The Week 14 RB injury report has a handful of big names when it comes to fantasy football impact. With six NFL teams on a bye, potentially losing another two or three contributors will have fantasy managers tearing their hair out. Let’s take a look at the latest NFL injury updates and the fantasy implications of the latest news on Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette, Kenneth Walker III, and more.
RB Injury Report Heading into Week 14
Saquon Barkley, NYG | Neck (Questionable)
Anytime a player is a midweek downgrade, it’s a concern. Anytime an RB has a neck injury, it’s a concern. Both of those statements are true about Saquon Barkley this week. After being a full participant on Wednesday, Barkley was downgraded to limited on Thursday. The Giants’ RB was out doing drills on Friday, which is a positive sign.
However, when he spoke to the media, head coach Brian Daboll did not sound hugely optimistic. He told reporters that Barkley’s neck was “a little sore” and said that they have “probably got to see” if the RB can play against the Eagles. All of this points to Barkley being a game-time decision on Sunday. Fortunately, the game begins at 1 p.m. ET, so fantasy managers will have options at their disposal if Barkley is ruled out.
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Benching Barkley is close to impossible if he is active, but this is going to be a nervous week for his fantasy managers. Entering the game limited is never ideal, especially with something like a neck injury. If the game begins to get one-sided, or if Barkley re-injures his neck, we could see him end up on the bench for the remainder of the game.
If Barkley is ultimately unable to suit up, his workload will likely be split between Gary Brightwell and Matt Breida. Neither will have the same upside as Barkley, but both could have 14-team fantasy value this week. In the event Barkley misses the game, Brightwell or Breida could be late-round Underdog Fantasy Best Ball options if managers are looking to differentiate themselves from the crowd.
Leonard Fournette appeared on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers injury report Thursday with a new injury. His foot issue is not something that we had seen before, and that in itself is a further concern to the midweek downgrade. On Friday, we found out from head coach Todd Bowles that Fournette’s foot was sore, so they limited him in practice Thursday.
Bowles added that the Buccaneers hoped Fournette would feel better by Sunday. That would suggest he will be a game-time decision and makes him a risky fantasy option this week. If the foot issue flairs up during the game, Fournette’s day could end early, limiting his fantasy value.
If Fournette misses the game, Rachaad White should be the main beneficiary. The matchup this week against the 49ers is tough, and with the pair splitting touches, both are risky starting options for fantasy. The decision on White would be much simpler if Fournette is out.
Kenneth Walker III, SEA | Ankle (Questionable)
It’s intriguing to see Kenneth Walker III listed as questionable after he did not practice through the first two days of the week. The rookie RB is dealing with an ankle injury that has been described as a strain and not a sprain by head coach Pete Carroll this week.
The early week thinking was always that rest and time were what Walker needed if he was to have a chance to play in Week 14. Accordingly, he did not practice all week but remains a game-time decision, according to Carroll.
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Even if Walker is active, he is going to be a tough player to start this week. While there are some nice elements to this matchup, the re-injury risk for ankle ailments tends to be above that of many other injury situations. Therefore, Walker might be an option you have to lean towards sitting this week for fear of another mid-game downgrade in status.
If Walker is inactive, then how you approach the Seahawks’ RB decision will largely depend on the health of the other options this week.
DeeJay Dallas, SEA | Ankle (Questionable)
Given that DeeJay Dallas’ injury was described as a “high-ankle issue” by Carroll, it’s somewhat of a surprise that he is listed as questionable to close out the week. Dallas did not practice at all this week, making it unlikely that he’s active for Week 14.
Carroll categorized both Walker and Dallas as “wait and see,” giving both a chance to play. Dallas is set to be a game-time decision, but even if he plays, it will be hard to trust him as he deals with this ankle issue.
In many ways, the easiest solution for fantasy managers will be if both Walker and Dallas are inactive. At least then, both Travis Homer and Tony Jones Jr. could be viewed as fringe starting options for Week 14.
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Damien Harris, NE | Thigh (DNP)
For the second-straight day, Damien Harris is a non-participant at practice. He is a long shot to play on Monday Night Football and could be ruled out on the team’s final injury report. With Harris likely to play a very small part, if any, Rhamondre Stevenson is a nice option for fantasy managers this week.
