Fantasy Index

Factoid

Attrition at running back

Not many last 16 games

The tendency in fantasy drafts is to select running backs in the first round. But the tendency in reality is for these guys to get injured or benched. As we reach the quarter mark of the sense, over half of the starting running backs in the league have already missed at least some time.

That's based on the guys we all thought would be starters when training camps opened. We view guys one way back in August, when it's for lesser, unrelated reasons that we chose one running back over another.

The reality is, once the games start, it's very difficult to latch onto a running back who's both productive and can stay in the lineup.

By my count, we're kind of down to four of those running backs (guys who have stayed healthy, and have also been productive): Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte. And of those four, Charles and McCoy have both flirted with injuries (they both left games with lesser injuries).

STARTING TAILBACKS WHEN CAMPS OPENED
ARIRashard Mendenhall
ATLSteven Jacksonthigh/hamstring
BALRay Ricehip
BUFC.J. Spillerthigh
CARDeAngelo WilliamsStewart/PUP
CHIMatt Forte
CINBenJarvus Green-Ellissharing time
CLETrent Richardsontraded
DALDeMarco Murray
DENRonnie Hillmanbenched / fumbles
DETReggie Bushknee
GBEddie Lacyconcussion
HOUArian Foster
INDVick Ballardknee
JACMaurice Jones-Drewankle
KCJamaal Charles
MIALamar Miller
MINAdrian Peterson
NEStevan Ridleybenched / fumbles
NOMark Ingramturf toe
NYGDavid Wilsonbenched / fumbles
NYJChris Ivoryhamstring
OAKDarren McFaddenhamstring
PHILeSean McCoy
PITLeVeon Bellfoot
SDRyan Mathewssharing time
SEAMarshawn Lynch
SFFrank Gore
STLDaryl Richardsonfoot
TBDoug Martin
TENChris Johnson
WASAlfred Morrisribs

Fantasy Index