While this is my 2024 Week 6 RB Handcuff Report, in last week’s RB handcuff report I wrote about Rhamondre Stevenson’s job security because of his lack of ball security skills. As Week 5 kickoff approached the New England Patriots announced that Stevenson’s RB handcuff, Antonio Gibson, would get the start at RB. 

 

 

 

Gibson may have gotten the start, but Stevenson finished Week 5 as the Patriots RB that you’ll want to put in your fantasy football lineup in Week 6. He finished the week with 89 rushing yards (7.4 yards per carry), a TD and four catches. It’s a good lesson for all of us fantasy football managers. 

The Pats made it seem that they were “punishing” Stevenson for his fumbling issues, but they didn’t actually bench him. They realize that they’re a better team with him on the field and it was all just a bunch of coach-speak.

Fantasy Football NFL Week 6 Running Back Handcuff Report

Prior to Week 5, Alexander Mattison was expected to have a bigger role in the Las Vegas Raiders’ backfield. However, with Zamir White (groin) being ruled out Mattison’s role changed from RB handcuff to lead RB. Unfortunately, he wasn’t up to the task, rushing 15 times for just 38 yards, an average of 2.5 yards per carry (YPC). 

He was eventually replaced by Ameer Abdullah (5 carries for 42 yards, 8.4 YPC) but I’m not sure if Mattison was replaced because the Raiders were being blown out by the Broncos and the Raiders wanted to protect him from being injured, or if Abdullah is now considered White’s backmate for this 2024 Week 6 RB Handcuff Report. 

Until we get more clarity regarding the Raiders’ RB depth chart their backfield should be avoided for fantasy football purposes.

 

 

 

How To Find The Best RB Handcuffs

Speaking of NFL backfields that are unusable for fantasy football, Cleveland Browns RBs Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman each had nine carries in Week 5. Ford played more snaps (36) than Foreman (21), but Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines are both practicing again this week. 

According to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, head coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't ruled out Chubb, from playing in Week 6. My guess is he won’t, but you never know. If he does, there just aren’t enough carries to go around for Chubb, Ford, Foreman and Strong to be fantasy viable in Week 6. 

Devin Singletary’s RB handcuff Tyrone Tracy had an unexpected breakout game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. He rushed for 129 yards (7.2 YPC) in Week 5. Singletary (groin) was inactive in Week 5 but is practicing this week. 

Giants head coach Brian Daboll is said to be very fond of Singletary from their days with the Bills’ organization so he’ll likely remain as the team’s primary RB and Tracy will continue to fill the Giants’ RB handcuff role. Despite Daboll’s personal feelings for Singletary, business is business so if Singletary falters Tracy proved that he’s a capable RB handcuff and he could see his role increase significantly over the next few weeks.

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (knee) is said to be doubtful for Week 6 (check on his progress this week anyway) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) is expected to be out again this week. That leaves Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward as Najee Harris’ temporary Fantasy Football Week 6 Running Back Handcuff. 

Rams RB Blake Corum leap frogged over Ronnie Rivers and appears to be Kyren Williams’ RB handcuff for now. The Rams have a bye in Week 6, but if Corum is sitting on your league’s waiver wire you can probably pick him up for a dollar and a dream.

Trey Sermon filled in nicely as Jonathan Taylor’s RB handcuff in Week 5. He rushed for a modest 38 yards, but he did score a TD and caught six passes for 25 yards. Taylor is dealing with a “mild” high ankle sprain and his status for Week 6 is not known as this article is being written. 

 

 

 

Top 5 RB Handcuffs Ahead Of NFL Week 6

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

There’s a chance that Bigsby will have standalone fantasy value this week as a Fantasy Football Week 6 Running Back Handcuff in a good matchup against the Chicago Bears. 

Bigsby had another good game in Week 5 against the Colts in which he ran for 101 yards (7.77 YPC) and scored two TDs. Bigsby played a season high 40% of the Jaguars’ offensive snaps in Week 5 and with Travis Etienne dealing with a shoulder injury he could once again have a big role in the Jaguars’ backfield in Week 6. 

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

Allgeier is another RB handcuff who could have enough fantasy production in Week 6 to help you win your weekly matchup. 

He’s got a great matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who have given up the third most rushing yards to RBs (603). Bijan Robinson has been limited due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4. Follow his progress this week.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

Bills RB James Cook (foot/toe) did not practice on Wednesday. He’s got a favorable matchup against the Jets but since it’s a Monday night game there’s plenty of time for him to get in some practices in before then. 

As we’ve mentioned previously the Bills have continued to run the ball a lot more this season so if Cook is inactive Davis could play some meaningful snaps in his place as his Fantasy Football Week 6 Running Back Handcuff.

The previous three Fantasy Football Week 6 Running Back Handcuff I mentioned have an opportunity to make some noise this week. These next two RB handcuffs could see significant playing time in Week 7. 

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones is dealing with a hip injury that he sustained in Week 5. He is considered week to week. The Vikings’ next game is against the Detroit Lions who have a very good run defense, but should Jones be inactive for that matchup, Chandler has a good chance to be the Vikings’ lead back in Week 7.  

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins

De'Von Achane was injured late in the first quarter of the Dolphins’ matchup against the Patriots in Week 5 and is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. In his first action in three weeks Raheem Mostert had 19 carries for 80 yards (4.2 YPC) against the Pats. 

Wright had 13 carries for 86 yards (6.6 YPC) in the game and proved to be an elusive back. With the Dolphins on a bye in Week 6 Achane has time to recover, but should he be inactive in Week 7, Wright could see another uptick in his snaps played as Mostert’s RB handcuff.