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Below are the top running back takeaways from Week 16 that could have a significant impact on fantasy points in Week 17 and beyond.
Emanuel Wilson outsnaps Josh Jacobs in Week 16
Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs has been working through a knee injury dating back to November, and though he’s been vocal about his desire to be in the lineup, we’re officially seeing his participation start to decrease. He played just 28 snaps in Week 16 despite the game going into overtime – the fewest he’s had in any game this season except for Week 11, when he originally suffered the injury. Emanuel Wilson, meanwhile, played 33 total snaps, gaining 82 yards on 14 carries. Given the injury (and continued hopes for a potential playoff run, where they could use a healthy Jacobs), fantasy managers should be prepared for the potential that Jacobs will continue to see a lighter workload and/or continued inefficiency in the fantasy championship. His 3.4 yards per touch in Week 16 ranked his second-fewest in a single game all season.
Upcoming matchups: vs. Ravens, at Vikings
Ashton Jeanty’s rookie season continues to be a rollercoaster for fantasy managers
Ashton Jeanty’s rookie season has been rocky for fantasy managers – many of whom used a mid-to-late first-round pick to draft him back in August. The highs have been high (two games of 30-plus points this year), and the lows have been low (six games of 10 or fewer points), but those who stuck with him were rewarded in Week 16 with his second-highest scoring game of the season. It was a great reminder that it becomes difficult to sit any running back that plays significant snaps (17-plus touches in all but five games this year), especially with Jeanty’s level of talent. He could be in for another big game in Week 17 up against the New York Giants, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points and rushing yards to opposing running backs this year.
Upcoming matchups: vs. Giants, vs. Chiefs
Saquon Barkley is finally catching fire entering fantasy championships
After a disappointing start to the 2025 season, Saquon Barkley is getting hot at just the right time. After seeing a massive drop in efficiency from last season (5.8 yards per carry in 2024 versus 4.1 in 2025), Barkley has been trending up over the past three weeks. Barkey has seen 20-plus touches in three straight games and has averaged 5.3 yards per carry in that span. In Week 16, he had his second-highest scoring fantasy performance of the season with 21.2 PPR points, totaling 132 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 21 touches. In Week 17, he gets a nice matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to RBs this season. Buffalo has given up 18-plus fantasy points to four different running backs since Week 10 (De’Von Achane, Sean Tucker, Chase Brown and TreVeyon Henderson).
Upcoming matchups: at Bills, vs. Commanders
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is owning the New York Giants‘ backfield to close out the season
As the season winds down, the New York Giants appear to be once again leaning on Tyrone Tracy Jr. as their primary running back after a mid-season uptick in workload for Devin Singletary. After three consecutive games with 12-plus carries from Weeks 11-13, Singletary has had just 16 total carries in the past two games combined. Tracy, meanwhile, has had 15-plus touches in five of the past six games. Unfortunately, the upside of the Giants’ offense is generally limited, but those in need of a safe floor in championship week should consider Tracy a decent option. He is set to face the Las Vegas Raiders, who give up the ninth-most fantasy points to RBs in 2025.
Upcoming matchups: at Raiders, vs. Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals utilize a three-back rotation due to injuries dismantling the backfield
The Cardinals have had some awful luck at running back this season as injuries have ripped through the depth chart, starting with James Conner, then Trey Benson and most recently Bam Knight just ahead of Week 16. In the team’s first game without him, Arizona utilized a three-man rotation at the position between Michael Carter (11 carries), Corey Kiner (six) and Emari Demercado (five). Of the three, Kiner was the only back to receive any red-zone carries with two on the day.
Michael Carter should continue to be the primary option, but given that all of them had efficient outings with five-plus yards per carry, don’t be surprised if a rotation between the three continues in Week 17, limiting the upside for any of them.