There are plenty of injured running backs heading into Week 3. Big name backs such as Eddie Lacy, DeMarco Murray, Andre Ellington, Chris Ivory, Tevin Coleman, Arian Foster, and others have all missed or been limited participants in practice this week.
Should fantasy owners be concerned with these backs this week? Will Todd Gurley make his debut against the Steelers in Week 3? We"ll try to answer those questions below.
Lacy sprained his ankle in Week 2 and had to be carted off the field. He"s been absent in practice this week, but don"t take that as a sign that he"ll be inactive on Sunday. Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters earlier this week, "I would definitely feel comfortable playing Eddie on a very limited basis as far as his practice reps."
If Lacy does return, there would be no need for Green Bay to give him a lot of touches. Backup James Starks proved he could carry the load in Week 2 when he carried the ball 20 times for 95 yards. Starks also added four receptions for 11 yards.
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Lacy went through individual drills on Friday, which is an encouraging sign. Owners should be cautious, though, especially since Green Bay plays Monday night. A late start means you"re essentially forced to go with Lacy if you don"t have a backup plan on Monday.
How is Chris Ivory"s injury?
Ivory is dealing with a few injuries at the moment. He"s overcoming a groin injury and he also suffered a quad injury during Monday"s game against the Colts. He told reporters,"If it"s not ready, it"s not ready; I just won"t play.But if it"s good enough to play, I"ll play. But there is that chance that I could make it worse."
He added he didn"t want to "overdo it" by running too much. He said the injury has been bothering him, and Monday"s game made it worse. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and has a short week to try and recover.
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If Ivory is unable to play which is a real possibility Bilal Powell should see plenty of work for New York. Zac Stacy will be behind Powell.
DeMarco Murray"s injury not expected to keep him out against Jets
Murray tweaked his hamstring during practice this week, which initially put his status for Sunday"s game in doubt. A source told ESPN on Friday, however, that Murray "will be fine" and that "he"ll play" against the Jets this week. Murray"s injury may not be serious, but fantasy owners might consider benching the Eagles back due to his poor performance so far this season.
Will Lamar Miller play with ankle injury?
Miller is officially listed as questionable and has missed some practice time this week due to his ankle injury. He was a limited participant in Thursday"s practice, which is a good indication for Sunday. One beat reporter, however, said Miller "does not look good running on that ankle."
If Miller can"tplay, the Dolphins haveDamien Williams and Jonas Gray, who was promoted from the practice squad earlier in the week.
Todd Gurley could make his debut
Todd Gurley has been a full participant in practice this week and is listed as probable against the Steelers. There"s nothing medically holding him back from playing this week. The only reason he"d sit is if Jeff Fisher doesn"t feel comfortable going with his rookie this early in the season (he tore his ACL last November).
The thought right now is that Gurley will play Sunday, but he might have a limited number of snaps/carries. Owners should be cautious starting him since there"s no indication of how he"ll be used.
How serious is Tevin Coleman"s injury?
Coleman is dealing with cracked ribs, which is a painful injury to play through, especially for a running back. Coleman put up insane numbers at Indiana playing half of his final season with a broken toe, so he"s played through pain before. But it appears Coleman could be out for a while with this injury. Coach Dan Quinn has said that Coleman is out indefinitely, and he was officially ruled out Friday afternoon.
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Starting in Coleman"s place will beDevonta Freeman. Freeman should have a heavy workload in Week 3 with Coleman likely sitting out.
Arian Foster injury update
Foster has been practicing with the Texans for the past two weeks and "feels wonderful," but he won"t play in Week 3.
"I don"t think Arian will play this week," coach Bill O"Brien told reporters. "Looking really good at practice. But I would say sooner rather than later."
The Texans back should be ready soon, but not this week.
Andre Ellington expected backOct. 4
Ellington will sit again this week, but coach Bruce Arians told reporters he hopes the Cardinals back will be ready by Oct. 4 against the Rams. Ellington is running again, but it won"t be against the 49ers in Week 3.
