Fantasy football always brings surprises as NFL backfields shift throughout the season. Whether you’re managing injuries or hunting for hidden value, running back depth remains crucial for success.
Staying ahead of roster moves can make all the difference, especially when new opportunities emerge for backup players. Smart managers keep a close eye on changing situations each week to gain that competitive edge.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered: 26%
Before the season started, my position was that Sean Tucker was the backup running back to roster in Tampa Bay, not Rachaad White. As the saying goes, “never wrong, just early.”
Tucker had been running better than White over the past couple of weeks (because he is a much better player). Although White continues to start, Tucker was the hot hand, so he kept getting the ball. The former UDFA carried it 19 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two catches for 34 yards and a third score.
Bucky Irving returned to practice last week. He appears to be closing in on a return. But it’s not guaranteed. There’s certainly a world where Irving’s shoulder isn’t able to take contact, and he doesn’t play again. At this point, Tucker has to be viewed as the most valuable Bucs backup running back. He is the priority add this week.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers
Rostered: 7%
The engine of the Green Bay Packers’ offense, Josh Jacobs, left the game with a knee injury and did not return. Jacobs has been an ironman since joining the Packers, but no player is immune to injury. If he has to miss time, the Packers made it abundantly clear who the lead back would be: Emanuel Wilson.
It wasn’t a massive performance from the backup, but Wilson did carry the ball 11 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. He also caught his lone target and registered a two-point conversion.
If Jacobs cannot go next week, Wilson would be the starter. He’s worth rostering regardless as a handcuff to Jacobs, but he becomes a high-priority pickup if we don’t get positive news on the starter by Tuesday night.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rostered: 32%
In what has become an unfortunate running theme, we saw a bunch of starting running backs go down. Jaylen Warren left the game with a leg injury and did not return.
At this point, it’s unclear how significant Warren’s injury is. But we do know with certainty what happens when he is out. We saw it earlier this season, and it happened again this week.
Kenneth Gainwell dominates snaps when Warren doesn’t play. He didn’t get much going on the ground, but he caught seven passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
The Steelers have an incredibly favorable upcoming schedule. Their next four games are all against bottom-10 run defenses. Unless we get word that Warren’s injury is no big deal, Gainwell has to be added. Even if Warren is fine, though, Gainwell is one of the top handcuffs in the league.
Aggressiveness Rating: 7.0
Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Rostered: 20%
With Jameis Winston under center, the New York Giants went very run-heavy. Even though Tyrone Tracy Jr. remains the lead back, Devin Singletary still saw 16 carries. He only managed 44 yards, but he punched in two short touchdowns.
Singletary will be very reliant on touchdowns. He won’t be a reliable weekly option unless Tracy gets hurt. But he’s also outscored Tracy every game since Cam Skattebo went down.
This is much more of a timeshare than perhaps we expected. Singletary has a standalone RB3 value with RB2 upside based on a potential Tracy injury. He is worth rostering.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rostered: 30%
The Jacksonville Jaguars utilized much more of a backfield rotation than they’ve typically done. Bhayshul Tuten saw a season high 15 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. He was involved early and often. If Tuten is going to see this type of usage, he will be startable every week.
Before fantasy managers go all in on Tuten, though, we have to consider the wrinkle that is his ankle injury. Tuten left the game in the second half and did not return. We obviously don’t want to invest waiver wire capital in a player who is going to be out for a meaningful period of time.
Consider this recommendation based on positive injury news for Tuten. Otherwise, leave him on the wire.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.5
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Rostered: 45%
Typically, Tyler Allgeier needs a positive game script and the Atlanta Falcons to win to produce. In a very strange game where the Falcons had the game script they wanted throughout but wound up losing, Allgeier was limited to just three carries. He did manage to score a short touchdown, though.
The Allgeier proposition remains the same as it has all season. He’s one of the top handcuffs in fantasy. Bijan Robinson managers should make it a point to add him if he’s out there.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
Rostered: 17%
Just when we thought this backfield was moving away from Bam Knight, he returns to relevance. Knight only touched the ball nine times for a total of 45 yards. However, four of those were through the air, and he found the end zone.
It’s worth noting that Emari Demercado’s early exit due to injury did not have any impact on Knight’s playing time. Michael Carter stepped right into Demercado’s role.
Nevertheless, Knight remains the starter and goal-line back. That gives him desperation RB3 value.
It does not appear as if Trey Benson’s return is imminent. As a result, Knight needs to be rostered.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders
Rostered: 12%
It is over for Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Washington Commanders have anointed Chris Rodriguez as their lead runner. While Jeremy McNichols will still take passing down work, Rodriguez’s role is absolutely fantasy viable.
The veteran runner handled a team-high 15 carries, which he turned into 79 yards. He also caught his lone target for six yards.
The Commanders wound up only scoring one touchdown, and it wasn’t on the ground, but Rodriguez is very clearly the goal line back. He will be touchdown dependent, but any starting running back in the NFL is worth rostering. Rodriguez is a touchdown or bust RB3; a clear top 36 option.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Rostered: 10%
Ollie Gordon II stole a short touchdown from De’Von Achane, which enabled him to reach double-digit fantasy points for just the second time this season. Gordon is not suddenly going to be startable, but he at least has desperation RB4 value in a pinch.
Most importantly, Gordon is the Achane handcuff. We saw Achane have an injury scare late in the fourth quarter while attempting to score what might have been the game-winning touchdown. Fortunately, he wound up being okay despite the back injury. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can happen in the NFL, though.
If you have Achane, you need to roster Gordon.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
