Fantasy Football: Sleeper Plays to Make Up Lost Production from Injured RBs

It may only be Week 1, but there are already an alarming number of running back injuries rattling fantasy teams all over. 

A few of these that headed for the dreaded game-time decision. There is not much worse than a game-time decision for fantasy owners. 

They are impossible to plan for, and difficult to plan around. So, if you find yourself in any injury predicament with your running back, here are three backs who will help. 

Percentage of league's owned in stat according to NFL.com. 

Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars 

Week 1 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings

Owned in 47.2 Percent of Leagues

Maurice Jones-Drew is back, but Rashad Jennings is still lined up to start Week 1. 

Touches in this game are likely to be determined by how the game plays out and each back looks, and to that end, Jennings should earn himself enough touches to make for a solid fantasy day. 

Jennings looked great in the preseason. He is comfortable with the Jaguars' new system and is going against a Vikings team that allowed opposing running backs to average 17.5 points per game against them last season. 

This is a solid flex play, and a decent second running back option in a pinch. 

Ronnie Brown, San Diego Chargers

Week 1 Opponent: Oakland Raiders

Owned in 8 Percent of Leagues

Norv Turner must play fantasy football, as he had the decency to avoid the game-time decision with starting tailback Ryan Mathews. He is out, according to U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken.

"

Ryan Mathews (clavicle) and Jared Gaither (back) are listed as out. Antonio Garay (ankle) questionable. #Chargers

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) September 8, 2012"

Wait, there's more fantasy love from Norv. Not only is Mathews out, but Turner went as far as to tell the world that Ronnie Brown would be the one shouldering the majority of the load in his absence.

The North County Times' Scott Bair let us in on that tidbit. 

"

Norv said Ronnie Brown will be "involved" that's turner-speak for he's getting the bulk of the touches.

— Scott Bair (@NCTchargers) September 8, 2012"

With all of this news, Brown becomes an excellent Week 1 option. He will be facing a Raiders team that was absolutely terrible against the run last season. While they have a new-look defense under new coach Dennis Allen, until they prove otherwise, starting a running back facing the Raiders is not a bad play. 

RB Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 1 Opponent: Denver Broncos

Owned in 2 Percent of Leagues

Dwyer is a real wild card, but in a pinch, you could do a lot worse for Week 1.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette brings us up to speed on the Steelers' litany of running back injuries. He reports that while Isaac Redman has been practicing, there is "some concern about his ankle injury."

He also paints a grim picture about the immediate playing status Rashard Mendenhall, as he says "coaches would prefer to hold him out a little longer as he gets back in step after ACL surgery in January."

All of this leads to an increased role for the highly-unproven Dwyer. He barely saw the field last year, but has looked much stronger this preseason as he rushed for 167 yards on 28 carries. 

Dwyer is going to get the chance to try and prove himself, and if he looks good early, he just might end with a solid fantasy day.