Week 11 saw the return of three big-name running backs from injury, and while it was nice to see Saquon Barkley, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Miles Sanders back on the field, I'm not sure we saw enough from any of the three to feel great about starting them in your Fantasy Football lineups in Week 12.
Well, you definitely won't be starting Edwards-Helaire this week with the Chiefs on a bye, so that's one decision made for you. But Barkley returned Monday to a Giants offense that looked as hapless as ever, and he finished with just 25 rushing yards on six carries; six catches for 31 yards salvaged his game to a certain extent, and that's probably enough to make him worth starting for Week 12 against the Eagles in PPR leagues. But it's hard to feel too confident in him.
And it's even harder to feel confident in Sanders. He did lead the team with 94 yards on 16 carries, but he was targeted just once and was actually out-carried by Jordan Howard in the first half, 9-8. Howard is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Giants with a sprained MCL, which should lock Sanders into enough of a rule to be worth starting in a good matchup, but it's another situation where you wish you felt better about him after awaiting his return. In Sanders' case, more so because of role questions than anything else.
We could see the returns of Alvin Kamara, Cordarrelle Patterson and Kareem Hunt this week, so that'll be one thing to watch out for this week. Additionally, it looks like Michael Carter will miss at least a few weeks with a high-ankle sprain, so add the Jets to the list of teams with uncertainty in the backfield -- a list that also features the Patriots, Bills, Titans, Texans, Ravens, and Falcons, at least.
There are a lot of question marks at RB this week, but here's my first crack at the rankings. To see the rankings of Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath Cummings, make sure you head here.
Week 12 RB Rankings
- Christian McCaffrey @MIA
- Jonathan Taylor vs. TB
- Najee Harris @CIN
- Austin Ekeler @DEN
- Dalvin Cook @SF
- Joe Mixon vs. PIT
- Cordarrelle Patterson @JAX
- Leonard Fournette @IND
- Darrell Henderson @GB
- Saquon Barkley vs. PHI
- James Robinson vs. ATL
- Nick Chubb @BAL
- Myles Gaskin vs. CAR
- Antonio Gibson vs. SEA
- Elijah Mitchell vs. MIN
- Dontrell Hilliard @NE
- Aaron Jones vs. LAR
- Kareem Hunt @BAL
- AJ Dillon vs. LAR
- Miles Sanders @NYG
- Ty Johnson @HOU
- Melvin Gordon vs. LAC
- Javonte Williams vs. LAC
- D'Onta Foreman @NE
- Alex Collins @WAS
- Damien Harris vs. TEN
- Rhamondre Stevenson vs. TEN
- Devonta Freeman vs. CLE
- David Johnson vs. NYJ
- Mike Davis @JAX
- Deejay Dallas @WAS
- Latavius Murray vs. CLE
- J.D. McKissic vs. SEA
- Nyheim Hines vs. TB
- Boston Scott @NYG
- Jeff Wilson vs. MIN
- Devontae Booker vs. PHI
- Alexander Mattison @SF
- Rex Burkhead vs. NYJ
- Brandon Bolden vs. TEN
2021 NFL jerseys now available
The new NFL season is here! Win or lose, you can shop jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more to support your favorite team. Shop here and show your colors.
We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.