The unthinkable has happened as Derrick Henry suffered a broken bone in his foot and had surgery that will sideline him through at least Week 14, but more likely through at least the rest of the regular season, if not postseason. How should fantasy teams that have been relying on Henry react?
USE THE WAIVER WIRE TO GET A TENNESSEE RUNNING BACK
The team signed Adrian Peterson almost immediately, and all signs point to him being in game shape and ready for a large workload. The more aggressive player may pick up Peterson over backup Jeremy McNichols even though he wasn’t even on a team before this week because his running style and mentality matches Henry and would mean that the offense doesn’t have to change at all to embrace him. Remember, Peterson is also fresh and will be facing defenses that are already carrying two months of punishment in their bodies. McNichols will have additional value in PPR leagues and if you think Peterson is washed up and this offense will have to go more pass heavy to adapt, he could end up being the better pickup.
USE THE WAIVER WIRE TO GET A BACK FROM ANOTHER TEAM WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE RIGHT AWAY
Outside of the Titans, Boston Scott showed he was the lead back and clear goal line back for the Eagles while Miles Sanders is out, but how much of his result was the product of facing the woeful Lions. The Eagles do face the weak Chargers run defense next, so Scott may gain momentum. Ty Johnson has been a great passcatcher with Mike White in the lineup, so he could be a cheaper alternative to Scott or the Titans backs that works out in PPR leagues. Mark Ingram looked like he found the fountain of youth upon his return to the Saints and might have a larger role as a runner against teams that don’t have the best run defense in the league like the Bucs do. The Saints might want to use Alvin Kamara more as a receiver and Ingram allows him to do that, which would create a larger role for Ingram. Derrick Gore should also be on your radar after his strong Monday night performance that could make him at least a decent desperation play until Clyde Edwards-Helaire returns.
USE THE WAIVER WIRE TO GET A LOTTERY TICKET
Samaje Perine and Sony Michel could be on your waiver wire. They don’t have immediate value, but will be very valuable if Joe Mixon or Darrell Henderson go down. Jeff Wilson isn’t back yet, but if Elijah Mitchell can’t stay healthy, he’ll have a lot of value once he can play again.
MAKE A TRADE
BLOCKBUSTER - Aaron Jones, GB
Jones had a big week on the back of his receptions out of the backfield, but AJ Dillon got more carries than him. Maybe you can convince the Aaron Jones team that the Packers are adopting a full blown RBBC. They’re not, it was just attacking the weakness of the Cardinals against the run plus missing their top two wide receivers.
BIG TRADE - Leonard Fournette, TB, Damien Harris, NE, Darrell Henderson, LAR
Fournette is coming off of a down week and going into his bye. A 4-4 team that needs help this week in their lineup may be open to dealing him. Harris is the Derrick Henry of the Patriots, who are going to rely on smart, safe offensive play and sound defense to go with Harris leading a consistent running game. They also have a weak schedule going forward. Henderson could benefit from the Rams using more play action and saving him some wear and tear while creating more big play opportunities.
BUY LOW TRADE - Josh Jacobs, LV
Jacobs missed part of Week 8 with a chest injury, but should be rested and healthy for the second half of the year on an ascendant Raiders team.
HAIL MARY TRADE - David Montgomery, CHI, Chris Carson, SEA
If your team is 7-1 or 8-0 and you can afford to wait, maybe you can get one of these starting backs on the cheap. Carson might not play again this year, but might return to practice after the Week 9 bye. There’s no timetable for Montgomery to return, but he’s eligible to come off of injured reserve this week. Khalil Herbert could force a committee with his play while Montgomery has been out, but that just serves to make Montgomery cheaper.
MINOR DEAL WITH UPSIDE - Chuba Hubbard, CAR, Tony Pollard, DAL, A.J. Dillon, GB, Alexander Mattison, MIN
Hubbard can actually help this week if Christian McCaffrey doesn’t return and should we be shocked if McCaffrey has another setback? Pollard, Dillon, and Mattison can all become league winners if the starter ahead of them goes down.
TAKING ADVANTAGE IF YOU DON’T HAVE HENRY
Teams that don’t have Henry can still use this opportunity by dealing a running back that they don’t need or otherwise selling high to the Henry team. Elijah Mitchell is red hot, but he’s banged up again and Jeff Wilson is due back soon. Khalil Herbert’s role will shrink once David Montgomery comes back, which could be soon. Cordarrelle Patterson is going to be in a much less dynamic Atlanta offense without Calvin Ridley. Boston Scott is likely on your waiver wire, but if you have him, he’s a clear sell high with no more games remaining against the Lions. All of these backs were waiver wire pickups earlier this year, so they might not be necessary holds for your team.