Forte Out, Barber In

Chicago running back Matt Forte sprained his right MCL Sunday in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Forte is expected to miss two to four weeks which will leave fantasy owners scrambling for a replacement.

Analysis: Marion Barber carried the rock thirteen times Sunday against the Chiefs. Although he only managed forty-four rushing yards, his fantasy outlook going forward looks solid. He now has double digit carries in back to back weeks and four in nine games this year. He also has a surprising five touchdowns in those nine games and expect more over the next few weeks. He definitely isn’t a threat to catch the ball but he should have even more of a monopoly on the rock in goal line situations.

Other possible replacements don’t make as much sense nor do they have the touchdown potential of Marion Barber. Kansas City’s Thomas Jones has carried the ball twenty-nine times in his past two contests but he only has seventy-three yards to show for it. Donald Brown is still widely available and he has at least fourteen carries in four consecutive games.

PPR Help- Dexter McCluster

With an impressive eight carry and six reception game against Denver Sunday, Dexter McCluster will be attracting even more fantasy attention this week.

Analysis: Dexter McCluster carried the rock eight times Sunday, four more times than Thomas Jones who could only manage just four yards on the day. McCluster’s eight targets were three more than rookie Jon Baldwin and one more than Dwayne Bowe. McCluster is now averaging nearly eight carries per game over his last four contests and his twenty-nine receptions on the year is top ten among all fantasy qualified backs this season. McCluster isn’t going to win any PPR fantasy leagues by himself but his touches should remain solid as Thomas Jones continues to fall out of favor in Kansas City.

It appears that McCluster is finding a niche in the KC offense since Jamaal Charles went down and considering Jackie Battle doesn’t have the best of hands, McCluster is becoming a huge asset in their offense. Even though it is unlikely that the Chiefs will make the playoffs coming off of homes losses to Miami and Denver, they remain just one game back of Oakland. If they are to make a playoff push, Dexter McCluster will have to be on the end of more touches.

Value Down- Marshawn Lynch

After his playoff run against the Saints it was clear Marshawn Lynch was sure to be one overrated fantasy back this season.

Analysis: Lynch did just play a game against Pittsburgh so we can forgive his lack of numbers this week but we cannot forgive Seattle’s lack of commitment to a ground game over the past year. Lynch has just nineteen carries through two games for just forty-four yards. In fact, Lynch has only amassed 1,187 rushing yards in his last twenty-nine games. He was rated in the thirty range among running backs and he will not live up to even a low tier RB3. It’s time to start looking at backs who carry the rock more considering Seattle has ran the ball 17.5 times per game this year, that just isn’t going to cut it in the fantasy world.

Going forward in the search for back who offers a bit of upside down the road, keep an eye on Delone Carter. Thomas Jones becomes a must add with the injury to Charles in KC. Lynch was never going to have a RB3 year and it’s a shame so many believed the hype from one playoff run.