Fantasy Football Week 7 Running Back Start/Sit: Brian Robinson, Raheem Mostert, Jordan Mason and More

These are the running backs you have to get in your lineups this week and the ones you have to keep on the bench.

Start 

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders

I've seen a lot of questions about Robinson this week. People are justifiably concerned about his knee after it caused him to sit out in Week 6 and was bothering him for a while before that. If you bench him this week against the Carolina Panthers, you will almost certainly regret it.

No team is giving up more points to running backs this season and the game script is perfect for Robinson. I'd go as far as to say that I expect him to be a top-five fantasy back this week, assuming he has no setbacks with his knee. As of Wednesday, he is back at practice and trending toward playing in Week 7.   

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

This hinges completely on Aaron Jones missing this game, but we expect him to sit at least this one out. However, we will monitor the situation and keep you updated with our weekly injury report on Saturday morning.

We understand why this is scary. He is unproven and has a very tough matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Nevertheless, we want pieces of this Minnesota offense and if Chandler has the backfield to himself, we want him in our lineups.

Cam Akers will also be a non-factor, so don't worry about him. He's nothing more than a depth piece who they added because Jones is banged up and has a lengthy injury history. If there is anything to be concerned about with Akers, it's that Jones may be more injured than the team is letting on. 

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

It seemed to go generally unnoticed by most, but Mostert had a strong game upon his return prior to the team's Week 6 bye. He showed how the backfield is going to look with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined and Mostert is a key piece.

There is a chance he's the central piece of the entire offense this week. De'Von Achane has been completely ineffective without Tua because his size limits his tackle-breaking ability. Without a true threat through the air, defenses were stacking the box and keying in on him. Achane has no breathing room to break off his signature game-changing plays.

Because of that, when Mostert returned in Week 5, he led all running backs in snaps and also out-snapped Achane 44-11. His 19 carries also led the team which he took for 80 yards. Because he was on the field so much more, Mostert also led their running backs in targets and receptions with two. 

In Week 7, Mostert has a strong matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. If he's getting 20-plus opportunities, which we already saw with him fresh off of an extended absence, he's a very strong flex option and potentially even an RB2. The only downside is the offense is still going to be bad as a whole without Tua, unless they managed to figure something out during the bye week. 

Sit

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

If Chubb is active this week and you start him, you are out of your mind. The fact that he is ranked inside the top 30 in ECR this week is insane. There is a good chance he's not close to what he has been in the past at any point this season or potentially ever again.

To throw him in your lineup fresh off of the injured reserve coming off a second horrific knee injury isn't just a gamble, it's a bad decision. It's all risk and very little reward. This isn't about the matchup or the other backs on the team, it's about common sense.

Do not start him this week. Your only hope is that he falls into the end zone and there are plenty of other options who are more likely to do that too. 

Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers

I want to start by saying, we are not worried about anyone other than Christian McCaffrey taking work from Mason as long as he's healthy. So that's not a concern. However, the combination of him having a sprained AC joint and playing the team tougher on fantasy running backs than any other in the league worries us a whole lot.

No team has given up fewer fantasy points to the position this season than the Chiefs. A sprained AC joint is the kind of injury that can be re-aggravated easily on any hard hit being that he didn't even take one week off to rest it. A lot of owners aren't going to be able to sit Mason, however, they should temper expectations. I don't have him ranked as a top 20 back this week. 

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

Through two games, Hunt has looked great after almost immediately taking over this backfield. So I will fully admit that this is mostly a gut call. However, I just have this sinking feeling that coming off the bye and with Clyde Edwards-Helaire returning to the team, we are going to see a messy committee this week against the 49ers.

The Niners' defense is also getting healthier up front and the run defense is going to continue to get stouter each week. The absence of Rashee Rice will also allow the defense to focus much more on the run than if they had a true WR1 or even a true WR2 to take his place. 

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