For the third straight week, the New York Giants are set to be without starting running back Rashad Jennings due to an injured thumb. In Jennings’ absence, backup Orleans Darkwa will likely be the Giants’ starting running back for the second straight game.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 5: Orleans Darkwa cannot catch a break
The Giants’ back running back is set to start for the second straight week. We explore the fantasy implications.
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Last Monday against the Minnesota Vikings, Darkwa had a decent outing in his first career NFL start. The New York running back finished with 48 yards rushing and one touchdown on 12 carries.
Fantasy Impact: Darkwa had a tough matchup last week in Minnesota and it will not get any easier for him when he and the Giants take on the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.
The Packers are the NFL’s best team against the run in 2016, giving up the least fantasy points in the league to opposing running backs. Against Green Bay this season, opposing backs are only averaging a measly 2.6 yards per touch.
Yahoo! projects Darkwa to finish Sunday night with a total of 39 yards on nine touches. But with Jennings out, Darkwa’s numbers should be at least a little higher than these projections.
Even with more touches, he will likely struggle against the Packers defense and fantasy owners should probably consider all other options this week before starting Darkwa in their lineups.
