Eight weeks into the 2026 NFL season, fantasy managers are learning that a running back’s job security can disappear faster than the Chicago D-Line got after Sam Darnold on Monday night. Just ask Ashton Jeanty managers. Meanwhile, Jonah Coleman is making a serious push for Denver’s starting job, and several other backfields are becoming difficult to predict.
Week 8 brought plenty of interesting developments, including another changing situation in Arizona, a breakout performance from Jacksonville’s Bhayshul Tuten, and some surprising playing-time decisions involving established fantasy starters.
This weekly piece will look at those trends and make recommendations for players who might be worth rostering or starting in our fantasy lineups. For Week 8, we’ll focus on the most meaningful changes in playing time, touches, targets, and opportunities, separating legitimate changes in roles from numbers inflated by game script.
If you have interesting usage notes, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter/X (@CableBoxScore) and let me know. Let’s dive into the 2026 NFL Week 8 usage!
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NFL Week 8 Usage Trends
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Arizona’s backfield somehow became even more confusing with Jeremiyah Love returning, but Tyler Allgeier made a compelling case for the lead role. Allgeier played 60% of the snaps after Love and Bam Knight were injured and erupted for 147 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards, scoring twice.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Atlanta was shut out by Tampa Bay, making this another game where fantasy managers would probably prefer to forget what happened. Bijan Robinson remains the clear running back to trust, but the bigger concern is an offense that has struggled to establish consistent production outside its stars. Drake London and Kyle Pitts remain the passing-game priorities, while any secondary receivers are difficult to justify starting when Michael Penix is this bad.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore’s offense continues to struggle when Lamar Jackson doesn’t play, and now he might be gone for the season. The Ravens managed just 10 points against Buffalo, limiting the fantasy ceiling of their offensive players. Derrick Henry’s rushing workload and Zay Flowers’ involvement remain the important things to monitor. I can’t start anyone except Derrick Henry on Thursday.
BUFFALO BILLS
DJ Moore’s return to the active roster has completely changed Buffalo’s receiving rotation. Moore played 66% of the snaps against Baltimore, immediately becoming a regular contributor, while Joshua Palmer was reduced to just seven snaps (9%) before getting hurt. Keon Coleman led the receivers with 77%, followed by Khalil Shakir at 67%.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Chuba Hubbard is back to dominating Carolina’s backfield. Hubbard played 91% of the snaps against Green Bay, handling 22 carries and eight targets. He finished with 119 total yards and a touchdown, accounting for 30 of the Panthers’ 31 running back opportunities. Trevor Etienne played just 7% of the snaps. Hubbard’s workhorse role is one of the more reliable developments in an otherwise unpredictable offense.
CHICAGO BEARS
It’s a clear big four now in Chicago, and fringe players like Kalif Raymond, Roschon Johnson, and Zavion Thomas don’t belong on fantasy rosters. Each of D’Andre Swift, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and Rome Odunze had at least 56 yards, with Swift and Burden scoring the touchdowns.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Cincinnati’s 43-36 victory over Tennessee featured plenty of offense, but Chase Brown’s workload remains more interesting than his final rushing numbers. Brown handled 12 carries and eight receptions, playing approximately 75% of the snaps. He managed only 55 rushing yards and 46 receiving yards, continuing the frustrating trend of strong opportunity without equally strong production. Samaje Perine remains involved enough to limit Brown’s touchdown ceiling.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland managed just six points against Pittsburgh, but the Quinshon Judkins-Dylan Sampson split remains worth monitoring. Judkins reclaimed the lead role, but Sampson has shown enough to justify continued involvement, especially on passing downs. Neither running back has much room for error in an offense that struggles to score, making their relative workloads important for fantasy managers.
DALLAS COWBOYS
George Pickens’ playing time is becoming a legitimate concern ahead of trade rumors. Pickens played just 56% of Dallas’ offensive snaps against Arizona and ran routes on 62% of dropbacks. Ryan Flournoy actually played more snaps. Pickens remains too talented to bench automatically, but it’s difficult to maintain consistent fantasy production when you’re spending nearly half the game watching from the sideline. A trade may be the best thing here.
DENVER BRONCOS
Jonah Coleman isn’t wasting any time taking over Denver’s backfield. After playing 50% of the snaps in his first game back from injured reserve, Coleman increased that number to 68% against Kansas City. He handled 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown while catching four passes for 63 yards. J.K. Dobbins played just 21% of the snaps, receiving seven carries for 13 yards. RJ Harvey was inactive and has been placed on injured reserve.
DETROIT LIONS
Jahmyr Gibbs continues to operate as Detroit’s unquestioned lead running back. The Lions’ 19-15 victory over Minnesota was much less explosive than their recent offensive performances, but Gibbs still got his with crazy volume (168 total yards and a touchdown on 25 touches). His workload has reached unprecedented workhorse territory, and fantasy managers should be more interested in his massive usage and his health than any one week’s stats.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Josh Jacobs has put any concerns about a committee to rest, despite his latest allegations. Jacobs played 70% of the snaps against Carolina and handled 27 of Green Bay’s 32 running back opportunities, including 21 carries and six receptions. MarShawn Lloyd was reduced to just 16% of the snaps and four touches. Jacobs scored twice despite managing only 52 total yards, demonstrating why his goal-line role remains so valuable.
HOUSTON TEXANS
The Houston Texans were on bye for Week 8.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Indianapolis’ 42-7 loss to Jacksonville was ugly, but Tyler Warren’s return provided one encouraging fantasy development. Warren led the Colts with 10 targets and played approximately 85% of the snaps before the starters were removed. That’s an excellent workload for a tight end with so much inconsistency at the position, even in a struggling offense.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Bhayshul Tuten made quite a statement coming out of Jacksonville’s bye week. Tuten rushed 16 times for 104 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 55 yards and another score. He handled 18 of the Jaguars’ first 25 running back opportunities and played 61% of the snaps through three quarters. Chris Rodriguez received seven opportunities during that stretch, and Ameer Abdullah’s six carries came entirely in garbage time.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Kenneth Walker continues to dominate Kansas City’s backfield, but Emmett Johnson certainly made things interesting against Denver. Walker played 81% of the snaps and handled 21 carries and five targets, finishing with 84 total yards. Johnson played just 19% of the snaps but exploded for five receptions, 128 receiving yards, and a long touchdown.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Well, Ashton Jeanty managers, things have officially gone from frustrating to horrific. Mike Washington Jr. took over the Raiders’ backfield against the Jets, playing 63% of the snaps and handling 25 carries for 83 yards. Jeanty played just 37% and received only two carries for nine yards. Washington accounted for 25 of the team’s 31 running back opportunities.
Jeanty still handled the passing-down work, catching three passes for 64 yards, but that isn’t what fantasy managers expected from a player drafted to be a workhorse. Coach Klint Kubiak indicated the decision was intentional, rather than simply a response to game script. Washington is now a priority waiver addition, while Jeanty becomes a risky fantasy starter until this situation changes.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers’ offense struggled against the Rams, scoring just nine points in a 24-9 loss. They haven’t had an offensive touchdown since October 11, so there isn’t much to analyze. The biggest fantasy concern is whether Los Angeles can generate enough scoring opportunities to support its collection of receiving options.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Blake Corum continues to be one of the most important handcuffs in fantasy football. After playing 43% of the snaps against Las Vegas in Week 7, he was around a third of the snaps again in Week 8. Corum has established himself as more than someone who occasionally spells Kyren Williams. Williams remains the preferred fantasy starter, but Corum should be rostered in every league and given Flex consideration.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Ollie Gordon II continues to control Miami’s backfield, playing 83% of the snaps against New England and handling 20 of the Dolphins’ 23 running back opportunities. Unfortunately, his lack of receiving involvement finally caught up with him. Gordon didn’t catch a pass despite running 27 routes, and his target rate for the season is down to approximately 9%.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Minnesota’s backfield remains worth monitoring after Aaron Jones was in and out of the game in Week 8. Jordan Mason had already reclaimed a significant role, playing 55% of the snaps and handling 15 carries in that game. Mason’s fantasy value depends heavily on Jones’ availability, but the Vikings have shown they are comfortable giving him substantial work (28% in a return to the lineup in Week 8). He should remain rostered in most leagues until the backfield situation becomes clearer.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
With TreVeyon Henderson sidelined, Rhamondre Stevenson dominated New England’s backfield against Miami, playing 77% of the snaps and handling 19 carries for 82 yards. Corey Kiner played just 18%, rushing seven times for 38 yards. Stevenson also caught three passes, giving him 22 touches compared with Kiner’s seven.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The New Orleans Saints were on bye for Week 8.
NEW YORK GIANTS
The New York Giants were on bye for Week 8.
NEW YORK JETS
Braelon Allen is making it increasingly difficult to imagine Breece Hall simply walking back into a workhorse role. Allen played 82% of the snaps against Las Vegas, handling 21 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes and ran 20 routes. Allen has now rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games, giving the Jets a difficult decision when Hall returns. Fantasy managers should continue starting Allen until the workload changes.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philadelphia’s offense struggled in its 27-10 loss to Washington, but Makai Lemon remains one of the more interesting young receivers to monitor. Lemon entered Week 8 coming off his breakout performance, catching seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown against Dallas. With Tanner McKee running the offense and DeVonta Smith’s availability uncertain, Lemon has an opportunity to establish himself as a consistent fantasy contributor, especially with Smith still hurt.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh’s backfield is becoming a legitimate two-man fantasy committee, even if Jaylen Warren remains the preferred starter. Warren played 58% of the snaps against Cleveland, rushing 17 times for 143 yards and a touchdown. Rico Dowdle played 47% and handled 15 carries for 56 yards and another touchdown. Warren has the higher ceiling, but Dowdle is getting enough work to remain a viable flex option.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The San Francisco 49ers were on bye for Week 8.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
There was a whole new rotation at running back for the Seattle Seahawks with both Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price returning from the IR. Price had 10 carries. Charbonnet had six, and George Holani had one. Both Charbonnet and Price also saw four targets, so this is a wait-and-see situation to see who emerges. Emmanuel Wilson, who rushed for 100 yards in Week 7, had zero touches.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
In a game where Baker Mayfield completed zero passes, Bucky Irving continues to be the clear fantasy priority in Tampa Bay’s backfield. Even though Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell each played exactly 30 snaps (50%) against Atlanta, Irving rushed 27 times for 170 yards and a touchdown, while Gainwell added 140 yards on 25 carries. Gainwell’s playing time increased from 30% in Week 7 to 50%, although much of his additional opportunities came while protecting the lead late.
TENNESSEE TITANS
With Carnell Tate sidelined, Chimere Dike suddenly became a full-time receiver against Cincinnati. Dike jumped from just 13 snaps in Week 7 to 63 (82%) in Week 8, catching five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. Wan’Dale Robinson played 94% of the snaps and caught six passes for 57 yards and a score, while Elic Ayomanor played 65%. Dike is worth adding in deeper leagues if Tate remains sidelined.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Washington’s backfield has become a three-man committee, with Rachaad White playing 47% of the snaps against Philadelphia, Austin Ekeler 33%, and Jeremy McNichols 20%. None looks particularly attractive as a dependable fantasy starter, although that might change as it looks like Jeremy McNichols might be lost for the year with a foot injury.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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