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James Robinson RB | NO
Jaguars' James Robinson: Posts 159 scrimmage yards
Robinson had 22 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown while catching five of six targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Browns.
The rookie UDFA scored on a four-yard run in the final minutes to give the Jaguars a chance to tie the game 27-27, but the two-point conversion failed. Robinson continues to dominate the backfield work for Jacksonville, as Laviska Shenault's one carry for six yards was the only rush attempt from someone besides Robinson or quarterback Mike Glennon. The 22-year-old Robinson is up to 1,170 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns through 11 games, and he should continue to see heavy volume down the stretch, regardless of the matchup.
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Kenyan Drake RB | GB
Cardinals' Kenyan Drake: Scores twice in loss
Drake rushed 22 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns while catching three of four targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Patriots.
Drake capped Arizona's first drive with a one-yard score one play after being denied a touchdown by a stingy spot. His attempt at a second one-yard plunge on the final play of the first half was ruled just short of the goal line, but there was no doubt about Drake's one-yard touchdown to tie the score at 17 apiece in the fourth quarter. The running back's efforts ultimately weren't enough on a quiet afternoon for quarterback Kyler Murray, but Drake now has three rushing touchdowns in his last two games heading into a Week 13 date with the Rams.
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Ke'Shawn Vaughn RB | SF
Buccaneers' Ke'Shawn Vaughn: Inactive Week 12
Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Chiefs, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
The rookie running back continues to lose out on active status to veteran LeSean McCoy, even though the latter is not seeing any work behind Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette. Vaughn's next opportunity for game action will come in Week 14 against the Vikings following the Buccaneers' Week 13 bye.
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Jeff Wilson RB | MIA
49ers' Jeff Wilson: Returns Week 12
Wilson (ankle) is listed as active Sunday versus the Rams.
Making his first appearance since Oct. 25 at New England, Wilson may factor into the 49ers backfield with Tevin Coleman (knee) unavailable. That said, Raheem Mostert also was activated from IR on Saturday, so Wilson could play second or even third fiddle with Jerick McKinnon on hand.
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Raheem Mostert RB | LV
49ers' Raheem Mostert: Back in action Week 12
Mostert (ankle) is listed as active Sunday against the Rams.
Mostert has been sidelined since Oct. 18, when he sustained a high-ankle sprain that forced a stint on IR. With a week of practice under his belt, he's back in the lineup, but it remains to be seen if he'll be the primary ballcarrier right off the bat. Despite playing in just four games this season, he leads the 49ers in rushing with 303 yards and has 150 yards through the air, making him a good candidate to resume his previous role with Tevin Coleman (knee) out. Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson (ankle) also are on hand for touches out of San Francisco's backfield.
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Nyheim Miller-Hines RB | NO
Colts' Nyheim Hines: Gets start at RB
Hines will get the start at running back in Sunday's game against Tennessee, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.
The Colts are expected to divide the workload at running back between Hines and Jordan Wilkins with Jonathan Taylor out, but Hines will get the start. Hines was listed as the starter last week as well, but Taylor got the larger workload, so the starter designation may not be too indicative of fantasy output.
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Austin Ekeler RB | WAS
Chargers' Austin Ekeler: May not fill true bell-cow role
Ekeler (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills, but the Chargers aren't planning on him filling a bell-cow role while he dresses for the first time since Week 4, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Though Ekeler is believed to be fully healthy again after missing two months with the serious hamstring injury, he only resumed practicing with the Chargers this week. With that in mind, the Chargers may be inclined to take a cautious approach with the 25-year-old, who played 65.1 percent of the team's offensive snaps and averaged 21 touches over his first three outings of the season before getting hurt. Top backup Kalen Ballage (ankle/calf) is inactive Sunday, so Joshua Kelley or Troymaine Pope will be the candidates to rotate in whenever Ekeler requires a breather. Ekeler should still see a robust enough workload to make for a reasonable starting option in most fantasy leagues.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Broncos' Melvin Gordon: Should be busy Sunday
With Kendall Hinton slated to fill in at QB for the Broncos on Sunday against the Saints, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News expects " a steady diet of Hinton handing off" to Gordon and Phillip Lindsay.
Gordon ran 15 times for 84 yards and two TDs in last weekend's win over the Dolphins, while Lindsay logged 16 carries for 82 yards in that contest. Both should remain busy Sunday, with Hinton, who's been working as a wideout on the team's practice squad but does have college QB experience, subbing in due to the fact that the team's usual signal-callers are unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols. Denver's third running back, Royce Freeman, is also a candidate to see added Week 12 snaps, perhaps as a wildcat option. As Renck points out, the Saints "know the run is coming," but given the timing and unique situation in play here, the Broncos' play-calling options are limited.
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J.J. Taylor RB | HOU
Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Inactive Sunday
Taylor (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
The 22-year-old was considered questionable with the quad injury and won't be available for Sunday's contest. Taylor hasn't seen game action since Week 3, though he's mostly been inactive as a coaching decision.
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Damien Harris RB | BUF
Patriots' Damien Harris: Joined by Michel in Week 12 backfield
The Patriots' Week 12 backfield will consist of Harris, James White and Sony Michel, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.
Michel's return to action from a quad injury bolsters the Patriots' running back corps, though Rex Burkhead (knee) is now on IR. Given that Harris ran well in Michel's absence, the 2019 third-rounder figures to continue to head the team's ground game Sunday, barring any injury setbacks, while Michel works in a complementary role and James White handles change-of-pace duties. Harris isn't really much of a factor in New England's passing game, so his fantasy utility continues to be dictated by his carry volume, game-flow and usage around the goal line.