The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner, so it's prime time to stay up to date with the latest injury headlines. Plenty of key running backs are dealing with minor ailments as training camps are set to wrap up. Our fantasy football injury reports for running backs as of Tuesday, August 15 will give you the latest scoop on the statuses of Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor, J.K. Dobbins, Kenneth Walker, and more.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. Even though the season is still about three weeks away, keeping up with key running back injuries as we move closer to fantasy draft season is important.
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Dalvin Cook Injury Update
New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is at least a week away from being able to practice at training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. His arrival in New York will also be delayed due to the fact that he'll become a first-time father any day now. Gang Green is expected to sign the former Minnesota Viking RB to a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million.
The addition of the 28-year-old now makes the Jets' backfield a nightmare for fantasy managers as second-year back Breece Hall (knee) continues his recovery from a torn ACL in Week 7 of last year. Cook's signing is even worse news for Michael Carter, who was looking like a potential sleeper pick in fantasy drafts with Hall still recovering. Cook, meanwhile, should be an RB3/flex target in fantasy drafts in his new home.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle), who has been away from the team while getting additional rehab on his surgically repaired ankle, is back with the team at training camp on Monday, according to a source. However, Taylor remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list and his stance on wanting a trade has not changed.
The 24-year-old's ADP as an RB1 in fantasy drafts will continue to fall until he makes his return to the practice field this summer. Zack Moss remains out due to a fractured arm, so the Colts backfield is dangerously thin during the preseason with Deon Jackson, Evan Hull, Kenyan Drake, Jake Funk and Jason Huntley getting more work. Taylor could bounce back in 2023 with better health, but right now he's dropping to more of a low-end RB1 in fantasy.
J.K. Dobbins Injury Update
The Baltimore Ravens activated running back J.K. Dobbins (undisclosed) off the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday, according to sources. Dobbins is practicing at training camp for the first time this summer on Monday, and head coach John Harbaugh said Dobbins is "100% healthy," according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. The Ravens never disclosed what the 24-year-old's injury was, and his absence from camp might have mostly been due to his unhappiness with his current contract.
Although he may not play in the team's second preseason game against the Washington Commanders next Monday, Dobbins has plenty of time to get up to speed before the regular season opener on Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans. When healthy, Dobbins is expected to lead this backfield in touches, putting him in RB2 territory in fantasy.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (groin) was able to return to the practice field on Saturday. This is great news considering Walker has been sidelined by a groin issue since the beginning of training camp. The 22-year-old only did positional drills and didn't participate in any team drills on Saturday.
Either way, it's a step in the right direction for Walker. The Seahawks have high hopes for Walker after he rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. The expectation is that he'll be fully ready by the time the regular season rolls around. He'll be in the RB2 conversation considering the Seahawks did add some depth at running back this offseason.
Miles Sanders Injury Update
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (groin) remained out of training camp practice on Monday with a groin injury. It's unlikely that he'll play in the second preseason game this week against the New York Giants on Friday. Sanders hasn't been on the practice field since suffering a groin injury in practice last Wednesday, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to suit up for the third and final preseason game on Aug. 25 against the Detroit Lions.
Although Carolina's offense won't be nearly as explosive as the Philadelphia Eagles offense that Sanders used to be a part of, the 26-year-old should have more of a three-down role with his new squad with only Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear behind him. Target Sanders as an RB2 in upcoming fantasy drafts.
Kendre Miller Injury Update
Scans on New Orleans Saints rookie running back Kendre Miller's knee showed a minor sprain, according to a source. He is expected to miss a week or two of action in training camp and the preseason as a result. Miller suffered the knee sprain during the team's preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
It's bad news for a Saints offense that won't have starter Alvin Kamara for the first three regular season games due to a suspension, although Miller still has a chance to be ready for Week 1. It's very possible that the Saints add free-agent Kareem Hunt now to beef up their backfield depth, but if now, Jamaal Williams figures to have a significant workload in New Orleans' backfield early on in 2023. Kirk Merritt and rookie Ellis Merriweather are the only other RBs on the current roster.
Damien Harris Injury Update
Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris (knee) was unable to practice on Sunday. However, head coach Sean McDermott said that Harris is heading in the right direction. Harris continues to deal with a lingering knee issue that held him out of the preseason opener on Saturday.
Despite the injury, McDermott doesn't seem too worried about the running back's availability for Week 1 of the regular season. Harris is expected to be in a timeshare with James Cook to begin the season.
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