As fantasy football owners prepare their lineups for Week 3, several noteworthy running backs, including Austin Ekeler, Isiah Pacheco, Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, Kenneth Gainwell, and Justice Hill, may potentially receive "questionable" or even "doubtful" designations with nagging or new injuries.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these running backs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 3 RB fantasy landscape.
For updates on ailing QBs Anthony Richardson and Joe Burrow, click here; for the latest on injured WRs Jaylen Waddle, Christian Watson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, and more, click here.
WEEK 3 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Austin Ekeler injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
According to the Chargers' official injury report, Ekeler (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. After suffering an ankle injury in Los Angeles' Week 1 loss to Miami, Ekeler was held out of practice last week and ultimately wasn't healthy enough to play. Additionally, on Wednesday, head coach Brandon Staley told the media that Ekeler has "no timeline" to return, so there's a chance Ekeler is listed as "doubtful' leading into Sunday's matchup against the Vikings.
If Ekeler can't go, fellow RB Joshua Kelley's in line for another high usage day as L.A.'s de facto RB1. Starting in place of Ekeler last week, Kelley couldn't replicate his Week 1 fantasy performance, totaling 3.9 points (13 carries, 39 yards). Although Kelley's Week 2 fantasy showing was underwhelming, he drew a challenging matchup against a stout Titans defense.
However, Sunday's matchup against a Vikings defense that just surrendered 259 yards on the ground to the Eagles could result in a bounce-back effort from Kelley. Given his projected usage, he's a must-start RB2 should Ekeler miss another week.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Isiah Pacheco injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
Per the Chiefs' official injury report, Pacheco (hamstring) was listed as a "DNP" during Wednesday's practice session. It's still too early to get a feel for Pacheco's Week 3 status, but another "DNP" on Thursday will likely lead to the RB entering Sunday with a "questionable" tag.
With Pacheco dealing with a hamstring contusion, the Chiefs could play it safe and give him more time to heal up. If he were to miss Sunday's matchup against the Bears, fellow RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon would assume the bulk of the backfield work. Both RBs would be considered flex plays, with McKinnon a more enticing start in PPR formats and Edwards-Helaire the preferred option in standard leagues.
McKinnon tends to see most of the goal-line work, so we'd give him a slight edge if we had to choose between the two.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Aaron Jones injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Jones (hamstring) was seen back at practice on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Jones (hamstring) was a "DNP" during the Packers' Wednesday practice, according to the team's official injury report. While a "DNP" to start the week isn't exactly what fantasy owners wanted to see if Jones can log a limited session on Thursday or Friday, there's a chance the veteran RB suits up in Week 3.
That said, fantasy owners should have a backup plan if Jones were to miss his second consecutive game. Fellow RB AJ Dillion elevates to RB1 status should Jones miss time, but he's nothing more than a low-end RB2 in standard formats, given his lack of usage in the passing game.
WEEK 3 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Jamaal Williams injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
Williams (hamstring) didn't practice on Wednesday after exiting Monday night's win over the Panthers in the second quarter. Williams looks like a long shot to suit up in Week 3 with the Saints on a short week after playing on Monday night.
In his absence, backup RB Tony Jones Jr., who scored two touchdowns in Week 2, is in line for a high usage day, but rookie Kendre Miller, who missed the first two games because of a hamstring injury, could also factor in the mix. Additionally, do-everything tight end Taysom Hill could see more work as a wildcat QB, giving him TE1 upside in Week 3. Don't consider any of New Orleans' RBs more than a flex this week given the uncertainty.
Kenneth Gainwell injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: According to Josh Tolentino of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gainwell (ribs) is participating in Thursday's practice, boosting his chances of suiting up in Week 3.
Gainwell (ribs) didn't participate in practice leading up to the Eagles' Week 2 matchup against the Vikings on Thursday night and is likely hit with a "questionable" tag ahead of Philadelphia's Week 3 road tilt in Tampa Bay.
With the Eagles playing on Monday night in Week 3, they've yet to practice this week. That means we haven't gotten an update on Gainwell's hamstring, but we'll know more as the weekend progresses. D'Andre Swift stepped up nicely in Gainwell's absence last week (28 carries, 175 yards, one TD) and could receive another heavy workload should Gainwell fail to suit up.
Justice Hill injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
Hill (foot) was listed as a "DNP" during Wednesday's practice on the Ravens' Week 3 injury report. While a Wednesday "DNP" isn't the best sign for his Week 3 playing status, we'll have a better feel for his prospects as the weekend nears.
Hill's a borderline flex play, but should he miss Sunday's matchup against the Colts, fellow RB Gus Edwards emerges as a must-start RB2 in all formats. Fellow RB Melvin Gordon could see some work but doesn't garner any fantasy appeal.
