Welcome to the Week 17 Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Report! It’s championship week in many season-long leagues and we could see some RB handcuffs play a large role in the most important week in fantasy football. 

There’s a lot on the line so pay attention to every piece of news you can get a hold of and watch the NFL injury reports very closely as they are updated.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football NFL Week 17 Running Back Handcuff Report

Fresh off of a Week 16 performance that saw him rush for two TDs, Los Angeles Chargers RB Gus Edwards has been ruled out for Week 17 due to an ankle injury. As this article is being written J.K. Dobbins, who’s been on short term IR recovering from a knee injury, has a chance to play in Week 17. 

However, if Dobbins remains inactive, Edwards’ recent RB handcuff, Kimani Vidal, would likely play the bulk of snaps at the RB position for the Chargers. If that is the case, Hassan Haskins will be Vidal’s RB handcuff.

 

 

 

It sounds like there’s a chance that New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson could be benched in favor of his RB handcuff, Antonio Gibson due to his recent fumbling issues. 

Ironically, Gibson has had similar issues of his own in the past. He has 14 fumbles in his five-year career. JaMycal Hasty would likely be Gibson’s RB handcuff if Stevenson is in fact benched in Week 17.

There are additional NFL backfields that appear to be in flux as Week 17 approaches.

 

 

 

How To Find The Best RB Handcuffs

Tennessee Titans RB Tony Pollard is dealing with an ankle injury, and his Week 17 availability is in question. He managed to play 39% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 16 but he opened Week 17’s practice window as a non-participant. 

Should he be inactive in Week 17 Tyjae Spears, Pollard’s RB handcuff, would play the majority of offensive snaps out of the Titans’ backfield. Spears played 61% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 16 and has scored three TDs in his last two games. If Pollard is ultimately inactive in Week 17, Julius Chestnut would likely be Spears’ RB handcuff.

The Arizona Cardinals are dealing with injuries to their top two RBs and their Week 17 availability is in question. James Conner suffered a knee injury in Week 16 and had to be removed from his matchup against the Carolina Panthers. He’s been limited in practice this week. His usual RB handcuff, Trey Benson, was inactive in Week 16 due to an ankle injury. 

 

 

 

Emari Demercado is already on the IR, so if Conner and Benson are inactive in Week 17, Michael Carter, who was recently promoted from the Cardinals’ practice squad, could play a significant number of snaps against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. 

The San Francisco 49ers are hoping that Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) will be healthy enough to be active for their Monday matchup against the Detroit Lions. 

Patrick Taylor filled in for Guerendo in Week 16 and would be Guerendo’s RB handcuff if he is active in Week 17. Whoever plays the majority of snaps on Monday is going to have a tough time against the stout Lions run defense. 

 

 

 

Alvin Kamara, who was inactive in Week 16 due to a groin injury, is trying to convince Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi to let him play in Week 17. 

Watch Kamara’s progress closely this week. If he’s inactive, Kendre Miller would likely play the majority of snaps out of the Saints backfield in Week 17.

It’s a tough time of year for fantasy football RBs as the long and grueling NFL season is taking its toll on some of its biggest stars. 

Kenneth Walker was placed on IR this week leaving a very capable Zach Charbonnet as the Seattle Seahawks’ lead back. Kenny McIntosh is the best bet to be Charbonnet’s RB handcuff for the rest of the season.