Week 2 of the NFL season saw a few starters get injured (including Saquon Barkley and David Montgomery) while the Rams put Cam Akers on the trade block and gave Kyren Williams a 96% snap share. With several teams’ starters going down with injuries, this has forced backups into lineups much earlier than usual. For the Giants, this means Matt Breida will be the presumed starter on a short week in a touch matchup with San Francisco. The good news there is that Breida only played a handful of snaps on Sunday, so he wouldn’t be your typical short-week running back candidate. I’m not sure I would go overboard on FAAB or waiver priority for Breida if I didn’t roster Barkley.
The situation in Detroit is a little different and Jahmyr Gibbs should see a bump in usage with Montgomery out. How Detroit plans to attack their backfield is still a bit of a concern, however, as Craig Reynolds saw 41% of the snaps after the Montgomery injury. Should Gibbs be given 20 touches? Probably, but the Lions are playing the long game and they may believe the best plan is to be more conservative. Gibbs isn’t your typical handcuff either, as he was 90% rostered. Like Breida, I am not running to pick up Reynolds, but will put in a few small bids to keep people honest.
This week in the Handcuff Report, we have Roschon Johnson and Sean Tucker entering the rankings. Both of these backs are capable of leading their respective teams in carries by the end of the season and in Johnson’s case, that might happen much sooner than later. Samaje Perine takes over the top spot on the list, although things in Denver are looking closer to a committee at the moment. I still think Perine has the opportunity to be a league winner if Javonte Williams would have to miss significant time (let’s hope that doesn’t happen again).
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Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings (Week 3)
Handcuff Rankings
- Samaje Perine (DEN)
- Chuba Hubbard (CAR)
- Zach Charbonnet (SEA)
- Joshua Kelley (LAC)
- Elijah Mitchell (SF)
- Jaylen Warren (PIT)
- AJ Dillon (GB)
- Roschon Johnson (CHI)
- Tyjae Spears (TEN)
- Sean Tucker (TB)
Baltimore
- Committee: Gus Edwards, Justice Hill
Justice Hill played 54% of the snaps and was in on 6 of 7 plays inside the 10-yard line. He had 14 touches (three receptions) and played ahead of Gus Edwards, although it was Edwards who punched in a short touchdown. Hill is in flex consideration in PPR leagues while Edwards remains the standard-league favorite, but both will need touchdowns to pop for a big week. Still, neither should be on your waiver wire.
Chicago
- Starter: Khalil Herbert
- Handcuff: Roschon Johnson
Johnson debuts in the handcuff rankings this week, as he handled 43% of the snaps and had 32 yards rushing on just four carries. Herbert was still the lead back (59% snap share) and he handled both snaps inside the 10-yard line for Chicago. This could be a committee before long, although the Bears are struggling offensively so it makes both backs a fade for me at the moment.
Detroit
- Starter: Jahmyr Gibbs
- Handcuff: Craig Reynolds
David Montgomery suffered a leg injury that looks like it will keep him out a few weeks. This moves Gibbs into starter territory, and he took 71% of the snaps after Montgomery left the game Sunday. It’s a small but encouraging sample size for his usage, although I am still tempering expectations. Craig Reynolds played on 41% of the snaps and Detroit doesn’t seem willing to give Gibbs a full-time role. Don’t be surprised if Reynolds gets 10-12 touches this week because Detroit is hesitant to let Gibbs take on too much of a touch share.
Indianapolis
- Starter: Jonathan Taylor (IR)
- Handcuff: Zack Moss
Zack Moss was the only Indianapolis running back to see a single snap on Sunday. He responded with 105 total yards and a touchdown, finishing the week as an RB1. Obviously Deon Jackson is in the doghouse for the Colts, so Moss should be a volume play in the next two games before Jonathan Taylor returns. However, it might be tougher sledding ahead for Moss with the next two matchups against the Ravens and Rams.
Los Angeles Rams
- Starter: Kyren Williams
- Handcuff: Ronnie Rivers
Cam Akers was a healthy scratch Sunday and there are reports that he is on the trade block. This paved the way for Kyren Williams to get a 96% snap share and he responded with 100 total yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers. Williams is a tough runner who lacks breakaway speed, but can be a three-down back because of his ability as a receiver and in pass protection. On the off chance that he’s available this week, he should be the number one waiver pickup.
New York Giants
- Starter: Saquon Barkley
- Handcuff: Matt Breida
Disaster struck for the Giants late in the game Sunday when Saquon Barkely had his ankle rolled up on. His status for Week 3 is iffy at best, but considering they play Thursday, I would say he is trending towards being out. It’s another unfortunate injury for Barkley, who scored two touchdowns and was a big part of the Giants’ comeback against Arizona. Matt Breida will be a top waiver wire pickup, but the matchup with San Francisco isn’t great. Eric Gray could be a deep league flyer here as well.
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
