Time to once again check in on the world of the running back as fantasy football Week 5 gets set to launch Thursday night.
LEVEL 4
-C.J. Spiller(ankle)-Fred Jackson (knee)-Tashard Choice: Lots of injuries to discuss here in addition to the short week for the Bills who play the hot Cleveland Browns on Thursday. Both Spiller (ankle sprain) and Jackson (MCL) went down last Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens which left the running load to third-stringer Choice. As far as availability for Thursday is concerned, Spiller is the much better bet to play than Jackson and the former got a little bit of practice in on Wednesday to help support that claim. Jackson claims he will be ready to go but any kind of issue with the MCL is almost an automatic missed game. As far as Spiller is concerned, he has fallen way short of expectations givne his first round grade this past summer and that was something I warned about in the first place. The Bills offensive line is horrendous which has not opened up running lanes for Spiller. However Jackson has run well when given his opportunities and that has allowed him to take close to half of the carries which further knocks down Spiller's value. Ultimately though those who drafted him have no choice but to continue rolling Spiller out there as you will be clearly selling low on the guy and the ability is still there for a big bustout game. However the Browns defense has played very well this season, especially in the run game. Combined with the fact Spiller is less than 100 percent, you may have to wait another week before progress is made.
-Rashad Jennings-Darren McFadden (hamstring)-Marcel Reese (knee): Yup Darren McFadden is hurt AGAIN!!!! McFadden is out for Week 5 no matter what kind of spin the team puts on him this week and the same goes for backup Reese who injured his knee in relief last Sunday. Dust off former Jacksonville Jaguar Rashad Jennings who came on to catch 8 balls late in last Sunday's game. This is strictly a PPR claim as Jennings has never been a good runner and anyone who gets tossed aside by the Jaguars tells you all you need to know about his upside. The Raiders have a tough one against San Diego this week who defend the run well so Jennings is really only going to earn some pub with what he does catching the football.
LEVEL 3
-Rashard Mendenhall-Andre Ellington: Changes could be happening in the dessert as far as the running back hierarchy is concerned after veteran Mendenhall played horrible in a late win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. Mendenhall ran for only 21 yards on 12 carries while also fumbling twice. He clearly has lost a step after his serious 2011 knee injury with Pittsburgh and the speedy Ellington is ready to pick up the pieces. Ellington has rushed for 6.2 YPC in limited time so far through four games and his fresh legs are something that needs to be put to use for the Cards. Jump on this one quick in making a proactive move because Arizona won't be putting up much longer with the Mendenhall mess.
LEVEL 2
-Stevan Ridley-LeGarrette Blount-Brandon Bolden: Strict timeshare is now in play for the New England Patriots who are doing their best Denver Broncos impression as far as having three runners contribute to the cause. Ridley got 11 carries to Blount's 9 but the latter ran for the only score among the runners. Bolden meanwhile was used down by the goal-line which adds even more craziness to this group. Looming in the distance still is Bill Belichick favorite Shane Vereen who should be picked up if anyone in your league dropped him. Good luck trying to figure this one out. Everyone involved is a running back 3 until Vereen gets back.
Eddie Lacy (concussion)-James Starks (knee)-Jonathan Franklin: Lacy is all set to go for Week 5 so the show is his after missing the equivalent of two games with a concussion. Starks and Franklin did well during their cameos but Lacy is the one who will handle the majority of carries as long as he is in one piece. Cut Starks and Franklin as they are not worth the roster spot.
LEVEL 1
-Ryan Matthews-Danny Woodhead: Mathews carried the ball 19 times to Woodhead's 5 but the later scored twice among his 5 catches. Those in PPR formats need to check out Woodhead who clearly has earned the trust of Philip Rivers who is back to his gunslinging ways. Still Woodhead is not a major threat to Matthews right now with regards to the running game.
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