2011 PPR Fantasy Football Week 16: Running Backs (RB) Rankings and Projections

Key RB Injuries

In recent days, a bunch of injuries have surfaced to key running backs as we get set for the most important week of the season.

Below, I have a quick writeup as it stands on Tuesday. Keep an eye on the progress reports for these running backs as we get close to Saturday, as the league will be playing most of it’s games a day early before Christmas.

Maurice Jones-Drew (Ankle) 

After a hot start against the Falcons, Maurice Jones-Drew suffered an ankle injury that slowed him down in the second half. On Saturday, Jones-Drew was held out of practice, but he has the benefit of receiving extra rest since the team played on Thursday.

Felix Jones (Hamstring) 

After solid back-to-back performances, the injury bug is giving Felix Jones problems again, as a tight hamstring held him out of Tuesday’s practice.

Coach Jason Garrett is hopeful that Jones will be back in practice by Wednesday, but fantasy owners clearly must have some concern, because we all know by now that hamstrings can cost players games.

If Jones proves to be healthy, he’s a RB-1 for this week's tasty matchup against the Eagles run defense.

Rashard Mendenhall (Ribs)

Not only do the 49ers have a tough defense, but opposing players tend to come out of contests against them beat up. That was the case for Mendenhall, who now has sore ribs.

Don’t be surprised if he’s a go for the Rams, but Isaac Redman should see at least ten touches; the Steelers are likely to have a big lead in the second half against the Rams at home.

Chris Johnson (Ankle)

The Titans star running back injured his ankle against the Colts and failed to do much in practice on Tuesday. Johnson went as far as to say that trying to make cuts on his ankle is a problem, and that isn’t a good sign, as we’ve seen Adrian Peterson struggle with this issue of late.

Adrian Peterson (Ankle)

All Day was back against the Saints but only carried the football ten times. It appeared the Vikings were content with using Toby Gerhart in passing situations to lighten the snap count on Peterson.

Clearly having problems changing direction, Peterson should be viewed as a RB-2 this week, as the Vikings are likely to keep Gerhart involved in the offense.

Roy Helu (Toe, Ankle)

If you were wondering what happened to Roy Helu as he failed to average two yards per carry on his 23 rushes last week, his ankle and toe injuries were likely the main culprit.

Helu was limited on Tuesday’s practice, but he will hopefully see an increase in practice time on Wednesday. Expect Evan Royster to take on a little more of the workload this week, and Helu should be viewed as a low-end RB-2 or flex play this week.

Willis McGahee (Hamstring)

At first, I thought Willis McGahee was likely to miss the Bills contest or at least be limited. But it appears that he could get the majority of the workload after practicing on Tuesday. Coach John Fox insisted that McGahee could’ve returned to last week's game, but they elected to hold him out because of the way the game was going.

I’m not sure I buy that, but if he can practice throughout the week, fantasy owners would be wise to gamble on him as at least a solid flex play; he faces a weak Bills run defense.

1	LeSean McCoy	@ Cowboys
2	Arian Foster	@ Colts
3	Ray Rice	Browns
4	Reggie Bush	@ Patriots
5	Ryan Mathews	@ Lions
6	Maurice Jones-Drew (I)	@ Titans
7	Shonn Greene	Giants
8	C.J. Spiller	Broncos
9	Michael Bush	@ Chiefs
10	Felix Jones (I)	Eagles
11	Rashard Mendenhall (I)	Rams
12	Chris Johnson (I)	Jaguars
13	Frank Gore	@ Seahawks
14	Adrian Peterson (I)	@ Redskins
15	Beanie Wells	@ Bengals
16	Marshawn Lynch	49ers
17	DeAngelo Williams	Buccaneers
18	Michael Turner	@ Saints
19	Cedric Benson	Cardinals
20	Roy Helu (I)	Vikings
21	Darren Sproles	Falcons
22	Willis McGahee (I)	@ Bills
23	Lance Ball	@ Bills
24	Ben Tate	@ Colts
25	Ahmad Bradshaw	@ Jets
26	Donald Brown	Texans
27	Steven Jackson	@ Steelers
28	Brandon Jacobs	@ Jets
29	Peyton Hillis (I)	@ Ravens
30	Ryan Grant	Bears
31	LeGarrette Blount	@ Panthers
32	Jackie Battle	Raiders
33	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Dolphins
34	Kevin Smith (I)	Chargers
35	Kalil Bell	@Packers
36	Danny Woodhead	Dolphins
37	Mike Tolbert	@ Lions
38	Toby Gerhart	@ Redskins
39	Jonathan Stewart	Buccaneers
40	Chris Ivory	Falcons
41	Marion Barber	@ Packers
42	LaDainian Tomlinson	Giants
43	Pierre Thomas	Falcons

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