Arizona Cardinals

Don’t beat yourself up if you started David Johnson last week against the Giants. He was active to start the game, and you did invest a first or second round pick in your preseason fantasy football draft. He started but unfortunately he was forced to the sidelines after just a few snaps due to a cranky back and sore ankle. Chase Edmonds was one of the hottest names targeted on the waiver wire this week. He ended up as the highest scoring RB in PPR fantasy football leaguesin Week 7 with 126 rushing yards, three TDs and two receptions for 24 yards. With the Cardinals adding depth to their backfield by signing Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner this week, it’s looking like Johnson may not play against the Saints in Week 8. Follow Johnson’s progress carefully leading up to game time and have a backup plan ready. If you’re lucky enough to own shares of Edmonds, by all means start him. The Saints have given up 43 receptions to RBs, the sixth most in football.

Detroit Lions

Kerryon Johnson suffered his second knee injury in as many seasons, forcing him to the IR. The earliest he’ll be able to return is Week 16. Ty Johnson was yet another RB who was highly sought after off of league waiver wires this week. He’s likely to get much of the Lions’ early down work out of their backfield. At 5-10, 210 lbs some feel that Ty Johnson lacks the size to be a bell cow back for the long haul, but he’s obviously talented as he did post a 7.6 college career ypc.With Johnson not really looked upon as a three down back look for J.D. McKissic ’s role as a third down pass catching option to increase. If you missed out on Ty Johnson in your league’s waiver wire run and you play in a PPR league and McKissic is still available, grab him! 

Oakland Raiders

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs is dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of a mid-week practice. It’s thought he hurt the shoulder early in Week 7’s contest against the Packers but head coach Jon Gruden said that he “got it shot up” and that helped Jacobs stay in the game. Gruden called Jacobs’ shoulder injury “legitimate”.  DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard played virtually the same percentage of the Raiders’ offensive snaps (21% to 23%) but Washington carried the ball six times for a 4.83 average ypc, and Allen carried the ball twice for two yards. Should Jacobs be forced to miss his Week 8 matchup against the Texans you might see Washington get the majority of the early down work while Richard plays the change of pace and passing down role. Both backs are capable of catching balls out of the backfield, and they play the Texans this week who have given up the most receptions to RBs this season (54). Unfortunately for the Raiders the Texans have also allowed an average of under 85 rushing yards per game, third fewest in the NFL.

Washington Redskins

Adrian Peterson is suffering from what some speculate is a high ankle sprain. He has claimed that he would play tonight against the Vikings but in case he is ruled out or if he aggravates his injured ankle, look for Wendell Smallwood to get the majority of the Redskins’ carries. Chris Thompson has already been ruled out and Smallwood would be the last man standing. It’s not a very favorable matchup for any Redskins RB as they take on the stout Vikings run defense this week and will be likely playing from behind in this matchup.

Team

Primary RB

Change of Pace

3rd Down Back

Handcuff

IR/PUP/Susp./Holdout/Injured

Arizona Cardinals

*David Johnson

Chase Edmonds

 

Chase Edmonds

*Dealing with back and ankle injury

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman

Brian Hill

 

Brian Hill

Ito Smith out due to concussion

Baltimore Ravens

Mark Ingram

Justice Hill

 

Gus Edwards

 

Buffalo Bills

Frank Gore

Devin Singletary

T.J. Yeldon

Devin Singletary

 

Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey

Reggie Bonnafon  

 

Reggie Bonnafon

 

Chicago Bears

David Montgomery

 

Tarik Cohen

Mike Davis

 

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon

 

Giovani Bernard

Giovani Bernard

 

Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb

Dontrell Hilliard

 

Dontrell Hilliard

 Kareem Hunt

Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott

 

 

Tony Pollard

 

Denver Broncos

Phillip Lindsay

Royce Freeman

 

Royce Freeman

 

Detroit Lions

Ty Johnson

 

J.D. McKissic

J.D. McKissic

 Kerryon Johnson

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones

 

 

Jamaal Williams

 

Houston Texans

Carlos Hyde

Duke Johnson

 

Duke Johnson

Lamar Miller

Indianapolis Colts

Marlon Mack

Jordan Wilkins

Nyheim Hines

Jordan Wilkins

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Leonard Fournette

 

 

Ryquell Armstead

Alfred Blue

Kansas City Chiefs

LeSean McCoy

Damien Williams

 

Damien Williams

 

Los Angeles Chargers

Austin Ekeler

Melvin Gordon

 

Melvin Gordon

Justin Jackson

Los Angeles Rams

Todd Gurley

Darrell Henderson

 

Malcolm Brown

 

Miami Dolphins

Mark Walton

Kalen Ballage

 Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake

 

Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook

Alexander Mattison

 

Alexander Mattison

 

New England Patriots

Sony Michel

Rex Burkhead

James White

 

James Develin

New Orleans Saints

*Alvin Kamara

 

 

Latavius Murray

*Missed Week 7

New York Giants

Saquon Barkley

 

 

Wayne Gallman

 

New York Jets

Le’Veon Bell

  

Bilal Powell /Ty Montgomery

 

Oakland Raiders

Josh Jacobs

DeAndre Washington

Jalen Richard

DeAndre Washington /Jalen Richard

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan Howard

Boston Scott

Miles Sanders

Miles Sanders

Darren Sproles

Pittsburgh Steelers

James Conner

 

 

Benny Snell

Jaylen Samuels

San Francisco 49ers

Matt Breida /Tevin Coleman

Raheem Mostert

Matt Breida

Raheem Mostert

Jerick McKinnon

Seattle Seahawks

Chris Carson

C.J. Prosise

 

 Rashaad Penny

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronald Jones

Peyton Barber

Dare Ogunbowale

Peyton Barber

 

Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry

 

 Dion Lewis

Dion Lewis

 

Washington Redskins

Adrian Peterson

Wendell Smallwood

 

Wendell Smallwood

Derrius Guice , Chris Thompson