Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards appeared on the injury report in Week 9, much to the frustration of fantasy football managers.
As he deals with the hamstring injury that he suffered last Thursday, can fantasy managers expect to have Edwards available this week, and what does his status mean for the fantasy value of Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill?
Gus Edwards Injury Update Heading Into Week 9
Update: Gus Edwards was listed as doubtful on the Baltimore Ravens final injury report.
As the Ravens opened practice on Thursday ahead of their Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, Edwards was absent from practice. This injury comes after Edwards played two games in five days, having just returned from his knee injury. We saw the same situation for Chris Godwin when he returned, and he went on to miss three games.
The focus during head coach John Harbaugh’s media availability was elsewhere on the roster. However, the fact we did not get a significant update on his status leaves us up into the air as to whether Edwards will be active for Sunday.
Are Edwards, Kenyan Drake, or Justice Hill Intriguing Fantasy Options This Week?
The Ravens’ backfield has been frustrating for fantasy purposes this season. Their hesitation to give any single back more than a 50% workload, while sometimes splitting the workload between three options, has depressed every player’s upside this year. Combined with all of that is that QB Lamar Jackson takes further carries away from the backfield.
Therefore, whether Edwards plays or not, it will be hard to trust any of them to deliver for fantasy managers. Adding to that is a tough matchup this week against the Saints. Last week, the Saints held Josh Jacobs to 43 rushing yards and 11 receiving yards as he was coming off back-to-back 100-plus-yard rushing games.
The Saints are allowing an average of 18.38 fantasy points per game to RBs, which is the 10th-lowest number in the league this year. However, we’ve seen contrasting performances from the Saints’ defense in recent weeks. In two of the last three games, they’ve allowed 17.4 and 11.2 fantasy points.
The other week, against the Arizona Cardinals, they allowed a total of 32 fantasy points to their running backs. Yet, that came on the back of a short week to recover from their Week 6 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
MORE: Derrick Henry Injury Update Week 9
On normal rest, the Saints have proved to be a tough defense to go up against. They have allowed over 20 fantasy points to opposing RBs just twice in situations where they have had 6+ days of rest.
Therefore, regardless of who suits up, this backfield will be hard to trust this week. Whether it’s in your season-long fantasy lineups or daily fantasy contests on Underdog Fantasy, this group may be one to look at fading this week if you can afford to.
Of the three, Kenyan Drake might be the most likely to produce for fantasy managers. He’s seen more than 50% of the offensive snaps in two of the last three weeks. In those two weeks, he finished with double-digit fantasy points in all formats, making him a starting option. Drake finally looks healthy, as he continues to recover from an ankle injury he suffered last year.
However, the better value play might end up being Justice Hill. Hill has been used relatively lightly this year but has looked good in doing so. His 179 rushing yards have come at a rate of 6.4 yards per rush attempt and has added 19 yards on four receptions.
With J.K. Dobbins missing and Edwards potentially ruled out or at least limited, Hill could be the second option this week behind Drake. If he can see double-digit touches this week, then Hill has a chance to be an intriguing value, either as a deep-league fantasy play or as a daily fantasy option.