With a couple of RB handcuffs commanding big bucks on league waiver wires ahead of Thanksgiving Day weekend, deciding which RBs to start in Week 13 could be especially challenging for fantasy football managers. We also have a brand-new RB back to familiarize ourselves with this week. 

He’s a relatively older rookie RB who made his presence felt in Week 12 and according to reports, he sincerely has a chance to have an expanded role in Week 13. We’ve got a lot to cover in this week’s Week 13 RB Handcuff Report.   

 

 

 

Fantasy Football NFL Week 13 Running Back Handcuff Report

Sincere McCormick made his NFL debut for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 and while he only played eight snaps, he made the most of them by rushing for 33 yards on five carries and averaged 6.60 YPC. 

McCormick is a former undrafted free agent who was activated off the Raiders’ practice squad due to injuries to Alexander Mattison and Zamir White ahead of the Raiders’ matchup against the Broncos in Week 12. Ameer Abdullah played 90 percent of the Raiders’ offensive snaps and had eight carries, averaging 3.5 YPC but he’s always been more of a pass catching back. 

Raiders running backs have a very tough matchup against the Chiefs in Week 13, but it sounds like McCormick will be a bigger part of the Raiders’ offense and should at least be on your watch list. If Mattison and White are inactive in Week 13 McCormick should at least be Abdullah’s RB handcuff against the Chiefs.

 

 

 

How To Find The Best RB Handcuffs

Many fantasy managers who waited so long for Jonathon Brooks’ NFL debut were obviously disappointed when he only played five snaps and had just two carries against the Kansas City Chiefs. Perhaps the Carolina Panthers are looking to ease him back into action or they didn’t want to expose him to the Chiefs’ elite run defense but for now, Chuba Hubbard looks like he’ll remain the team’s lead back. 

Be patient, and don’t drop Brooks from your fantasy team. With Miles Sanders being placed on IR, Brooks is Hubbard’s RB handcuff and just one injury away from being the Panthers’ lead back.  

With Los Angeles Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins suffering a knee sprain on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens and expected to “miss some time”, Gus Edwards, his RB handcuff, will almost certainly take over lead duties as the teams’ early down back. Look for rookie RB Kimani Vidal to also have a larger role in the Chargers’ offense, especially on passing downs. 

If Vidal isn’t available on your league's waiver wire, Hassan Haskins might be worth a speculative add. It seems like he’s been around the league a while, but he’s only 25 years old. He averaged 5.1 YPC in his college career and is a good pass catching back.

 

 

 

Top 3 RB Handcuffs Ahead of NFL Week 13

Braelon Allen, New York Jets

Breece Hall is dealing with knee soreness and missed practice time this week. There’s a chance he might not play and if he is inactive Allen would be the Jets’ lead back. He’d have a good matchup against the Seahawks, who have given up the seventh most rushing yards to RBs this season.

Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles

There aren’t many RBs who’d be able to fill Saquon Barkley’s shoes should he miss time but based on the way the Eagles have been relying on the run this season, Gainwell should be considered one of the top RB handcuffs in fantasy football. He only has 47 carries this season but is averaging 4.66 YPC.

Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders

We need to watch the Washington Commanders backfield very closely ahead of their matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. Brian Robinson Jr., who missed Week 12 due to an ankle injury, has been practicing this week, but it’s looking like his RB handcuff, Austin Ekeler (concussion), will not be active in Week 13. If Ekeler is out, McNichols would be Robinson Jr.’s RB handcuff.