David Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Thursday Night Football between the Cardinals and the 49ers. He missed last week's game Sunday after playing just the first few snaps the week before. The Cardinals acquired Kenyan Drake earlier in the week, and Chase Edmonds (hamstring) is already out for Thursday, so this backfield could go a lot of different ways in Week 9 on TNF. When you consider how much fantasy RBs have struggled against the 49ers' defense, there are some serious start-or-sit decisions to make for the first game of the week.
The official active/inactive report comes about about 6:50 p.m. ET time. For any more updates or questions you need throughout the day, be sure to go to @SN_Fantasy on Twitter.
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Is David Johnson playing Thursday night?
UPDATE 2: Johnson is officially OUT.
UPDATE: Adam Schefter reported that Johnson is not likely to play.
Johnson missed Tuesday's practice before returning to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday. He's a game-time decision for Thursday night against the 49ers. Kliff Kingsbury told reporters that it's going to be a "running back by committee" regardless, meaning that newly acquired Kenyan Drake will have a role, potentially mixed with Zach Zenner and/or Alfred Morris.
WEEK 9 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
If Johnson plays, he's likely the only player worth starting out of this backfield against a high-level 49ers defense. Despite talks of a committee, if the Cardinals deem him healthy enough to play, Johnson should see 15-plus carries. There is the fear factor after his active Week 7 with one carry, but it seems unlikely that Arizona would repeat that move.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
If Johnson is inactive, Drake should start after being acquired Monday. The recency of the move makes Drake's workload a huge unknown. At the high end, Drake could get 18 touches in a fast-paced offense, although against a strong defense. But it's not inconceivable that he's deemed "not quite ready" and splits time a ton with Zenner and Morris. Drake is only worth a FLEX play this week in hopes that he can break a long play, but if Johnson plays, you have to sit Drake.