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Fantasy football RB injury updates and injury reports for running backs for Week 1 (2022), as of 9/4, including J.K. Dobbins, Cam Akers, Miles Sanders, Elijah Mitchell and Kenneth Walker.
Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 1. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 1 including J.K. Dobbins, Cam Akers, Miles Sanders, Elijah Mitchell, Kenneth Walker III, and more.
The fantasy football season may be just getting underway, but every decision, transaction, and lineup change matters. These are critical running back injuries to keep track of throughout the week.
Let's look at the updates for some running backs and see whether they may play in Week 1.
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J.K. Dobbins Injury Update
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that Dobbins (knee) "has looked better every day" and "his quickness is kind of back." These are promising comments out of Baltimore, leaving the door open for Dobbins to play in Week 1. However, fantasy managers should still proceed with caution. Video footage from practice this past week showed Dobbins limping after a rep. If he's still dealing with a significant limp, it's hard to imagine he'll be able to play in a game just one week from now. If he can't go, Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake would share touches.
Cam Akers Injury Update
Rams head coach Sean McVay told members of the media that Akers is "good to go" for Week 1 after dealing with a soft tissue injury this preseason. Akers projects as Los Angeles' lead back, but it looks more and more likely that teammate Darrell Henderson will also carve out some type of role. As such, Akers, who missed most of 2021 due to an Achilles injury, ranks as a low-end RB2 heading into the upcoming season. He's still worth starting against the Bills on Thursday.
Miles Sanders Injury Update
Sanders (hamstring) returned on Thursday, marking his first practice session in over two weeks. As the Eagles prepare for their season opener, their No. 1 running back is back on the field. Although he could lose some rushing work to Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Jalen Hurts, there's no denying that Sanders is due for positive touchdown regression and still has plenty of lineup appeal heading into Week 1. He ranks as a solid RB3/FLEX heading into next Sunday's game against the Lions.
Elijah Mitchell Injury Update
Mitchell (hamstring) returned to the practice field last Sunday. He's back with the team as they prepare for Week 1 against the Bears. The 2021 rookie sensation remains the primary back in the 49ers' offense, though Kyle Shanahan would love to incorporate Jeff Wilson and rookies Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason. Trey Lance and Deebo Samuel also figure to have roles in the rushing game. Still, Mitchell is healthy and should be started in most leagues this coming week.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Update
All eyes are on Walker's (hernia) status for Week 1. Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports that Walker has made an extremely quick recovery since his procedure during the preseason and might be able to suit up on Monday, though "it sounds more likely that he’ll be ready for the second game." Even if Walker does dress for Week 1, the uncertainty surrounding his health combined with the presence of Rashaad Penny could hurt the rookie running back's stock. It will be imperative to monitor developments over the next week as the Seahawks manage yet another injury in their backfield.
James Robinson Injury Update
Robinson (Achilles) told John Shipley of SI.com that his goal is to play Week 1. In fact, even when there was doubt about his status during the offseason, Robinson says that he has always planned to play in the season opener. Fantasy managers should monitor injury reports over the coming week to see if that is indeed the case, but Robinson certainly feels optimistic about his availability. Although the talented young back will likely operate behind Travis Etienne this season, he still has some intrigue as someone who has proven himself as both a runner and pass-catcher. He boasts low-end FLEX appeal heading into Week 1, assuming he's 100 percent.
Darrell Henderson Injury Update
Rams head coach Sean McVay told members of the media that Henderson is "good to go" for Week 1 after dealing with a soft tissue injury this preseason. Henderson opens the season as the Rams' No. 2 running back behind Cam Akers, but reports out of training camp indicate that Henderson will have an opportunity to carve out a significant role for himself, too. Even if he's not worth starting in fantasy every week, he has value as a matchup-based FLEX play and high-end insurance option for managers who drafted Akers. Henderson has a tricky matchup against the Bills this week; you can probably find better options for your lineup.
Brian Robinson Injury Update
Robinson was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list this past week. The rookie was shot twice while being the victim of a robbery just last weekend, and although he was released from the hospital, Robinson won't be ready for the first few weeks of the season. This transaction takes him off the 53-man roster but gives him an opportunity to play as soon as Week 5. In the meantime, Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic will handle the vast majority of backfield snaps.
Isaiah Spiller Injury Update
Spiller (ankle) returned to practice this past week. He suffered the injury during the Chargers' second preseason game and missed less than two weeks before returning to the field. However, during that time, the rookie might have lost his backup title, instead falling to third on the depth chart. Austin Ekeler remains the clear-cut starter while Joshua Kelley has emerged as the No. 2 option out of the backfield. Spiller has appeal in deep leagues or dynasty formats, but it's hard to envision a path for him to receive meaningful snaps in 2022.
Giovani Bernard Injury Update
Bernard (ankle) practiced this past week, and the Buccaneers remain hopeful that he'll be available for Week 1 against the Cowboys. The veteran pass-catching back ranks third on the depth chart, putting him behind Leonard Fournette and Ke'Sshawn Vaughn but interestingly ahead of rookie Rachaad White. Bernard would need the Bucs' backfield to suffer injuries before he becomes fantasy relevant.
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