The running back in fantasy football is one of the most critical positions. With players platooning and the possibility of injury on every play it always makes sense to stockpile talented running backs. The injury to Arian Foster of the Houston Texans and now Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams have fantasy football owners scrambling early this season.
Another big injury was Mike Tolbert, the San Diego Chargers bowling ball of a running back. Tolbert injured his knee after a huge game. Pro Football Talk is already saying the injury is relatively minor and Tolbert will return to the field this week. It is still a good idea to be cautious with Tolbert.
Best Running Backs to Start in Week Two of Fantasy Football
1. Rashard Mendenhall: Pittsburgh Steelers
Mendenhall was shut down in the first week of the NFL season but the Steelers will want to get their running game on track against an easy opponent. The Steelers are a 13 point favorite and with good reason. The Seahawks are in the running for Andrew Luck this season.
2. Cedric Benson: Cincinnati Bengals
Cedric Benson’s performance in the first week of NFL football was not an aberration. Benson will have back to back solid weeks when the Cincinnati Bengals face a Denver Broncos team that may have just lost Elvis Dumervil again for the rest of the season.
3. Darren McFadden: Oakland Raiders
The Buffalo Bills host the Oakland Raiders for their first home game of the season and the Bills are coming off a huge win over AFC West champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. All needles point toward the Bills shutting down D Mac. Go against the grain and start McFadden.
Best Running Backs to Sit in Week Two of Fantasy Football
1. LaGarrette Blount: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers head to Minnesota as they face a Minnesota Vikings team that should have won their game against the San Diego Chargers opening day. After Mike Tolbert ran rough shod over the Vikings in San Diego, the Vikings defense will be aching to hammer another strong running back.
2. Jamaal Charles: Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaal Charles was the popular pick among fantasy football owners and now that he has disappointed in the first week of the fantasy football season, he will press this week. The Chiefs take on Ndamukong Suh and the most vicious defense in the NFL.
3. Frank Gore: San Francisco 49ers
The Cowboys are another defense looking to make statements in the second week of the NFL season. Gore is a tough back to play in certain weeks. This is the rare occasion when I would suggest to sit another top ten running back.
Sources:
NFL stats and schedules: NFL.Com
More from Yahoo Contributor Network:
Fantasy Football 2011: Top 25 Running Back Rankings Printable Cheat Sheet