'em, sit 'em decisions at a position that does not have a lot of solid sleepers or waiver-wire streamers.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 14 fantasy landscape.
WEEK 14 INJURY UPDATES: WRs | Lawrence
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WEEK 14 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Kenneth Walker III playing Week 14?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Walker is not expected to play against Carolina.
UPDATE 2: Walker is officially OUT.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Friday that rookie running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Panthers, according to beat writer John Boyle. Walker III did not practice this week after jamming his ankle in last week's win against the Rams.
With both Walker and DeeJay Dallas (ankle) failing to get on the practice field this week, it looks like Travis Homer or Tony Jones Jr. will split touches in the Seahawks' backfield. Homer, who was inactive last week because of a knee injury and illness, should see more touches and has a slightly higher ceiling for this week's game due to his pass-catching ability. Both backs should be considered mid-tier flex options against a Panthers' defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game (FPPGs) to RBs this season.
WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Saquon Barkley playing Week 14?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Barkley is a "legit 50-50" to play against Philadelphia and wants to see how he feels after pre-game warmups before making a final decision.
UPDATE 2: Barkley is officially ACTIVE.
Barkley (neck) was officially listed as "questionable" ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles. The star running back practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday. Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Friday that Barkley's neck is "a little sore," and he "hopes" the veteran running back can play on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll.
Considering he got on the practice field, there's a good chance Barkley will be out there against the Eagles. As long as he is, he's a must-start regardless of opponent. If he's a late scratch, owners Matt Brieda and Gary Brightwell will split touches, with both serving as low-tier flexes.
WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is DeeJay Dallas playing Week 14?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Dallas is not expected to play against Carolina.
UPDATE 2: Dallas is officially OUT.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Dallas (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game, according to beat writer John Boyle. The 24-year-old running back did not practice at all this week.
Dallas suffered the injury in last week's win over the Rams but managed to stay in and finish the game. He finished with 37 yards on 10 carries. With Kenneth Walker III (ankle) also "questionable" but likely out, Dallas could see a decent number of touches if he's a surprise active, but at this point, it's looking like he'll be out. Travis Homer and Tony Jones Jr. will likely split RB snaps and both work as flexes in Walker's and Dallas' absences.
Is Leonard Fournette playing Week 14?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Fournette is expected to play against San Francisco.
UPDATE 2: Fournette is officially ACTIVE.
Fournette (foot) was officially listed as "questionable" on the Bucs' final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers. The veteran running back was a limited participant on Thursday and did not practice on Friday.
Given that he didn't practice on Friday, Fournette should be considered on the "doubtful" side of "questionable." Even if he's active, he's nothing more than a low-end flex against a 49ers' defense that allows the fewest FPPG to RBs. If Fournette is sidelined, Rachaad White will be slotted as a low-owned RB2 in PPR leagues this week.
WEEK 14 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Is JK Dobbins playing Week 14?
UPDATE: Dobbins was officially activated from the IR on Saturday and should be good to go for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
UPDATE 2: Dobbins is officially ACTIVE.
After being designated to return from the IR last week, Dobbins (knee) continued to practice this week and is unofficially "questionable" for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said last week that Dobbins could be "in play" for this week's game, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.
If Dobbins is activated for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, owners should not rush to start him, as he has not played since Week 6 and the Steelers' defense allows the 13th-fewest FPPG to RBs this season. With Gus Edwards and Kenyan Drake also battling for touches, it's tough to recommend any of Baltimore's backs in this tough matchup.
