Theo Riddick may be the only Detroit Lions running back the team can count on right now -- a statement that goes a long way considering how shaky the team's running backs have been as of late. Riddick was handed the reins after Ameer Abdullah coughed up the ball in the third quarter. It was Abdullah's fourth fumble of the season.
Theo Riddick remains bright spot in Lions backfield, worth a speculative waiver grab
Theo Riddick may be the most reliable Lions running back right now. We take a look at the fantasy implications.
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Riddick finished Sunday's game with seven carries for 28 yards. He added three receptions for 50 yards to his day. With running back Joique Bell banged up and Abdullah continuing to struggle with ball security, Riddick may be the the most reliable running back on the Lions' roster for the time being.
Fantasy impact: For most of his career, Riddick has only been relevant in PPR formats. That could change beginning in Week 7. Riddick has proven to be more durable and more mistake-free than his backfield counterparts. At this point, the Lions are simply looking for a player that can hold onto the ball and not offer negative yardage on every other play. Riddick isn’t the prototypical between-the-tackles running back. However, the Lions are ranked dead last in rushing yards right now. Something has to change.
Riddick may not be the long-term answer, but he’s a suitable band-aid as the team searches for a more effective approach to their run game. He isn’t a must-own running back. Don’t use high waiver priority on him. However, he’s available in over 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be a speculative grab for anyone looking to strengthen their running backs as we head deeper into October.
