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With Week 7 of the NFL season having come and gone, there's more uncertainty at running back now than ever before this year. That's because of several more injuries to starting running backs have left several backfield up for grabs.
Colts RB Trent Richardson, Lions RB Reggie Bush, Saints RB Pierre Thomas and Bills RBs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson all either suffered injuries or re-aggravated previous injuries during their Week 7 games. The last thing you need is to lack a quality RB in your lineup when Week 8 rolls around.
Here's a look at this week's top RB adds in fantasy football.
Bills RB Anthony Dixon
The Bills were hit hard on the injury front this week as both of their top backs went down with injury. CJ Spiller suffered a broken collarbone, while Fred Jackson was carted off the field after injuring his groin. It's unknown how long each guy will miss, but it's safe to assume neither will play in Week 8 vs. the New York Jets.
With those two out, Anthony Dixon had 13 carries for 51 yards in Sunday's Week 7 win over the Vikings. He plodded his way to 3.9 yards per carry, but showed good power between the tackles. With Spiller and Jackson sidelined, Dixon will likely be the featured back initially with Bryce Brown getting some backup snaps.
Though Brown is the more talented back, head coach Doug Marrone trusts Dixon more, and Brown has been inactive for every game this season. Dixon should be picked up in leagues of 12+ teams, but it will be hard to play him against a tough Jets run defense in Week 8.
Still, you can't ever pass up a chance to add a starting RB.
Saints RB Mark Ingram
The saints lost starting RB Pierre Thomas in the second half of their loss to the Lions. Thomas injured his shoulder following a third-quarter reception and stayed down for several moments before heading to the locker room.
With him out much of the contest, Mark Ingram returned from his wrist injury and rushed 10 times for 16 yards vs. arguably the NFL's best run defense. He added 13 yards on two catches.
Despite the struggles, Ingram was getting a lot of early-down work before Thomas even got hurt, and looks set to have a starting role again, just as he held before the injury.
With the Packers and their NFL-worst run defense (allowing 154.5 yards per game), Ingram is someone you need to pick up and start this week.
Lions RB Joique Bell
Though Reggie Bush returned from an ankle injury in Week 7, it was clear he wasn't close to being himself. Head coach Jim Caldwell said Bush's ankle was still bugging him during Sunday's win over the Saints, and he finished with just nine touches and didn't play very much in the second half.
Joique Bell got the bulk of the carries, rushing 18 times for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Saints. He added 19 yards in the passing game,The Falcons are on deck next week, and their allowing the most fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Pick him up and monitor Bush's status next week. If bush doesn't play, Bell is a high RB 2. Even if Bush plays, Bell is still a worthy flex play.
Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon
It looks as though Jerick McKinnon is now firmly entrenched as the No. 1 RB in Minnesota. He had 19 carries for 103 yards in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Bills. For the second week in a row, McKinnon remained the starter over Matt Asiata, who finished with just seven touches.
McKinnon broke off a pair of impressive 20-yard runs and was the featured player on offense. He is the only running back to rush for over 100 yards on the Bills this year.
With games against poor run defenses in Tampa, Washington, Chicago, and Green Bay up next, McKinnon is in for a breakout month of November.