Fantasy Football Week 12 Running Back Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season is underway which means we are in the thick of fantasy football season! The fantasy landscape has already changed since the preseason due to breakout players and major injuries across the league. Bye weeks have been taking place. This means that running backs like De’Von Achane and R.J. Harvey will be out this week. It would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similarly. Here are fantasy football Week 12 running back rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]

[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started because of their consistency and moderately high floor.

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Fantasy Football Week 12 Running Back Rankings

Players that could miss this week’s game

RB13 Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren suffered an ankle injury last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was limited in practice to begin the week because of the injury. If Warren misses Week 12 against the Chicago Bears Kenneth Gainwell moves up to RB16 between Javonte Williams and Aaron Jones. Kaleb Johnson moves up to RB46 between Devin Neal and Isaiah Davis.

RB21 Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucky Irving has missed the last six games with foot and shoulder injuries. He returned to practice in a limited capacity last week. If Irving misses Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams Rachaad White moves up to RB26 between David Montgomery and Tyrone Tracy. Sean Tucker moves up to RB30 between Isiah Pacheco and Kyle Monangai.

RB24 Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson has missed the past two games with a toe injury. He is expected to return to practice this week. If Stevenson misses Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals TreVeyon Henderson moves up to RB5 between Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley. Terrell Jennings would become RB50 between Justice Hill and Brian Robinson Jr.

RB28 Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

Trey Benson has missed the past five games with a knee injury. Arizona still has Benson on Injured Reserve and seem to be cautious with bringing him back. If Benson misses Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars Zonovan “Bam” Knight moves up to RB26 between Alvin Kamara and David Montgomery.

RB30 Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco has missed the past two games games with a knee injury. It is unclear if Pacheco will return this week. If Pacheco misses Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts Kareem Hunt moves up to RB29 between Trey Benson and Tony Pollard.

RB38 Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bhayshul Tuten suffered an ankle injury last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. It is unclear if this injury will force him to miss time. If Tuten misses Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals LeQuint Allen Jr. becomes RB50 between Justice Hill and Brian Robinson Jr.

RB45 Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals

Samaje Perine missed last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a high ankle sprain. There is a chance that he returns to action this week. If Perine misses Week 12 against the New England Patriots Tahj Brooks will continue to back up Chase Brown this week.

RB50 Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens

Justice Hill missed last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a toe injury. It is unclear if Hill will return this week. If Hill misses Week 12 against the New York Jets Keaton Mitchell will become RB50 between Sean Tucker and Brian Robinson Jr.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury last week against the New York Giants. This injury is expected to keep Jacobs out of action for at least this week. While Jacobs is out Emanuel Wilson is expected to be Green Bay’s primary back. He projects to be a top-20 back while Jacobs is out making him a definite starter. Chris Brooks will backup Wilson and could see some work as the change of pace back.

Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals

Emari Demercado is considered doubtful for this week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a high-ankle sprain. This injury could see Demercado out for a couple of weeks. While Demercado is out Trey Benson could return as the team’s primary running back. If both Demercado and Benson are out Zonovan “Bam” Knight will see a large share of the running back workload. Michael Carter will be the change of pace back for Knight in that scenario.

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