We are entering Week 12 of the fantasy football season. The playoffs are just around the corner and this is the time for owners to make a serious push to secure their postseason spot. It’s also Thanksgiving week with six teams playing on Thursday, so be sure to set your lineups early this week.
The bye weeks are just about done, which has to be a relief. No teams are off this week and owners can simply plug in their top starters with little worry. That said, there are still a handful of key injuries owners need to account for, the least of which is C.J. Prosise’s breakout grinding to a halt. He broke his scapula on Sunday and is probably done for the season, so fantasy owners should go all in on Thomas Rawls.
Fantasy football waiver wire: 5 running backs to target for Week 12
Injuries are shaking up the RB landscape once again heading into Thanksgiving week.
Unfortunately, Rawls is already owned in 73 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so you’ll have to be lucky to claim him off the waiver wire. But there are plenty of other decent RBs owned in 50 percent or fewer this week, so let’s go over the top options.
Tim Hightower, New Orleans Saints (51 percent)
Technically not owned in fewer than 50 percent of leagues, but close enough. Mark Ingram suffered a concussion in last Thursday’s game and might not be a sure to return this week. Hightower racked up 69 yards on 12 carries against the Carolina Panthers and continues to earn the trust of Sean Payton. Even if Ingram is cleared, Hightower will be on the RB2 radar for the near future.
Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars (48 percent)
Ivory took advantage of T.J. Yeldon’s ankle injury last Sunday, picking up 114 total yards on 23 touches. He also set a career high with 75 receiving yards, which is something of a surprise given that Ivory has never been a pass-catching back in his career. That number might not be sustainable, and Ivory has a tough matchup with the Buffalo Bills this week, but he’s worth stashing on benches as an emergency option if injuries strike your starting lineup.
Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens (28 percent)
Dixon continues to split carries with Terrance West, being slightly more productive on fewer carries. He was not involved in the pass game against the Dallas Cowboys, which is a slight disappointment after his five-catch, 42-yard performance in Week 10. Dixon is running out of time to be a serious fantasy factor in 2016, but he carries plenty of stash appeal in dynasty leagues.
Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills (25 percent)
LeSean McCoy suffered a dislocated thumb that required surgery. He’s hopeful to play this week, but it will be touch-and-go right up to game day. If nothing else, this is another reminder that Shady’s owners need to keep Gillislee on standby. He played well in McCoy’s absence, putting up 72 yards on 14 carries against the Cincinnati Bengals. If McCoy sits, Gillislee will be a borderline RB1 against the Jaguars.
Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia Eagles (5 percent)
Ryan Mathews sprained his MCL and Darren Sproles is playing through a fractured rib, leaving the Eagles thin at running back. Now might be the time to see if Smallwood is ready for an every-down role. The rookie has been putting in impressive performances on limited touches this season, and will now need to step up with fellow rookie Carson Wentz struggling. Smallwood is the top waiver add at RB this week and has a good matchup with the Green Bay Packers’ crumbling defense.
