Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle's Fantasy Reaction After DeMarco Murray Surgery

For the first 15 weeks of the 2014 NFL season, DeMarco Murray has been the most consistent player in fantasy football. He's never dipped below eight points in standard-scoring leagues, he's undertaken a huge workload and he's managed to avoid the types of injuries that have plagued him in the past.   

Well, until this week, that is. 

As Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News tweeted, Murray is now in danger of missing this week's game against the Indianapolis Colts after undergoing surgery on his hand:

If Murray can't go, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar would likely form a platoon and split the snaps in the Cowboys' backfield. More than likely Randle would get the greater share of the touches and be the starter for the game against Indy, while Dunbar would likely get more work in the passing game.

Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus has the stats to back up that assertion:

Both players should absolutely be added in all formats—Murray owners really should have already had one on their bench given the huge workload Murray was handed this year—with Randle the preferable option in standard formats and Dunbar an intriguing option in PPR leagues.

The issue for fantasy owners, of course, is that combined the two are unlikely to replicate the production of Murray, making each individually a low-upside play for fantasy owners. If you have to choose, go with Randle, who is the more talented runner than Dunbar. 

Just temper your expectations. This will almost assuredly be a fairly even platoon between the players if Murray can't go.