If Week 2 taught us anything, it’s that you better know your running back handcuffs. Injuries are a huge part of the game we love. We must deal with the frustration of injuries, because especially at the running back position, they create opportunities for players sitting on the waiver wire. When a starting running back goes down, the next man up can suddenly become a league winner.
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Week 3 Running Back Streamers
Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
Coleman is one of the first players I’m looking to add heading into Week 3. He was already on the fantasy radar coming out of the preseason, but he remains available in a large number of leagues. The Broncos could be dealing with injuries to both RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins, which puts Coleman in an interesting position.
Dobbins left Sunday’s game early with a hamstring injury, and Coleman stepped in and made the most of his opportunity. He finished with 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 19 yards. His overall workload wasn’t massive, but his performance should get the attention of fantasy managers.
There is still plenty to figure out in this Broncos backfield. Dobbins’ injury may not keep him out, and Harvey should eventually return from his hamstring issue. But Coleman has already shown that he can handle a meaningful role if either player misses time.
If both Dobbins and Harvey are unavailable in Week 3, Coleman becomes a very intriguing option against the Rams. Even if the veterans return, Coleman is still worth adding as a handcuff while we figure out how this backfield develops.
Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
White had a productive Week 2, finishing with seven carries for 43 yards while catching all six of his targets for another 40 yards. The Commanders spent much of the second half playing from behind, which created the perfect game script for White’s skill set. He finished with 37 offensive snaps compared to 26 for Jacory Croskey-Merritt and ran 26 routes compared to just eight for Croskey-Merritt.
The Week 3 matchup against Seattle could provide another opportunity, although Marcus Mariota starting adds some uncertainty.
Tank Bigsby/Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley was dealing with what was reported as a stinger, and his absence opened the door for the Eagles’ other backs.
Will Shipley ultimately played 39 snaps, while Tank Bigsby saw 26. Shipley finished with nine opportunities, including seven carries and two targets, while Bigsby received 15 opportunities, scoring a touchdown on 13 carries.
If Barkley misses time, Bigsby appears to have a legitimate chance to handle the majority of the rushing work. Shipley could still get some receiving work because Dallas Goedert is expected to miss a few weeks.
Week 3 Running Back Sleepers
Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle rookie Jadarian Price suffered a chest injury. Wilson stepped into a bigger role after Price left the game and finished with 29 snaps, or 41.4% of the offensive workload, while leading the backfield with 21 carries.
Through two weeks, Wilson has four carries from inside the 5-yard line compared to just one for Price. If Price ends up missing time, Wilson could see a significant increase in early-down carries while continuing to handle goal-line opportunities.
Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Johnson entered the season as the No. 2 running back behind Kenneth Walker III and has already shown some big-play ability. Johnson totaled 68 yards on 10 touches in Week 1, including receptions of 19 and 25 yards.
He also had three touches for 27 yards on one drive Sunday night that ultimately ended in a field goal.
The problem is obvious: Kenneth Walker has been outstanding and has already rushed for 290 yards through two games. Johnson is a handcuff worth stashing because of what his role could become if Walker were to miss time.
Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers
Johnson finally got his opportunity in Week 2 after joining Green Bay near the end of the preseason.
He led the Packers in rushing attempts with eight and finished with 32 yards. Green Bay acquired Johnson after the preseason and Johnson didn’t play an offensive snap in Week 1.
In Week 2, Johnson received a workload similar to MarShawn Lloyd and was even on the field to start overtime in Green Bay’s 20-17 victory. The former Iowa running back brings more size than Lloyd and provided some juice to the Packers’ rushing attack. The fumble is something to monitor, but the fact that Green Bay trusted him with meaningful touches is encouraging.
There’s still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Packers’ backfield, which makes Johnson more of a stash than an immediate fantasy starter.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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