Each week during the 2014 season, we're going to take a look at five running-back-by-committee (RBBC) situations that you should keep a close eye on. Some will have big questions, while others might be noted due to their circumstances becoming clearer. Finally, we're going to focus more on the week ahead than look down the road.
Week 9 byes: Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers, Titans
And now, in alphabetical order ...
Baltimore Ravens
Bernard Pierce, your end is nigh. After offering fantasy owners a glimmer of hope with 23 carries and two touchdowns in Weeks 6-7, Pierce was a healthy scratch against the Bengals on Sunday as the Ravens went with just two active tailbacks. It's possible that Pierce could return to fantasy relevance, but how bad is your league's free-agent pool if you want to hold onto a guy who wasn't even ACTIVE last week? Cut Pierce, now.
Justin Forsett (85 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches) was once again the lead back for the Ravens, but rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro ran seven times for 27 yards and two short touchdowns. If Taliaferro is going to be the short-yardage back again this week, he can be considered as a bye-week start against the Steelers.
Carolina Panthers
DeAngelo Williams says he's "ready to roll" on Thursday after missing four consecutive games due to an ankle injury. Jonathan Stewart ran 16 times for an impressive 79 yards against the Seahawks in Week 8, but now he returns to his old role as Williams' "Double Trouble" partner in crime. Folks, these guys (and their offensive line) aren't good enough to be reliable fantasy starters when they're in a timeshare. Pass.
New England Patriots
Hey, hey, Jonas Gray! The Notre Dame product was clearly the Pats' lead back against the Bears, carrying 17 times for 86 yards. Shane Vereen had five carries for 22 yards, and caught three passes for 23. Just when you thought you had everything figured out where Vereen was the guy ...
What to do now? Well, ignore Brandon Bolden, who has touched the ball once in the two games since Stevan Ridley got hurt. Keep starting Vereen in most formats (definitely in PPR), since he's averaging a solid 10.5 touches per game. As for Gray, target him as a free agent this week, as he's owned in just 1.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. However, be cautious about starting him against the Broncos, who are allowing 3.4 yards per carry and a league-low 72.4 rushing yards per game. Hopefully, Sunday's matchup will provide a little more fantasy clarity in the Pats' always-confusing backfield.
St. Louis Rams
Remember last week's Tre Mason coronation? Um, about that ... Mason and Zac Stacy each had eight touches while Benny Cunningham had five in Sunday's blowout loss at Kansas City. The trio started the game in a series-by-series rotation, and there's no way to know how they'll be used this week at San Francisco. If I had to pick one, it would still be Mason, but the Niners present a tough matchup. Avoid if you can.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Doug Martin had another crummy fantasy performance in Week 8, running 10 times for 27 yards, catching two passes for minus-one, and leaving the game following a third-quarter ankle injury. Lovie Smith said Monday that Martin needs to get more touches. Maybe if he carries 76 times per game, he'll help his fantasy owners.
Martin is a dicey fantasy start this week, even at Cleveland against the 30th-ranked Browns' run defense (143.4 ypg). Bobby Rainey had 66 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches against the Vikings, and could be a bye-week PPR play. If you're looking to stash a back on your bench, there's lots of buzz in Tampa about rookie Charles Sims, who has been on injured reserve all season with an ankle injury. If Sims is healthy and effective, he could take charge of this situation in short order.
BONUS TEAM
San Diego Chargers
On Wednesday, we'll know more about the Week 9 status of Ryan Mathews, who has been out since Week 2 with a knee injury. Whenever Mathews returns to action, it's doubtful that Branden Oliver will fade into Bolivian, as he's been solid (514 yards from scrimmage in six games). Who's up for another timeshare?
