San Diego Chargers running back Donald Brown did not practice on Wednesday. Brown suffered a concussion in Week 5 and is considered day-to-day in the league's concussion protocol.
Donald Brown misses practice; Branden Oliver gets big fantasy boost
Donald Brown is in the concussion protocol and is unlikely to play in Week 6. We break down the fantasy implications.
Stephen Dunn
With Brown, Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead out, the Chargers turned to undrafted rookie Branden Oliver. Oliver had a coming-out party, gashing the New York Jets for 182 total yards and two touchdowns on 23 touches. If Brown isn't cleared for Week 6, Oliver will get the start against the Oakland Raiders.
After a promising 2013 season, Brown has plummeted back to earth, rushing for just 126 yards on 59 carries and averaging a pitiful 2.1 yards per carry.
Fantasy impact: Oliver may have won the starting job even if Brown didn’t have a concussion. Brown can be safely dropped in most fantasy leagues, and Oliver has legitimate RB2 appeal against the reeling Raiders. He should still carry fantasy value when Mathews comes back, playing the change-of-pace role vacated by an injured Woodhead. Oliver must be owned in all 12-team leagues.
