Will James Conner Play Week 10? (2023 Fantasy Football)

With the injury to James Conner, fantasy football managers could be left with a void on their roster. Let’s check out the extent of the injury and players you can target on your waiver wire this weekend.

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Injury Outlook

James Conner (knee) listed as questionable for Week 10
James Conner has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Fantasy Impact

Conner was able to practice in limited fashion throughout the week, putting him on track to return on Sunday. He should return to his workhorse role in the Cardinals backfield.

Ari Koslow

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Keaton Mitchell (RB – BAL) vs. Cleveland Browns (23.2% Rostered)

Over the past three weeks, Gus Edwards has been the RB1, averaging 22.2 half-point PPR fantasy points and two rushing touchdowns per game. However, the veteran is a touchdown-or-bust running back. Nearly 40% of his fantasy production has come from rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Edwards has averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game in the five contests he didn’t find the end zone. More importantly, Mitchell was the RB5 in Week 9, scoring 19.9 fantasy points. The rookie had only nine rushing attempts but had more rushing yards and outscored Edwards despite his two touchdowns (19.9 vs. 17.2).

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken recently said Mitchell had earned more opportunities. Meanwhile, the Browns have an excellent run defense. They have surrendered only two rushing touchdowns to running backs this season, the third-fewest in the NFL. However, Cleveland has struggled with limiting big plays. The Browns have allowed a 7.3% explosive run rate, the second-highest in the league (per Fantasy Points Data). Don’t be surprised if Mitchell breaks off a big run or two while Edwards is kept out of the end zone, leading to the rookie outscoring the veteran.

Unfortunately, Mitchell showed up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury. If the former Eastern Carolina star can’t play this week, fantasy players can pivot to Justice Hill (20.2% rostered). While Edwards has clearly surpassed Hill in the backfield pecking order, the former Oklahoma State star is still the RB38 for the year, averaging 6.9 fantasy points per game. In the five games with at least seven rushing attempts, he has averaged 7.8 fantasy points per contest. If Mitchell can’t play, Hill will see an uptick in rushing attempts.

Jaleel McLaughlin (RB – DEN) vs. Buffalo Bills (22.5% Rostered)

After starting the year slow, Javonte Williams had an outstanding performance heading into the team’s bye week. The former UNC star had 30 touches for 98 scrimmage yards and 17.3 half-point PPR fantasy points in the Week 8 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, McLaughlin’s role has diminished lately. Over the past three games, he has averaged seven touches for 42.3 scrimmage yards and 5.1 fantasy points per game. However, the rookie has been the better running back this season.

According to Fantasy Points Data, McLaughlin has a higher explosive run rate (10.5 vs. 6.7%), missed tackle forced per rushing attempt average (0.42 vs. 0.23), and yards after contact per attempt average (4.87 vs. 3.01) than Williams. Meanwhile, the Bills have surrendered 19.8 fantasy points per game to running backs, slightly above the league average. However, they have the fourth-highest explosive run rate allowed (6.1%) and the highest yards after contact allowed per rushing attempt average (3.46) in the NFL. Hopefully, McLaughlin sees enough touches to break off a big run and find the end zone Monday night.