Fantasy Football Forbes List: Week 9 Running Back Rankings

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There’s a lot of “ifs” this week with the running backs.  With so many injuries and a lot of uncertainty, I’ve tried to rank the players based on where I think they’ll be “if” they have another running back on their team who is very questionable and doesn't play.

The rankings are for PPR formats.  Feel free to hit my partner  and me () up on Twitter with standard league questions, or any other questions you may have.  You can also use and abuse the comments section below as well or shoot us an .

 

Quick Hits – LeSean McCoy continues to see huge workloads in the running game, and the Bears’ run defense is a shadow of its former self.  Look for another big game from McCoy, who has quickly elevated himself to one of the league’s top running backs … Frank Gore continues to be an indomitable force.  With over 125 yards and a touchdown in 4 straight, he continues to reward those who were willing to take a shot on him … Michael Turner should see 25+ touches against a horrendous Colts defense, enough said … It’s shaping up like Ryan Mathews will be out, making Tolbert a RB1 all the way.  He’ll see plenty of carries, and a lot of passes his way.  PPR Gold … With Darren McFadden also looking like a week 9 casualty, Michael Bush is also set up for a big day.  Taiwan Jones is worth a look as a flex if you’re really hurting at running back.  The flashy rookie should see 10+ touches … LeGarrette Blount couldn’t come back at a better time, now that Earnest Graham has been lost to IR.  Rumor has it Blount will see some work as the 3^rd down back, making him an even bigger asset in PPR leagues … Demarco Murray was impressive last week until the Cowboys got away from the run.  Temper your expectations though, as the Cowboys will likely take to the air against Seattle … Rashard Mendenhall has struggled this year, and has historically struggled against the Ravens.  Owners will have to hope he finds the endzone to have a decent day … Cedric Benson comes back from his 1-game suspension, and the Bengals have never shied away from giving him the ball 20+ times when he’s healthy … BenJarvus Green-Ellis put up a stinker last week, but the Patriots were behind for most of the game.  With the Giants’ run defense stuggling, this is a week for him to get it going.  Kevin Faulk should also see enough work on 3^rd downs to make him a low-end flex play … Chris Johnson sucks.  You’re pretty much forced to plug him in, hoping for that breakout game, but I’ve lost all faith … Against an Oakland team allowing 4.6 ypc, McGahee is a decent option provided he’s active.  With a bum hand though, he’s not going to see any passes his way.  Moreno is low-end RB2 if McGahee is for some reason held out … It’s looking like Mark Ingram will once again be out, making Pierre Thomas a solid RB2 … Don’t trust Torain at all this week.  The 49ers have given up the fewest rushing yards this year, and Torain is not a pass-catching back.  Helu has more upside in this one if you’re out of RB options on your roster.

 

Rank	Player	Opponent	Status
1	Arian Foster, HOU	CLE
2	LeSean McCoy, PHI	CHI	Q (Illness)
3	Matt Forte, CHI	@PHI
4	Fred Jackson, BUF	NYJ
5	Frank Gore, SF	@WAS
6	Michael Turner, ATL	@IND
7	Steven Jackson, STL	@ARI
8	Ray Rice, BAL	@PIT
9	Mike Tolbert, SD	GB	If Mathews out
10	Darren McFadden, OAK	DEN	Q (Foot)
11	Beanie Wells, ARI	STL	Q (Knee)
12	Michael Bush, OAK	DEN	If Mcfadden out
13	Peyton Hillis, CLE	@HOU	Q (Hamstring)
14	Darren Sproles, NO	TB
15	LeGarrette Blount, TB	@NO	P (Knee)
16	Demarco Murray, DAL	SEA
17	Pierre Thomas, NO	TB	If Ingram Out
18	Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG	@NE	Q (Foot)
19	Ryan Mathews, SD	GB	Q (Groin)
20	Cedric Benson, CIN	@TEN
21	Brandon Jacobs, NYG	@NE	If Bradshaw out
22	Rashard Mendenhall, PIT	BAL
23	Shonn Greene, NYJ	@BUF
24	BenJarvus Green-Ellis, NE	NYG	Q (Toe)
25	Jackie Battle , KC	MIA
26	James Starks, GB	@SD
27	Chris Johnson, TEN	CIN
28	Willis McGahee, DEN	@OAK	Q (Hand)
29	Daniel Thomas, MIA	@KC	Q (Hamstring)
30	Joseph Addai, IND	ATL	P (Hamstring)
31	Knowshon Moreno, DEN	@OAK	If McGahee out
32	Javon Ringer, TEN	CIN
33	Reggie Bush, MIA	@KC
34	LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ	@BUF
35	Taiwan Jones, OAK	DEN	If McFadden out
36	Ryan Grant, GB	@SD
37	Roy Helu, WAS	SF
38	Mark Ingram, NO	TB	Q (Knee)
39	Kevin Faulk , NE	NYG	Q (Knee)
40	Ben Tate, HOU	CLE	P (Ankle)
41	Danny Ware, NYG	@NE	If Bradshaw out
42	Ryan Torain, WAS	SF
43	Delone Carter, IND	ATL
44	Dexter McCluster, KC	MIA
45	Felix Jones, DAL	SEA
46	Marshawn Lynch, SEA	@DAL
47	Marion Barber, CHI	@PHI
48	Kendall Hunter, SF	@WAS
49	Lance Ball , DEN	@OAK	If McGahee out
50	Bernard Scott, CIN	@TEN
51	Donald Brown, IND	ATL
52	Chris Ogbonnaya, CLE	@HOU
53	Leon Washington , SEA	@DAL
54	Jacob Hester , SD	GB	If Mathews out
55	Isaac Redman, PIT	BAL
56	Ricky Williams, BAL	@PIT
57	C.J. Spiller, BUF	NYJ
58	Cadillac Williams, STL	@ARI
59	Toby Gerhart, MIN	BYE