Fantasy football owners were ecstatic with New York Jets running back Chris Ivory's breakout season this year. Pegged as a RB3 in the preseason, Ivory sits seventh in the league with 813 rushing yards. He's supplemented that by setting career highs in rushing touchdowns (7), receptions (24) and receiving yards (202). All told, Ivory has been a low end RB1 for the majority of the season.
But recently, Ivory has seen a lighter workload following the return of Bilal Powell. The backup missed a few games with injury but has seen the field quite a bit in recent weeks. Should Ivory owners be worried?
"In three games since he returned from injury, Bilal Powell has been on the field for 115 snaps," ESPN Fantasy Football Insider Mike Clay wrote. "Chris Ivory, meanwhile, has played 85. The team's passing-down back, Powell has registered 23 targets and 16 carries during that span. The Jets have called pass on 81 percent of his snaps. Ivory has 39 carries and eight targets during that stretch. Powell sits 18th among backs in fantasy points, which is two spots ahead of Ivory. Moving forward, projected game script will need to be considered when evaluating Ivory's fantasy prospects. The Jets will be favored at home against Tennessee this week, which bodes well for ivory's playing time. He's safe to use as a RB2. Powell is a flex option."
Powell's emergence is one cause for concern. Fantasy owners watched on in horror as the backup continued to produce in the passing game this past weekend against the New York Giants and steal snaps from Ivory. It's an alarming trend to say the least.
But Tennessee's soft rushing defense does offer the chance for a bounce back. The Titans rank 16th in rushing yards allowed per game (105.5) and 24th in rushing touchdowns (10). They surrender an average of 117 total yards to opposing running backs each week. In theory, Ivory should be able to get back on the right track.
