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Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon has been bowling over opposing defenders (and mascots) for four years.
He has gotten some opportunities to start this season, and he has approached 100 scrimmage yards in multiple games. But Dillon has been banged up.
When is AJ Dillon coming back to action? What is AJ Dillon's fantasy football outlook when he returns? Let's dive in.
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AJ Dillon Latest Injury Update - December 22
AJ Dillon (thumb) got in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday. Things are looking up for him ahead of the Packers' game against the Carolina Panthers. While Dillon still has a broken thumb, which kept him out of last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Packers coach Matt LaFleur is more confident that Dillon can go this week after he has more practice time.
LaFleur was quoted by the Wisconsin State Journal:
“There weren’t a lot of live reps (last week) to get the work in to see where he was at — his ability to handle the ball, pass protect, catch the ball,” LaFleur said after practice Wednesday. “I think we’ll have a better gauge going through this week. We actually had some live periods and had the individual (drills), which can show a lot.”
Dillon, who is ultra-competitive, said that missing last week was difficult for him. "To not be out there with the team definitely was really frustrating. But I’m doing everything I can, the training staff is doing everything they can," he said.
AJ Dillon Injury Update for Fantasy Football
The game was almost over when AJ Dillon broke his thumb on a routine play on the team's final drive against the New York Giants in Week 14.
"Got hit with a helmet, lined up the right way, hit it just right enough, whatever, we called another run play after that," Dillon said.
Injuries have been piling for the Packers. Fellow running back Aaron Jones (multiple) has missed six games. Wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) missed last week and hasn't practiced this week. Wide receiver Jayden Reed (toe/chest) has also been missing practice this week, as has tight end Luke Musgrave (kidney).
The Packers would miss the playoffs if the season ended today, but they have a chance to snag a Wild Card spot if they win out.
AJ Dillon Fantasy Football Outlook
AJ Dillon is having a down year primarily due to a lack of scoring. He is averaging 44.2 yards per game, which is just one fewer than last season, but the big difference is that he scored seven touchdowns last year and has only scored one this year.
The Packers are one of the most pass-heavy teams inside the red zone. Jordan Love is third in the league with 80 red zone passing attempts for 20 touchdowns. He already has five more red zone passing attempts than Aaron Rodgers had all of last season.
Dillon has just 56 red zone rushing attempts this season, compared to 72 last season. His red zone volume is down, and so is his scoring rate. He scored five touchdowns last season, a rate of 6.9% in the red zone, but he has only scored one red zone touchdown this year for a rate of just 1.8%.
The Carolina Panthers are one of the weakest teams in every facet of the game. They are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Aaron Jones will likely play, too, so Dillon won't have the backfield to himself, but he has been able to produce in a split backfield before. Given the quality matchup, Dillon is a possible flex play.
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