It's been a crazy few weeks in the NFL with injuries and off-the-field issues that have led to roster adjustments. If you're in need of starting running back, here are some guys you might be able to pick up if you or anyone else in your league haven't done so already.
Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings: A number of people made this move last Friday when the Vikings announced Adrian Peterson would be deactivated, but Asiata is only owned by 49% of fantasy teams in Yahoo! leagues. If he's still available in yours, pick him up and start him this week against a poor New Orleans Saints defense that has already given up 892 offensive yards, including 245 rush yards, in the first two weeks of the season. And if Asiata was already claimed in your league, you can even go as far as snagging his backup, Jerick McKinnon, who is expected to have more of a role in the offense this week.
Bobby Rainey, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It was reported earlier today that Bucs running back Doug Martin is unlikely to play tonight against the Atlanta Falcons, which means Rainey is the guy again this week. He rushed for 144 yards on 22 carries against the St. Louis Rams in Week 2. Although the Bucs have a tough matchup tonight in Atlanta, the Falcons defense has given up the most fantasy points to running backs this season in Yahoo! leagues. Additionally, according to Yahoo!, Rainey scored 36.7 fantasy points against the Atlanta defense in 2013 (30 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns). He's only owned by 51% of teams in Yahoo! leagues.
Khiry Robinson, RB, New Orleans Saints: As previously mentioned, the Saints will be playing the Vikings this week. The Minnesota defense has surrendered 222 rush yards in the first two games of the season, including 101 yards to Stevan Ridley last week and 64 yards on 16 carries in Week 1 to the Rams' Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham before the team resorted to throwing the rest of the game as they trailed mightily. Robinson has just 14 rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown so far, but head coach Sean Payton said he'll be "ready for the workload" while Mark Ingram is sidelined for at least a month with a broken hand.
Donald Brown, RB, San Diego Chargers: Running back Ryan Mathews sprained his MCL in the fourth quarter during the Chargers win over the Seahawks. It was reported he will be out for 4-5 weeks, so picking up Donald Brown is a prudent move. Although Brown is the third running back on the depth chart behind both Mathews and Danny Woodhead, head coach Mike McCoy said Brown will take on an expanded role in the offense and that he's confident in his ability to play in their offensive system. It is believed Woodhead will assume the role he typically does while Brown receives more carries, but be careful this week when the Chargers face the Bills. Buffalo has only allowed 166 yards on the ground this season. Nonetheless, picking up Brown, who is only owned by 44% of Yahoo! teams, is a good move for the next month or so.
Damien Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins: Who? He's a rookie out of Oklahoma and is now second on the depth chart after Knowshon Moreno went down with a dislocated elbow. He's expected to miss at least four weeks, possibly longer. Lamar Miller is the starter right now and he's expected to play on Sunday, but an ankle injury had him miss some time last week against the Bills. Williams received five carries and gained 19 yards, but could see more action this week with Moreno out, Miller hurting a little bit, and the Dolphins insistence that they're sticking with the running game. Picking up Williams is a stretch and it's only recommended for you to stash him on your bench to see how the situation plays out in Miami over the next week or two. But if you're really desperate, it's possible to consider this week because the Dolphins face the Chiefs, and Kansas City has surrendered 250 rushing yards so far against the Titans and Broncos.
