Jordan Howard Injury Update Gives Rise to Miles Sanders Fantasy Outlook for Week 14

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jordan Howard has missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. If he is unable to go yet again in Week 14 against the New York Giants, it greatly raises the fantasy value of rookie Miles Sanders, who has seen his role expand in a big way in the last three games.

Under head coach Doug Pederson, there has never been such a thing as a featured running back. Last season, Wendell Smallwood led the backfield in snap share, playing 29.7 percent of the offensive snaps.

However, with Howard on the shelf, Sanders has clearly been featured in the Eagles' offense, playing at least 85 percent of the offensive snaps in every game.

This increase in playing time has translated into 40 carries for 184 yards to go along with 10 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Sanders has ranked as RB18 in PPR scoring over these three weeks, compared to his RB28 ranking from Weeks 1 to 10.

While the New York Giants have been the third-toughest against running backs for fantasy over the past five weeks, the defense as a whole surrenders 28.3 points per game and ranks 27th in Football Outsiders' defensive DVOA rankings, which should mean the Eagles' offense should have no trouble putting up big points, leading to an increase in scoring opportunities for the rookie.

Accounting for Howard missing another game, since he still hasn't been cleared for contact, Sanders checks in at RB18 in our Week 14 PPR fantasy football rankings.

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