As we head into fantasy football championships in Week 18, the RB injury report contains some big names for managers to contemplate. Let’s examine the fantasy implications of the latest injury updates and news surrounding Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, and others.
RB Injury Report Heading into Week 18
Whether you are playing in your final week of season-long leagues or taking part in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball drafts, the below injury report can help you navigate the RB position this week. This article will be updated throughout the week as more information becomes known.
Christian McCaffrey, SF | Ankle/Knee (DNP)
It is somewhat concerning to see Christian McCaffrey not practicing to open the week. He has been dealing with these injury issues for a couple of weeks, so it could just be a rest situation. However, with the San Francisco 49ers solely playing for seeding, we could see them limit or sit McCaffrey this week. That could mean we see McCaffrey either inactive or pulled from the game, especially if the Philadelphia Eagles open up a big lead in their game and lock up the No. 1 seed.
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This is a tricky area for fantasy managers to navigate. If McCaffrey is active, it’s hard to bench the star RB. He has had three 100-rushing yard games and five touchdowns in his most recent stretch. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly risky to play him this week.
Josh Jacobs, LV | Hip/Oblique (LP)
We once again see Josh Jacobs on the Las Vegas Raiders’ injury report, this time with a combination of hip and oblique issues. He was limited to open the week, so it seems unlikely to cost him the game. However, the situation is intriguing because Jacobs is chasing a new contract, and the Raiders are eliminated from the playoffs already.
If Jacobs plays and gets hurt in a game that means nothing, it could have a huge impact on his contract this offseason. He also likely has the rushing title sewn up with a 160-yard advantage over Nick Chubb and a 179-yard advantage over Derrick Henry. We may see Jacobs play a little before heading to the bench to rest, making him a tough option to start in fantasy lineups this week.
Miles Sanders, PHI | Knee (LP)
After being a non-participant to open last week with a knee injury, it is promising to see Miles Sanders listed as limited. He managed to play through the injury last week and was efficient, averaging 5.08 rushing yards per attempt.
However, his 40% offensive snap share was the lowest of the year, which could have been a load management effort with the injury situation. If the upgrade to start the week is anything to go by, we should see more of Sanders this week, but with a view to the playoffs, it’s tough to know how much the Eagles will expose him to further risk. Even so, it would be hard to bench Sanders this week if he plays.
James Conner, ARI | Knee/Shin (DNP)
James Conner opening the week as a non-participant in practice is concerning if you have him on your fantasy roster this week. The Cardinals have been eliminated from the playoffs, and his 2023 salary is fully guaranteed. Therefore, risking him seems like something that would not make sense for the Cardinals. We have already seen them rule out Deandre Hopkins for this week due to injury, indicating they are not willing to take risks with their stars.
One factor to consider this week is that Conner has a $15,000 per-game active bonus. If that is a sticking point, then the Cardinals have a few options. They could make Conner active but not play him, or they could add the $15,000 to his salary next season. The biggest danger will be if Conner is active but does not play. It would be incredibly risky to start the Cardinals’ RB in your fantasy lineup.
Brian Robinson Jr., WAS | Knee (DNP)
As the Washington Commanders opened practice for Week 18, their rookie RB Brian Robinson Jr. was absent with a knee injury. With the Commanders already eliminated from the playoffs, there is no reason to ask Robinson to play through this knee issue in Week 18. We will have a better idea as the week goes on, but for now, the working theory should be that Robinson will not play in Week 18.
We saw Gibson miss last week’s game with this injury combination, and the signs are not great for this week. A similar situation to the above applies here, where it does not make sense for the Commanders to risk Gibson with nothing to play for.
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If Robinson and Gibson do not play, then Jonathan Williams and Jaret Patterson would be expected to see the bulk of the work. Neither would be an easy fantasy option for fantasy managers to trust in their championship game this week.
Aaron Jones, GB | Knee/Ankle (LP)
Aaron Jones being listed on the injury report has become a common practice. He has been limited in the majority of sessions in the second half of the year but continues to play through it. With the Packers fighting for a playoff spot, expect him to suit up again this week. Jones hasn’t always been the most consistent fantasy option, but his upside makes it hard to bench him.
