There are some key fantasy football players on the RB injury report as we open Week 10. Let’s examine the latest NFL injury updates and whether fantasy managers can expect to have the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Aaron Jones, D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, Dameon Pierce, and others available this week.
RB Injury Report Heading Into Week 10
Please note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
Ezekiel Elliott, DAL | Knee (LP)
The good news is that Ezekiel Elliott was seen out on the practice field to start Week 10. However, he was working with the Dallas Cowboys’ director of rehabilitation, Britt Brown, while wearing a bulky brace on his knee.
After practice, Elliott told reporters that he practiced today but also spread doubt about his potential to be on the field this week. Elliott spoke about the importance of having him available down the stretch and that “there is no point in going out and making it worse.” He added that the plan is for him to play Sunday, “but who knows what will happen between now and Sunday?”
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The star running back said that he will practice again on Thursday to determine his knees’ readiness for Week 10. At this stage, it appears we are trending toward Elliott playing, but what role he might play is completely up in the air. If he is on the field, it will be hard to bench him against a Green Bay Packers team that has struggled against RBs this year.
If he is inactive, then fellow RB Tony Pollard should be a must-start and a player that will be an intriguing value in Best Ball league or DFS contests on Underdog Fantasy. However, even if Elliott is active, Pollard is still a 12-team Flex consideration in this matchup, especially with Elliott potentially limited.
Aaron Jones, GB | Ankle (LP)
The fact that there was no real emphasis on Aaron Jones today would suggest that the Green Bay Packers RB is on track to play in Week 10. The combination of tests reportedly coming back negative and the fact that he was able to be a limited participant in practice are good early signs.
However, it could be worth being cautious this week with Jones. Even if he works through the week and is cleared, the Packers could lean heavily on AJ Dillon to avoid putting too much on Jones’ shoulders this week. With the Cowboys also being a tough matchup, there is reason to be cautious with Jones in fantasy lineups.
D’Andre Swift, DET | Ankle/Shoulder (LP)
It seems like there will be no major concerns for D’Andre Swift this week. However, last week was a little strange. Despite no words of a setback, Swift had a mixed bag of practice participation and then played just 10 snaps, having played 33 the week before. While Swift starting the week limited is not ideal, it should put him on track to play.
How much we actually see the dynamic Lions RB play is a valid question. He had just six opportunities and five touches last week, finishing with 50 yards. We know the explosive nature of Swift’s game, so it is always hard to sit him. However, the lack of clarity over how much he will play is a concern for fantasy managers in Week 10.
Jonathan Taylor, IND | Ankle (LP)
After missing last week, it is good to see Jonathan Taylor back on the practice field to open Week 10. While he was still limited, Taylor should be trending towards playing this week, barring a setback. If he plays, then it will be hard for fantasy managers to sit him this week.
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The biggest concern with Taylor is aggravating the injury again. That will be the biggest risk in starting him, as he could end up leaving the game early. With the way the season is trending for the Indianapolis Colts, Taylor could be on the verge of being shut down with another ankle injury.
Deon Jackson, IND | Knee (DNP)
The news is less positive for Deon Jackson, as he was absent from practice while he deals with a knee injury. If Taylor is trending towards playing, the Colts will likely not push Jackson onto the field with too much urgency this week. If Taylor is active, Jackson would have nearly no fantasy value anyway.
Dameon Pierce, HOU | Chest/Shoulder (LP)
Dameon Pierce was present on the Houston Texans’ Week 10 injury report for Wednesday with chest and shoulder injuries. However, the fact he was able to practice in a limited capacity is a good sign for the weekend.
Assuming Pierce has no setbacks, he should be good to go this weekend. If he were to miss time, it would be tough to trust any of the other Texans’ backs this week. Houston faces the New York Giants this week, which is been a reasonably tough matchup for RBs. That said, if Pierce is active, it would be tough to sit him.
Mark Ingram, NO | Knee (DNP)
We did not see Mark Ingram in Week 9, as he was ruled out on Saturday with a knee injury. He opens Week 10 as a non-participant, which is how he spent all week before the New Orleans Saints’ game against the Baltimore Ravens.
This was just an estimated walkthrough for the Saints, but the early signs are not great. With Ingram out, Dwayne Washington was the backup to Alvin Kamara. Washington saw just three rushing attempts and a single target. Whether Ingram is healthy or not, Kamara is the only back with significant fantasy value in New Orleans.
Malcolm Brown, LAR | Hamstring (DNP)
The listing of Malcolm Brown as a non-participant with a hamstring injury on Wednesday has some pretty big fantasy relevance for the Los Angeles Rams backfield. First, it could accelerate the timeframe for Kyren Williams to be activated from IR. Second, it impacts Darrell Henderson’s potential usage, given that Brown saw the majority of goal-line work last week.
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Both Henderson and Cam Akers would see the biggest boost in Brown’s absence. Henderson is still the most fantasy-relevant of the bunch, but this backfield will likely continue to cannibalize itself. Assuming Williams is activated from IR this week, he will likely slot into a small role that will not have standalone fantasy value, but will limit the ceilings of the others.
