Running back non-PPR rankings for Week 16 fantasy football

Friday injury report

Friday’s injury report didn’t yield many surprises. Mostert, Edwards-Helaire and Akers were officially ruled out along with backup RB Duke Johnson. This could provide David Johnson a small bump in target share, but isn’t a huge boost in terms of fantasy production in standard leagues.

Christian McCaffrey is doubtful, as expected, along with Jamaal Williams dealing with a quad injury. It’s

James Robinson is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, though it would be surprising if he got a start after missing a week of practice. Earlier this week head coach Doug Marrone said that he’d be resting in this outing, so it’s surprising to see that he hasn’t been ruled out. If he is active, proceed with caution.

After a surprise inactive Sunday, Ezekiel Elliott logged three straight-limited practices leading into Week 16. If he’s out, Tony Pollard is an RB2 with upside. If active, it would seem conceivable for each to diminish each other’s fantasy falue.

Out: Raheem Mostert (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), Duke Johnson (neck), Phillip Lindsay (hip, knee), Cam Akers (ankle)
Doubtful: Christian McCaffrey (thigh), Jamaal Williams (quad)
Questionable: Chase Edmonds (ankle, knee), Antonio Gibson (toe), James Robinson (ankle), Ezekiel Elliott (calf)

Thursday injury report

Raheem Mostert was ruled out, leaving Jeff Wilson to presumably take on lead carries in the offense.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Christian McCaffrey and James Robinson still aren’t practicing. They’ve all but been ruled out.

Antonio Gibson continues to practice in a limited fashion.

DNP: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), Christian McCaffrey (thigh), James Robinson (ankle), Duke Johnson Jr. (neck)
Limited: Josh Jacobs (knee), Antonio Gibson (toe), Chase Edmonds (ankle, knee), aaron Jones (toe), Ezekiel Elliott (calf)
Full: Jalen Richard (chest), James Conner (quadricep), Ty Johnson (hip), Le’Veon Bell (knee)

Wednesday injury report

There weren’t many surprises with a DNP tag from Wednesday’s practice report. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Christian McCaffrey and James Robinson are all most-likely out for the week. The Chiefs will have Le’Veon Bell and Darrel Williams available while the Panthers continue to ride Mike Davis. The Jaguars backfield will be the biggest question mark of them all, as Robinson has seen an impressive 79% of team rushing attempts. Gadget WR Laviska Shenault may get a few attempts, but it’s likely that Devine Ozigbo will lead the Week 16 “rushing attack”.

After a surprise inactive for Week 15, Ezekiel Elliott has returned to a limited practice and believes he could be on track to play this week against the Eagles. If he sits, Tony Pollard could prove to be a league-winner for fantasy managers.

The Steelers will look to have James Conner back against the Colts, who has been managing a quad injury. He was held out of Week 15 with the injury and didn’t look right in his limited offensive snaps returning from COVID-19. He’s a liability in season-long lineups, regardless, if he’s active.

Antonio Gibson got in a limited practice session Wednesday as he continues to manage a toe injury suffered in Week 13 against the Steelers. His status remains up in the air for Sunday, so we’ll keed to keep a close eye on the injury reports through the week.

The Packers RBs look to be a little banged up heading into Week 16. Jamaal Williams earned a DNP tag, while Aaron Jones got in a limited practice session with a toe injury. Williams left Week 15 after just four offensive snaps, so it’s possible that he sits this week. Getting Jones a bit of rest if he is expected to carry the load would make sense as they look to close out the regular season, but keep an eye on Jones’ status in the coming days.

DNP: Chase Edmonds (ankle/knee), Jamaal Williams (quad), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip), Christian McCaffrey (thigh), Phillip Lindsay (hip), James Robinson (ankle)
Limited: Aaron Jones (toe), Ezekiel Elliott (calf), Antonio Gibson (toe)
Full: James Conner (quad)

Fantasy managers likely got a surprise when Tony Pollard, Giovani Bernard, Leonard Fournette and Benny Snell came out of the woodwork to play spoiler in Week 15. Giovani Bernard bounced back in a major way against the Steelers. He had logged just 20 total touches in his two games prior to his appearance on Monday Night Football against the Steelers. Snell, Pollard and Fournette all filled in due to injuries, and we could see them again for Week 16 pending the health of their team’s respective starter.

Injury news

Cam Akers has already been ruled out ahead of Week 16 with an ankle injury.

2020 just hasn’t been kind to the 49ers running backs. Raheem Mostert aggravated his ankle injury Sunday, and he’ll be shut down for the season.

Christian McCaffrey entered last weekend with a doubtful designation, but Matt Rhule is hopeful that he’ll practice Wednesday with the team. Given the team’s lost season, it would be a surprise to me if they sent him onto the field rather than shutting him down for the season as the 49ers did with Raheem Mostert.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a hip and ankle injury and is expected to be out at least until the Divisional round of the playoffs. This means, fantasy managers will look to RBs Le’Veon Bell and Darrel Williams to carry the load in his absence, but both are very risky plays in a crucial week.

It’s been a rough month for Rojo. Ronald Jones is expected to be out for the second-consecutive game after requiring surgery on his pinky, prior to landing on the COVID-19 list. While he recovers, Leonard Fournette will dominate touches once again.

Ezekiel Elliott was inactive for Week 15 nursing a calf injury. In his absence, Tony Pollard posted 25 points in non-PPR formats, a potential league-winner for the lucky manager who snagged him from waivers.

Streaming options

Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

After suffering an ankle sprain in Week 15, Rams RB Cam Akers has been ruled out by head coach Sean Payton. In his absence, teammates Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown will carry the load. Henderson leads the Rams RBs in fantasy points per snap and per touch in non-PPR formats, while also leading the team in red zone carries and carries inside the five. With Akers out of the lineup to limit the confusion for fantasy managers, Henderson could prove to be a league-winner against the Seahawks. This defensive front has allowed 9 rushing TDs since Week 8 despite allowing just 72 rushing yards per game.

Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Bucs

I’d typically be more likely to slot Leonard Fournette into PPR leagues, but the matchup against the Lions in Week 16 is too good to pass up, even in standard-scoring formats. Outside of Derrick Henry last week, the Lions hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 9’s matchup against Dalvin Cook. However, they continue to allow anyone and everyone at the running back position an opportunity to score. In 2020, they’ve allowed a league-high 25 scrimmage touchdowns to RBs; it’s hard to imagine that Fournette won’t find the end zone at least once in Week 16.