Week 15 has been insane in the NFL, and the running back position has suffered as much as any other. It hasn’t all been bad, as Chase Edmonds (ankle) and Michael Carter (ankle) are expected to come out of the IR, but with the likes of James Conner, Jamaal Williams, Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon and Tony Pollard questionable by Sunday. games due to injury / COVID concerns, it won’t be easy to make key decisions to start and seat them. That’s why we’ll be here with the latest updates throughout the day to help you advance through the fantasy football playoffs.
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WEEK 15 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Get started, feel them
Will James Conner play week 15?
Conner (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but after participating in a limited session on Friday, Coach Kliff Kingsbury said that “waiting“Conner to face the Lions.
With Chase Edmonds (ankle) returning this week, Conner would see fewer plays no matter how he feels. That cuts his roof slightly, but with one of RB’s best matchups in fantasy, Conner is still a must-start. If he has a setback and it’s a surprise scratch, Edmonds would be a borderline RB1 at PPR and a solid RB2 at standard.
UPDATES FOR SUNDAY WEEK 15:
Sunday WR / TEs | Lamar | Fournette
Will Jamaal Williams play week 15?
Williams was placed on the reserve / COVID list last Friday, and there have been virtually no updates on his status since then. It’s hard to know if he still has a chance to be cleared in time to play Arizona, but considering he wasn’t one of the players Detroit activated off the reserve / COVID roster on Saturday afternoon, it seems unlikely that he will be available. . .
Williams would be a solid starting option based on volume if he’s active, but if he’s out, a combination of Craig Reynolds, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson would split the touches in the backfield. Reynolds is likely to lead the way like last week, but neither is particularly good or reliable play in this matchup.
WEEK 15 UPDATES MONDAY / TUESDAY:
Thielen | Mayfield | Landry / Hooper | It hurts / McLaurin / Lockett
Will Javonte Williams play week 15?
Williams had limited practice Friday after missing practice Thursday, and coach Vic Fangio has already said Williams will play without limitations against the Bengals.
As long as Williams is there, he’s worth at least a flexible spot in the fantasy lineups. This showdown is much tougher than last week’s, and with Melvin Gordon (hand) also expected to play, RB’s touches will be split once again. Still, Williams has shown his immense advantage in recent weeks, and it’s hard to sit down given his current streak.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RATINGS:
Field marshal | Running backwards | Wide receiver | Tight end | D / ST | Kicker
Will Melvin Gordon play week 15?
Gordon (hand) was limited in practice all week, but there doesn’t seem to be any real concern about his availability against Cincinnati.
Gordon is coming off a 111-yard, two TD game, but this matchup is a lot tougher. When you factor in the injury and the emergence of rookie Javonte Williams, Gordon is a bit of a concern given the injury, but he’s still a solid flex as long as he’s active.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
Field marshal | Running backwards | Wide receiver | Tight end | D / ST | Kicker
Will Tony Pollard play week 15?
Pollard (foot) achieved enter limited internships Thursday and Friday and it appears to be a real game-time decision for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
Even if Pollard is active, you may see fewer touches than usual. Its big game potential is still around, especially in a favorable matchup, but it’s much more of a “boom or bust” flex than a relatively high floor option. If he’s out, Corey Clement will serve as the change-of-pace running back for Ezekiel Elliott, but he doesn’t deserve a starting spot in all but the deepest leagues.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.