New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (knee) is officially out for the Patriots upcoming game against the New York Jets. Bolden injured his knee in New England's Week 6 24-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and did not practice all week.
Brandon Bolden out: Increased fantasy value for Stevan Ridley
New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden is out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. We discuss the fantasy impact for him and the other Patriots RBs.
Otto Greule Jr
Stevan Ridley has been the Patriots top running back all season, but Bolden had been getting his fair share of touches. He had 43 carries for 234 yards and two touchdowns in five games of action this season; although, most of that production stemmed from his 137 yard, 1 TD performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.
Fantasy Impact: Bolden, Ridley, and Danny Woodhead all get looks in the Patriots backfield throughout the course of any normal game. With Bolden now ruled out, the touches for Ridley and Woodhead will go up. As Bolden was a fringe level fantasy player before his injury, there is no reason to hold onto him as he fights through this.
Ridley was the only New England running back worthy of starting on a weekly basis and now his role will only increase. With 594 yards and four TDs, he was already a strong RB2 and possible RB1 before Bolden went down. Danny Woodhead will also get a few more looks, but his role will still be mainly that of a third down back. In a pinch, he can serve as a viable RB2 or flex player against a Jets defense which has been giving up points to opposing RBs.
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