The RB injury report for Week 14 may not be loaded with names, but there are some key fantasy football contributors among the latest updates. Let’s take a look at the news from around the NFL on Wednesday and examine the fantasy implications of injuries to the likes of Saquon Barkley, D’Andre Swift, Christian McCaffrey, D’Onta Foreman, Kenneth Walker, Najee Harris, and more.
Please note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
RB Injury Update Heading into Week 14
Saquon Barkley, NYG | Neck (Questionable)
It was concerning to see Saquon Barkley added to the injury report with a neck issue. The New York Giants RB had been a full participant Wednesday before being downgraded for the second day. There did not seem to be a huge amount of concern among the Giants’ beat writers, with Barkley having spoken to the media today, and from the reports, it did not seem like Barkley himself was concerned.
On Friday, Brian Daboll told the media that it was possible Barkley’s status is in doubt for Sunday. Daboll was hopeful that Barkley would play but said the RBs neck is still sore.
If Barkley were to miss the game, the Giants’ backfield would be tough to work out exactly what it would look like. Also on the 53-man roster are Matt Brieda and Gary Brightwell, who would likely split work in Barkley’s absence. They also have Jashaun Corbin and Sandro Platzgummer on the practice squad, who they could elevate.
D’Andre Swift, DET | Ankle (Cleared)
If you drafted D’Andre Swift for fantasy this year, seeing his name on the injury report has got to be very frustrating. Swift is back as a limited participant at practice on Wednesday, this time with another ankle issue.
Based on his history, this could have gone either way. We could have seen Swift back at practice Thursday or Friday and playing as normal, or we could see him heading back toward being inactive. As it was, he was a full participant in practice Thursday before being cleared from the injury report on Friday.
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Swift was coming off a 14-carry game with 62 yards and a touchdown. He also added 49 yards on four receptions from six targets. His 20 opportunities were a season-high, while his 18 touches were tied for a season-high with Week 1 when he first suffered an ankle injury.
If Swift had missed the game, it would have been another boost to Jamaal Williams’ fantasy ceiling. However, even if Swift plays, there is every chance he could be limited to 10 or fewer touches, making him a frustrating fantasy option this week. This injury does make Swift an interesting Underdog Fantasy Best Ball value. It should depress his value, but he always has the potential for big plays on the field.
Christian McCaffrey, SF | Knee (Cleared)
You can never ignore when Christian McCaffrey is on the injury report, but this does not seem like a major concern. McCaffrey was on the injury report last week with the same knee issue and played through it fine. The 49ers appear just to be managing the injury, and barring a setback, CMC should be on the field in Week 14.
Leonard Fournette, TB | Foot (Questionable)
Leonard Fournette was another player added to the injury report Thursday. He popped up on the Buccaneers listing with a foot issue, but we do not have any clarity about when the issue occurred. Fournette was not spotted at practice on Friday by FOX Sports Greg Auman. When he spoke to the media, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Fournette’s foot was sore, but they hoped it would improve by Sunday.
If Fournette misses the game, Rachaad White would be a clear starting option. Even if Fournette plays, there is a good chance this injury sees him somewhat limited, opening things up for SWhiute to have a solid role.
D’Onta Foreman, CAR | Foot (Cleared)
Coming off the Panthers’ bye week, it was a surprise to see D’Onta Foreman as a non-participant with a foot issue. However, head coach Steve Wilks told reporters he is not too concerned about Foreman’s status for Sunday.
Although, Wilks did add that he does not know if Foreman will practice Thursday, so fantasy managers should be prepared for that potential.
Foreman told reporters after practice that he was 95% sure he will be available for Sunday. He also added that he thought the foot injury was caused by the turf at Bank of America Stadium. Foreman was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday.
Foreman was cleared from the injury report on Friday, which is a good sign for fantasy managers. The matchup for the Panthers RBs against the Seattle Seahawks is a good one.
Kenneth Walker III, SEA | Ankle (Questionable)
After Kenneth Walker III suffered an ankle injury that head coach Pete Carroll referred to as a strain rather than a sprain, the rookie RB was a non-participant to open practice this week. Dallas was listed as questionable on the Seahawks’ Friday injury report. That leaves his game status for this weekend very much up in the air in what is a convoluted situation in Seattle.
If Walker plays, there is a solid matchup against the Panthers to exploit, but the young back has struggled in recent weeks. However, if he ends up entering the game limited, it could be tough to trust his workload enough to put him in fantasy lineups.
DeeJay Dallas, SEA | Ankle (Questionable)
The injury situation for DeeJay Dallas has been described as more of a ligament high-ankle issue, but we do not have an exact update on what the injury is. Yet, he was also a non-participant to open practice this week. Dallas was listed as questionable on the Seahawks’ Friday injury report.
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If Dallas and Walker were out, Tony Jones and Travis Homer would be the main two backs for the Seahawks. They also have some depth on their practice squad, so they could elevate one of those two options to be the third-string back.
Travis Homer, SEA | Knee (Cleared)
We saw Travis Homer miss last week’s game with a mixture of illness and a knee issue. While the illness has cleared, the knee issue still lingers. However, it was good to see him upgraded to limited on Thursday, meaning he should be on track to play this week, barring a setback.
Najee Harris, PIT | Oblique (Cleared)
Najee Harris is starting the week on the Steelers’ injury report as a non-participant once again. Harris is listed with the oblique issue that cost him two practice sessions last week. If he follows the same pattern this week, Harris will be held out Thursday before practicing in a limited fashion on Friday and suiting up Sunday.
This week, we saw Harris upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday, signaling he should be fine to play in Week 14.
Last week, Harris carried the ball 17 times for 86 yards and added six yards on a reception. It was his most efficient game of the year in terms of yards per attempt, so the injury does not appear to have affected him too much. If Harris did end up missing the game, Jaylen Warren would likely be the biggest benefactor from a fantasy point of view.
Damien Harris, NE | Thigh (DNP)
After missing last week’s game, Damien Harris opens Week 14 as a non-participant on Thursday. While there is still a lot that can change, it seems unlikely that Harris will be better than questionable this week as the Patriots face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football.
It will be extremely hard for fantasy managers to plan to have Harris available if that is the case. If he ends up being inactive on Monday, fantasy managers would have limited options to turn to. Combine that with the way Harris’ role has been the lesser part of the committee with Rhamondre Stevenson, and it is not worth the risk of managers putting him in their lineups this week.
All the presence of Harris would do on Monday is limit the ceiling of Stevenson. Without Harris on the field, Stevenson should dominate touches against the Cardinals and is a virtual must-start. If Harris is questionable over the weekend, then it might push fantasy managers to be hesitant with Stevenson if they have other viable options.