The brutal slate of Week Two video games took a toll on many backfields, however none have been hit more durable than the New York Giants, who misplaced famous person RB Saquon Barkley to a torn ACL. On Tuesday, the Giants positioned Barkley on the injured reserve checklist and did what a number of groups earlier than them failed to do that season, come to phrases with veteran RB Devonta Freeman. The previous Falcon inked a deal that might pay him as much as $three million this season. Freeman now joins RBs Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman, each of whom are extra suited to be pass-catching backs. That makes Freeman the favourite to steer the Giants in dashing this season, although, given the general struggles of the Giants’ offense by means of two video games, that won’t provide a lot upside to fantasy managers. Count on Lewis to see the majority of the work this week as Freeman goes by means of COVID testing after which should study a brand new offense on the fly, however the latter ought to take over this backfield within the close to future.

The Giants aren’t the one workforce whose backfield state of affairs modified as of Week Two.

Carolina Panthers

Whereas not fairly as critical as Barkley’s damage, RB Christian McCaffrey can be anticipated to overlook a while, as a lot as six weeks, with a excessive ankle sprain. McCaffrey suffered the damage late in Sunday’s sport so it’s considerably unclear how the Panthers will deal with the backfield in his absence, although veteran RB Mike Davis is the subsequent man up. Davis matched career-highs with eight receptions on eight targets on Sunday and figures to be a flex-worthy possibility in PPR leagues. Trenton Cannon is the present RB3 however hasn’t had a carry since 2018. McCaffrey’s prime backup final 12 months was RB Reggie Bonnafon, who’s at present on the Panthers’ apply squad and could possibly be added to the energetic roster.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have already been hit exhausting with accidents as they attempt to defend their NFC crown and issues bought even worse in Week Two. Along with QB Jimmy Garoppolo and a pair of defensive stars, Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas happening to damage, the Niners additionally misplaced a pair of operating backs. Each Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman suffered accidents that despatched them out of the sport and has their short-term future unsure. Each will definitely miss Week Three whereas Coleman is anticipated to be out “a number of weeks.” As they did final week, San Fran will flip to RB Jerick McKinnon, lastly wholesome after two missed seasons. McKinnon has already produced a pair of RB2 video games within the first two weeks of the season and will see nearly all of the work this week. Purple-zone specialist RB Jeff Wilson also needs to anticipate his utilization to extend whereas rookie RB JaMycal Hasty could possibly be added from the apply squad. The workforce additionally labored out free agent RB Paul Perkins, amongst others.

Los Angeles Rams

Just like the 49ers, the Rams additionally misplaced a pair of operating backs in Week Two as rookie Cam Akers left early with a rib damage and veteran RB Malcolm Brown harm his finger. That left RB Darrell Henderson, who the Rams teaching employees reportedly wished on the sphere extra, with the backfield to himself. Henderson responded with a formidable all-around efficiency, totaling 121 yards on 14 touches. Fortuitously for the Rams, neither Brown nor Akers’ damage is taken into account critical and each might play this week. Henderson might have earned a bigger position within the offense shifting ahead, even when all are absolutely wholesome.

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Indianapolis Colts

We knew the Colts’ backfield would look completely different following the Week One lack of RB Marlon Mack, who will miss the rest of the season. After Mack left the sport, rookie RB Jonathan Taylor and RB Nyheim Hines shared the work nearly equally. Taylor is clearly the extra gifted runner whereas Hines has flashed as a pass-catcher all through his profession. All of that made what occurred Sunday an excellent greater shock as Hines hardly noticed the sphere and Taylor dominated the work. The rookie had 28 touches for 110 yards and now seems to be like a top-five fantasy possibility shifting ahead. Hines even fell behind RB Jordan Wilkins primarily based on snaps and touches, although he might nonetheless see a task shifting ahead.

Story continues

New York Jets

That is hardly even fantasy soccer related, however the Jets handled some backfield modifications in Week Two as nicely. Beginning RB Le’Veon Bell landed on the injured reserve checklist with a hamstring damage. That left veteran RB Frank Gore to start out and he rushed 21 instances for 63 yards in opposition to the workforce that drafted him, San Francisco. Rookie RB Lamical Perine noticed the primary work of his profession and RBs Josh Adams and Kalen Ballage noticed minimal taking part in time as nicely. Clearly, this can be a state of affairs for fantasy gamers to keep away from.

Washington Soccer Workforce

Washington was the one workforce on this checklist not coping with a backfield damage. As a substitute, we witnessed the subsequent step within the long-term plan. The pre-season launch of veteran RB Adrian Peterson signaled that Washington was able to roll with versatile rookie RB Antonio Gibson as their lead again. That plan didn’t go nicely in Week One and veteran RB Peyton Barber took over and scored a pair of touchdowns. In Week Two, Barber had only one carry whereas Gibson scored his first profession landing. There’s nonetheless loads of room for Gibson to develop as he managed 52 complete yards on 14 touches, however it’s now clear that he’ll get that chance to play by means of the rising pains.