Sony Michel Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Chargers announced Wednesday that they have signed RB Sony Michel. Cut this week by the Dolphins, Michel now has a chance to quickly work his way to the #2 role in a Chargers backfield that has looked bad behind Austin Ekeler. The Chargers released RB Larry Rountree in a corresponding move, leaving Michel, Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller behind Ekeler.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that free-agent RB Sony Michel is visiting the Chargers today. That points to L.A. being unsatisfied with the RB depth chart behind Austin Ekeler. Rookie Isaiah Spiller has so far failed to separate from Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree, neither of whom made significant impacts in last year's backfield. We'll watch for what happens here, but take it as another signal to not bother with Spiller in current redraft.

The Dolphins have released RB Sony Michel, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's a little surprising after the team signed Michel to essentially the same contract as Raheem Mostert this offseason, but Myles Gaskin worked in ahead of Michel in the team's final preseason game. Michel's departure leaves Mostert as the clear top partner for Chase Edmonds in the Miami backfield. Mostert has been a value in fantasy football drafts. We'll see how much his ADP climbs with Michel's departure. Gaskin is now interesting near the end of drafts as well.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee) "might not be ready for Week 1," according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques, because he's "still recovering from a late-season knee injury." That's news to us. Mostert had surgery in September to address a knee cartilage issue, but there had been no reports of a "late-season" injury. The 30-year-old has played in just 9 games over the past 2 seasons and is tough to like as more than a late-round flier in fantasy drafts. Dolphins RBs Chase Edmonds and Sony Michel are more attractive picks. We'll keep an eye on Mostert's status leading up to the opener.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert indicated last week that the knee he injured in Week 1 of 2021 is almost back to full strength. "Rehab is going great! Close to 100%," he tweeted. Mostert has yet to practice with his new team since signing in March. It doesn't seem like great news from here that his left knee -- which had to have "chipped cartilage" repaired in the area of his meniscus -- isn't yet all the way back. But we never saw a publicized return timeline for the uncommon procedure. We'll see about Mostert's status (and role) come training camp. He'll compete with Chase Edmonds and Sony Michel for touches.

The Dolphins are signing RB Sony Michel to a 1-year, $2.1 million deal, ESPN reports. We don't know the guaranteed portion of that contract yet, but the overall money looks nearly identical to what the team gave Raheem Mostert back in March. The 2 veterans appear headed for a summer battle to see he pairs with Chase Edmonds atop the depth chart. Mostert's recovery from the chipped knee cartilage of last season could factor in. But Miami guaranteed $1 million on the 30-year-old's contract, so the team appears to believe he'll be fine.

Rams RB Cam Akers is expected to have a "limited role" vs. the 49ers today in his 1st game since tearing his Achilles this summer, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter adds that Akers will have "an increased role" in the playoffs. We'll see how Akers looks today and what that means for his postseason volume. But he's not a viable Week 18 fantasy option. RB Sony Michel remains a strong play.

Rams HC Sean McVay said Friday that RB Cam Akers (Achilles) is not likely to play vs. the Ravens this weekend. Akers wasn't a realistic fantasy option this week anyway, but his absence just makes RB Sony Michel an even bigger lock to dominate backfield work. Jake Funk will be Los Angeles' #2 RB.

Rams HC Sean McVay said RB Cam Akers (Achilles) could play vs. the Ravens this weekend. Akers was just designated to return to practice last week after his mid-July Achilles tear. The Rams were originally planning to get Akers back for the playoffs, but they have a need at the position with RB Darrell Henderson headed to IR. We'll see if Akers ends up active on Sunday, but we wouldn't expect him to see more than a few touches. Sony Michel should continue to dominate backfield work.

The Rams believe RB Darrell Henderson suffered a knee sprain in today's win over the Vikings, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "The hope is it’s minor, but he’ll have an MRI on Monday that will tell the full story," Rapoport adds. So we should learn more tomorrow. Henderson, though, is off the fantasy radar now that Sony Michel has taken over as the Rams' feature back.

Rams RB Darrell Henderson was knocked out of Sunday's game vs. the Vikings with a knee injury. That happened on his 1st carry of the game in the 4th quarter. We'll look for an update on Henderson's injury, but this is clearly Sony Michel's backfield right now.

The Rams "plan" to have RB Cam Akers (Achilles) back for the playoffs, GM Les Snead told NFL.com. It'd cap a remarkable recovery from Akers' mid-July Achilles tear. We'd be surprised if Akers had a big role in the playoffs -- but he'd turn Los Angeles' backfield into a 3-man committee alongside Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson.

Rams RB Darrell Henderson has been activated from the COVID list. Assuming he's over the thigh issue that cost him Week 13, he should play vs. the Seahawks on Tuesday night. It's unclear exactly how touches will be divvied between Henderson and RB Sony Michel. Consider both guys risk/reward fantasy plays against Seattle's 31st-ranked RB defense.

Rams RB Darrell Henderson remains on the COVID list as of Saturday morning. He has some extra time to get cleared after his game vs. the Seahawks was moved to Tuesday. We’ll let you know via Shark Bites when he’s cleared, but Henderson will be tough to wait on if he’s not cleared before Sunday’s games kick off. His status also impacts RB Sony Michel’s fantasy value, of course.