Fantasy football managers have several running back injuries to monitor as 2026 drafts pick up steam. Some players have returned for training camp work, while others remain on gradual rehabilitation schedules after major ankle, knee, foot, and Achilles injuries.
These situations will affect fantasy ADP, early-season workloads, and roster-building decisions during your drafts. Let’s examine the latest outlooks for these fantasy notables.
Running Back Injury Updates
Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona ruled Love out for the entire week of practice on Aug. 24, leaving him without any on-field work 11 days after the high-ankle sprain. The Cardinals still hope to have the rookie for the Sept. 13 opener against the Chargers, but a normal workload would be difficult to project even if he receives clearance. Tyler Allgeier would lead the backfield if Love sits, while James Conner’s uncertain recovery leaves Arizona short on healthy alternatives. The risk is substantial at Love’s current draft cost.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Limited 11-on-11 work on Aug. 24 gave Jacobs his first team reps of training camp. The groin now appears unlikely to affect Week 1 or his draft cost. However, a separate availability concern surfaced on Aug. 27 when Brown County prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property. MarShawn Lloyd remains the preferred handcuff if either the groin or possible NFL discipline costs Jacobs time.
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
A right ankle sprain forced Jeanty from Las Vegas’ Aug. 23 practice after he landed awkwardly while trying to catch a pass. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later said the Raiders believe it is a low rather than high sprain and expect no lengthy absence. Week 1 remains uncertain, with rookie Mike Washington Jr. handling first-team reps. Jeanty retains his early-round fantasy value, though selecting him before another update carries added risk.
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
New England received encouraging news after Henderson injured his right ankle when he slipped during 11-on-11 work on Aug. 24. Christopher Price of The Boston Globe reported on Aug. 27 that the second-year back avoided a serious injury and should be available for Week 1. Henderson still missed the preseason finale, which could help Rhamondre Stevenson open the season with the larger share. The setback does not require a substantial draft downgrade.
Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Swelling around Walker’s ankle will keep him out Kansas City’s Aug. 28 preseason finale. Head coach Andy Reid attributed the irritation to the running back’s cleat and said he expects Walker to be fine, leaving no current indication that Week 1 is in danger. Returning to full practice is the only remaining checkpoint. The issue should not alter his draft cost unless the swelling persists when the Chiefs begin preparing for Denver.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
Washington limited Croskey-Merritt to side work during the week of Aug. 24 after a lower-body injury kept him out of the second preseason game. Dan Quinn has not identified the affected area or offered a return date, leaving the projected lead back without a clear Week 1 outlook. Rachaad White also remains limited by a hamstring problem, allowing Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. to handle additional reps. Croskey-Merritt retains late-round appeal, but the uncertainty makes him a riskier selection than he was earlier in camp.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
Side-field agility work on Aug. 24 showed Hall moving well one week after he strained his right groin. He has not returned to team drills, but Aaron Glenn reiterated that the Jets expect him for the Sept. 13 opener against Tennessee. Braelon Allen should continue handling first-team reps until Hall receives full clearance.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Carolina has kept Hubbard out of contact work, although he recently topped 20 mph during a controlled straight-line run. Head coach Dave Canales said on Aug. 24 that the veteran remains on schedule for Week 1 but has not yet tested the hamstring while cutting or fighting through contact. That leaves time for a full recovery before Sept. 13, but Jonathon Brooks has strengthened his case for a committee role. Hubbard should be drafted with a shared workload in mind even if he receives clearance.
Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
Individual drills on Aug. 24 were White’s first on-field work since he tweaked his hamstring during Washington’s Aug. 12 joint practice with Miami. He remained limited to non-team periods through Aug. 26, so the Commanders have not tested him in full-speed action. Week 1 still appears realistic, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s lower-body problem has left both projected committee leaders sidelined. White’s receiving skills preserve PPR flex appeal.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans reinforced its backfield on Aug. 24 by acquiring Zamir White while Kamara recovers from an MCL sprain carrying a four- to six-week timetable. Week 1 remains in serious doubt, and a return at the short end would still leave him with little preparation time. The added depth and likelihood of a committee make Kamara a risky draft pick.
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
An MRI revealed that Monangai hyperextended his right knee during Chicago’s practice on Aug. 16, and the second-year back is expected to miss multiple weeks. The result is considered relatively positive as he avoided a more serious injury requiring surgery, but the timetable creates some uncertainty for Week 1.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle placed Charbonnet on Active/PUP before training camp as he continues recovering from the ACL tear suffered on Jan. 17 and subsequent surgery on Feb. 20. The Seahawks have not established a return timetable, and head coach Mike Macdonald previously declined to rule out an early-season return. Still, the typical eight-plus-month recovery from ACL reconstruction makes an extended absence realistic. Rookie Jadarian Price, George Holani and Emanuel Wilson are positioned for larger roles while Charbonnet offers injury-stash appeal for managers with sufficient bench or IR space.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
The outlook worsened on Aug. 26 when Mike LaFleur said it was too early to know whether Conner would play in Week 1. Arizona had already kept the veteran out of its Aug. 24 practice, and he still has not reached 11-on-11 drills during his recovery from foot surgery. With Jeremiyah Love also sidelined and Trey Benson on injured reserve, Tyler Allgeier is the only healthy member of the projected top group.
Isiah Pacheco, Detroit Lions
A new back problem has replaced the sprained MCL as the primary concern for Pacheco. Dan Campbell said on Aug. 27 that Detroit no longer worries about the knee, but he could not provide a return timetable because the latest issue has been “touch-and-go.” Week 1 is now uncertain, and the Lions recently hosted Kareem Hunt while considering additional depth behind Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco’s limited ceiling makes him difficult to justify in standard drafts until he practices.
Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles has not explained the issue behind the “mild setback” Mike McDaniel disclosed on Aug. 24. Mitchell visited the medical tent during the Aug. 20 preseason loss to San Francisco and subsequently missed practice, interrupting a strong push for the No. 2 role behind Omarion Hampton. His speed and expanded receiving work had created late-round standalone appeal before the absence. Mitchell remains a worthwhile deep-league target, but Kimani Vidal would gain value if he does not return before Week 1.
Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
As of Aug. 25, San Francisco still listed Guerendo on Active/PUP, well past Kyle Shanahan’s initial estimate that he could return near the end of training camp. If the 49ers transfer him to Reserve/PUP at final cuts, he must miss at least four games. Jordan James and Kaelon Black have returned, further reducing Guerendo’s path to early playing time behind Christian McCaffrey.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona waived Benson with an injury designation on Aug. 24 after his surgically repaired left knee failed to tolerate a return to camp. He went unclaimed and reverted to injured reserve two days later, ending any realistic path to playing for the Cardinals in 2026. Benson has no redraft value at this time.
Najee Harris, New York Giants
New York has kept Harris involved in live team drills since his Aug. 18 signing, and the unofficial depth chart listed him alongside Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary behind Cam Skattebo on Aug. 25. Handling those reps without a reported setback is encouraging less than 11 months after his Achilles tear, but he still has to earn a roster spot and a defined role. Harris offers little redraft appeal unless the Giants thin their crowded backfield before Week 1.
Joe Mixon, Free Agent
KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported on July 23 that Mixon told former Cincinnati teammates his playing career is over, although he has not filed retirement paperwork. Wilson also said the free-agent running back underwent another foot procedure this offseason, leaving only a small chance of a comeback. Mixon should remain outside every redraft player pool.
