The NFL is awake from its offseason slumber with training camp and the first week of the preseason complete. The running back rotations are critical to identifying early-season roles and valuable RB2 clarity (and confusion) for fantasy upside.
This initial running back update will have an overarching preview of the position with future (leading up to Week 1) installments highlighting notable changes or adjustments.
Starter Injuries to Monitor
Nick Chubb is the biggest injury question mark regarding his Week 1 status. Cleveland notably added D'Onta Foreman as a potential aid to the depth chart if Chubb misses the start of the season. Jerome Ford played from the outset of the first preseason game, with Pierre Strong Jr following. Foreman did not participate. Strong is the sneaky stash should Chubb miss Week 1 for deeper injury-away status.
Christian McCaffrey is on the lowest level of monitoring for Week 1. His calf injury is not considered a serious threat to his regular season availability (yet), and McCaffrey has said if it were a regular game week, he would be playing.
Jonathon Brooks is a projected starter as the season develops but will have a ramp-up period (which may include being inactive to begin the season) for Carolina. Chuba Hubbard is the locked-in replacement as needed, with Miles Sanders the de facto RB2 until Brooks' role grows.
Back-Up Injuries to Monitor
Elijah Mitchell and Isaac Guerrendo add to the 49ers' depth chart injuries this month. Jordan Mason has significant buzz and is one of the lone practicing (and playing) running backs on the roster. Mitchell could be a player on the move if Mason and Guerrendo are healthy and trustworthy by the coaching staff in the coming weeks.
Kendre Miller is having another injury-filled season at the outset. The talented Round 3 pick from 2023 has yet another lower-body injury, which bolsters the clarity for Jamaal Williams as the Saints' RB2. Miller may be dropped in some shallower to medium-depth dynasty leagues by September. The talent is there, but lingering injuries for over 12 months have marred Miller's career start and chances to project as Alvin Kamara's potential heir thus far.
MarShawn Lloyd has picked up a hamstring injury, stabilizing AJ Dillon as the RB2 in Green Bay. Reports were already leaning toward Dillon as the RB2 to open the season, and this injury only extends Lloyd's timetable for challenging Dillon this season.
Keaton Mitchell will likely begin the season on the injured list, aiding Justice Hill's status as the RB2 in Baltimore behind Derrick Henry. Rookie Rasheen Ali also gets an early-season boost for the RB3 job and a preemptive pickup if Henry or Hill miss time.