Week 3 Fantasy 911 Running Back Edition

Here we go with another addition of Fantasy 911. In week 3 we’ve got some really big names showing up on the injury reports and this is going to give some owners headaches.  Granted, we know a lot of times that the status can always change and often when players are listed as questionable that they still end up playing and putting up good points. With that said, any time I’ve got another reliable player that is healthy and could put up decent points, I’d go with them over a player that is questionable with a chance of no points, especially if the backup in a late game and the starter is the early game.

Jumping right in with the running backs, the biggest name in week 3 Fantasy 911 is Ray Rice. He’s been getting downgraded all week. He was originally listed as questionable and now that has dropped to doubtful. Unlike times when players can often still play, when the status drops during the week there is a good chance the player will not good. It’s not a good sign that he hasn’t made progress and if the downgrade comes late in the week I’d be confident to bench the player for a backup.  In this case, I would say it’s a very good idea to bench Ray Rice in week 3 because there is a really chance he will not play.  Even if he does make it on the field, it would be unlikely that he gets a lot of work.

In Green Bay it looks like James Starks will get a lot of work. Both Eddie Lacy and and John Kuhn are hurt. Lacy is officially listed as questionable and it’s most likely that he will not play given that the Packers are on a bye the following week. Kuhn is listed as doubtful so there is a good chance he will not play as well. There is a chance Lacy could suit up, but Starks will start the game and should see the bulk of the carries.  Starks is the clear play this week and Lacy shouldn’t be started.

Steven Jackson is out this week as well. This means that backups Jason Snelling and Jaquizz Rodgers will get the work. It would be expected that Rodgers would see more of the workd, but Snelling would most likely see the goal-line carries.   They are flex plays at best and the one to start would be Rodgers, but Snelling would be okay for deeper leagues only if really needed. At this point, I’d be weary to start either if I’ve got another more reliable option.

Rashard Mendenhall is also listed as questionable this week. This is not a good sign, but he did participate in practice on Friday and was limited. It looks like he should be able to play come Sunday and if he is on the field, he would see the bulk of the carries. With that said, he would be a flex play at best or maybe a WR2 for deeper leagues.  He did sustain the injury during the game and continue play on it. He average over 4 yards a carry in the game and held the rock 15 times for 66 yards.  He also had 2 catches for another 28 yards so in total he put up 94 total yards, which isn’t bad for someone playing hurt.  This week he is facing one of the league’s worst run defenses and should be able to see some lanes. I’d think he can easily put up the same numbers that he saw last week, and slightly better as well.