Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas' Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 15

Mark Ingram has capitalized on an injury-ravaged New Orleans Saints backfield to emerge as the workhorse ball-carrier since he returned to the field following the team's Week 6 bye.

A fantasy-favorable Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears looked promising on paper for Ingram, but the return to prominence by pass-catching specialist Pierre Thomas has robbed Ingram of his every-down status.

Player	Rushes/Yds	Receptions/Targets	Rec. Yds	TD	Fantasy Points
Ingram	17/59	—	—	1	11
Thomas	2/11	5/5	83	0	9

Thomas is a far more viable receiving threat among the two backs and proved that in racking up five receptions for 83 yards in a 31-15 win. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune noticed Thomas' impact:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has leaned heavily on the likes of Darren Sproles and Thomas in the past for quick completions, allowing his playmakers to do the work after the catch against slower linebackers. With Sproles in Philadelphia and Thomas injured for a good chunk of 2014, Brees has struggled.

Brees' renewed Week 15 success throwing to his favorite screen target boosts Thomas' fantasy value—to the point where he's worth a flex play in PPR formats.

Those who were patient enough to wait on Ingram to emerge as a fantasy stud this year may want to cut their losses. Although he did run for a 15-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown on Monday, it came when the Saints tried to kill the clock towards the end, which isn't reliable on a weekly basis.

If Ingram doesn't generate a greater number of big gains on the ground, he will no longer be a fantasy RB1 or RB2, depending on league depth. Coach Sean Payton's penchant for passing may doom Ingram owners in the fantasy playoffs as the Saints try to qualify for the real NFL postseason.