Fantasy football: Running back injuries making life hard for owners

The fantasy football community is getting yet another harsh reminder that the running back position can be one of the most difficult to navigate on a week-to-week basis.

Over the years, we’ve seen injuries pile up, and in recent seasons, we’ve witnessed a dramatic change toward tandem backfields — which are fine for real football but a nightmare for fantasy.

As such, many of you are looking for streamers to use this week, and the options are limited at best.

Though I firmly believe Zack Moss will remain the lead back in Cincinnati, Chase Brown deserves immediate consideration if you need help.

Moss is likely still working his way through a recent foot injury, and Brown has picked up both in snaps and touches.

This week’s matchup against the Browns is favorable for the ground game, and Brown should see a strong share of the workload.

When the Bengals grab a lead and head into the second half, Moss is likely the guy to help run out the clock, but to get there, Brown will be involved enough to give your fantasy team a boost.

The more interesting streaming option this week can be found in Indianapolis.

Speaking to the media, running back Jonathan Taylor told his fantasy managers they should have a back-up plan for him as he is working his way through a high-ankle sprain.

The popular pivot was Trey Sermon, but not only has he been an inefficient runner, he also picked up a knee injury that has had him missing practice this week.

With both Taylor and Sermon banged-up, Tyler Goodson comes front-and-center.

Goodson is undersized, but he has been very efficient over the past two weeks.

Through two games, he has rushed for 77 yards on 13 carries and has seven catches for 45 yards.

The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but if you are playing in a full-point PPR scoring format, he is going to deliver this week against a soft Miami defense that ranks 31st in DVOA against the run and has allowed 125.8 rushing yards per game with eight rushing touchdowns allowed.

Obviously, we run the risk of losing goal-line carries and touchdowns to Anthony Richardson, but Goodson has been strong enough to warrant a streaming spot in your lineup.

The one streamer a lot of people are leaning toward is Minnesota’s Ty Chandler, but we’re going to warn you off that play.

Betting on the NFL?

Not only do the Lions have one of the toughest run defenses in the league, even without Aiden Hutchinson, but rumors are swirling Aaron Jones may actually suit up this weekend.

Coupled with the fact the Vikings just traded for Cam Akers, who knows their playbook and system, Chandler might remain limited to pass-catching duties.

Having to stream running backs is never an ideal situation.

If you are in need, lean into your scoring format. Goodson covers you for all leagues while Brown and Chandler can be used as contingency plans for PPR formats.

And if this need for a streamer goes beyond bye weeks, you’re going to need to start working those trade phones.

Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.