If you handcuff Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, you probably hit the jackpot when Thomas Rawls exploded against the San Francisco 49ers. Lynch was expected to be in the lineup for the late afternoon game, but he was a surprise inactive when the reports were due 90 minutes before the game. If your league is 12 teams or deeper, Rawls is probably long gone on the waiver wire. He's not the only pickup in fantasy for backs with several injuries happening on Sunday.
Fantasy football waiver wire: 5 running back to target for Week 12
A lot of running backs were hurt on Sunday. We break down the fantasy implications.
Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks (owned in 34 percent of leagues)
Running back Marshawn Lynch is going to see a specialist today and he could need surgery. If Lynch needs to miss even one game, he Rawls is a must-add play. Even if Lynch is expected to return, Rawls should still be owned in all leagues because he’s now the best handcuff in fantasy right now.
Buck Allen, Baltimore Ravens (owned in 12 percent of leagues)
He's the safest pickup by far because he is almost a lock to be getting double-digit touches going forward this season. Justin Forsett is out for the year due to a broken arm and the Ravens have also lost Lorenzo Taliaferro.
The bad news on Allen is that the Ravens offense is not going to be good. Plus, they also have a tough schedule coming up. Allen should be owned in all leagues, but Rawls’ upside makes him the better pickup.
Shaun Draughn, San Francisco 49ers (owned in 17 percent of leagues)
He wasn't great or anything on Sunday, but the touches were there in a sub-par matchup. Against the Seattle Seahawks, Draughn touched the ball 20 times for 77 total yards. He doesn't have a good matchup this week against the Arizona Cardinals, but it gets a lot better after that with the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns in Week 13 and 14.
Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs (owned in 8 percent of leagues)
Running back Charcandrick West is day-to-day, so Ware might not have much value going forward. If West is going to miss time, Ware would likely be looking at a featured role. The Chiefs have a decent schedule against the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs also get the Browns in Week 16.
Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons (owned in 27 percent of leagues)
It sounds like Devonta Freeman should be back after suffering a concussion on Sunday. Freeman has been the most valuable player for fantasy this season, so his owners should absolutely pick up Coleman as insurance. The Falcons get a bad matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
* * *
SB Nation presents: Cam Newton scorched Washington and dabbed on Sunday
