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Fantasy football injury updates and injury reports for running backs for NFL Preseason Week 2 (August 18th), including Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, and James Robinson.
Below, you will find our updated fantasy football injuries report for running backs in the 2022 NFL preseason as of Wednesday, August 17th. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air during training camp, including Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, James Robinson, Kenneth Gainwell, Elijah Mitchell, Cam Akers, and Darrell Henderson.
With the draft season in full swing, these are some key running back injuries to keep track of throughout the week.
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Najee Harris Injury Update
Harris left practice last week on Monday, August 1st with a foot injury and did not return. When asked, head coach Mike Tomlin said "he got his foot stepped on" but did not seem particularly concerned.
Last week, Harris returned to practice but wasn't in full pads.
Najee Harris is in shoulder pads, testing out that foot. We’ll see about his level of participation as well. pic.twitter.com/KHOxGC16gT
— Chris Halicke (@ChrisHalicke) August 11, 2022
featuThis week, Harris was a full participant at practice on Monday for the first time since the injury.
Najee Harris returns for the first team period since getting his foot stepped on in the first padded practice.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 15, 2022
This bodes well for Harris being fully healthy and available prior to Week 1, providing him a chance to get some reps with new quarterback Mitch Trubisky before the season begins.
J.K. Dobbins Injury Update
Dobbins has been battling his way back from an ACL (knee) tear that occurred last August, so seeing him placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start training camp was a red flag; however, last week he was removed from this list, with all signs pointing towards him being ready to go for Week 1.
Ravens’ RB J.K. Dobbins is being activated today off the Physically Unable To Perform List and is on track to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener vs the NY Jets, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 8, 2022
Additionally, he returned to practice this week on Monday, further signaling optimism for his Week 1 status.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh discussed the progress of running back J.K. Dobbins https://t.co/v4CzwDKlYf
— The Ravens Wire (@TheRavensWire) August 17, 2022
This is another significant step for Dobbins, who is increasingly likely to play in Week 1. The next factor to consider and monitor will be how explosive and efficient he looks entering Week 1. Despite the continued flow of positive updates, Dobbins remains a draft value with an ADP of 55 overall since August 1st. This should start to climb but it may not reach the top-30, which is where he would've been drafted without any injury concerns. At full health, in this offense, Dobbins is a strong candidate to crack the top-12.
Gus Edwards Injury Update
Unfortunately, Dobbins's running mate Edwards, who also suffered an ACL (knee) tear last August, is trending in the opposite direction. This was the post from two weeks ago that described Edwards as "farther behind."
Was waiting for news on Gus Edwards — he’s apparently behind J.K. Dobbins in their recoveries from knee surgery.
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) July 31, 2022
Tyler Badie remains a fun home-run swing late. https://t.co/uAdFPshC8r pic.twitter.com/senEqpSqrg
This was from last week, further casting doubt about his availability for Week 1.
The Ravens still hopeful on Ronnie Stanley, Marcus Peters and Tyus Bowser coming off PUP and being ready to start season. But Dobbins was a bit ahead of the pack. Fellow RB Gus Edwards is the furthest away and is probably doubtful for Week 1. https://t.co/ODzP94l7dh
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 8, 2022
There hasn't been any significant news or updates but this tweet did come through a couple of days after the one above, creating additional ambiguity.
On Gus Edwards: "Gus is doing really well. He's kind of a patient rehab guy. I don't know that he'll be the first week, but before the season's over I think he's going to be roaring and ready to go."
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) August 10, 2022
Edwards remains a name to avoid entirely, shifting our focus to Mike Davis, Tyler Badie, or Justice Hill as the second Ravens back to target. Based on the first week of preseason action, Davis will begin with the role, which makes sense given the Ravens' propensity to utilize veteran running backs.
James Robinson Injury Update
Robinson suffered an Achilles injury in December, leading many to believe he would miss most, if not all of 2022. Yet, Robinson avoided the PUP list for training camp and seems increasingly likely to be available for Week 1.
The historical data on Achilles injuries is not great for running backs regaining their efficiency and productivity but with modern science and multiple players currently recovered from the injury, including D'Onta Foreman, Marlon Mack, and presumably Cam Akers, there is a reason for optimism.
Last week, Robinson was not only back at practice but actually competing with Travis Etienne for first-team reps.
It's all on air, but James Robinson is taking snaps with the #Jaguars first-team offense for the first time all camp. Just caught a pass and got a carry. Seems significant.
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) August 8, 2022
After missing their preseason game against the Browns, Robinson rejoined the team on Monday for practice taking part in individual drills, some of which featured contact.
Devin Lloyd + James Robinson will see some team reps and individual drills, but still “playing it safe” in terms of including them in contact drills
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) August 15, 2022
Says there’s a chance Lloyd plays Saturday vs #Steelers. J-Rob isn’t ready. #Jaguars
Robinson is showing continuous progress each week, inching closer and closer to full health. It would be nice to see him cleared for full contact and even take a couple of snaps in the preseason but the progress is encouraging.
Kenneth Gainwell Injury Update
Last week, Gainwell was listed as one of the individuals who would not practice on Tuesday, as a result of a hip issue. This was the first report of an injury for him.
#Eagles practice report:
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 10, 2022
WILL NOT PRACTICE
Grant Calcaterra – hamstring
Le’Raven Clark – hamstring
Kenneth Gainwell – hip
Anthony Harris - tooth
John Hightower – groin
Jason Kelce - elbow
Jimmy Moreland - ankle
Boston Scott - concussion
DeVonta Smith – groin
Fortunately, another update came through on Sunday citing him "appearing" to be ready to take part in practice.
Good morning everyone. Time for a Sunday morning training camp practice. Appears as if Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell is going to take part in practice. Gainwell had a hip issue that kept him out. pic.twitter.com/8hhPtEOaHT
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) August 14, 2022
It seems like the injury was minor and won't impact Gainwell's availability moving forward. This is significant because Miles Sanders is continuing to receive negative reports from training camp, opening the door for Gainwell to take on a larger role in his sophomore year. His third-down role and involvement in early downs, behind this talented offensive line, make him the most intriguing Eagles back and a great target in the middle of your draft.
Elijah Mitchell Injury Update
A report about Mitchell came out on Friday, August 12th, citing a hamstring injury. The more concerning part was that the 49ers immediately decided to shut him down for the preseason.
49ers’ RB Elijah Mitchell is nursing a hamstring injury that likely will prevent him from playing in the preseason, per league source. Mitchell is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2022
Hamstring injuries have a high risk of re-injury, which was a problem for Mitchell last season, missing six games. Mitchell seemed like a great value as the lead back in the 49ers' rushing attack, but this adds an additional level of concern when selecting him in your draft. He's still likely to be a top-24 back with top-12 upside when healthy, it's just a matter of how many games he plays.
Cam Akers Injury Update
Both Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. popped up unexpectedly on Monday, which is concerning as the depth chart is not deep.
Both Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson are dealing with what Sean McVay describes as “soft tissue” injuries and are holding them out of practice until both are at full speed in a team setting. Kyren Williams and Jake Funk practiced and took the main workload.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 15, 2022
Thankfully, a report came out on Tuesday that the injury is not considered serious.
The soft-tissue injury for Rams RB Cam Akers is not considered serious, I’m told. Rams taking preventative measures by holding him out of preseason practices but that’s the extent of it.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 17, 2022
Akers returned from an Achilles injury for the playoffs and did not look himself but is expected to now be fully recovered. This injury could entice the coaching staff to take more of a committee approach, even though this has not historically been their preference. Akers is becoming a risky draft pick he projects more as top-30 back with top-20 upside, limiting his ceiling.
Darrell Henderson Jr. Injury Update
As mentioned above, Henderson Jr. is also dealing with this injury but there has not since been an update for him, which could mean his injury is more serious.
Both Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson are dealing with what Sean McVay describes as “soft tissue” injuries and are holding them out of practice until both are at full speed in a team setting. Kyren Williams and Jake Funk practiced and took the main workload.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 15, 2022
Henderson Jr. was touted by the coaching staff as a "lead back" recently, creating the possibility that he could be more than just an insurance back. That still seems reasonable to expect but he'll need to get back to full health first.
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