Week 11 Offenders

Bo Scarbrough

Detroit Lions

Ty Johnson was able to clear concussion protocol and suit up after carrying a questionable tag all week, but it was the Lions practice squad acquisition that led this backfield on Sunday against the Cowboys. Bo Scarbrough found the field for 49% of the Lions offensive snaps, leading both Ty Johnson (29%) and JD McKissic (23%), and looked good while doing it. Bo handled 74% of the Lions running back carries (14), and finished the day with 55 yards, 1TD, and 11.5 fantasy points. If the Lions did not fall behind in the second half, Scarbrough would have padded his stats a little more. The Lions turned to JD McKissic in the passing game, recording 3 receptions on 4 targets, with Bo recording 0 targets while the Lions were playing catch-up. Ty Johnson was an afterthought, taking his 2 carries for a measly 6 yards, making Bo one of the top adds this week. McKissic still offers low-end value in deeper PPR formats, but Ty Johnson can be dropped in most 12-team and small leagues.

Jonathan Williams

Indianapolis Colts

Per NFL Networks Ian Rapoport, Marlon Mack broke his “carry hand” and is ruled out for Thursday nights game against he Houston Texans. Depending on second opinions, we could be looking at a multi-week absence for Mack. Primary backup Jordan Wilkins was inactive on Sunday after missing practice all week with an ankle injury, paving the way for 4th year journey-man Jonathan Williams to finish with the most snaps. Jordan Wilkins practice status for this week needs to be closely monitored, if Wilkins is able to suit up I prefer him over Williams if Mack were to miss an extended period of time. Williams will presume lead duties if Wilkins can’t return from his ankle injury. The Colts are 4th in the NFL in rushing attempts per game, 4th in rushing yards per game, and 7th in yards per rush attempt. The Colts are an offense worth spending FAAB $$ or top waiver priority. Since they are playing on Thursday night we will receive practice/injury reports earlier in the week. Wilkins’ status heading into Waiver-Wednesday will determine who the higher priority add should be between two, but both are worth rostering for as long as Mack is sidelined. Nyheim Hines will maintain his role as the passing down/change of pace back and is worth an add in PPR leagues, but Williams/Wilkins will handled the early down and goal line work.

Gus Edwards

Baltimore Ravens

Nearly an even split in snaps, 33 for Mark Ingram and 29 for Edwards. Gus will be a hot add on waivers this week after erupting for 112 yards, 1TD, and 17.2 PPR points. Buyer beware! Gus Edwards only handled 26% (8) of the running back touches for Baltimore (54% Ingram) and recorded no targets in the passing game. If you’ve been following along since pre-season, then Ingram owners already have Edwards rostered before a situation like this presented itself. If Ingram were to miss any games down the stretch, Edwards has shown to be fully capable of leading this backfield. Ingram owners need to aggressively pursue acquiring Gus for the stretch run of the fantasy season and playoffs. Meaning, if you own Ingram, use your top waiver priority and spend FAAB budget to insure your starting RB. When thrusted into starting duties last season, Gus averaged 96.3 rushing yards per game down the fantasy stretch (weeks 11-16). If you do not own Ingram, then adding Gus should not be your top priority add unless you are decimated at the running back position. We need to see his touches increase in the coming weeks to trust him in a flex spot.

Gus Edwards box score eruption is a great reminder for everyone that owns a starting running back in a run heavy offense. Don’t get caught with your pants down and add your handcuff before others place waivers claims for them. Here are a few handcuffs that should be owned…Ezekiel Elliot owners need to grab Tony Pollard, Malcolm Brown for Todd Gurley owners, Alexander Mattison for Dalvin Cooks owners, Latavius Murray of Alvin Kamara, Wayne Gallman for Saquon Barkley, and Bilal Powell for Le’Veon Bell.

Under Surveillance

Qadree Ollison – ATL – Worth of an add in deeper leagues, Ollison failed to find the field enough to make it under this weeks offenders. Brian Hill still dominated snaps despite his lack-luster fantasy output, finding the field for 60% of ATLs offensive snaps to Ollison 18.5%. Qadree did find the end zone and handled 2 red zone carries within the 10 yard line. Hill averaged an uninspiring 2.0 yards per carry and might force the coaching staff to give some of additional carries to the rookie Ollison. Per NFL Networks Ian Rapaport, Devonta Freeman is expected to miss at least one more week. I warned everyone about wasting a high % of your FAAB budget or top waiver priority for Brian Hill. Prior to week 11, the Falcons ranked dead last in rush attempts per game, 4 worst rushing yards per game, and 8th worst yards per rush attempt. Ollison is a pure speculative add at this point and is only worth a $0 bid or free agent acquisition after waivers clear.

Keeping Detained

Raheem Mostert – SF – Mostert split snaps evenly with Tevin Coleman (38-38), with Matt Breida sidelined. Neither back turned in a fantasy worthy outing as the game turned into a back and forth shoutout early. Don’t chase Jeff Wilson’s 25-yard TD reception to win the game, Wilson only recorded ONE snap the entire game. Granted, he’ll earn a few more following last week heroics if Breida is sidelined an additional week. But look for Coleman and Mostert to continue leading this backfield. Coleman should be viewed as a weekly RB2/3 with RB1 upside in San Francisco run heavy offense, and Mostert is a flex option as long as Breida is out.

Jaylen Samuels – Trey Edmunds – Benny Snell – PIT – James Conner exited Thursday Night Football early in the game after reaggravating his shoulder that kept him sidelined the previous week. It was Edmunds who finished the game with the most snaps (35), compared to Jaylen Samuels (25). We’ve seen this show before and the Steelers offense as a whole does not inspire a lot of confidence for anyone considering either back in their starting lineup. Samuels only carries value in full point PPR leagues, and the Pittsburgh offense needs to prove they can sustain drives before I trust Edmunds in my starting lineups. If Conner is deemed to be out multiple weeks, Benny Snell is an interesting add as he is expected to return in 1-2 weeks. The Steelers activated RB Kerrith White from the practice squad over the weekend, which does not bode-well for Conners immediate availability. Conner would need to record a couple of full practices before we trust him in our lineups. If Conner misses time, Samuels would be considered a flex option against the bottom dwelling Cincinnati Bengals.

As always, leave your lineup questions below or you can @ me on twitter. Good luck in week 12!