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With the NFL weekend quickly approaching, fantasy managers are beginning to set their lineups for Week 14. Important injury situations will shape their decisions, and determine whether to start or sit certain key players in fantasy football lineups.
Let's take a look at the Denver Broncos backfield as they get set to take on a Detroit Lions team that just won their first game of the 2021 season.
After missing Week 13, is Melvin Gordon playing this week? If he does, will he be worth starting in fantasy? Continue scrolling for the updated injury news on Gordon, and we'll attempt to answer pressing questions about this backfield.
Is Melvin Gordon Playing In Week 14 Against the Detroit Lions?
Melvin Gordon (hip) said he thinks he should be able to play in Week 14 against the Detroit Lions. He also added that he was close to playing last Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Broncos decided to sit him out for the week.
With two limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, Gordon appears to be on track to return this Sunday. Even if he's listed as questionable on the final injury report on Friday, he seems to be on the right side of questionable in Week 14.
Should I Start Melvin Gordon If He Plays?
Before Melvin Gordon's injury, he and rookie Javonte Williams were basically alternating series as the lead running back through 12 weeks. It's been a frustrating situation for fantasy managers of either RB, but Gordon hasn't been terrible by any stretch, averaging 4.5 yards per tote on 135 carries, scoring five rushing touchdowns and adding two receiving scores.
Gordon is on track to return this weekend, but only the Broncos coaching staff will know exactly how healthy he actually is on game day if he's active. That makes the decision a lot more difficult after Williams went off last Sunday night in his first career start. At best, Gordon will be a low-end RB2.
Should I Start Javonte Williams if Melvin Gordon Plays?
If anyone watched Javonte Williams in the lead-back role in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night last week, they finally got to see what this extremely talented back can do with more touches. The dude was electric, totaling 178 scrimmage yards and a receiving TD on 29 touches.
Williams certainly earned a bigger role moving forward, even if Gordon does have seven total TDs to Williams' four on the year. The second-rounder from North Carolina has been the more explosive back this year and gives opponents fits trying to bring him down.
With enough touches, it's clear that Williams has RB1 potential. It's unlikely that he'll see as many opportunities as he did against the Chiefs if Gordon plays, but even if the two backs are sharing touches again, Williams is the better RB2 option with more big-play upside.
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