There is a lot of flux within the NFL running back position heading into Week 7 and there are several running back handcuffs who have the potential to play meaningful snaps that could add to their potential fantasy production this week. Buffalo Bills RB James Cook and Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White are good examples of how quickly things change in fantasy football when it comes to the RB handcuff position.

 

 

 

They were both game time scratches and both have topflight RB handcuffs who shined in Week 6. To take it a step further, White’s handcuff’s handcuff had a breakout game and as a result he might have earned some additional playing time. It sounds confusing, but I’ll explain it all in this week’s Running Back Handcuff Report.

Fantasy Football NFL Week 7 Running Back Handcuff Report

Injuries to fantasy football RBs are an especially major concern as we head into Week 7. Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones did not practice on Wednesday and is apparently still dealing with a hip injury that he sustained in Week 5. 

Even after a bye week, the Vikings are concerned enough about Jones’ Week 7 availability that they traded for Cam Akers. Akers, who played for the Vikings last season, adds depth to their backfield but if Jones is inactive in Week 7, Ty Chandler would play the majority of snaps at the RB position. 

According to Marcel Louis-Jacques, Miami Dolphins reporter for ESPN, De’Von Achane seems like he’s getting closer to being cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol. He did practice in full on Wednesday and if he is fully healthy come game time, Achane would probably split the majority of carries with Raheem Mostert. 

Jaylen Wright has looked explosive in his limited snaps played this season. I’m hoping that this backfield doesn’t turn into a three-headed monster moving forward.

 

 

 

How To Find The Best RB Handcuffs

Speaking of potentially multi-headed backfields, we need not look any further than the Cleveland Browns. Nick Chubb has unfinished business he needs to take care of and is expected to make his season debut in Week 7. How many snaps he plays remains to be seen but his return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Browns. Jerome Ford is considered week to week because of a hamstring injury and D’Onta Foreman suffered a neck injury in practice this week. 

The way things are going, Pierre Strong might end up being the RB handcuff for the Browns this week. Depending on Chubb’s conditioning and how much of a load he can handle in Week 7, Strong Jr. could even be rotated in and out of the game as well.

San Francisco 49ers RB Jordan Mason is dealing with a bruised shoulder and although he got in a light practice on Monday, you should follow his progress as kickoff approaches. Isaac Guerendo is his RB handcuff (a handcuff to Mason, the 49ers’ OG RB handcuff?) but 49ers RBs have a very tough matchup against a very good Lions run defense. 

Rhamondre Stevenson was forced to sit out the New England Patriots’ game against the Houston Texans due to a foot injury. Stevenson didn’t practice on Wednesday and if he’s out again in Week 7 look for his RB handcuff Antonio Gibson, to be the Patriots’ lead back against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. JaMycal Hasty would be Gibson’s RB handcuff.

Speaking of the NFL’s London game and the Jaguars, keep an eye on Travis Etienne’s progress ahead of Sunday’s matchup. He is considered week to week due to a hamstring injury. Tank Bigsby, who had been surging prior to Week 6, would likely get the majority of playing time at the RB position if Etienne Jr. is inactive. D’Ernest Johnson would be Bigsby’s RB handcuff.

Tennessee Titans RB Tyjae Spears, who is Tony Pollard’s RB handcuff, is considered week to week due to a hamstring injury. If he’s inactive in Week 7, Julius Chestnut would be Pollard’s RB handcuff in his matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

 

 

 

Top 5 RB Handcuffs Ahead Of NFL Week 7

Tyler Goodson, Indianapolis Colts

Per Colts beat writer Nate Atkins, Trey Sermon, Jonathan Taylor’s (ankle) RB handcuff, is dealing with a shoulder injury. Taylor’s Week 7 status is not yet known and if he’s inactive, Goodson might be the Colts’ lead back against the Miami Dolphins. 

Goodson only has 26 NFL carries over the past two seasons but he’s averaged a gaudy 6.3 YPC and has a very good matchup against the Dolphins in Week 7. The Dolphins are giving up the third highest weekly average of PPR fantasy points (28.2) to RBs on the season. 

Salvon Ahmed, who the Colts just signed to their practice squad, could be activated for Week 7 and would be Goodson’s RB handcuff. Goodson is a good example of why it’s important to know who the handcuff to the RB handcuff is. 

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

With Gus Edwards being placed on short term IR, Vidal is J.K. Dobbins’ RB handcuff. That’s important for two reasons. The first reason is that Dobbins has a history of being injury prone. 

The second reason is that the Chargers run the ball at the third highest rate (52.40%) of any NFL team this season. Vidal made his season debut in Week 6 and played 24% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps. He only had four carries but he did catch two passes for 40 yards. One of those catches was for a TD. 

Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants

Tracy has had two straight very productive weeks playing in place of the injured Devin Singletary (groin). Tracy averaged 5.11 YPC and caught seven passes for 58 yards as the Giants’ lead back over the past two weeks. 

Singletary should reclaim his role as the Giants’ primary RB but Tracy has proven to be an important RB handcuff who could eventually have standalone fantasy value because of his ability to catch balls out of the backfield.

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs sure do have a deep RB depth chart. With Rachaad White (foot) inactive in Week 6, his OG RB handcuff Bucky Irving had a very good game. Irving, who basically has been splitting carries with White lately, rushed for 81 yards (5.18 YPC), scored a TD, and caught two passes. 

With the Bucs blowing out the Saints, Tucker carried the ball 14 times for 136 yards (9.7 YPC). He scored a rushing and a receiving TD in Week 6. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles even hinted that Tucker’s big day had him thinking about the Bucs’ backfield evolving into a three-headed monster.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

With James Cook inactive in Week 6 due to a toe injury, his RB handcuff Ray Davis rushed for 97 yards (4.9 YPC) and added three catches for 55 yards.

Toe injuries can be tricky but with the way Davis performed against the New York Jets in Week 6, the Bills can afford to let Cook take any extra time he needs to get healthy before using him in game action.