Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 5, as of October 7. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 5, including Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Kyren Williams, and Aaron Jones.
As the fantasy football season continues, every decision, transaction, and lineup change matters. These are critical running back injuries to keep track of throughout the week. Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football.
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Saquon Barkley Injury Update
Saquon Barkley (ankle) was limited in practice all week long and is officially questionable to play against the Dolphins on Sunday. The star running back hasn't played in a game since Week 2 when he initially suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter. In the event that Barkley can't play, the Giants would start Matt Breida for a third consecutive week.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
Jonathan Taylor (ankle) practiced in full this week but is still listed as questionable heading into Sunday's game against the Titans. The Colts presumably gave Taylor this designation since he remains on the PUP list, affording the team another 24 hours to confirm his status and officially activate him. If active, Taylor will rank as a fantasy RB2 in his return.
Kyren Williams Injury Update
Kyren Williams (hip) made progress this week and was able to log a full practice on Friday. He will suit up on Sunday, ranking as a high-end RB2 versus the Eagles. Williams is coming off a 127-yard, two-touchdown game and remains a must-start option.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Aaron Jones (hamstring) has been limited in practice as the Packers prepare for Monday night's game against the Raiders. The veteran running back will have one more day to see if he can practice in full. Jones could be labeled as questionable heading into the game, but it would be surprising if he doesn't play.
Miles Sanders Injury Update
Miles Sanders (groin) upgraded to a full participant on Friday and has been removed from the Panthers' injury report. He will be active for Week 5 versus the Lions, operating as the Panthers' lead back while ranking as a low-end fantasy RB2.
Jahmyr Gibbs Injury Update
Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) popped up on the injury report Friday after being limited in practice. Sometimes, this sudden addition means that a player started practice healthy, suffered some sort of injury, and was unable to return — which would be a concern considering the Lions play in less than 24 hours. However, it could also mean that Gibbs felt something minor between practice Thursday and Friday, so Detroit gave him a limited workload as a precaution. We should receive more info before kickoff Sunday. For now, he's listed as questionable.
Dameon Pierce Injury Update
Dameon Pierce (knee) was limited in practice on Wednesday but has been a full participant ever since. He has 112 rushing yards, 55 receiving yards, and one touchdown over the last two weeks. As long as the Texans' offense keeps showing signs of life, Pierce will rank as a solid fantasy RB2.
Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh) was limited in practice all week long and is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. At this point, we don't know a lot about his status, though there has been no indication that he won't play. With that said, New Orleans has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs, making Stevenson a low-end RB2 even if active.
Najee Harris Injury Update
Najee Harris (hamstring) popped up on the injury report after being limited in practice. However, the first-round pick does not carry an injury designation into the weekend, which means that he'll be active against the Ravens on Sunday. Consider him to be a high-end RB3 at the moment.
Javonte Williams Injury Update
Javonte Williams (quad) upgraded to a full participant Friday but is still listed as questionable for Week 5 versus New York. It's been a frustrating return to play for Williams, who was quiet over the first four weeks and has now injured himself again. Even if Williams is active, rookie Jaleel McLaughlin, who totaled 104 scrimmage yards and one touchdown last week, should earn significant touches.
Justice Hill Injury Update
Justice Hill (foot, hamstring) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday and is officially questionable to play on Sunday. The 25-year-old carved out a solid role through the first two weeks but mustered just three touches on a 12 percent snap share in his return from injury last week. As Melvin Gordon and Keaton Mitchell emerge as solid depth options, Hill's path to fantasy relevance becomes even murkier. He can be left on the waiver wire in most formats.
Elijah Mitchell Injury Update
Elijah Mitchell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game after failing to practice all week long. Jordan Mason will continue to operate as Christian McCaffrey's backup, offering nothing more than the occasional change of pace.
Rico Dowdle Injury Update
Rico Dowdle (hip) was a full participant in Friday's practice and has been cleared to play against the 49ers in Week 5. The fourth-year running back has emerged as a solid depth option behind Tony Pollard but isn't on the fantasy radar.
Damien Harris Injury Update
Damien Harris (neck) closed out the week as a full participant in practice and has been cleared to play against the Jaguars on Sunday morning. The former Patriots running back has not been as involved as expected this season, accounting for just 19 rushes, two catches, and one touchdown so far. He can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues.
Gary Brightwell Injury Update
Gary Brightwell (ankle) was limited in practice all week long but does not carry an injury report into Sunday's game against the Dolphins. With that said, he is the No. 3 running back in the Giants' offense (or No. 2 if Barkley misses time) and cannot be trusted in fantasy football, especially ahead of a clash with Miami that will force the Giants to throw a lot.
Keaontay Ingram Injury Update
Keaontay Ingram (neck) was limited in practice on Friday and has been listed as questionable for Week 5 versus Cincinnati. He served as Arizona's No. 2 running back through the first three weeks but was inactive last week due to injury. If Ingram misses a second consecutive game, Emari Demercado would be called upon to back up James Conner.
Keaton Mitchell Injury Update
Keaton Mitchell (shoulder) finds himself in a situation similar to Taylor. The rookie practiced in full all week long but was ultimately listed as questionable since the team hasn't activated him from the PUP list. Such a move, if it were to happen, would take place on Saturday afternoon.
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