Fantasy Injury Updates: Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, Raheem Mostert affecting Week 12 RB rankings

November 24, 2020 Sports 4 Views

Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, and Raheem Mostert have all missed prolonged intervals of time with accidents this yr. McCaffrey returned from an ankle damage in Week 9 solely to go down with a shoulder damage and miss two extra video games. In the meantime, Ekeler (hamstring) and Mostert (ankle) have each performed in 4 video games every whereas coping with their accidents. Fantasy soccer house owners might want to understand how every of those gamers is doing to make key begin ’em, sit ’em choices as they struggle for the fantasy playoffs. Here is how these accidents impression our Week 12 RB rankings and potential waiver wire pickups.

For updates on Chris Carson, Myles Gaskin, and D’Andre Swift, click here; for information on banged-up pass-catchers Kenny Golladay, Deebo Samuel, and Zach Ertz, go here. For all the newest fantasy information, observe us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

Is Christian McCaffrey enjoying this week?

McCaffrey (shoulder) remains to be being thought-about “week-to-week” with the damage he suffered in Week 9 towards the Chiefs, however a return in Week 12 would not appear promising. In line with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McCaffrey is unlikely to play towards the Vikings. If McCaffrey does sit out, his subsequent likelihood to play for the Panthers can be in Week 14 after the Panthers’ bye.

With McCaffrey seemingly out once more, Mike Davis will get one other begin for the Panthers in a stable matchup towards the Vikings. Davis has averaged 16.eight touches per recreation for 75.5 yards since Week three and has discovered the tip zone 5 occasions in that span. He will be trusted as a mid-tier RB2 however could have RB1 upside, particularly if Teddy Bridgewater (knee) can return to motion.

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Is Austin Ekeler enjoying this week?

UPDATE: In line with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chargers are going to designate Ekeler to return from IR this week. That does not essentially imply he’ll play in Week 12, nevertheless it’s a superb signal that he’ll be out there sooner or later within the close to future.

On Nov. 12, Ekeler (hamstring) issued a message to fantasy house owners via his personal Twitter account: “The time attracts close to.” On Monday evening, he posted another video that mentioned “all of the rehab containers are checked” and confirmed him lifting weights. And in a recent Twitch stream, he confirmed that he was concentrating on a Week 12 return towards the Payments.

Regardless of Ekeler’s optimism, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, when requested about the potential for Ekeler returning, mentioned that “it might be good” however did not provide far more than that, per Fernando Ramirez of Sports Illustrated. That ought to point out that Ekeler could also be questionable heading into this recreation and that each events must be on the identical web page earlier than Ekeler makes his return.

Ekeler’s standing will certainly be one thing to observe within the coming days. If Ekeler performs, he will be thought-about a possible top-15 RB in commonplace and a sure-fire RB1 in PPR. If not, Kalen Ballage will proceed to guide the Chargers’ backfield with Ekeler and Justin Jackson (knee) out. Troymaine Pope and Joshua Kelley can even issue into the combo, however Ballage will deal with a bulk of the work if Ekeler wants one other week to heal.

Is Raheem Mostert enjoying this week?

In the course of the 49ers’ Week 11 bye, coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that he was “hopeful” that Mostert (ankle) would return to motion together with a couple of different 49ers gamers that had been coping with accidents, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. That is a superb signal that Mostert ought to have the ability to return quickly whether or not it occurs this week or subsequent.

Mostert is on IR, so he will not have an official observe standing this week. Nonetheless, his participation will must be watched because the 49ers might designate him to return from IR this week. If Mostert returns, he’ll lead the 49ers backfield whereas both Tevin Coleman (if wholesome) or Jerick McKinnon serves as the highest complement to him. If Mostert is out, we’ll see loads of McKinnon as soon as once more, however at this level, it might appear that Mostert is trending in the suitable path.