The best running back in the National Football League is on bye this week. And that’s bad news for about 10 percent of the nation’s fantasy football teams.
Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor is in the running for NFL Most Valuable Player, along with New England quarterback Drake Maye, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and a few others. He’s on pace for 25 touchdowns and could make a run at 2,000 yards for the AFC-leading Colts.
So many fantasy league leaders need a RB replacement for this week, and there aren’t many decent prospects left. Here’s the best you could probably do this week:
Sean Tucker (Buccaneers) — He has taken a bigger share of the workload since Bucky Irving’s injury. Over the past two games he has 21 rushes for 95 yards and one TD, outshining Tampa’s presumed No. 2 back, Rachaad White. And the Bills’ run defense he’ll see this week stinks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Tyler Allgeier (Falcons) — Bijan Robinson is Atlanta’s star back, but this fellow is getting most of the goal-line work. This former Brigham Young standout tallied 11 carries for 57 yards and two TDs last Sunday.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Dave Shopland/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Emari Demercado (Cardinals) — With all of Arizona’s injuries, Demercado is probably now their best backfield option. He topped 100 yards last week on only seven touches, and he’ll get much more work than that if Zonovan Knight is still hobbled this week.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) lunges at Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Devin Singletary (Giants) — The former New York starter is getting more work since Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury. He had 11 touches last week for 73 yards. And since he’s still scoreless this season, he’s certainly due.
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) reacts after getting a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Blake Corum (Rams) — The former Michigan Wolverine is getting an increased workload for one of the league’s top offenses. Over the past three weeks he has 38 carries for 151 yards. He’ll see more work as Rams try to lighten workload for Kyren Williams.
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Sitting stars
Sure, it’s almost sacrilege, but we wouldn’t count on Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes against Denver with so many good QB options on waivers this week. … Same goes for Detroit’s Jared Goff versus that Philly defense. … The running will be tough for the Jets’ Breece Hall against New England and Rams’ Kyren Williams versus Seattle. … Vikings WR Jordan Addison will lose more market share to teammate Jalen Nailor against Chicago. … Now that Keenan Allen set the Chargers’ career receiving record, he’ll have a quiet week against the Jaguars. … And as bad as Packers QB Jordan Love looked Monday night against the Eagles, he won’t look a whole lot better against the Giants.
Buffalo Bills defensive ends Greg Rousseau, right, Michael Hoecht (55) and Joey Bosa (97) sack Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Matchup game
Packers will need to run to rebound against the Giants, and Josh Jacobs will have a big game. … Other RBs who will shine this week are Carolina’s Rico Dowdle vs. Atlanta and Steelers’ Jaylen Warren vs. Bengals. … Eagles will need WR A.J. Brown to regain his mojo in shootout against Detroit. … Taking advantage of meager pass defenses will be Arizona WR Marvin Harrison Jr. versus depleted Niners and Raiders tight end Brock Bowers against Dallas. … Also feasting on poor defenses will be two under-the-radar QBs: Cincinnati’s Joe Flacco versus Pittsburgh and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa facing the Commanders in Spain.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles,, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Injury watch
The big injury this week was Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, making a disappointing season even worse. … Could this be the week Brock Purdy returns as the 49ers’ QB? … The long list of questionables includes three running backs (Denver’s J.K. Dobbins, Patriots’ Tre’Veyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson), seven pass catchers (Rams’ Davante Adams, Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden. Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley, New England’s Kayshon Boutte, Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas, Buffalo TE Dalton Kincaid) and three quarterbacks (Houston’s C.J. Stroud, Vegas’ Geno Smith and the Giants’ Jaxson Dart).
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) in action against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Brad Penner/AP Images for Panini)
Deepest sleeper
Among many surprises for first-place New England is wide receiver Mack Hollins. The eight-year veteran had six catches for 106 yards last Sunday, and he led the Patriots with 10 targets in their victory over Tampa Bay. He’ll be busy again Thursday night against what’s left of the New York Jets’ defense.
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) makes a catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
The Thursday pick
Jets at Patriots (-11½)
Pick: Patriots by 17
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) scrambles for yardage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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