Running back PPR rankings for Week 8 fantasy football

Final injury report

Out: Miles Sanders (knee), Aaron Jones (calf), Jeffery Wilson (ankle), Joe Mixon (foot), Devonta Freeman (ankle)
Doubtful: Mark Ingram (ankle), Carlos Hyde (hamstring)
Questionable: Phillip Lindsay (concussion), Dalvin Cook (groin), RB Damien Harris (ankle), Frank Gore (not injury related, hand), Chris Carson (foot), Travis Homer (knee)

Thursday injury report

Miles Sanders, Chris Carson, Joe Mixon, Mark Ingram and Aaron Jones all couldn’t practice once again on Thursday and all have a good chance of being out this week. Friday’s practice will be important to see if any of these players has a chance to play in Week 8.

Besides Chris Carson, the Seahawks running backs have all been out of practice besides rookie DeeJay Dallas. Carlos Hyde’s hamstring injury was deemed minor, but he will need to practice Friday.

Phillip Lindsay returned to practice as he tries to get through concussion protocol. It’s a good sign, but he still will need to to pass more tests to be ready for the Chargers.

Dalvin Cook remains limited in practice, but still appears to be on track to play.

Devonta Freeman didn’t practice on Thursday, but in all likliehood, you won’t want to start any Giants’ running back against the Buccaneers.

Wednesday injury report

This week has some major names that look like they might have trouble being ready to go this week. Miles Sanders, Chris Carson, Joe Mixon, Mark Ingram and Aaron Jones all have a chance miss their Week 8 matchups.

Carlos Hyde’s injury might not be too bad according to Pete Carroll, but he didn’t practice. Boston Scott, Gio Bernard, Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins and Jamaal Williams all could see an uptick in work if the starters of their respective teams can’t go.

Phillip Lindsay will need to pass concussion protocol to play. If he can’t, Melvin Gordon will get the bulk of the work against the Titans.

On a happier note, Christian McCaffrey is getting closer to returning and Dalvin Cook is set to return from his groin injury.

DNP: Miles Sanders (knee), Aaron Jones (calf), Mark Ingram (ankle), Joe Mixon (foot), Chris Carson (foot), Carlos Hyde (hamstring), Travis Homer (knee), Jeff Wilson (ankle)
Limited: Josh Jacobs (knee), Kareem Hunt (ribs), Dalvin Cook (groin), Damien Harris (ankle)
Full: N/A

The Top 2 PPR running back fantasy scorers this week are, yep, you guessed it, Jeff Wilson Jr. and James Robinson. Another reminder that NFL teams shouldn’t draft a running back in the first round.

We have two backs who didn’t score a touchdown, but still finished in the PPR Top 5. Alvin Kamara caught eight passes and put up 148 total yards while Chase Edmonds caught seven passes and put up 145 yards. As an Edmonds truther, I was happy to see him get the work, but it’s too bad Kenyan Drake had to get hurt to facilitate a move that should have been made a while ago. The Cardinals have a bye this week, but I’m looking forward to seeing more Edmonds.

Injury news

Christian McCaffrey has a chance to play on Thursday night against the Falcons, but don’t be surprised if the team holds him out another week and gives Mike Davis the start again.

Devonta Freeman hurt his ankle last week. If he can’t go against the Buccaneers, Wayne Gallman would likely get the start and Dion Lewis would be the backup in an impossibly bad matchup.

Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert will be out this week. That leaves Ja’Mycal Hasty and Jerrick McKinnon as the two main backs, but there is a small chance Tevin Coleman could return this week as well.

Chris Carson is out this week with a foot sprain and Carlos Hyde has a hamstring injury. Hyde’s ailment is minor, so there is a chance he could play against the 49ers. Travis Homer is also hurting, so rookie DeeJay Dallas should see work this week, but could end up seeing a bunch of work depending on how these injuries shake out.

Joe Mixon’s foot injury is day-to-day, so he will have a shot to play against the Titans. If he can’t go, Gio Bernard would once again get the start.

Mark Ingram should be close to returning from his ankle injury, but we’ll need to see if he can practice. If he eventually can’t go, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins would share work against the Steelers.

Bye weeks

Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars

This week we’ll be without Chase Edmonds, James Robinson and Antonio Gibson along with David Johnson. Those first three are coming off big games this week, while David Johnson appears to be washed unfortunately.

Streaming options

Le’Veon Bell, Chiefs

This isn’t exactly a streaming option, but if you’re worried about Clyde Edwards-Helaire keeping Bell from being a useful fantasy back this week, I wouldn’t be. We know the revenge narrative here is about as palpable as you’ll see in a game, but Bell also looked great in his few touches last week. If you have Bell on your team, this is why you got him.

JaMycal Hasty, 49ers

Hasty has looked good over the last two games and running backs just keep getting injured around him. There is a chance that Tevin Coleman returns this week, but if he doesn’t, I’m all in on Hasty, as he’s shown ability as a receiver and rusher and this matchup with Seattle will likely mean plenty of short passes to the backs and we saw what Chase Edmonds did to them last week.