Running backs were the driving force for many regular-season fantasy football titles in 2024. In all likelihood, they’ll continue to shine in the Divisional Round for fantasy football managers and DFS gamers. Dig into the rankings below to see where RBs like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, Brian Robinson Jr., and Kareem Hunt stand, among other ball carriers.

Lead-ranker Nick Mariano assembles our Updated Divisional Round fantasy football running back rankings. Many of you playing in playoff leagues are still competing for something, and we’re here, as always, to help you win. Use our running back rankings to help set the most optimal lineup for Divisional Round weekend.

In addition to our Divisional Round Weekend rankings, below you will find a summary of this week’s most crucial fantasy football injury news. There are always critical injuries to track, so check back until kickoff. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:

Updated Divisional Round Fantasy Football Running Back News and Injuries

• Joe Mixon Listed As Questionable, Expected To Play Against Chiefs
• Ray Davis Tagged As Questionable For Sunday
• Isiah Pacheco Off Injury Report, Ready To Take On Texans
• Kareem Hunt Looking To Hold Onto Backfield
• David Montgomery Off The Injury Report Prior To Divisional Round
• Jahmyr Gibbs Remains Premier Option Despite Teammate’s Return

Rankings are updated until kick-off. Be sure also to check out our Divisional Round NFL playoff league rankings for fantasy football

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions – Fantasy Football Outlook

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) is off the injury report and good to go for Saturday’s playoff game against the Washington Commanders. The veteran back has been sidelined since suffering an MCL sprain during their Week 15 contest against the Buffalo Bills. While sidelined, sophomore running back Jahmyr Gibbs has taken complete control of the backfield. However, with Montgomery back in the mix, fantasy managers should expect both of them to share the backfield throughout the remainder of the postseason.

During the first 13 games of the season, Montgomery averaged 13.8 carries per game with 59.3 rushing yards per game. During this stretch, he found the back of the end zone 12 times and saw 17 total carries within the five-yard line. While Gibbs carries the higher ceiling, given his elite speed, Montgomery is a high-floor RB2, given his role in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. Fantasy managers should feel confident viewing him as an RB2 in all DFS competitions this weekend against Washington.

– Andy Smith, RotoBaller

Joe Mixon, Houston Texans – Fantasy Football Outlook

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs due to ankle injury. Mixon popped up on this week’s injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited practice and picked up a DNP on Friday, further putting his status in question for the weekend.

It will still be a surprise if the 28-year-old is inactive on Saturday, but Mixon’s questionable status definitely should make fantasy managers setting DFS lineups this weekend reconsider using him against a Chiefs defense that has been stingy against RBs all year.

Not having Mixon in KC would be a huge blow to Houston’s offense, as he rushed for over 1,000 yards during the regular season and went over 100 yards with a score in last week’s wild-card win over the Chargers. If Mixon is out or limited, Dameon Pierce would likely lead the Texans’ backfield.

– Keith Hernandez, RotoBaller

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Check out all of RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.