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Chris Carson often plays at a fantasy RB1 level when he is available. But he has a checkered injury history that even preceded his college days. So when I drafted him in several leagues this season, I made sure to take Carlos Hyde later on as an insurance pick every time. So when Carson went down with an ankle injury this week that was not quite a result of his own unfortunate tendency to get banged up, I still did not have to run to the waiver wire to roster Hyde.
Mike Davis was a top fantasy pickup last week when Christian McCaffrey suffered an ankle injury. Vet few fantasy players who drafted CMC did not think about grabbing his immediate NFL backup in case of emergency. Durability was another appealing factor when drafting McCaffrey first overall this summer. But in the NFL, anyone can obviously get hurt at any time.
Some players are simply more prone to injuries or seem to be at higher risk. No matter how much of the “danger” level is associated with any running back, it is always a smart move to roster the immediate NFL backup of your starting RBs. It’s been preached by fantasy experts constantly over the past three-plus decades, but the recommendations never get fully followed. So here is an update on who you need to roster as fantasy insurance pickups for your top running backs. Many of the RBs listed are not rostered in many leagues. We also provide insights on less certain and stable situations behind many current RB starters.
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Clear RB Backup Situations: Get ‘Em Now
Chase Edmonds, Arizona: He is a versatile backup to Kenyan Drake who has performed well when given opportunities before. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry last year and had a 126-yard, three TD performance.
Brian Hill, Atlanta: He is maybe the most appealing add on this list. The Todd Gurley injury risk factor is well-documented and Hill is his clear backup. He had a strong camp, ripped off a 35-yard run on Sunday and could be an instant fantasy starter if and when Gurley goes down again. I would not wish for a Gurley injury, but always be well prepared for it. I am rostering Hill in some leagues where I don’t even have Gurley on my team.
Artavis Pierce, Chicago: With Tarik Cohen out for the year, he was promoted from the practice squad. He may be the best pure runner on the team right now after David Montgomery. Ryan Nall and Cordarrelle Patterson are certainly not the answers in case of a Montgomery injury.
Tony Pollard, Dallas: Some may have cut him because they expected a larger role for Pollard as a change-of-pacer. Ezekiel Elliott is remarkably durable, but it’s the safe move to roster Pollard behind him if you can.
Phillip Lindsay, Denver: Phillip Lindsay is on the way back and should be added as a free agent if you have Melvin Gordon as a starter. Many fantasy coaches/GMs dropped him when he was injured recently.
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay: A.J. Dillon has not made much a mark so far with the Packers and Williams continues to be the back who sees the field when Aaron Jones needs a breather. In the event of a Jones injury, Williams is the strong bet to carry the majority of the workload.
Darrel Williams, Chiefs: He is held in high regard internally and the Chiefs would likely turn to him as the main ball carrier if Clyde Edwards-Helaire missed any time. Darwin Thompson might share some work but Williams appears to be the preferred fantasy insurance backup here for now.
Devontae Booker, Raiders: He is the most capable RB to handle lead ball-carrier duties if Josh Jacobs went down at any time. Jalen Richard would be his complement as a pass-catcher.
Matt Breida, Dolphins: Myles Gaskin has surprisingly vaulted to the top of the Dolphins depth chart early in the season. If he falters or gets injured at any point, though, Breida would likely be the main ball carrier for Miami while ceding to Jordan Howard at the goal line.
Darrynton Evans, Titans: He has returned from a hamstring injury and is now the obvious NFL and Fantasy backup to Derrick Henry.
Peyton Barber, Washington Football: Antonio Gibson has already emerged as the preferred RB in Washington, but the team does seem comfortable turning to Barber if Gibson missed any time. In deeper leagues, you can roster him as some emergency insurance.
Uncertain and Less Stable Situations
Baltimore: There is a pure committee here. Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins are widely rostered. If one gets injured, though, Gus Edwards becomes an immediate add. None are worth starting consideration right now.
Cincinnati: Most assume that Giovani Bernard is the direct backup to Joe Mixon. But it could be a time share between Bernard and Trayveon Williams if Mixon went down.
Detroit: Adrian Peterson is the lead RB for now, and Kerryon Johnson appears to be his primary backup. But you don’t want to start anyone here and it could be awhile before D’Andre Swift gets onto the field more often.
Houston: Duke Johnson is dealing with an ankle injury but should be the definite David Johnson NFL and Fantasy backup when he returns. For now, the Texans have not done well in case of emergency at the position, with C.J. Prosise as the primary backup.
Indianapolis: A Jonathan Taylor injury would likely lead to a Nyheim Hines/Jordan Wilkins time share.
Jacksonville: If and when Devine Ozigbo returns, he should be the primary backup, but for now only Chris Thompson and Dare Ogunbowale are behind James Robinson, and they are both pure pass-catching types.
Los Angeles Rams: Darrell Henderson is the starter for now, but a healthy Cam Akers could get back into the mix soon. Both should be rostered right now, as a Henderson/Akers split might eventually develop.
New England: It could be a different player leading the backfield every week, but eventually Damien Harris can emerge as the lead option when healthy. He is worth stashing if you have the room.
New York Giants: Devonta Freeman should become the clear starter, but there is no one behind him you would want to use if he does not play well or gets hurt.
New York Jets: Le’Veon Bell could return soon, and as long as Adam Gase remains head coach, Frank Gore will be the second guy on the depth chart and La’Mical Perine won’t be worth a roster spot.
Philadelphia: We have already seen that you want no part of this backfield without Miles Sanders.
Pittsburgh: Benny Snell would figure to be the lead ball-carrier if James Conner missed time again, but we cannot be certain of how much Anthony McFarland Jr. would cut into his potential workload.
Guys You Most Likely Have to Trade For to Acquire Them as Insurance Backups/Alternatives: Alexander Mattison, Latavius Murray, Kareem Hunt, Joshua Kelley, Zack Moss, Leonard Fournette/Ronald Jones II.
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