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Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 16, as of December 23. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 16, including Jonathan Taylor, Josh Jacobs, Brian Robinson Jr., and De'Von Achane.
As the fantasy football playoffs continue, every decision, transaction, and lineup change matters. These are critical running back injuries to keep track of throughout the week. Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some running backs and see whether they may play in Week 16.
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Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
Taylor (thumb) was a full participant in practice all week long. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that he'll suit up against the Falcons, returning from a three-week absence. Fantasy managers could benefit from Taylor seeing a full workload in the event that backup Zack Moss (forearm, questionable) is held out.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
UPDATE 12/15: On Monday morning Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Josh Jacobs (quad/illness) will not play in Week 16. There was optimism that he'd suit up but ultimately he won't be able to play. Zamir White will start at running back in Week 16 instead of Josh Jacobs, and similar to last week carries RB2/FLEX value with upside due to the expected volume.
12/23: Jacobs (quad, illness) upgraded to a limited participant in practice on Friday. After spending more than a week on the sideline, last season's rushing champion has returned to the field and is trending in the right direction. Confirmation about his status might not be reported until Monday.
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
Robinson (hamstring) is inactive after missing an entire week's worth of practice. The 24-year-old missed last week's game, too, and the Commanders suffered as a result. Antonio Gibson should remain the team's running back this week, especially in the passing attack.
De'Von Achane Injury Update
Achane (toe) was a limited participant in practice for two days in a row. The rookie can elevate fantasy rosters with his game-changing speed, but his floor will remain lower as he continues to split touches with veteran Raheem Mostert. Fantasy managers should view Achane as a fringe top-24 option at the running back position.
Raheem Mostert Injury Update
Mostert (knee, ankle) upgraded to a full participant on Friday after missing the previous two days of practice. An absolute touchdown machine, he figures to be productive against a Dallas defense that was just gashed by Buffalo's James Cook. Even with De'Von Achane in the mix, Mostert has standalone value as a fringe RB1.
James Cook Injury Update
Cook (illness) logged a full week of practice with the exception of Wednesday when he was sidelined. He does not have any sort of injury designation and should be a full go on Saturday versus the Chargers. Deploy him as a fringe RB1 option in most fantasy leagues.
Najee Harris Injury Update
Harris (knee) finished the week with two full practices, which was enough to get him removed from the Steelers' final injury report. He'll split touches with Jaylen Warren this week but remains in the RB3 tier.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Jones (knee, finger) was limited in practice all week long, but he was removed from the Packers' final injury report and will play in Week 16. His exact workload will depend on whether AJ Dillon (thumb) suits up, but the veteran is worth deploying as a low-end RB2, at the very least.
AJ Dillon Injury Update
Dillon (thumb) was limited in practice all week long and is officially questionable for Sunday's game. At this point, it doesn't appear his status is leaning in one direction or the other, so he could be a true game-time decision. Even if active, he'll operate behind Jones and is nothing more than a low-end RB3 in fantasy leagues.
Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
Stevenson (ankle) remained sidelined during all three practices this week and has officially been ruled out ahead of Sunday's clash with Denver. Once again, it'll be Ezekiel Elliott leading the way for New England. Although this Patriots offense is having a very tough year, Elliott has showcased his standalone value as a dual-purpose option out of the backfield. He has value as a fringe RB2 in fantasy football.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Update
Walker (shoulder) was limited on Friday after missing the two previous days of practice. He's officially questionable for Week 16 and could be a true game-time decision, though it does seem like he might be trending in the right direction. In the event that he can't suit up, Zach Charbonnet would slot in as the Seahawks' lead back, ranking as a low-end fantasy RB3 versus Tennessee's relentless run defense.
Jerome Ford Injury Update
Ford (wrist) finished the week with back-to-back full practices, which was enough to get him removed from the Browns' final injury report. He'll rank as a fringe RB2 option in fantasy football.
Kareem Hunt Injury Update
Hunt (groin) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday. The veteran remains the No. 2 option behind Jerome Ford but does have a slight amount of standalone value given his pass-catching and short-yardage upside. Fantasy managers can deploy him as an RB3/FLEX option in deeper leagues.
Alexander Mattison Injury Update
Mattison (ankle) was limited on Friday, which was progress considering he had missed the last two days of practice. Though he might still face an uphill battle to play in Week 16, the fact that he was able to get on the practice field is a great sign. With that said, last week's big game from Ty Chandler (157 scrimmage yards, one touchdown) adds an extra wrinkle to this backfield. Even if Mattison plays and manages to retain his starting role, Chandler will vulture many of his opportunities.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Pacheco (shoulder) logged back-to-back full practices at the end of the week. Barring a major setback on Saturday, he'll be removed from the Chiefs' final injury report. After a two-game absence, he should return versus Vegas this week, ranking as a fringe RB1 in fantasy football.
Jerick McKinnon Injury Update
McKinnon (groin) missed practice on Thursday and Friday. Presumably, he'll need to get on the field in some capacity this Saturday in order to avoid being ruled out prior to gameday. Even if the veteran makes progress and plays this week, he'll operate as the clear backup to Pacheco and therefore will be tough to start in traditional 12-team leagues.
Zack Moss Injury Update
By listing him as questionable, the Colts are leaving the door open for Moss (forearm) to play even though he was sidelined for all three days of practice this week. He picked up the injury last Saturday versus the Steelers and will likely be a true game-time decision this week. Even if active, he's off the fantasy radar now that Taylor (thumb) has been cleared to return.
Rico Dowdle Injury Update
Dowdle (ankle) upgraded to a full participant on Friday and has been removed from the Cowboys' final injury report. He'll play against the Dolphins in Week 16 and even possesses some standalone value as an RB3 in deeper fantasy leagues.
Chase Brown Injury Update
Brown (chest) was limited on Tuesday but has been a full participant since then. He was removed from the Bengals' final injury report and will play against the Steelers in Week 16. He has at least nine touches in each of the last three games, giving him RB3/FLEX appeal in deeper fantasy leagues, such as 14-teamers.
Israel Abanikanda Injury Update
Abanikanda (ankle) was limited in practice all week long and has officially been listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Even if he plays, the rookie remains the No. 3 running back in New York and should be left on waivers in all redraft formats.
D'Onta Foreman Injury Update
Foreman (personal) missed practice on Thursday but managed to close out the week with a limited session. He's officially questionable for Week 16, casting some uncertainty on his availability. Even if active, the veteran remains in a crowded backfield and was quite inefficient last week. The safest option would be for fantasy managers to just bench or drop him at the moment.
Travis Homer Injury Update
Homer (hamstring) logged two consecutive limited practices to close out the week. He's officially listed as questionable and would likely only be active if Foreman (personal) can't play. Even then, though, he'd be the Bears' No. 3 running back, keeping him off the fantasy radar entirely.
Emanuel Wilson Injury Update
Wilson (shoulder) was limited in practice all week long and is officially doubtful to play in Week 16. The rookie had been designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, so he would need to be activated by Saturday afternoon to be eligible for Week 16. Regardless of his availability, he lacks fantasy appeal in a backfield that already features Jones, Dillon, and Patrick Taylor.
Elijah Mitchell Injury Update
Mitchell (knee) missed practice on Thursday but managed to log a limited session one day later. Assuming he continues to practice in some capacity on Saturday, he'll likely be listed as questionable or perhaps even removed from the injury report entirely. With that said, this backfield belongs to Christian McCaffrey, so Mitchell isn't on the redraft radar.
Matt Breida Injury Update
Breida (hamstring) was limited in practice on Friday. Even if active for Week 16, the veteran remains off the fantasy radar given his small role behind Saquon Barkley.
Ty Johnson Injury Update
Johnson (shoulder) was limited in practice all week long and is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Chargers. Even if he plays, he'll be a depth option for the Bills and can't be trusted in fantasy football.
Jonathan Williams Injury Update
Williams (concussion) missed all three practices this week and reverted to the practice squad on Friday. With Robinson (hamstring) also out, the Commanders' Week 16 backfield will feature Gibson, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Derrick Gore.
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