Fantasy Football: Week 2 RB Sleepers to Offset Injured Ball Carriers

If you are like me and injuries have rattled your fantasy running back depth chart, a good Week 2 sleeper is exactly what we need.

Luckily, there are some emerging fantasy options that can be inserted into a second running back or flex position with confidence. 

Donald Brown, Colts 

Donald Brown salvaged what would have been a terrible fantasy day in Week 1 by scoring a touchdown.

He ended the game, which the Colts lost 41-21, with just 10 carries for 48 yards. The Colts were not close enough in this game to give Brown more touches on the ground, and he is not a great receiver out of the backfield. 

Things should be a bit brighter for Brown next week as he goes against the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has a good rush defense, but they aren't going to open a big enough lead that the Colts have to abandon the run game. 

Projection: 21 carries, 84 yards, 1 touchdown

Alfred Morris, Redskins 

It happens like clockwork. Mike Shanahan throws a running back out there that no one has heard of and he produces. 

The problem with this is that it happens a lot, and just because a back has a good game or two, it does not mean he will be a featured part of the offense going forward. Shanahan is all about riding the hot hand, and that's what Morris has right now. 

He gained 96 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, and with that he has definitely earned a chance to get the bulk of the carries next game.

The Redskins play the Rams next, and St. Louis allowed the weak Lions' rushing attack to gain 83 yards at 4.6 yards per carry last week. 

Projection: 19 carries, 84 yards, 1 touchdown

Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers

This is a more risky play, as Dwyer took a back seat to Isaac Redman for the Steelers last week while Rashard Mendenhall recovers from his knee injury, and they are facing a strong Jets defense. 

However, it seems unlikely that Mendenhall will be ready by next week, and Dwyer easily outplayed Redman last week. He gained 43 yards on nine carries; Redman had just 20 yards on 11 carries.

This will lead to a bigger role for Dwyer next week, and the Jets are not the same beast against opposing running backs that they used to be. 

Last week they allowed 195 rushing yards at 7.1 per carry to the Buffalo Bills. 

Dwyer won't get enough carries to have a huge day, but he will produce, and I fully expect him to find the end zone. 

Projection: 13 carries, 51 yards, 1 touchdown