There are several RBs battling injury as we head into Week 16 of the fantasy football season. Injury news is vital in making your lineup decisions, whether it is a starting RB or a backup. What is the latest on Alexander Mattison, AJ Dillon, and D’Onta Foreman?
Latest News and RB Injury Updates Impacting Rankings
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Mattison has been just that this season. He is currently RB34 on the season with 660 yards rushing and no TDs. Very uninspiring.
However, uninspiring does not mean unnecessary, and the Vikings had to do with him in Week 15 against the Bengals. They were hoping for his Week 16 return, but it is up in the air.
Mattison did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday because of his ankle injury but was a full participant on Friday. He does not carry an injury designation for the Week 16 game against Detroit. This a massive NFC North battle, and if the Vikings have any hope of staying in the playoff hunt, a win here is vital.
I expect Mattison to suit up and play this weekend. Because of the injury, however, I feel like he might play the RB2 role this week to Ty Chandler’s RB1.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have been blessed in the WR department this season but have had to piece together their RB situation.
Aaron Jones had an incredible Week 1 but then went down with a hamstring injury, which caused him to miss two games. Jones continued the season like that — play a little, miss a little.
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When Jones was out, the Packers turned to Dillon to step up and be their RB1, which is a situation Dillon has found himself in before.
Jones has missed six games this season, and Dillon has done his best to capitalize. He is currently the RB35, with his highest finish being RB12 in Week 5. However, his status for this week is up in the air.
Dillon hurt his thumb during the Week 14 loss to the Giants. After the game, he had an X-ray, and it was revealed that he had broken his thumb when he hit it on a helmet during the game.
The injury was severe enough to hold him out of the Week 15 against Tampa Bay. Dillon is not listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Carolina against a defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said on Friday that he feels good about the running back’s progress, so fantasy managers can be hopeful.
If Dillon misses another game, the tables are turned once again, and Aaron Jones becomes the primary RB for Green Bay. Jones was the RB24 last week in his first game back from his MCL sprain. Patrick Taylor may also garner some snaps.
D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears backfield has been messy this season. Khalil Herbert was the main guy for a while; then rookie Roschon Johnson looked to come on strong. When both players were injured, D’Onta Foreman came in and did D’Onta Foreman things. He won people weeks in Week 7 when he was the RB1.
Foreman did not shine in Week 15 against Cleveland. He was the RB128, playing only 26% of the snaps, and it looks like he might miss the entire game for Chicago this week. Foreman did not practice on Thursday, only to return on Friday, but was not cleared for full activity and was considered limited. An injury was not mentioned — he was limited for a personal reason.
It is unclear what the issue is and whether it can be resolved in time for Foreman to take the field against a very forgiving Arizona defense this week. If Foreman cannot play, the RB duties will be once again split between Herbert and Johnson. QB Justin Fields will no doubt clock a lot of yards on the ground as well.
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