Jackie Battle: Updated Fantasy Profile for Chargers RB with Ryan Mathews Injured

Jackie Battle could find himself in a prominent role within the San Diego Chargers offense again in Week 11. Starter Ryan Mathews has a neck injury that could keep him out of the team’s game against the Denver Broncos, per Bill Williamson of ESPN.com.

He won’t be at it alone, though: Ronnie Brown is almost certain to have third-down duties and probably take a few carries on early downs. Sharing the backfield with Brown limits Battle’s value—as well as playing against the Denver Broncos in Week 11.

In the Broncos’ last four games—three of which were on the road—Denver has given up a grand total of one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown to running backs. It has allowed 79 rushes for 253 yards (3.2 average) and a touchdown, plus 26 catches for 188 yards and another touchdown in the receiving game.

One of those four games was against the Chargers on the road.

This time, the game will be in Denver.

Battle’s Week 11 fantasy prospects are even riskier based on the fact that his left tackle may also miss Sunday’s contest due to the same groin injury that kept him out of Week 10’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (also via ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson).

The only game in which Battle got a carry this season that Mathews has also missed was the Chargers’ Week 2 thumping of the Tennessee Titans. Battle carried the ball 14 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns, but he didn’t catch a pass.

Furthermore, Tennessee is a top-five matchup for opposing fantasy running backs. Expectations should be tempered for Battle if he starts this week, but he could be used by an owner in a desperate spot.

There are an awful lot of good running backs (Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Johnson) on a bye this week.

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