Montell Owens: Fantasy Outlook for Jaguars RB Replacing Rashad Jennings

First Maurice Jones-Drew, now Rashard Jennings.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were once set at the halfback position. Now, though, they’re down to Montell Owens, their third-string runner, after Jennings suffered an injury in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Jacksonville announced the news of his injury from its official Twitter account:

"

Rashad Jennings is being walked into the lockerroom.Has a head injury and will not return.Brewster is questionable with hand injury.

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) December 2, 2012"

For Jennings to be ruled out so quickly, his head injury must be at least somewhat serious. But even if he and MJD are unable to suit up in the coming weeks, Owens isn’t worth a fantasy football pickup.

First off, Jennings is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry this season. What does that tell you?

Jacksonville’s offensive line is mediocre.

And even in the six games Jones-Drew played, he only racked up 414 yards on the ground. Not only is the Jaguars’ O-line not talented enough to consistently create holes for their backs, but they often don’t even give their runners enough carries in the first place.

Plus, it isn’t like Owens, a fullback, has ever shown the ability to produce before anyway.

In his seven-year career prior to Sunday’s action, he carried the football just 14 times for 83 yards. With two minutes left in the first half against the Bills, he only had three carries for 17 yards, which isn’t a poor average, but Chad Henne had attempted 15 passes by then. Owens simply won’t be given the chance to blow up.

Sure, next week Jacksonville plays the New York Jets, who field the third-worst run defense in the NFL. It’s tempting to claim and start Owens under those circumstances. But the Jags are the second-worst rushing team in the league. And in the following weeks, they’ll face the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots—two top-10 run-stopping units against whom failure is practically guaranteed.

If you’re desperate for running back help on your fantasy football team, look elsewhere—Owens isn’t the answer. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels