Branden Oliver, Ronnie Brown's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 8

The San Diego Chargers were a one-dimensional offense in Thursday's AFC West clash with the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

That made for a long evening for fantasy owners who decided to deploy Chargers running back Branden Oliver, who has taken over the bulk of the carries due to a myriad of injuries.

Veteran Ronnie Brown even made a cameo appearance, but he doesn't have any big role that suggests he's worth a look in fantasy leagues.

Oliver is the main focus here, and until usual San Diego starter Ryan Mathews is healthy, he is the best option for fantasy owners to mull over. Chargers star Dwight Freeney praised Oliver's ability after an encouraging start to becoming the team's No. 1 back.

"You can't teach that lean, that leverage, that movement and that height. You can't see him," said Freeney, per ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams.

After two 100-yard performances in a row, Oliver managed just 67 yards rushing and two catches against Kansas City in Week 7 before laying an egg on Thursday—at least as a runner.

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego noted how the Chargers didn't help Oliver out much up front in an attempt to set the early tone:

Player	CAR	YDS	REC	YDS	TD	Fantasy Points
Branden Oliver	13	36	7	27	0	6
Ronnie Brown	1	8	1	2	0	0

The lackluster outing may be more attributable to Oliver not being used to a short week, or handling the full-time workload as an NFL starter. Oliver was undrafted out of Buffalo, so it's been rather impressive that he's fared this well so far.

It isn't wise to give up on Oliver as an RB2 in deeper fantasy leagues. His heavy involvement in the passing game helps Oliver's case in PPR formats, and after extra rest, he will face Miami's 10th-ranked rush defense on the road in Week 9.