It's not exactly breaking news that Fantasy managers need to plan to be without Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins on Sunday. With his production, you could argue we've been without Ingram all season long. But with James Conner's reported positive test Sunday and Lamar Jackson's earlier positive, we have to at least consider the possibility we'll be without Gus Edwards as well.
If the Ravens and Steelers play Tuesday night as now planned, Edwards is a No. 2 running back. Benny Snell now becomes important if that game is played. But that still feels like a big if. Fortunately for Fantasy managers, there are backs available on the waiver wire we project for large roles. The first is our old friend Frank Gore.
As Adrian Peterson showed on Thanksgiving, age is not a good enough reason to avoid a player. Gore has double-digit carries in all but two games this season, and with Lamical Perine on IR, Gore should be closer to 20 carries than 10. His matchup isn't a good one, but with that type of volume, Gore is a borderline top-30 back this week.
There will be other options besides Gore, but you may have to wait until Sunday morning to figure out who they are. And they probably won't get as many touches as the veteran.
It's going to be very difficult to fade Dalvin Cook this week, but Jacobs is $3,000 cheaper on FanDuel in an excellent spot. The Raiders have an implied total of 29.5, which is tied with the Bills for the largest on the slate. We just have to make sure he's healthy.
