Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Austin Ekeler, Alex Collins, D’Andre Swift, more RBs affecting Week 8 start ’em, sit em decisions

Fantasy football owners already know plenty of key running backs, including Saquon Barkley (ankle), will be missing in action in Week 8, and several more threaten to be inactive on Sunday, too. Austin Ekeler and Alex Collins look like legit game-time decisions, while Lions duo D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are once again “questionable” despite being in little danger of missing time. Either way, we have the latest injury updates ahead of your final start ’em, sit ’em decisions.

For injury news on banged-up pass-catchers, including Rob Gronkowski, T.Y. Hilton, and Odell Beckham Jr., click here; for an update on Dak Prescott, go here; for the latest on Kadarius Toney, click here; for more on Sterling Shepard, go here; for the Week 8 weather report, click here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

WEEK 8 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

Is Austin Ekeler playing Week 8?

Ekeler (hip) failed to get on the practice field on Thursday and Friday, putting his availability for Sunday’s game against New England in serious doubt. 

Perhaps the worst part of the situation is it’s tough to say who would get the bulk of the RB touches for L.A. if Ekeler is out. Earlier in the year, it looked like Larry Rountree III was the clear handcuff, but lately, Joshua Kelley has been playing more than either Rountree or a banged-up Justin Jackson. For now, we’d slightly favor Kelley based on recent trends — and it could just as easily be a full-on committee — but nothing would surprise us in this backfield. If Ekeler is out, consider all three of the Bolts’ backups low-end flexes.

WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is Alex Collins playing Week 8?

Collins (hip) received 16 carries last week despite barely practicing, so we’re not overly concerned about his “questionable” designation heading into this week’s game against the Jaguars.

Of course, this is the Seahawks, so anything could happen. With Rashaad Penny back and having a game under his belt, it’s possible he’s featured even if Collins is active. For now, we tentatively expect Collins to lead the backfield and be a low-end RB2/high-end flex in this highly favorable matchup. If he is out, Penny would be a solid RB2.

WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is D’Andre Swift playing Week 8?

Stop us if you’ve heard this before — Swift (groin) is “questionable” but fully expected to play in the Lions upcoming game. 

As we’ve seen all year, there’s no real reason to worry about Swift, especially in a favorable matchup against the Eagles. Get him in your lineups as a high-end RB2 in standard and low-end RB1 in PPR.

WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

Is Jamaal Williams playing Week 8?

Williams (thigh) has also frequently been listed as “questionable” heading into Lions games this year, but after he got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, we’re not worried about him missing Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

MORE WEEK 8 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder

Williams is averaging just under 12.5 touches/game, and if he hits that mark against the Eagles, he should do enough to merit a flex spot in all formats.