As we enter Week 7 of the NFL season, injuries are starting to pile up around the league, and the running back position has been hit the hardest. Below is this weekend’s fantasy football running back injury report. Be sure to check back here on Pro Football Network for the inactive list for each game 90 minutes before kickoff.
If you want updates on other players and positions, head to our Week 7 Fantasy Football Injury Report, where we cover every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
If you’re looking for start or sit analysis on every player in every game, check out our Week 7 Fantasy Start-Sit Cheat Sheet.
De’Von Achane, RB | Miami Dolphins
After spending the Dolphins’ Week 6 bye in concussion protocol, RB De’Von Achane shed his red non-contact jersey and fully practiced on Wednesday and Thursday.
He was officially cleared to play on Friday and will not carry an injury destination in Sunday’s game against the Colts.
Miami’s passing attack isn’t the only struggling portion of its offense. The Dolphins also rank 31st in EPA per rush. Achane is dead last in rushing yards over expectation per attempt despite running into heavy boxes (8+ defenders) on just 16.1% of his attempts, the third-lowest rate in the NFL.
Indianapolis’ defense could offer a get-right opportunity. Only the Rams surrender more rushing yards per game than the Colts (155.2), while Indy allows the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Jonathon Brooks, RB | Carolina Panthers
This week, the Panthers officially designated Jonathon Brooks to return from the non-football injury list. The second-round rookie must be activated at some point over the next three weeks.
Brooks is recovering after tearing his ACL in November. While initial reports suggested the Texas product could be ready for Week 1, Carolina has given him time to prepare. Brooks was a limited participant on Wednesday but regressed to a DNP on Thursday, suggesting his NFL debut may be another week away. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
In the meantime, Chuba Hubbard has thrived as Carolina’s starting running back. Through five weeks, Hubbard has rushed for 485 yards, ranking sixth among running backs in success rate (45.3%) and EPA per rush (0.06).
Nick Chubb, RB | Cleveland Browns
Reports had suggested Nick Chubb was targeting a Week 7 return, and the Browns running back confirmed that timeline himself in a Players’ Tribune essay. He’s been on the PUP list since suffering a gruesome knee injury last September but will make his season debut against the Bengals on Sunday.
While Chubb is officially listed as questionable, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that the veteran RB will suit up in Week 7.
To say Nick Chubb’s teammates happy to see him at the podium today would be an understatement #Browns pic.twitter.com/NPmjaQrnWl
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN)
Cincinnati has been one of the most forgiving matchups for running backs this year; they’ve allowed 146 rushing yards per game, fifth-most in the NFL.
However, it’s hard to imagine Stefanski giving Chubb a full workload in his first game in over a calendar year. Yes, Chubb is a physical marvel who is the league’s best RB at full health. But fantasy managers can expect the Browns to exude caution with Chubb, especially in what’s become a lost season.
James Cook, RB | Buffalo Bills
James Cook was a full practice participant for the first time on Thursday since missing the Bills’ Week 6 game vs. the Jets. He fully practiced again on Friday and will not carry an injury destination for Sunday’s game.
Cook did not suit up for Monday Night Football against the Jets after going DNP-DNP-limited during Week 6 practices and was initially limited on Wednesday.
Head coach Sean McDermott said he expected Cook to face the Titans in Week 7, barring a setback during Friday’s practice.
The Bills may want to ease their lead back into the mix, but a new injury at the position indicates that Cook might have to resume his normal workload.
Ray Davis, RB | Buffalo Bills
Ray Davis thrived without Cook in the lineup on Monday night. The rookie fourth-rounder averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 15 attempts while adding three catches for 55 yards in the win over the Jets. However, Davis was a new addition to the injury report on Thursday as limited with a calf.
Davis was limited again on Friday and is officially questionable for Week 7.
He wasn’t listed at all on Wednesday, indicating that this is likely a new injury. Ty Johnson would be in line for his usual role as the passing down back behind Cook but could see more touches than usual if Davis is out and Cook remains limited in his first game back.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB | Jacksonville Jaguars
Although Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson labeled Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) as week to week, the third-year RB was a limited participant for practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
That’s an encouraging sign for a player who most had expected to miss time after he went down in Sunday’s loss to the Bears. Still, Pederson labeled Etienne as a likely game-time decision.
Etienne had already begun splitting snaps and touched with fellow RB Tank Bigsby, who ranks first among all RBs in yards after contact per attempt (5.85) and third in explosive run rate (14.6%).
Even if Etienne isn’t hampered by his hamstring injury, he might not receive enough work to remain a fantasy factor, even though the Jags are 5.5-point favorites against the Patriots.
Jerome Ford, RB | Cleveland Browns
Jerome Ford left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and did not return. He failed to practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 7.
Even when he gets healthy, Ford will no longer be the Browns’ primary running back. Nick Chubb is set to return and play for the first time in more than a year on Sunday. Even if Cleveland reduces his workload in Week 7, Chubb will undoubtedly handle most of the club’s backfield work moving forward, rendering Ford irrelevant.
Najee Harris, RB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris didn’t practice on Wednesday because of a rib injury but rebounded with a full practice on Thursday. There was some alarm because while Harris typically receives a rest day on Wednesdays, the Steelers specifically noted his rib issue.
However, it appears that he is on his usual maintenance plan and should be the lead back again on Sunday night vs. the Jets. Harris doesn’t have an injury destination for Week 7.
Harris posted his best performance of the season on Sunday against the Raiders, totaling 106 yards and a TD on the ground while adding 16 yards a receiver.
He could also benefit from Russell Wilson starting in place of Justin Fields. He wouldn’t have to cede rushing opportunities to the elder quarterback, while Wilson wouldn’t be a threat to steal goal-line touches (like Fields is).
The Jets are better against the pass, but they’re still good against the run. Gang Green has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to RBs and the ninth-fewest rushing yards per play.
Aaron Jones, RB | Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings hope Aaron Jones (hip) will be able to play in Week 7, the veteran RB’s status remains uncertain.
“Aaron is going to progress throughout the week and hopefully has a chance to go on Sunday,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Wednesday.
Jones did not practice on Wednesday but returned as a limited participant on Thursday. That’s an encouraging sign for the eighth-year veteran and suggests he may not need to miss any time. NFL Network reported that Jones would likely play in Week 7, but he is officially questionable for Sunday’s game.
Jones was off to a hot start before injuring his hip, topping 90 rushing yards in three of the Vikings’ first four games. He also averaged 33.4 receiving yards per game while scoring two total touchdowns.
Ty Chandler will likely take over RB1 duties against the Lions if Jones can’t suit up, but Minnesota also acquired RB Cam Akers from the Texans this week. Detroit isn’t a favorable matchup for running backs. Dan Campbell’s team ranks third in rushing yards allowed per game and seventh in rushing yards allowed per play.
Jordan Mason, RB | San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Mason was limited in practice throughout the week after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 6.
Mason went down with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder against the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Reporting has indicated that Mason’s injury isn’t serious; he’s considered week to week. However, NFL Network suggested Friday that Mason’s Week 7 status is “up in the air.”
Fortunately, Mason does not have an injury destination for Sunday’s game. General manager John Lynch said it boded well for Mason that he was at practice all week.
While Mason will be available against the Chiefs, the 49ers could conceivably limit his workload. Fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo and veteran Patrick Taylor are next up on the 49ers’ RB depth chart. Guerendo finished Week 6 with 10 rushes for 99 yards, including a 76-yarder.
Mason is second in the NFL in rushing yards (609) and has finished as an RB2 or better in five of six games (including three top-10 finishes). However, Kansas City has given up the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season and ranks sixth-best in EPA per rush allowed.
Joe Mixon, RB | Houston Texans
Joe Mixon participated in a limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday as he continues to work through the high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2. The veteran running back put in a full practice on Friday and doesn’t have an injury designation for Week 7.
He suited for the first time since that game on Sunday, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Texans’ win over the Patriots.
Mixon finished as fantasy’s RB2 last week because he also hauled in two catches for 30 yards and another score. However, most of his rushing production came via a 59-yard run in the second quarter. Among the 26 RBs with 10+ carries in Week 6, Mixon ranked 20th in rushing success rate (23.1%).
Mixon played just 42% of Houston’s offensive snaps on Sunday. He hit 72% in Week 1, his only other fully healthy game this season. The Texans held a big lead for most of Week 6, allowing them to rest the 28-year-old. Mixon could see a larger workload in a tighter game against the Packers in Week 7.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB | Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson could be on track to return in Week 7 after sitting out Week 6 with a knee injury. The third-year RB was officially limited at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Robinson is “trending in the right direction” but said Washington has not decided on its starting RB’s status. Robinson is officially listed as questionable to face the Panthers.
Brian Robinson feeling optimistic for Week 7 pic.twitter.com/fca3CCJnCq
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS)
Robinson was initially supposed to be a game-time decision in Week 6, but the Commanders ruled him out on Saturday afternoon. He was a DNP for all three of the club’s practices.
Robinson’s knee issue has been nagging him for some time. He played through the injury in Week 5 but received a season-low 34% of Washington’s offensive snaps and handled just seven carries.
The Commanders could manage Robinson’s workload if he plays in Week 7, but the Panthers are an appetizing matchup. No team allows more fantasy points to RBs than Carolina, while the club ranks 25th in rushing success rate.
Devin Singletary, RB | New York Giants
Devin Singletary (groin) was limited all week after sitting out New York’s previous two games.
On Friday, head coach Brian Daboll said that while Singletary will return in Week 7, rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. will continue to receive significant playing time.
Tracy has been outstanding through two starts. In Week 5, he averaged an NFL-best 7.2 yards per carry in a win over the Seahawks. He only rushed for 50 yards against the Bengals in Week 6, but he scored a TD and saved his PPR day with six catches for 55 yards.
Philadelphia allows the eighth-most yards per play on the ground, while Tracy could have a field day as a receiver. Through six weeks, the Eagles rank 29th in DVOA against pass-catching running backs.
Trey Sermon, RB | Indianapolis Colts
Trey Sermon has handled 60% of Indy’s RB snaps with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) sidelined over the past two weeks. While he’s had little to no success on the ground, he did score in Week 5 while catching six passes for 25 yards. After missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury, he was upgraded to limited on Thursday. Sermon doesn’t have an injury designation for Week 7.
Tyler Goodson is next up on the Colts’ depth chart and could handle pass-catching duties. Running back Evan Hull is also on Indy’s roster, and the Colts would likely ask QB Anthony Richardson to handle significant carries, too.
Tyjae Spears, RB | Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears took the Titans’ final handoff of the first half in Week 6, but he never returned for the third quarter after suffering a hamstring injury.
On Monday, head coach Brian Callahan labeled Spears week to week. That language typically means a player is slated to miss at least one game.
Unsurprisingly, Spears did not practice all week and will not suit up against the Dolphins on Sunday. Fellow Titans RB Tony Pollard has already consolidated touches in Tennessee; his role will only be expanded by Spears’ absence.
Julius Chestnut, a 2022 UDFA with 10 career carries, will be Pollard’s backup against the Bills on Sunday.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB | New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson failed to practice on Wednesday or Thursday but returned on Friday. He’s still dealing with the foot injury that he suffered in Week 5. That issue kept him out of Week 6 after he missed every practice leading up to the Patriots’ game against the Texans.
On Friday, Stevenson told reporters that he feels as though he’ll be ready to play on Sunday. He’s officially listed as questionable.
With Stevenson sidelined in Week 6, New England split its RB snaps between Antonio Gibson (48%), Jamycal Hasty (32%), and Terrell Jennings (21%). Rookie QB Drake Maye breathed some life into the Pats’ offense last week, but Gibson is still the only New England RB who’s even remotely fantasy-viable.
Jonathan Taylor, RB | Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor has already missed two weeks with a high-ankle sprain and will sit out a third.
Taylor did not practice all week and won’t face the Dolphins in Week 7. Ankle injuries are especially concerning for Taylor, who followed his 2021 All-Pro campaign by missing most of the 2022 season with a sprained ankle.
Trey Sermon has handled 60% of Indy’s RB snaps with Taylor sidelined. While he’s had little to no success on the ground, he did score in Week 5 while catching six passes for 25 yards. Sermon missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury but returned to limited practice on Thursday.
Kenneth Walker, RB | Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III has been completely healthy since missing the Seattle Seahawks’ second and third games of the season with a minor oblique strain. His first appearance on the injury report came on Saturday when he was a surprise addition.
We never want to see a player added to the injury report on a Saturday. But if it is going to happen, it’s best when it’s Walker’s situation and not actually an injury.
Walker is merely dealing with an illness. In most cases, this is nothing more than a cold or perhaps food poisoning. We don’t have any specifics.
It’s exceedingly rare that players miss games due to illnesses. In all likelihood, this is nothing and Walker will play. In their Saturday practice squad elevations, the Seahawks did not bring up a running back, which indicates a lack of significant concern over Walker’s status.
The Seahawks play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, which means we’ll know in the morning if Walker is indeed active, giving fantasy managers plenty of time to adjust if needed.
Rachaad White, RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White missed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 51-point bonanza in Week 6 with a foot injury. White has an extra day to recover ahead of their Monday night game in Week 7 vs. the Baltimore Ravens and practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday.
For what it’s worth, White did begin last week with a limited practice on Wednesday before missing Thursday and Friday practice, so he’s not out of the woods yet. But a full week of limited practices could bring him back in the lineup.
That would create quite a mess for fantasy managers after both Bucky Irving (14 carries, 81 yards, TD) and Sean Tucker (14 carries, 136 yards, TD) excelled without White last week. Irving has decisively outperformed White this season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry compared to 3.7 for White. Tucker was the RB1 overall in PPR last week (34.2), while Irving was 12th (18.5).
White is unlikely to find himself totally marginalized when he returns, but a potential three-headed split in backfield touches would be the worst-case scenario for fantasy managers.
Zamir White, RB | Las Vegas Raiders
Zamir White (groin) returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out the Raiders’ Week 6 loss to the Steelers. White got in limited practices every day this week and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Last week, White didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday before managing a limited session on Friday. That he’s practiced to start the week suggests he’s building up from where he ended last week.
White had already been losing work to fellow RB Alexander Mattison, who played 68% of Vegas’ snaps against Pittsburgh. Mattison averaged just 2.36 yards per carry but scored a rushing touchdown while adding five catches for 32 yards.
