ClutchPoints
With Week 8 of the NFL and Fantasy Football season already here, fantasy managers are scrambling to mend their starting lineups during another frantic bye week across the league. The Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks will all be off, leaving some serious fantasy gaps with critical players absent. We’ll be taking a look at all the running back streaming options for Fantasy Football Week 8.
Aside from key players like Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty, and Rams’ Kyren Williams absent this week, Week 7 saw a number of key injuries at the position. Bears’ D’Andre Swift is ‘questionable,’ but likely to make the start. Jets’ RB Breece Hall also carries an injury designation, but practiced fully on Friday. Saints’ Kendre Miller officially hit IR this week and Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving continues to miss practice.
Still, the season must go on and fantasy managers are hard-pressed to find replacements for an already volatile position. Still, the RB slot is one of the most important in all of fantasy, so here are some streaming options to help you get through this week.
All players are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues
Kyle Monangai, RB (CHI) – Rostered in 36.6% of leagues
Bruising RB2 Kyle Monangai had the best game of his young career in the Chicago Bears’ Week 7 win over the Saints, carrying the ball 13 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in two passes and turned in a very solid 17.3 fantasy points as lead back D’Andre Swift rested throughout the fourth quarter.
While D’Andre Swift fully retains his role here, he is listed as ‘questionable’ and was limited in practice this week. If head coach Ben Johnson decides to err on the side of caution, we could see Monangai receive an increased workload in relief. Ben Johnson was fruitful with using both of his running backs while with the Detroit Lions, so Monangai could emerge as a potential FLEX option.
Tyjae Spears, RB (TEN) – Rostered in 35% of leagues
After missing the first four weeks due to injury, Tyjae Spears hasn’t been able to make a big impact with the limited ceiling of this Titans’ offense. Lead back Tony Pollard has had a firm grip on the starting role, but it’s worth noting that Week 7 saw his fewest total in carries at just six. While the Titans were trailing and had to resort to their passing game, it was alarming to see Pollard with such decreased opportunities.
This could open the door for Spears to make an impact, posting five carries and three receptions in his last game. Furthermore, Tony Pollard managers should certainly stash him as an emergency policy or if he’s somehow able to emerge as a passing option.
Justice Hill, RB (BAL) – Rostered in 24.2% of leagues
With the Baltimore Ravens coming off their Week 7 bye and quarterback Lamar Jackson likely returning...
