Fred Jackson: What Fantasy Owners Should Expect from Bills RB vs. Patriots

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson has missed the team's last two games with a knee injury, but appears poised to make his return against the New England Patriots in Week 4. Assuming he suits up, he should immediately be placed in fantasy football lineups.

The team announced on Twitter that Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday. The news comes one day after the playmaker said he would be ready to roll for Sunday's game barring a setback. So it certainly looks like he's prepared to play.

Jackson was a fantasy superstar last season, gaining nearly 1,400 total yards and scoring six touchdowns despite missing the final six games due to injury. His ability to make plays both on the ground and in the passing game made him a must-start option.

A return to full strength during the offseason made Jackson a popular draft-day target. That means a lot of owners were disappointed when he left the opener after gaining just 15 yards on six carries, but luckily his recovery has been quick.

It's good news for the Bills, as well. C.J. Spiller, who did a tremendous job filling in for Jackson while he was out, suffered a shoulder injury against the Cleveland Browns. His status for this week's key game against the Patriots remains unclear.

Jackson's return gives the Bills some flexibility to ensure Spiller is back to full strength before returning. It also means the Coe College product should return to a workhorse role on Sunday, giving him a good chance to have a huge fantasy game.

Last season, Jackson gained 161 yards and scored a touchdown in Buffalo's upset of the Patriots, a result the Bills will be looking to replicate this week. If they are going to pull it off, Jackson will once again need to play a starring role.

The Bills offense is most effective when the running game gets established early. It opens up bigger passing lanes for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick who, while inconsistent, is currently tied for the league lead in touchdown passes.

That means the Patriots defense, which has given up 51 points over the last two weeks, should see a heavy dose of Jackson early in the game. It will be a good test to see if the Bills running back's knee will hold up during game action.

As long as he doesn't have any lingering issues, he should touch the ball at least 20 times and that will help him go over the 100 total yard mark. Numbers good enough to earn a spot in just about any fantasy football starting lineup.

It's the type of production owners have been waiting for since draft day, but now Jackson finally seems ready to provide it.