Jonathan Taylor, AJ Dillon, and Rhamondre Stevenson Impacting Week 16 Rankings

It’s always a challenge to navigate through injuries in fantasy football. The running back position has several players dealing with issues that could alter your start/sit decisions in the second round of the playoffs! What are the latest injury updates on Jonathan Taylor, AJ Dillon, and Rhamondre Stevenson?

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Editor’s note: Taylor was a full participant in practice again on Thursday.

It’s been quite the rough season for Jonathan Taylor. Between his contract dispute, lingering ankle injury from 2022, and his recent thumb injury, Taylor has only played in seven games this season. It’s also worth noting that two of those games were a slow ramp-up from being sidelined for so long.

So, fantasy managers have only really gotten five full games from Taylor.

Just as Taylor was starting to round into form four weeks ago, though, he hurt his thumb, costing him the past three games.

When Taylor was first diagnosed with the thumb issue, the Indianapolis Colts declined to put him on injured reserve (IR). The only reason to ever do that is if a team truly believes the player can return in four weeks or less. The Colts were hopeful Taylor would only miss two or three.

According to Ian Rapoport, head coach Shane Steichen said there’s optimism Taylor will play this week. Taylor will likely be listed as limited at the Colts’ walkthrough practice on Wednesday, with any participation level being a positive sign.

With Zack Moss going down last week and no guarantee to play this week, fantasy managers could really use a Taylor return. It would be especially welcome given how many other top fantasy stars are out this week.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

If Taylor plays, and Moss doesn’t, expect to see Taylor given upwards of a 60% snap share, with Tyler Goodson operating as the passing-down back. If Moss plays and Taylor doesn’t, expect Moss to play all the snaps he can handle.

If the nightmare scenario occurs where neither Taylor nor Moss plays, it would once again be a committee with Trey Sermon as the power back and Goodson as the satellite back. Both would be desperation starts in fantasy, at best.

AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers

Editor’s note: Dillon was a limited participant in practice on Thursday.

Last week, Dillon missed the first game of the year with a broken thumb. I don’t know about you all, but if I broke my thumb, I can’t begin to imagine doing anything athletic. Therefore, it’s not a surprise at all that Dillon was unable to play.

That’s the thing about professional athletes, though. They’re built different. Somehow, Dillon was actually pretty close to playing. He was able to practice on Friday, but ultimately wasn’t cleared.

Dillon’s thumb obviously is not suddenly healed. According to Tom Silverstein, head coach Matt LaFleur said the issue remains whether Dillon can function with the broken thumb. Yet, he was able to practice on Wednesday, a great sign for his availability for Week 16.

Given the way the Green Bay Packers have handled Aaron Jones all season, it would be a surprise if Dillon got in a full practice this week. He will likely be limited, at best, all three days. But if he can get in three limited practices and draw a questionable tag, that certainly gives him a chance to play.

Last week, Jones returned after a three-game absence, but he wasn’t exactly a bell cow, playing just 48% of the snaps.

Despite being known for his receiving, Jones was consistently pulled on third downs and in hurry-up situations. I would expect a similar approach this week, except it would be Dillon as the third-down back instead of Patrick Taylor.

MORE: Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon Start/Sit Week 16

With a prime matchup against the Carolina Panthers’ run-funnel defense, Green Bay would be wise to lean on Jones and Dillon this week. Both could very well be considered for starting fantasy lineups in a game where the Packers might finally score some of their touchdowns on the ground.

An active Jones remains the superior option, but Dillon would be a start-worthy RB3/Flex, too.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

Editor’s note: Stevenson was listed as a DNP in practice on Thursday.

Three weeks ago, Stevenson went down with an ankle sprain. He did not practice at all ahead of the short week, resulting in Ezekiel Elliott operating as an every-down back.

Although there are just four weeks left in a lost season, the New England Patriots did not place Stevenson on IR, suggesting they plan to bring him back this season if he’s able to recover in time.

Simply put, I don’t believe them. From the moment Stevenson’s injury was revealed, it was reported he would miss multiple weeks. He’s now missed two.

Stevenson did not practice on Wednesday and hasn’t practiced since the injury. Fantasy managers should expect that to remain the case throughout the week. While Stevenson has not yet been officially ruled out — which won’t happen until Friday — I would be stunned if he played this week, or again this season.

Elliott disappointed last week in his second game as the locked-in RB1. However, he has a much softer opponent this week in the Denver Broncos’ run-funnel defense.

Zeke is a pretty safe bet for at least 2-3 receptions, and he should be much more efficient on the ground against the Broncos as compared to the Kansas City Chiefs. He remains firmly inside the top 24 running backs for Week 16.

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