A trio of backfield situations returns from last week’s piece due to the need to re-evaluate playing time and usage outlooks for the parties involved going forward. Those situations are joined by a highly productive backfield mix from Week 2, a running-back situation featuring a popular RB2 who was outrushed by his sophomore teammate, and an NFC South backfield with an underwhelming lead rusher whose leash could be shortening with another solid showing from his backup.

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Buccaneers last week at Panthers, this week vs. Giants

Tampa Bay featured a full-blown RBBC in Week 1, and Jones looked the best of the bunch. The second-year back’s reward for flashing the most potential in the opener was taking a clear backseat to Barber in the Week 2 Thursday Night Football contest. Barber carried the ball 23 times for 82 rushing yards and a touchdown, and he secured his only target for seven receiving yards. Barber remains an inefficient back who can post flex or low-end RB2 numbers when he receives a hefty volume of work, but he is who he is at this point.

Jones posted a bagel in the receiving categories while rushing only four times for nine yards. He has more upside than Barber, but after looking like a player who could quickly emerge as a reliable low-end RB2 and safe-ish flex in Week 1, he’s more of a stash who can’t be used presently. Ogunbowale caught his only target for nine yards, and he hasn’t rushed the ball yet this season. He shouldn’t be rostered.

49ers last week at Bengals, this week vs. Steelers

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, a team coached by Kyle Shanahan posted huge numbers on the ground. This isn’t new territory for a Shanahan offense, but neither is a split of work among the parties in the backfield. Tevin Coleman was out, but Breida was still limited to only 12 carries — albeit for a team-high 121 rushing yards — and one reception for 11 receiving yards. Breida rolled for the most rushing yards in Week 2, but it was actually Mostert who led the way in playing time and yards from scrimmage. Mostert rumbled for 83 rushing yards on 13 carries and reeled in three of four targets for 68 receiving yards and a score through the air.

But wait, that’s not where the playing-time split ends! Wilson also carried the ball 10 times for 34 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Both of Wilson’s rushing touchdown’s came from inside Cincinnati’s five-yard line. He appears to be the goal-line back. All three backs are cannibalizing one another’s value, but Mostert and Breida are flex plays at the least or low-end RB2 options depending on league size and alternatives for gamers rostering them. Wilson, meanwhile, is a touchdown-or-bust deep-league flex option or injury fill-in streamer at running back.

Seahawks last week at Steelers, this week vs. Saints

Carson remains a top-flight RB2, but gamers relying on him can’t feel quite as comfortable as they were this time a week ago. Penny actually led the team with 62 rushing yards, and he scored the team’s only rushing touchdown on an impressive 37-yard scamper. Seattle’s first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft added a reception for three yards on his only target, and he even received rushing work on Seattle’s final drive. Carson led the way with 15 carries, though, for 60 rushing yards and was once again a key cog in the passing attack with three receptions on three targets for 27 receiving yards. However, he did lose a fumble, and that’s a quick way to end up in the doghouse. On the plus side, he did receive the last carry of the game for the Seahawks and is still entrenched atop the depth chart. Don’t push the panic button on Carson yet, but the Penny stock behind him is on the rise — bad pun obviously intended.

Bears last week at Broncos, this week at Redskins

Montgomery — or perhaps head coach Matt Nagy — drew the ire of fantasy gamers in Week 1 when the rookie back touched the ball only seven times (six carries and one reception). In Week 2, his 18 carries were more than double Cohen’s (four carries) and Davis’ (three carries) combined. Cordarrelle Patterson rushed twice for 50 yards, and Taylor Gabriel contributed 14 rushing yards on a rush, too. However, it was Montgomery leading the way with 62 rushing yards and a touchdown, but he was a limited contributor through the air with one reception for six yards on three targets.

Anthony Miller was back out of the doghouse and played 52% of Chicago’s offensive snaps, and that allowed Cohen to return to his normal role. He parlayed four carries into 18 rushing yards and secured two of his five targets for seven receiving yards. Yuck. He also didn’t score. Even in PPR leagues, he’s little more than a risky flex. Davis should be rostered in only large leagues with deep benches, as he needs an injury or two ahead of him to have a prominent role, and he’s more “just a guy” than game-changing talent.

Chiefs last week at Raiders, this week vs. Ravens

Williams and McCoy came out of last week’s game a bit nicked up, but beat writer for Chiefs Digest Matt Derrick tweets neither injury seems to be serious.

The Chiefs were optimistic after the game McCoy didn’t suffer serious injury. Damien Williams’ knee contusion also not expected to be serious. https://t.co/xd3kktRKEU

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) September 17, 2019

Having said that, it would behoove gamers relying on either back to keep tabs on practice reports and updates throughout the week. Williams rushed for a paltry eight yards on nine carries, but he avoided a total flop by catching three of five targets for 48 receiving yards. He didn’t add a touchdown this week, though. Shady rushed for only 23 yards on 11 carries, and he, remarkably, caught all three of his targets for zero yards. This is a committee situation that would render both bench options on a normal offense, but Kansas City’s high-octane offense pushes both into risky flex territory. The inability of either Williams or Shady to ball out not only keeps this a committee situation, but it also keeps Thompson’s stash status intact for a little longer. Gamers still holding out hope for Thompson who have been ravaged by injury can cut the rookie back, but, otherwise, he’s a viable hold.

Falcons last week vs. Eagles, this week at Colts

I was enamored with Freeman entering the year after the club spent a pair of first-round picks on the offensive line. Freeman’s face planted through two weeks. He rushed for only 19 yards on eight carries in Atlanta’s blowout loss in Minnesota in Week 1, and then he rushed for just 22 yards on 11 carries in the Sunday Night Football game against the Eagles in Week 2. He’s caught three passes in each of the season’s first two weeks on identical target totals of four in each game, but he’s netted a modest 54 receiving yards. He’s also yet to reach pay dirt. In all, he has only 95 yards from scrimmage with zero scores through two games.

Smith, on the other hand, has flashed with 63 rushing yards on 10 carries and three receptions for 22 receiving yards this season. He looked especially impressive on the following 28-yard run against the Eagles.

Those cuts ✂️@ItoSmith
📺: NBCpic.twitter.com/e3qNiLQpUT

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 16, 2019

Gamers who spent an early pick on Freeman are stuck in the unenviable position of holding or selling at — at best — 50 cents on the dollar. Holding is advisable for gamers who aren’t stuck in an 0-2 hole out of the chute, but patience might not be an option for winless teams. Smith is widely available and a priority add and stash in all but the shallowest of leagues.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.