The Green Bay Packers backfield has been thrown into disarray with the news that AJ Dillon has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. Additionally, Marshawn Lloyd has been dealing with a hamstring issue that could keep him out of action for Week 1. Emmanuel Wilson is poised to step in as the backup to Josh Jacobs until Lloyd is healthy again. Wilson showed promise in limited action last year, rushing for 85 yards on 14 attempts and adding 23 receiving yards on four catches.
With these injuries, it appears that Josh Jacobs will have a heavy workload early in the season. As one fantasy football enthusiast put it, “I fear we’re in for a top-five fantasy performance for at least the first month, and possibly much longer.” Jacobs could be in line for a major fantasy football resurgence.
In other injury news, Elijah Mitchell of the San Francisco 49ers has also been ruled out for the rest of the season, opening the door for Jordan Mason to take over as the team’s RB2. Mason had been pushing Mitchell for playing time before the injury and could see a significant increase in touches. Fantasy football players are advised to target Mason in drafts as a potential sleeper pick.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers made some surprising roster decisions, keeping both Kimani Vidal and Brenden Rice on the team. Vidal has shown potential as a high-upside play at running back, while Rice could be in line for a starting role with veteran DJ Chark and Quentin Johnston ahead of him on the depth chart. Jarrett Patterson and Simi Fehoko, who were thought to be competing for roster spots, were left off the final roster, indicating the team’s confidence in Vidal and Rice.
Overall, these sudden changes in the backfield rotations of NFL teams have fantasy football players scrambling to adjust their strategies before the start of the season. The uncertainties surrounding injuries and roster moves add an exciting element to the upcoming games.
