With starting running back Steven Jackson sidelined with a quadriceps injury Sunday, Atlanta Falcons backup running backs Devonta Freeman and Jacquizz Rodgers filled in. Neither accumulated a lot of rushing yards, though Freeman did end up with a nice fantasy day in the Falcons' 30-14 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Fantasy football waiver wire, Week 17: Devonta Freeman, Jacquizz Rodgers fill in
The rookie Freeman had a bigger game, though Rodgers had more carries. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Jackson ran the ball four times for 9 yards, and caught a pass for 14, before his injury. In his absence, Freeman had five rushes for 36 yards and caught three passes for 48 more. He also scored a touchdown on a 31-yard run midway through the third quarter. Rodgers got more carries, rushing the ball 11 times, but he managed only 29 yards. He did catch a pass for 3 yards.
Fantasy impact: It’s too early to say what Jackson’s status will be going into Week 17, but if he’s healthy, he’ll play in a must-win game for Atlanta. If that happens, neither Freeman nor Rodgers will offer any real fantasy value.
If Jackson’s injury keeps him out for any length of time, on the other hand, it’s a different story. Unfortunately, it’s not a much better one -- it looks like the Falcons want Rodgers to have more carries of the two, and neither of them did a lot with the rushes they got. Ultimately, if Jackson, is out, both guys are super-deep flex options, but that’s about it.
