2012 PPR Fantasy Football Week 8: Running Backs (RB) Rankings

It’s hard to know what to make of recent talk from ESPN's Ed Werder about Trent Richardson possibly being shut down through the Browns' Week 10 bye week, when today, we see Richardson participating in the team's walk-through.

Perhaps the Browns coaching staff is waiting to see how Richardson looks at the end of the week to determine his status going forward.

I have to believe we will see him on the field this week.

While coach Pat Shurmur pulled Richardson last week because he looked tentative on the field, he admitted that his rookie running back didn’t suffer a setback to his rib injury sustained the week prior (per the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram's Scott Petrak).

If Richardson should play, let’s look to him as a low-end RB2 option or, at worst, a flex play. In the rankings below I’ve left him out to properly rank Montario Hardesty if Richardson should miss this game.

Look to Hardesty as a flex play if Richardson is out and a bench option if Richardson should play.

Felix Jones' Continued Health Problems

Yes, Felix Jones got the start with DeMarco Murray out and no he couldn’t make it through one game without a couple (neck and knee) of injuries. Despite missing practice on Wednesday, the Sporting News expects Jones to play against the Giants, but we should see a decent amount of Phillip Tanner as well.

What is working in PPR fantasy owners' favor is that Jones will continue to see the majority of work in passing situations. He was targeted six times last week and picked up five receptions on the day. His work in the passing game makes him a worthy start in a very important home game.

At the same time, Phillip Tanner is a sneaky play if you are desperate for help at the flex position. We could see Tanner take over the early down work if Jones should struggle early on. He would be in line for goal-line work if that happens. Just expect Jones to keep a third-down role.

1	Jamaal Charles	Raiders
2	Adrian Peterson	Buccaneers
3	Chris Johnson	Colts
4	Matt Forte	Panthers
5	Ryan Mathews	@ Browns
6	Marshawn Lynch	@ Lions
7	Willis McGahee	Saints
8	LeSean McCoy	Falcons
9	Frank Gore	@ Cardinals
10	Darren McFadden	@ Chiefs
11	Doug Martin	@ Vikings
12	Alfred Morris	@ Steelers
13	Ahmad Bradshaw (I)	@ Cowboys
14	Stevan Ridley	@ Rams
15	Mikel Leshoure	Seahawks
16	Darren Sproles	@ Broncos
17	Rashad Jennings	@ Packers
18	Michael Turner	@ Eagles
19	Jonathan Dwyer	Redskins
20	Reggie Bush	@ Jets
21	Steven Jackson	Patriots
22	Shonn Greene	Dolphins
23	Jonathan Stewart	@ Bears
24	Montario Hardesty	Chargers
25	Felix Jones (I)	Giants
26	Alex Green	Jaguars
27	Vick Ballard	@ Titans
28	Larod Stephens-Howling	49ers
29	Phillip Tanner	Giants
30	Pierre Thomas	@ Broncos
31	Shane Vereen	@ Rams
32	Danny Woodhead	@ Rams
33	Joique Bell	Seahawks
34	Dayrl Richardson	Patriots
35	Michael Bush	Panthers
36	Kendall Hunter	@ Cardinals
37	Andre Brown	@ Cowboys
38	DeAngelo Williams	@ Bears

Week 8 PPR Rankings – RB | WR | Flex | Waivers | Start / Sit |