Running back PPR rankings for Week 16 fantasy football

Friday injury report

Phillip Lindsay is out and Royce Freeman is questionable, which gives Melvin Gordon a boost against his old team the Chargers.

Le’Veon Bell will get a boost against the Falcons with Clyde Edwards-Helaire out.

Ezekiel Elliott is questionable, but says he should play. If he does, there’s a good chance he splits work closer to evenly against the Eagles.

Jamaal Williams is doubtful against the Titans, which should give Aaron Jones a nice bump in fantasy.

Antonio Gibson is close to returning against the Panthers. He’s a start if he does play.

James Robinson didn’t practice with an ankle injury this week but is questionable to play against the Bears. Robinson expects to play, but we’ll need to wait on the inactives most likely.

Out: Raheem Mostert (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), Duke Johnson (neck), Phillip Lindsay (hip, knee), Cam Akers (ankle), DeeJay Dallas (ankle)
Doubtful: Christian McCaffrey (thigh), Jamaal Williams (quadricep)
Questionable: Chase Edmonds (ankle, knee), Antonio Gibson (toe), James Robinson (ankle), Anthony McFarland (illness), Patrick Ricard (knee), Ezekiel Elliott (calf). Royce Freeman (hip)

Thursday injury report

Raheem Mostert ruled out.

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:

James Conner returned to a full practice and looks to be on track to play against the Colts.

Ezekiel Elliott was limited in practice with his calf injury. He is likely to play this week against the Eagles.

Jamaal Williams didn’t practice and there is some doubt about his availability this week against the Titans. If he can’t go, Aaron Jones would get a fantasy boost.

Antonio Gibson was able to get in a limited practice and appears close to returning this week against the Panthers.

James Robinson didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he expects to play against the Bears this week.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t practice and won’t. He isn’t on I.R., so he will continue to be listed on the injury report, but he isn’t playing this weekend. Le’Veon Bell is in line to start.

Christian McCaffrey is doubtful to play against Washington according to his coach. Mike Davis will get the start as usual.

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)

Tony Pollard, David Montgomery and J.D. McKissic led the way as the one, two and four PPR backs in Week 15, just like we all figured. Dalvin Cook and Derrick Henry filled out the rest of the Top 5, which makes a little more sense. As usual, running backs remain the most volatile positions in fantasy.

Injury news

James Robinson suffered an ankle injury last week. Dare Ogunbowale would get the start against the Bears if Robinson can’t go this week.

Cam Akers won’t be able to go this week with a high-ankle sprain. Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown will split the workload.

Ronald Jones isn’t expected to play this week, giving Leonard Fournette another start, this time against a weak Lions defense.

James Conner could return this week after missing Week 15, but if he can’t, Benny Snell would get the start against the Colts.

Raheem Mostert was sent to IR and Jeff Wilson should get the start this week against the Cardinals.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Won’t be able to go against the Falcons this week. Le’Veon Bell should get the lead role.

Streaming options

Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers

With Ronald Jones out this week, Fournette gets a great matchup with the Lions who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs on the season.

Giovani Bernard, Bengals

Bernard got his lead job back last week and put up two touchdowns on a tough Steelers defense. This week he gets a much easier matchup against the Texans, who have given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season.