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Which running backs will shine in Week 3 for your fantasy football teams? We’ll take a look at all of them in our PPR rankings.
Week 3 of the NFL season is here and it’s time to sort through the rubble. If you’ve managed to avoid major injuries on your fantasy team(s), you are likely in a good spot to extend your lead or make an early move. Yes, we say it every year, but we’re only two weeks in and multiple early round picks are hurt and it feels bad.
The good news for running backs overall is that multiple teams are running the ball well and we’ve seen running backs leading the way in fantasy so far this season. It’s great to see J.K. Dobbins bust out, while UDFA Jordan Mason has put up big numbers in relief of Christian McCaffrey. And how about De’Von Achane. He’s been a menace as a receiver and big play maker as usual. But the leader of the pack is someone we thought had lost a step, but with OC Klint Kubiak making hay in New Orleans, Alvin Kamara has absolutely gone off. He’s been vintage Kamara, and that’s been great for his drafters.
Week 3 running back injuries
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
You already know that CMC is out with an Achilles injury, but this is just a reminder that his replacement, Jordan Mason, remains a Top 5 back and this week against a flailing Rams defense, he’s my No. 1 fantasy back.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
Pacheco fractured his fibula last week and will be out 6-8 weeks. Behind him is a confusing group for fantasy, as Carson Steele and Samaje Perine are next on the depth chart, but Kareem Hunt is coming in for a tryout as well. This is likely a situation to avoid until we know more, but as it stands, Steele should get early down/goalline work, while Perine should see receiving and backup work. Hunt is likely lost too many steps at this point, but his familiarity with the offense could get him in the mix.
Joe Mixon, Texans
Mixon suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, but the extent is still unknown. It doesn’t sound like he’ll be out a long time and there is a chance he can play this week against the Vikings, but we’re still in the dark until we see if he practices or not this week. Cam Akers would likely be his main backup, as Dameon Pierce is also nursing an ankle injury.
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks
Walker missed Week 2 with an oblique injury and his status for Week 3 against the Dolphins is in doubt. The team seemed optimistic that his injury wasn’t too bad, but he didn’t practice all week. He was listed as doubtful instead of out, but we’ll still need to see him return to practice sooner than later. Zach Charbonnet would once again take over as the lead back if Walker were to miss.
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins
Mostert missed Week 2 with a chest injury, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be out long. There is a chance he plays this week, but we’ll need to see him get in some practice reps. If he does play, he’ll likely get plenty of work with Tua Tagovailoa out and the team starting Skylar Thompson.
Week 3 running back sleepers
Tony Pollard, Titans vs. Packers
The Packers run defenses has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. Tony Pollard has looked good as the lead back in Tennessee and I don’t expect Jordan Love to be back this week. If we get Malik Willis again, the Packers shouldn’t get out to a big lead and limit the Titans running opportunities. But, even if they did, Pollard has been getting strong work as a receiver with eight receptions on ten targets. That ranks him fourth in running back targets and fifth in receptions this season, while also ranking 10th in rushing attempts.
Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks vs. Dolphins
The Dolphins will travel from Miami to Seattle for this matchup and will be without their starting quarterback. The Dolphins shouldn’t be able to get a big lead in this one, so the run game will likely be available to the Seahawks throughout. Add in the fact that Miami has given up the fourth-most PPR points to running backs, and I like whoever suits up for Seattle.
