Running back PPR rankings for Week 17 fantasy football

Friday injury report

Alvin Kamara will miss this week due to a positive COVID-19 test. Latavius Murray becomes a must start against the Panthers.

James Robinson, Dalvin Cook, and Damien Harris are all out. Dare Ogunbowale, Alexander Mattison, and Sony Michel all become viable fantasy plays.

Cam Akers is a game-time decision and Darrell Henderson is on I.R. Malcolm Brown should see good usage on Sunday.

Antonio Gibson is questionable against the Eagles. Peyton Barber isn’t a great fantasy play even if Gibson is out, but J.D. McKissic remains a viable PPR start either way.

Out: James Robinson (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), Dalvin Cook (non-injury), Damien Harris (ankle), DeeJay Dallas (ankle)
Doubtful: Mike Davis (ankle), Christian McCaffrey (thigh)
Questionable: Le’Veon Bell (knee), Carlos Hyde (illness), Chase Edmonds (hip), Cam Akers (ankle), Gus Edwards (back), Mark Ingram (illness), Duke Johnson (neck), Antonio Gibson (toe)

Wednesday injury report

Cam Akers didn’t practice while Darrell Henderson has been put on I.R. If Akers can’t go, Malcolm Brown, who was limited in practice, would get the start.

James Robinson won’t play this week. Dare Ogunbowale should get the start again this week.

Christian McCaffrey and Mike Davis are both out. Rodney Smith should get the start against the Saints.

Dalvin Cook won’t play this week. Alexander Mattison is next up and got in a limited practice as he goes through the concussion protocols.

Clyde-Edwars Helaire and Le’Veon Bell didn’t practice and likely won’t play in a game where the Chiefs will rest starters.

DNP: Chase Edmonds (hip), Cam Akers (ankle), Mark Ingram (illness), Elijhaa Penny (illness), James Robinson (ankle), Le’Veon Bell (knee), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), Dalvin Cook (not injury related), Mike Davis (ankle), Christian McCaffrey (thigh), Frank Gore (chest), DeeJay Dallas (ankle), Carlos Hyde (illness), Khari Blasingame (ankle), Antonio Gibson (toe)
Limited: Jonathan Ward (ankle), Malcolm Brown (shoulder), Ito Smith (rib), Leonard Fournette (abdomen), Ronald Jones (finger), Jamaal Williams (quadricep), Nathan Cottrell (hip), LeVante Bellamy (ankle), C.J. Ham (quadricep), Alexander Mattison (concussion), Latavius Murray (quadricep), Alex Armah (thigh), Damien Harris (ankle), Duke Johnson (neck)
Full: N/A

Week 17 is usually a good time to limit your fantasy endeavors, as so many teams are usually resting players. But this season we have more teams needing to play their starters. There are three teams that look like they will rest players though, as the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills don’t have much to gain. The Chiefs have nothing to play for and the Steelers and Bills can only move between the No. 2 and 3 seeds. Mike Tomlin has already said that Ben Roethlisberger isn’t playing, which could make it less likely the Bills starters play a full game.

Le’Veon Bell, Blake Snell, James Conner, Zack Moss and Devin Singletary should be off-limits this week in fantasy.

Here are the teams who need wins and should play their starters: Cardinals, Rams, Colts, Titans, Bears, Cowboys, Giants, Browns, Dolphins, Ravens, Buccaneers, Saints, Seahawks, Packers and Washington.

Injury news

Frank Gore is out this week against the Patriots.

Christian McCaffrey is doubtful against the Saints.

Darrell Henderson is unlikely to play against the Cardinals.

Ronald Jones should return from the Covid-19 list against the Falcons.

Cam Akers has a chance to return against the Cardinals.

Notable backups

Anthony McFarland and Darrell Williams could see a lot of work this week. The Bills running back situation is a little tougher to

Streaming options

Darrell Williams, Chiefs

The Chargers have given up 5.18 yards per carry to running backs over the last eight games and I expect the Chiefs to rest Le’Veon Bell with Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s status still not assured in the playoffs. That should give Williams the bulk of the work this week.

Gus Edwards, Ravens

J.K. Dobbins has taken over the lead role in Baltimore, but Edwards continues to see good usage and goal line opportunities. Dobbins also has a chest injury which we will monitor this week. If Dobbins is out, Edwards becomes a smash play against the Bengals. But even if Dobbins can go, Edwards still has good value in this must win game for the Ravens.