Fantasy Football News

The Cowboys signed RB Tyler Goodson from Atlanta's practice squad and released RB Israel Abanikanda. Abanikanda was a healthy scratch for the opener, leaving RB Emari Demercardo behind workhorse Javonte Williams. We'll see if Goodson gets any run going forward, but Demercardo still looks like the top (albeit relatively shaky) handcuff to Williams.

The Cowboys placed RB Malik Davis (hip) on IR and elevated RB Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad. It's still unclear if Davis has a chance to return this season, but he can be dropped from all redraft rosters. Abanikanda joins RBs Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado on the active roster. FB Hunter Luepke could also handle some carries and targets out of the backfield. There's no clear-cut handcuff to Williams at this point. We'll get our first look as Dallas' backfield when they play the Giants on Sunday night.

Cowboys RB Malik Davis suffered a "pretty serious injury" on Friday that "could take him out for some period of time," COO Stephen Jones said. We'll look for more details on Davis' hip injury, but he can be dropped in most fantasy leagues. Emari Demercado becomes Dallas' No. 2 RB for now and can be added in deeper leagues, but the Cowboys could add another body to the backfield. Jones also said that practice-squad RB Israel Abanikanda had "a heck of a camp."

Update: Davis is scheduled for surgery on Saturday and will be placed on IR, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. That knocks him out for at least four games, but it seems like Davis will be out longer than that.

Cowboys RB Malik Davis had to be carted off the practice field on Friday with a hip injury, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris. We'll look for more details on his status, but Davis figures to at least miss Sunday night's game vs. the Giants, and potentially much longer. He was slated to serve as the Cowboys' No. 2 RB and handcuff to Javonte Williams. Davis' absence leaves RB Emari Demercado behind Williams. RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.

Cowboys RBs Malik Davis and Israel Abanikanda have garnered more first-team opportunities in recent workouts, and HC Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Thursday that they've "earned" those chances.

Cowboys RBs Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf, eye) are out for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants. That leaves RBs Hunter Luepke and Jaydon Blue on the active roster, with RBs Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda candidates to be elevated. We’ll see what moves Dallas makes leading up to kickoff and look for clues on the backfield plans. There’s fantasy upside to mine here with the matchup against the Giants’ 31st-ranked RB defense.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) did not practice all week and is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins. It sounds like it’s the hamstring that’s sidelining him. Guerendo’s absence leaves San Francisco down to RBs Patrick Taylor, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Israel Abanikanda. Taylor is the favorite for work, but it’s unclear exactly what this backfield will look like. It’s also a tough matchup against a Dolphins defense that’s limited opposing RBs to 2.8 yards per carry over the last five weeks. See where Taylor sits in the Week 16 RB Rankings.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that 49ers RB Isaac Guerendo is "unlikely to play" Sunday at Miami because of his hamstring injury.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo (foot) is active for tonight's game vs. the Rams. He was listed as questionable after only getting in a limited practice on Tuesday. But Guerendo downplayed the injury throughout the week and was reportedly expected to play tonight even before getting through warmups. There have been no reports so far about the rookie's expected workload in this one. He shapes up as a risk/reward fantasy play. Check the new-and-improved Who To Start Tool to see if Guerendo makes sense for your starting lineup. RBs Patrick Taylor and Ke'Shawn Vaughn are also active for San Francisco tonight; RB Israel Abanikanda is a healthy scratch.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo suffered a foot injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Bears. He's officially questionable to return. Guerendo was controlling work in the backfield before exiting, carrying 15 times for 78 yards and two scores and catching both of his targets for 50 yards. His absence leaves San Francisco with RBs Patrick Taylor and Israel Abanikanda.

The 49ers claimed RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the Jets. The 2023 fifth-rounder never found playing time in New York, carrying 22 times last year and 0 this season. He was an intriguing prospect coming out of Pittsburgh, though, after leading the ACC in carries (239) and rushing yards (1,431) as a true junior in 2022. Abanikanda is still only 22 years old. He joins a 49ers backfield that just lost RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason for the rest of the fantasy season. Rookie Isaac Guerendo is set to step in as the lead back, while Patrick Taylor will likely be the No. 2. Abanikanda is ultimately a long shot for reliable fantasy value this season, but he's at least worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks.

Jets fourth-round rookie RB Braelon Allen "has been one of the biggest standouts during OTA practices," according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Rosenblatt calls Allen the "clear frontrunner" for the No. 2 job behind Breece Hall, "especially because of his emergence as a legitimate option as a pass-catcher. That's especially noteworthy for Allen, who got little credit for his receiving ability coming out of Wisconsin. He totaled 49 catches across three starting seasons and averaged a mere 5.6 yards per catch.

The Jets selected South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis in Round 5 of the NFL Draft. If you value productive RBs, Davis is your guy. Across four seasons at South Dakota State, the 218-pounder racked up 677 carries, 4,552 yards (6.7 YPC) and 50 TDs. He hit 1,400+ rushing yards in his junior and senior seasons. Now, the heavy workloads might be some cause for concern long-term. He missed eight career games across 2021-2022 – all with a shoulder. Davis didn’t miss time last fall, though, and the tape is undeniably impressive. The Missouri native runs hard at nearly 220 pounds, yet he moves like a satellite back. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said Davis has “vision and feet/jump cut skills as good as any runner in [the] draft.” The 22-year-old earned every yard, too. Per PFF, Davis ran into heavy boxes (7+ defenders) on ~82% of his carries. That mark led the class – along with his 6.6 yards per carry in such situations. Davis isn’t a zero in the passing game, but he lacks reliable hands and a developed route tree. He joins fourth-round rookie Braelon Allen in the Jets’ backfield, behind Breece Hall. It’s a rough spot for Davis’ dynasty value.

The Jets took Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen in Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Allen is the youngest player in this entire draft class, turning just 20 back in January. He exploded as a 17-year-old true freshman in 2021, running for 1,268 yards and 12 TDs on 6.8 yards per carry. But by most measures, that was his best season at Wisconsin. Allen topped 1,200 rushing yards again in 2022, but his yards per carry, yards after contact per carry, and missed tackles forced per attempt all sunk from the previous season. Then his usage and production took a hit in a pass-heavier Wisconsin offense last year. Allen carried 181 times for 984 yards (5.4 YPC) and 12 TDs. He at least rebounded in yards after contact per attempt, ranking 29th among 157 qualifiers. But Allen ranked just 97th among those 157 RBs with a career-worst 78.6 Pro Football Focus rushing grade. The burly 6’1, 235-pounder runs with good vision and has better long speed than you’d expect. But he doesn’t always play to his size and doesn’t possess much wiggle. It’s also worth noting that Allen suffered shoulder, right leg, and left ankle injuries, plus a concussion, during his three years at Wisconsin. Allen joins a Jets backfield that will be dominated by Breece Hall for the foreseeable future. The rookie will duke it out with 2023 fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda for scraps.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Jets are releasing RB Dalvin Cook. There's no fantasy impact here, because Cook didn't touch the ball the past two games and totaled just 2 touches the week before that. Rookie Israel Abanikanda carried twice and caught four of seven targets as the No. 2 RB in last Thursday night's loss to the Browns. Breece Hall is the only member of the Jets backfield you should be paying attention to if you're playing in Week 18. The timing of this release gives Cook a chance to catch on elsewhere, but we'd be surprised if he lands a meaningful role with a playoff team. Beyond that, we're not expecting much from Cook in 2024 either. The 28-year-old doesn't appear to have much left.

Jets RB Israel Abanikanda is expected to be out "a couple of weeks" with his thigh injury, HC Robert Saleh said Tuesday. When healthy, the rookie will be New York's third or fourth RB. He's off the redraft radar.

Jets RB Israel Abanikanda left Saturday's preseason game with an injury to his right thigh. ESPN's Rich Cimini said the rookie RB was putting no weight on the leg as he left the field early in the fourth quarter. We'll look for more info on his outlook. The rookie likely wouldn't be heading for much regular-season work even if healthy, though, after the Dalvin Cook signing.

Update: HC Robert Saleh said after the game it's merely a thigh contusion, Cimini reports. This shouldn't be a long-term issue.

The Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with RB Dalvin Cook. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cook is getting "up to $8.6 million ... with the majority guaranteed." He adds that it's the largest annual average of any deal for a RB free agent this offseason. This seems to signal a few things: First, the Jets like Cook much better than any of their current RB backups and were iffy enough on that crew to make a significant upgrade. Secondly, it also indicates they want to make sure not to overwork Breece Hall in his return from the ACL tear. Hall has yet to take the field in training camp, though reports have said they expect him to be ready for the regular season. Even if that holds true, expect Cook to cut way into the available work. That moves Hall down our RB rankings and gives Cook nice contingent upside, in case Hall misses further games. The rest of the Jets' current RBs are no more than end-of-draft fliers. At least one among Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and Israel Abanikanda probably isn't making the regular-season roster.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt says Jets RB Zonovan Knight has "had a really good camp -- he's quite clearly been their best RB." That's, of course, with Breece Hall not yet practicing. But it's noteworthy that Knight earns such praise over Michael Carter and rookie Israel Abanikanda. We're not betting on another Jets RB being starter-worthy in fantasy whenever Hall is active. But Hall's still-progressing recovery from the 2022 ACL tear enhances the available opportunity for the rest of the backfield. Knight has been going basically undrafted by best ball ADP this offseason and sits well down our RB rankings. We'll see whether a big adjustment needs to happen.