We’ve reached the final four weeks of most fantasy seasons. That’s right, the fantasy playoffs begin in many leagues in just one week, making it crucial to stay up to date on current happenings around the NFL. Derrick Henry led the league in rushing for the second time in the last three weeks thanks to his continued dominance of the Jags and a long touchdown run. Rashaad Penny reminded us he still plays football with a 129-yard outburst, Leonard Fournette grabbed nine receptions as he continues to flourish, and Saquon Barkley provided another dud.
Each week, we’ll offer a look at the biggest performances, busts, timeshare situations, and storylines you need to be aware of to make the best fantasy lineup decisions possible. Let’s jump into our Running Back Roundup for Week 13!
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Week 12 Rushing Leaders
1. Derrick Henry (TEN): 159
2. Rashaad Penny (SEA): 129
3. Mark Ingram (BAL): 111
4. Devin Singletary (BUF): 106
5. Nick Chubb (CLE): 106
Week 12 Scrimmage Yards Leaders
1. Derrick Henry (TEN): 175
2. Nick Chubb (CLE): 164
3. Leonard Fournette (JAX): 159
4. Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 133
5. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): 126
Week 12 Fantasy Leaders (PPR)
1. Leonard Fournette (JAX): 36.9
2. Derrick Henry (TEN): 34.5
3. Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 34.3
4. Nick Chubb (CLE): 26.4
5. Rashaad Penny (SEA): 22.9
Week 12 Biggest Busts
1. Aaron Jones (GB): 3.8
2. David Montgomery (CHI): 5.1
3. Phillip Lindsay (DEN): 7.8
4. Joe Mixon (CIN): 7.9
5. Saquon Barkley (NYG): 8.0
Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders: 12 carries, 63 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 23 receiving yards
Jay Ajayi: 6 carries, 16 rushing yards
With Jordan Howard (shoulder) out, Ajayi re-joined the Eagles and garnered his first carries of the season. Sanders out-touched him significantly, though it’s possible Ajayi will see more work moving forward as he gets back into game shape. Howard’s return is imminent, and (as usual) Philly’s backfield is becoming muddled. Sanders is the better overall play due to his pass-catching abilities, as Howard and Ajayi are likely to cannibalize one another’s touches between the tackles and at the goal line when both are healthy.
Detroit Lions
Bo Scarbrough: 18 carries, 98 rushing yards
Ty Johnson: 4 carries, 11 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards
J.D. McKissic: 3-yard carry, 2 receptions, 17 receiving yards
Scarbrough has gone from end-of-the-bench to bona fide workhorse in a matter of weeks, as he cranked out 98 yards on 18 carries in Sunday’s loss. He’s clearly the back to own in Detroit, and he’s a prudent pickup if still hanging around on waivers. A stiff test awaits on Thanksgiving against the Bears, especially if the Lions trot out David Blough at quarterback. Temper expectations for Week 13, but Scarbrough can be confidently deployed as a flex the rest of the way.
San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert: 6 carries, 45 rushing yards, 22-yard reception, rushing TD
Tevin Coleman: 11 carries, 39 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards, rushing TD
Matt Breida didn’t suit up in Sunday’s thrashing of the Packers, and Mostert split touches nearly evenly with starter Coleman. Both scored, though it was Mostert who led the way in total scrimmage yards. He’s an elite handcuff option who would immediately handle a heavy workload for arguably the NFL’s best team should injuries occur ahead of him on the depth chart. Coleman should still be treated as an every-week RB2, but there’s plenty of work for multiple backs to do damage in San Fran.
Seattle Seahawks
Rashaad Penny: 14 carries, 129 rushing yards, rushing TD
Chris Carson: 8 carries, 26 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 31 receiving yards
Penny nearly matched his season total in rushing yards Sunday thanks to his out-of-the-blue 129-yard effort. Chris “butterfingers” Carson can’t seem to hold on to the ball, so Penny could be looking at a heavier amount of carries from here on out just for ball security. Although the second-year back has been roundly written off as a first-round bust by many fantasy players, his talent is still elite. Just 18% owned in Yahoo leagues, he needs to be a priority add this week.
Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Williams: 26 carries, 104 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 17 receiving yards, rushing TD
Nyheim Hines: 9 carries, 51 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards
Williams balled out on his 29 touches in Thursday’s loss, immediately assuming workhorse status sans Marlon Mack. His hefty workload and matching production make him a potential league-winner if you were able to pluck him off the waiver wire last week. Nyheim Hines has been elevated to a top handcuff option due to his dual-threat abilities out of the backfield. As long as Mack is out, J-Will is a must-start, with Hines providing PPR value in deeper leagues.
Washington Redskins
Derrius Guice: 10 carries, 32 rushing yards, 6-yard reception
Adrian Peterson: 10 carries, 27 rushing yards, 22-yard reception
Guice and Peterson split the touches right down the middle in Sunday’s surprising win. Peterson won the yards battle, though neither looked particularly effective running the ball behind Washington’s ramshackle offensive line. Horrendous team play has put a damper on any hope of a Guice breakout in 2019, even if he stays healthy for the final quarter of the season. Vying for a top-five pick, Washington has nothing to lose by handing Guice a large workload for the remaining four games. However, it seems like the coaching staff insists on keeping Peterson on the field. Both players need to remain on the bench unless one is definitively given the starting gig.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Benny Snell: 21 carries, 98 rushing yards, 5-yard reception
Jaylen Samuels: 2 carries, 6 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 26 receiving yards
Kerrith Whyte: 6 carries, 43 rushing yards
Snell returned from a three-game absence due to a knee injury and promptly took over duties as the lead back in Pittsburgh’s offense. He comfortably out-touched Jaylen Samuels, who looks like a safe drop with James Conner (shoulder) on the mend. Rookie Kerrith Whyte got into the fray, and he makes a fine dynasty stash with extremely limited re-draft value. Snell needs to be picked up off waivers as a solid handcuff option.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
