Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis told Geoff Hobson of bengals.com Wednesday that he has been playing with a broken thumb since Week 2 and has had an ankle injury as well. The running back hasn't missed much game or practice time since the injury.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis has had a broken thumb; fantasy value low either way
The Bengals running back hasn’t had a big season, no matter the reason. We break down the fantasy implications.
Rob Foldy-US PRESSWIRE
On the season, Green-Ellis has 140 catches for 460 yards and three touchdowns, for only a 3.3 yards-per-carry average. He has seen some of his touches go to rookie running back Giovani Bernard.
Fantasy impact: This is pure speculation, but Green-Ellis’ one fumble of the season came in Week 3, which would have been his first game after his injury. If the thumb was bothering him in that game, it could have explained why the normally sure-handed Green-Ellis coughed the ball up.
That is the only thing any thumb injury can likely be blamed for, however. Green-Ellis is essentially a 3.3 yards-per-carry running back whose value comes from quantity, not quality. Any thumb injury doesn’t change the reality of Green-Ellis; he’s a flex play that fantasy owners hope finds his way into the end zone.
• Week 11 fantasy football waiver advice: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
