Backfield Breakdown: Week 9 Recap & Week 10 Sleepers

I was hoping to cut down on blurbs/notes to save a little time this week, mostly because I've been sick since Wednesday and just don't have enough hours in the day right now. Unfortunately, the NFL doesn't care, and it seems like the majority of backfields either have a new injury from Week 9 or a key player (oh hey, Mr. McCaffrey!) who just returned.

So, instead of doing a little bit less for each team, I'll try to provide the usual level of analysis for interesting/fluid/injured backfields, while the ones that are more or less status quo may get the quick-hits version (just in terms of notes/blurbs; all the usual stats are still here). But first, let's look at stat leaderboards, injuries and potential waiver adds for next week...

Usage Leaderboards

Week 9

Doesn't include MNF. GL Looks = Targets + Carries inside the 5-yard line. Top 10 in Bold.

Full Season

Doesn't include MNF. Looks = Targets + Carries. Top 10 in Bold.

Week 9 Injury Report

Inactives

Saquon Barkley (ankle)

James Robinson (heel)

Latavius Murray (ankle)

Justin Jackson (quad)

Tevin Coleman (hamstring)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (IR/knee)

Miles Sanders (IR/ankle)

Kareem Hunt (IR/calf)

In-Game Injuries

Chase Edmonds left with an ankle injury in the first quarter and didn't return.

Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson both suffered head injuries.

Zack Moss (head) left in the third quarter and didn't return.

Devontae Booker suffered a hip injury late in the game but doesn't think it's serious.

Scottie Phillips suffered a leg injury and didn't return.

Ezekiel Elliott left the game with a knee contusion but later returned.

Week 9 Route Report

Week 9 Red-Zone Report

Inside the 5-Yard Line

• RBs with multiple goal-line snaps but no goal-line looks (snaps in parentheses):
  • 4 - Nyheim Hines
  • 3 - Darrell Henderson, Ty'Son Williams
  • 2 - Myles Gaskin, Corey Clement

Red Zone Looks (carries + targets)

• Hines, Elijah Mitchell and Ty Johnson each took five red-zone snaps without getting a look in the area.
  • Jerick McKinnon and Darrell Henderson had four snaps and zero looks.

Week 10 Waivers & Sleepers

Picking from players rostered in half or less of Yahoo Leagues.

Waivers, Pt. 1 —Top Adds & Streamers

1. Devonta Freeman - 20% rostered
2. Brandon Bolden - 10%
3. Jordan Howard - 13%
4. Carlos Hyde - 34% (if Robinson is out again, which isn't expected)
5. Mark Ingram - 38%
6. Eno Benjamin - 0%
7. Rhamondre Stevenson - 6%
8. Ty Johnson - 13%
9. Le'Veon Bell - 5%
10. JaMycal Hasty - 2%

Waivers, Pt. 2 — Bench Stashes & Sleepers

1. Alexander Mattison - 47%
2. Sony Michel - 33%
3. Samaje Perine - 11%
4. Ronald Jones - 21%
5. Latavius Murray - 35%
6. Jeff Wilson - 31%
7. Salvon Ahmed - 6%
8. Jaret Patterson - 2%
9. D'Onta Foreman - 1%

Week 10 Drops & Benchings

Drop'em

Kenneth Gainwell

Derrick Gore

David Johnson

Damien Williams

Bench'em

Zack Moss

Chuba Hubbard

Mike Davis

Khalil Herbert

Week 9 Game-by-Game Breakdowns

Jets (30) at Colts (45) 

• Marlon Mack was a healthy scratch, while Deon Jackson was active as the third RB, playing each of his 15 snaps on special teams.
• This was Taylor's third straight game playing at least 69% of snaps and fourth in a row taking at least 65%.
  • It was also his sixth in a row with a TD and triple-digit yardage.
  • The Colts ran nine plays with two RBs on the field, matching a season high from Week 4.
    • Still, they've gone with multiple backs for just 30 plays (5.3%) all season.
    • Hines had a big game Thursday but has averaged only 4.8 carries and 4.0 targets over the past four weeks with Taylor taking on a more dominant role.
• Hines scored from 34 yards out, and Taylor scored from distances of 21 and 78.
  • Taylor continues to score plenty of TDs (nine over the past six games. despite struggling mightily at the goal line.
  • JT leads the league with 15 carries inside the 5-yard line, five more than any other player (Damien Harris - 10).... but just three of those have gone for TDs. If not for the goal-line struggles, he'd be well on his way to a 20-score season (which he still has shot at if he turns things around soon).

• Tevin Coleman (hamstring) missed a third straight game. He last played Week 5 in London.
• Carter came crashing back to Earth, and even his usage looked more like Weeks 2-5 than Weeks 7-8.
  • In Weeks 7-8, Carter played 70% and 72% of snaps, piling up 26 carries and 23 targets. Thursday night, he got 58% and his normal rushing volume, but with only two targets after the pass-catching explosion the past two weeks.
  • Part of the problem is that even with his recent production — including a 37-yard reception Thursday — the Jets still slightly prefer Ty Johnson for obvious passing downs and clearly prefer Johnson for two-minute drills.
  • Carter and Johnson split the third-down snaps 50/50 on Thursday, taking seven apiece.
• Carter did play two-thirds of snaps (28 of 42) before the fourth quarter, then dropped to 47.1% (16 of 34) in a high-volume final frame. So, game script did work against him, but he still got three carries in the final quarter, and the Jets did reach 75 offensive plays for a second straight game.

Broncos (30) at Cowboys (16) 

• Status quo, with way more to go around in a blowout win.
  • Williams had zero targets after seeing three or more in six straight games. But he made up for it with career highs for both carries (17) and rushing yards (111).

• The Broncos led 16-0 at halftime and 30-0 midway through the fourth quarter.
  • Elliott was never benched, but he did lose snaps to Pollard and Clement in the fourth quarter.
• Elliott played just two of nine snaps in the second quarter, exiting with a knee contusion but then returning.
  • He played seven of seven snaps (100%) in the third quarter, followed by 10 of 26 (39%) in the fourth.
• Clement got each of his four snaps in the fourth quarter.

Patriots (24) at Panthers (6) 

• Harris and Stevenson both left with head injuries in the fourth quarter.
  • J.J. Taylor was a healthy scratch, leaving Bolden as the only healthy RB for New England's final drive of the game (which was a blowout anyway)
• Bolden has mostly seen work on passing downs, a la James White, but he could handle more carries if Harris and/or Stevenson misses time.

• McCaffrey was busy in his first game back, though he didn't return to his every-down role, instead playing 49% of snaps and seeing a carry or target on 19 of his 29 plays.
  • He finished with 14-52-0 rushing and 4-54-0 receiving.
• McCaffrey got 54% of snaps through three quarters, including 18 of his 19 looks.
  • He then played only four of 13 snaps (31%) in the fourth quarter, with Abdullah taking nine as the Panthers trailed big.

Bills (6) at Jaguars (9) 

• Moss exited with a head injury and missed the fourth quarter.
• Through three quarters, Singletary got six carries and four targets on 61% of snaps, while Moss got three carries and four targets on 39%.
  • A reversal of recent weeks, basically. A red flag for Moss even before the injury.

• Hyde took over the James Robinson (heel) role, while Ogunbowale's job didn't really change.

Falcons (27) at Saints (25) 

• Per PFF, Patterson lined up in the backfield for 18 snaps and either inline/slot/wide for 15 snaps. So about the same as in recent weeks.
• Both backs fumbled, but neither lost the ball. And Patterson turned his six targets into a 6-126-0 receiving line, thanks to a 64-yard deep ball in the final minute to set up the game-winning FG. What a year he's had.
  • Seven straight games with at least 14.1 PPR points!

• It never made any sense to give Alvin Kamara a McCaffrey/Henry-type workload in a season that probably maxes out with an early playoff exit even if the cards fall right. If anything, wouldn't you have done that last year?
  • Anyway, Ingram has addressed that, with 15 carries, seven targets and 48 snaps over the first two games of his second stint with the Saints. That's a much larger role than Tony Jones (ankle) had earlier this year before landing on IR.
    • Jones got 11 carries on 35% snap share back in Week 1, but then saw just 11 total touches Weeks 2-4, playing 27%, 21% and 13% of snaps.

Vikings (31) at Ravens (34) 

• Nwangwu didn't really play a snap on offense. His one snap/carry was a successful fake punt attempt. And that was shortly after he returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown.
  • I like his chances for NFC Player of the Week.
• Cook had a 66-yard run in the first quarter but otherwise was held in check.
  • He had a one-yard TD overturned, after taking four carries inside the 10 on one drive (there was a fourth-down penalty). Kirk Cousins eventually snuck it in.

• With Latavius Murray (ankle) unable to return even after a bye, Freeman made his second straight start, this time with season-high 58% snap share (up from 40% in the previous game).
• Ty'Son did play 18 snaps, but without a carry or target. He had just four touches on 29% of snaps in the previous game.
• Bell logged 23 snaps (23%), after 20 (27%), 22 (32%) and 22 (30%) in his previous three appearances
  • His 11 carries and 48 rushing yards were season highs, however.
  • Bell has only three targets in four games. He doesn't get playing time in obvious passing situations, despite his track record as a pass catcher.
• Freeman played six of nine snaps (67%) on 3rd-and-medium/long.
• Freeman had a five-yard receiving TD late in the second quarter, while Bell scored a one-yard rushing TD to give Baltimore a 31-24 lead with three and a half minutes remaining.
• In overtime, Freeman played 61% of snaps and Bell took 39%. With both getting four carries.
  • They finished with 23 carries for 127 yards, staying relevant even after the Ravens had an ugly first half.

Texans (9) at Dolphins (17) 

• Phillips left with a leg injury, though he didn't have much of a role beforehand.
• Johnson rebounded from 18% snap share and three touches the week before, but even his good games are still bad.
• The eight carries for Lindsay matched a season high from back in Week 1. But he still played only 20% of snaps. And he's averaging just 2.7 yards per carry this year.

• Gaskin finished with season highs for carries and snap share, but his 20-34-1 rushing line isn't exactly pretty.
  • 6-23-0 through the air is hardly explosive, either.
  • Still, the role is what drafters were hoping for back in July/August. Finally!
  • But will it last? Maybe... Ahmed had four carries for six yards and now sits at 2.6 YPC and 5.8 YPT for the season.
    • Gaskin is at 3.6 YPC and 4.1 YPT.

Raiders (16) at Giants (23) 

• Richard had two of his three targets and both his catches in a two-minute drill at the end of the first half. The two-minute drills may be his only role at this point.
• Jacobs played 61% of snaps before halftime, with eight carries for 55 yards and two catches for 14 more.
  • After the break, he dropped to 40% and took five carries for 21 yards with two catches for five yards.
• Drake now has three straight games with at least 16 PPR points, but with just 22 carries and 13 targets in that time. That also includes a game where Jacobs left early with an injury.
  • Drake does at least seem to have pushed Richard aside, after facing competition for playing time on passing downs throughout October.

• Booker didn't repeat his 93% snap share from Week 8 but did top 70% for a fifth straight game.
  • In that time, Booker has averaged 15.6 carries for 58.6 yards and 0.4 TDs, plus 3.4 catches for 29.4 yards and 0.2 TDs. That's 15.8 PPR points per game.

Browns (41) at Bengals (16) 

• Chubb played 20 of 30 snaps (67%) through three quarters, followed by seven of 19 (39%) in the fourth.
• Johnson got seven of his eight carries in the fourth quarter, playing only five of 30 snaps (17%) before that. Granted, the Browns didn't run many plays, so there wasn't as much need for the backup RB to sub in.
  • The week before, Johnson got four carries and three targets on 31% of snaps in the loss to Pittsburgh. His role ain't Kareem Hunt's, that's for sure.
  • Felton has also been poaching a few snaps and touches, which means Chubb's role isn't much bigger, if any, compared to when Hunt was healthy. It looks basically the same through two games.

• Mixon played 68% of snaps through three quarters, and got just one touch (a two-yard rushing TD) in the fourth.
• Perine played 11 of 13 snaps (85%) on third down. Mixon took the other two.
  • The week before, Perine got eight of 10 (80%) on third down, with Mixon taking the other two.
  • Mixon has three big receiving lines within the past four weeks, but he hasn't topped six targets in a game, is averaging just 2.9 per game overall, and still comes off the field for most third downs. In other words, the receiving stats aren't bankable.

Chargers (27) at Eagles (24) 

• Kelley returned to the No. 2 role, after a Week 7 bye and Week 8 healthy scratch. That may just be a product of Justin Jackson (quad) missing the game, or it may be a sign that Kelley is back in favor.
  • The Chargers have rotated Kelley, Jackson and Rountree through the No. 2 role this year. Kind of like when you keep opening your empty refrigerator and hoping maybe this time there will be something good to eat.

• This was a big change from the week before in Detroit, where Scott finished with 12-60-2 rushing, Howard with 12-57-2 and Gainwell with 13-27-0.
  • Gainwell's snap share dropped from 31% to 19%, while Howard's rose from 25% to 40%. (Scott held steady - 45% and 44%.)
• Gainwell's only carries came on back-to-back plays inside the 5-yard line late in the third quarter. The first went for two yards; the second for a one-yard TD.
• Jalen Hurts has attempted just 14 and 17 passes the past two weeks, but he's still been productive on the ground with 7-71-0 and 10-62-0.
  • Also, the Eagles faced the Chargers and Lions, who rank 32nd and 29th, respectively, in rushing yards allowed per game.
  • The Chargers have allowed 161.6 ypg, nearly 25 more than any other team.

Packers (7) at Chiefs (13) 

• Dillon had 8-46-0 on the ground and 4-44-0 receiving.
  • He's averaging less than two targets per game, though he's caught 14 of 16 for 134 yards and a TD.
  • Jones still played nearly twice as many pass snaps as Dillon.

• This was Williams' fourth straight start and third time with double-digit carries in that span.
  • He's averaging 14.5 carries for 50.3 yards (3.5 YPC) and 0.5 TDs, plus 3.8 catches for 31.3 yards on 4.5 targets.
• Gore was limited to four touches for 19 yards after taking 11 carries for 48 yards and a TD the week before. His snap share only dropped a little, though, from 20% to 15%.
  • Gore didn't get any snaps in the fourth quarter. Williams took eight of 12, with McKinnon handling the other four. And Williams took all five of the fourth-quarter carries.

Cardinals (31) at 49ers (17) 

• Edmonds injured his ankle on his first snap/carry, setting up Conner for a massive day.
• Conner has made his living on easy TDs all year, but in his one he worked for his points, putting up 21-96-2 on the ground and 5-77-1 through the air.
• Conner played 83% of snaps through three quarters, taking 45 to Benjamin's 10.
  • Benjamin got more run in the fourth quarter with 44% of snaps, but it was actually Conner who took the final three carries.

• Status quo, despite Jeff Wilson (knee) being activated from IR.
  • Wilson was technically active for the game but didn't play any snaps on offense or special teams.
  • Mitchell saw a season-high five targets, playing more pass snaps than usual with the 49ers trailing by multiple scores for most of the afternoon. But Hasty still got 91% of third-down snaps.
    • Mitchell got 79% of snaps on first and second down, including 50% of those snaps in the fourth quarter.

Titans (28) at Rams (16) 

• Peterson got the start and led the team in carries, but this was a true three-headed backfield, with everyone getting at least five carries and 20% of snaps.
  • That's ugly for fantasy purposes, but maybe the Foreman carries go to Peterson once the 36-year-old is up to speed?
• Peterson iced the game with a one-yard TD with three minutes remaining, after McNichols had gains of three and two to bring Tennessee down to the 1-yard line.
  • Peterson did have another inside-the-five carry earlier in the game.
• It wasn't necessarily game script that was a problem for McNichols. His snap share in the fourth quarter (56%) was higher than in any previous quarter, though he got just three carries on the 10 snaps, while Peterson got four (including the TD) on five snaps.
  • However, McNichols did play 85% of snaps on third down, including eight of eight on 3rd-and-medium/long.
  • Seven carries and three targets on 45% of snaps isn't exciting, but it's at least a larger workload than what McNichols likely would've seen in this type of game with Derrick Henry healthy.
• After the first quarter — when Peterson took six of eight snaps — all three RBs played at least two snaps in each subsequent quarter.
• Snap share by down:
  • 1st: Peterson (38%), McNichols (33%), Foreman (29%)
  • 2nd: Peterson (42%), McNichols (37%), Foreman (16%)
  • 3rd: McNichols (85%), Peterson (8%), Foreman (8%)

• It isn't just blowout wins where Henderson loses playing time?
  • In this one, Henderson took 78% of snaps before the fourth quarter and only five of 17 (29%) in the fourth.
    • That said, he played 90% in Week 4 when the Rams lost by 17 to the Cardinals.
• Michel scored a deep-garbage-time TD on a three-yard catch with 24 seconds remaining.
  • The final drive accounted for both of his goal-line looks. He wasn't used specifically as a goal-line/short-yardage replacement for Henderson.