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

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

The muscle tightness that has kept McCaffrey out of practice remains a precautionary concern rather than an apparent threat to his Week 1 availability. He sat out San Francisco’s Aug. 18 joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey would have practiced under different circumstances and indicated he likely would play if it were a regular-season game week. His lengthy injury history still makes any extended absence worth tracking, but the latest update substantially reduces concern about the current issue.

Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals

Further testing revealed that Love suffered a high-ankle sprain during Arizona’s Aug. 13 preseason game against Las Vegas. Love impressed with 72 scrimmage yards on 14 touches before the injury, and head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed on Aug. 18 that surgery will not be required. He is unlikely to play again this preseason, though the Cardinals remain hopeful he can return for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the nature of this type of sprain introduces legitimate early-season concern at his considerable fantasy draft cost.

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Jacobs returned to practice on Aug. 18 after missing nearly two weeks because of a groin injury. Green Bay gave MarShawn Lloyd additional opportunities with the starting offense during his absence. The Packers have not indicated that Jacobs’ Week 1 availability is in danger, but groin injuries deserve close monitoring, especially after he battled several injuries during the second half of 2025. Jacobs remains positioned for a substantial workload when healthy, while Lloyd would receive a significant fantasy boost if the veteran’s recovery lingers.

Related: The Latest Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy Football Quarterbacks

Breece Hall, New York Jets

A right groin strain suffered during New York’s practice on Aug. 17 will sideline Hall for two to three weeks. Head coach Aaron Glenn said on Aug. 18 that he expects the Jets’ lead back to be ready for the regular-season opener against Tennessee, easing concern about an extended absence. The injury will cost Hall the remainder of the preseason and most of his remaining preparation time, while Braelon Allen figures to handle additional first-team work during his recovery.

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.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

A hamstring injury suffered during practice has left Hubbard week-to-week after an MRI confirmed a legitimate strain. Head coach Dave Canales said on Aug. 13 that he remains very confident the veteran will be ready for Week 1, but Carolina plans to handle the recovery cautiously. Hubbard subsequently sat out the Aug. 15 preseason game, allowing a healthy Jonathon Brooks to start. The regular-season outlook remains favorable, though any lingering hamstring limitation could complicate Hubbard’s early workload and fantasy reliability.

Rachaad White, Washington Commanders

A hamstring tweak suffered during Washington’s joint work with Miami will keep White out of the Commanders’ upcoming preseason game, though the injury is not considered serious. The timing is worth following after Jerome Ford landed on season-ending injured reserve, leaving White as the primary veteran behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt. White’s receiving ability keeps him relevant in PPR leagues, and there is no current indication that the hamstring threatens his Week 1 availability.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

An MCL sprain suffered during New Orleans’ joint practice with Dallas is expected to sideline Kamara for four to six weeks, putting his Week 1 availability in serious doubt and potentially costing him multiple regular-season games. The 31-year-old already was headed for a committee after the Saints signed Travis Etienne during the offseason, and the injury further damages his fantasy outlook. Etienne should handle the largest share of the backfield work during Kamara’s absence, while Kendre Miller and Devin Neal also could gain opportunities.

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.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Full-team work remains out of reach for Conner as Arizona continues to manage his recovery from foot surgery. He has participated in portions of camp but still has not advanced to 11-on-11 drills, and head coach Mike LaFleur has not established a timetable for that next step. Tyler Allgeier has handled extensive work with the starting offense while Jeremiyah Love and Trey Benson deal with injuries of their own. Week 1 remains possible for Conner, but his age, uncertain recovery timetable and crowded backfield substantially reduce the veteran’s fantasy ceiling. For now, he appeals primarily as touchdown- and reception-dependent roster depth.

Isiah Pacheco, Detroit Lions

A sprained MCL has kept Pacheco out of practice for more than a week, and he remained sidelined on Aug. 17. Head coach Dan Campbell continues to expect the former Chief to recover in time for Week 1, limiting the immediate concern surrounding his regular-season availability. The veteran runner projects as Detroit’s primary complement to Jahmyr Gibbs after joining the Lions during the offseason, with early-down and short-yardage work providing most of his fantasy appeal if Gibbs avoids an injury of his own. The knee ailment temporarily interrupts Pacheco’s preparation for that role, but the current timetable still supports treating him as a late-round depth option.

Jerome Ford, Washington Commanders

A serious hamstring injury has ended Ford’s season after Washington placed him on injured reserve on Aug. 18. The move occurred before the final 53-man roster deadline, so he is ineligible to return this season unless he’s released with an injury settlement. Ford had been competing for reserve work and a role in the return game behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White.

Jordan James, San Francisco 49ers

James suffered a fractured rib during the opening portion of training camp and has remained sidelined. The second-year back was still working on the side as of Aug. 16 and is not expected to return for this week’s practices or the preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, though a return for the preseason finale remains possible. James entered camp competing for a reserve role behind Christian McCaffrey, primarily with rookie Kaelon Black, who returned to practice on Aug. 18, while Isaac Guerendo continues recovering from a pectoral injury.

Related: The Latest Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco opened training camp with Guerendo on Active/PUP as he recovers from a torn pectoral suffered during the offseason. The 49ers still have not announced a firm return date, though Kyle Shanahan previously indicated Guerendo could be ready around the end of training camp. His continued absence has become more notable as injuries have thinned the rest of San Francisco’s backfield.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

Benson returned to limited participation in practice on Aug. 17 after missing multiple sessions because of a flare-up in the left knee that required arthroscopic meniscus surgery following his Week 4 injury in 2025. Arizona has handled the setback cautiously after he had previously worked his way back into 11-on-11 periods during camp. Head coach Mike LaFleur said on Aug. 18 that Benson is not yet ready to resume 11-on-11 drills. His return is encouraging, though the surgically repaired knee remains worth monitoring.

Najee Harris, New York Giants

Less than 11 months after tearing his Achilles, Harris signed with the New York Giants on Aug. 18 and immediately began working his way into practice. He started with limited individual work before advancing to several 11-on-11 reps during the Aug. 20 joint practice with Miami, when head coach John Harbaugh said Harris felt good and looked good. Harbaugh previously estimated that the veteran would need roughly two to three weeks to become game-ready. Harris joins Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary in a crowded backfield, clouding his immediate fantasy appeal despite the encouraging recovery progress.

Joe Mixon, Free Agent

Mixon remains unsigned after a complicated foot injury cost him the entire 2025 season. The Houston Texans released him in March, and subsequent reporting indicated that another procedure followed the initial surgery. Mixon has reportedly told former teammates that his playing career is likely over. He no longer belongs in fantasy draft consideration.

Related: The Latest Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy Football Tight Ends