Ahmad Bradshaw: Giants' RB Is a Fantasy Dud in 2012

New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw is part of a crowded backfield, and he is already dealing with injury issues; he will have one or two nice fantasy weeks, but his inconsistency will make him a liability. 

Bradshaw missed the Giants' Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday due to a neck injury. It does not look like that injury will prevent him from taking the field in Week 4, according to Jenny Vrentas of the Star-Ledger. 

Vrentas passed along that head coach Tom Coughlin expected Bradshaw on the field for next week's game against the Eagles.

While it is hard to find anything more relevant for fantasy owners than game status, Coughlin did just that, as Vrentas also noted that Coughlin pointed towards the Giants history of using two running back to share the load and added "you're always in need of at least two (running backs)."

So Bradshaw has a neck injury and will be a part-time starter, but it's not like he isn't used to sharing touches and dealing with injuries. He has produced good numbers in the past with these circumstances, but he is not going to this year. 

Early in this season Bradshaw has amassed just 22 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown. The man Bradshaw figures to split most of his carries with, Andre Brown, has 33 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns. 

Brown has been running hard and smart. He has looked great. There is going to be no rush to limit his carries. 

So when Coughlin says they need two running backs, he isn't envisioning a system where Brown gets five to 10 touches a game simply to spell Bradshaw. This is going to be a situation where each back gets a fairly even amount of touches. 

Another problem for Bradshaw's fantasy value is that Brown figures to get most of the goal line touches. He is bigger and stronger, and his three touchdown runs have come from two yards out or closer. 

Ahmad Bradshaw still has some big plays in him, but he just isn't going to get the touches needed to make him someone that can be started with confidence.