We’re nearly halfway through the fantasy football regular season. While two of the biggest bye weeks are behind us, injuries continue to pile up across the league. This week for the handcuff report, we have some graduations from the list.
Tank Bigsby stepped up with Travis Etienne inactive, rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns. He looks far more explosive compared to last season and has likely earned himself a share of the backfield, even once Etienne returns.
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Tyrone Tracy from the Giants has started to emerge as a reliable option. With New York’s ongoing injury issues, he will be counted on as he played well ahead of Devin Singletary on Sunday. Ignore the touch counts here — Tracy played on 67% of the snaps and he looks like a waiver wire gem at this point.
Finally, Cincinnati’s Chase Brown is off the list as the Bengals continue to change up their backfield. He took control of the Bengals’ backfield, out-touching Zack Moss 17-9. For the second consecutive week, he maintained a healthy advantage in opportunities, signaling he’s becoming the preferred option in the backfield moving forward.
Handcuff Rankings
1. Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)
Tyler Allgeier jumps to the top spot and he could have the look of an RB1 down the stretch if something were to happen with Bijan Robinson. Allgeier is averaging 5.7 yards per carry (YPC) this year and would be locked into an 18+ touch role.
2. Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
Zach Charbonnet got a little more run because of the blowout on Sunday. He played 55% of the snaps but still ran behind Kenneth Walker in terms of touches. We’ve seen what Charbonnet can do when given the chance.
3. Bucky Irving (RB – TB)
There is a slight case to take Bucky Irving off this list but he was behind Rachaad White in snap share Monday night. Irving was still plenty involved with 12 touches for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also was a borderline smash play in Week 6. He’s Flex-worthy regardless of White’s status.
4. Ray Davis (RB – BUF)
I have been out on Ray Davis but he popped last week and I left him off the list because it was the Monday night game. That changes now and he will be a fixture here moving forward. His 23 touches in a game where James Cook was inactive is a huge signal but what excited me were his three receptions. He has league-winner written all over him if Cook gets hurt.
5. Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ)
Breece Hall continues to be a workhorse in New York meaning Braelon Allen has seen his touches dwindle in recent weeks. This is nothing against him as a player but with the Jets at 2-5 and their playoff hopes already on the ropes, I would anticipate Hall being the main back. Allen is still worth stashing. If things get to the point where New York is completely out of contention, he could get more run late in the year.
6. Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
Jaylen Warren looked really good Sunday night and it was probably the first time this year he was 100% healthy. He had a higher snap share than Najee Harris (51%/49%) and also saw a season-high 14 touches, which he turned into 59 yards. Warren is a different runner than Harris but his explosiveness gives him a much higher ceiling.
7. Blake Corum (RB – LAR)
Blake Corum is one Kyren Williams injury from having possibly one of the best setups in the NFL for a running back. Sure, his season so far hasn’t played out as we had hoped but with Williams commanding an 85% or more snap share, you can see the potential for Corum here.
8. Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC)
Kimani Vidal and the entire Chargers offense scuffled on Monday night, only producing five field goals. The good news is Vidal’s snap count was relatively unchanged from Week 6. I am holding if I have him.
9. Ty Chandler (RB – MIN)
Aaron Jones was back on Sunday but he can be fragile. Ty Chandler would step into a 15+ touch role on a strong offense with a favorable upcoming schedule. He’s a fine addition to the end of any bench.
10. Emanuel Wilson (RB – GB)
Emmanuel Wilson is the handcuff to a running back with borderline bell-cow touch counts in an explosive offense. MarShawn Lloyd could factor in here but I think the Packers trust Wilson far more right now.
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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
