In fantasy football, smart managers don’t just chase starters; they stash the backups who could become league-winners overnight, and Week 14 has fewer options than usual for starting backs due to the bye week teams.
With the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots all on bye, hopefully, managers have backup options at running back to fall back on. This week, there are fewer injuries to monitor, as you are likely starting your studs right before the playoff push.
Here’s your Week 14 handcuff RB rankings, spotlighting the most valuable insurance policies and upside plays.
Injury Watch
Handcuff: Kimani Vidal
Injury Status: Injured Reserve (limited in Practice due to ankle). The deadline to be activated is Saturday.
Starter: Omarion Hampton
Although Omarion Hampton has returned to practice, it is still unclear if he will be activated from injured reserve and play on Monday. But even if he does, the rookie will likely split snaps with Kimani Vidal against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have shown out every other week for the Los Angeles Chargers. Philly was just gashed on the ground by the Chicago Bears, so this could be a decent matchup for Vidal if Hampton is out, but if he is in, both could be in flex-consideration. Monitor this situation, especially if you have to start someone on Sunday.
Handcuff: Michael Carter (Bam Knight- Limited due to knee, Emeri Demercado- Questionable due to ankle)
Injury Status: Injured Reserve (Limited in Practice due to knee)
Starter: Trey Benson (Out)
With Trey Benson out again for the Arizona Cardinals, it is more likely that he gets shut down for the season on I.R. That leaves Bam Knight and Michael Carter leading the way again, as Emeri Demercado was ruled out again as well. Both could be desperation starts, but it is better if you go elsewhere, as this is a bad matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Still, Knight, with his goal-line usage, is a good stash for the playoffs with a good schedule.
Top 10 Pure Handcuff Rankings
I only included running backs who are in defined backup roles to a known starter, so backs in ambiguous split or trio backfields I didn’t include for this list. Also, players like the backfield trio are essentially seeing enough time as part-time starters themselves and have RB 2/3 or, at worst, flex appeal as a starter, so they are not in this list either. Players on bye weeks, I didn’t include either for this list. This is in no specific order.
- Jordan Mason (Aaron Jones Active)
- Samaje Perine
- Tyler Allgeier
- Jerome Ford (Dylan Sampson questionable)
- Isaiah Davis
- Emanuel Wilson
- Blake Corum
- Ollie Gordon II
- Rachaad White/ Sean Tucker
- Bhayshul Tuten
Players In Split or Ambiguous Backfields
- Kareem Hunt/ Isaiah Pacheco
- Tyjae Spears/ Tony Pollard
- D’Andre Swift/ Kyle Monangai
- Zach Charbonnet/ Kenneth Walker III
- Jaylen Warren/ Kenneth Gainwell
- Chris Rodriguez/ Jeremy McNichols/ Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Woody Marks (Active)/ Nick Chubb
While Woody Marks has gotten the touches, he has gotten hurt or banged up in the last few games, so the veteran Nick Chubb might be an ok start this week over the rookie for the Houston Texans. The veteran back will have to score to pay off against a tough Kansas City Chiefs run defense.
This could be the Chris Rodriguez game against the Minnesota Vikings, as the return of Jayden Daniels helps the Washington Commanders‘ run game. Hopefully, we get some clarity on the lead back, as whoever starts has a good playoff schedule, so one of these backs could be a good stash for the next few weeks.
