Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington Post-Week 7 Fantasy Advice

The running back role for the Arizona Cardinals has steered in a clear direction. Thought to be a three-headed attack between Andre Ellington, David Johnson and Chris Johnson, Chris Johnson showed in Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens that it’s his job for the taking.

Ellington, a second- to third-round fantasy pick, is becoming an afterthought since returning from a knee injury in Week 5. His contributions have dwindled from three carries to one to zero in successive weeks, making him a tremendous liability as fantasy football's regular season hits the homestretch. 

Rush Attempts	Rush Yards	Receiving Yards	Total TDs	Fantasy Points
5	21	28	0	4

Ellington’s ownership fell 8.2 percentage points this week to 75.8 percent across standard leagues. That figure will likely decrease again after another disappointing performance. He didn't have a touch until the fourth quarter with the Cardinals up 19-10.

The Ravens entered the game allowing the eighth-fewest points to running backs, but that didn’t stop Chris Johnson from notching 18 fantasy points—the third time he’s eclipsed double digits this year. 

Rush Attempts	Rush Yards	Receiving Yards	Total TDs	Fantasy Points
18	122	0	1	18

Johnson showed flashes of his days as one of the elite fantasy running backs with a shifty touchdown in the first quarter, courtesy of NFL Network:

Heading into a Week 8 game against the Cleveland Browns’ league-worst run defense, Johnson is a firm RB1 commodity. He’s owned in 87.7 percent of leagues, so prospective owners should pounce quickly if he’s available.

The Browns are 2-4, mostly because of their woeful defense, which opponents have gashed for 151 rush yards per game. Kevin Jones of Sports Illustrated put the struggles into perspective:

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Recently, a number of players have told me what they believe is the main impetus behind the continual running-back beatings: The Browns have issues with gap integrity—football speak for jamming the holes between the offensive linemen—at all. ... Opposing offenses have identified this flaw on film and are repeatedly, week-after-week, gashing the edge of Cleveland’s defense. It’s a completely chaotic approach to stopping the run, and players have said—off the record—they're spending way too much time thinking, and not nearly enough time reacting.

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Fantasy owners should utilize Ellington only in emergency situations, as the matchup against the Browns may be the struggling back's last chance to make an impact. The Browns have allowed 100-plus yards to Dexter McCluster, Danny Woodhead and Ronnie Hillman, which may bode well for Ellington if the Cardinals give him more carries—but that’s a major "if."

All stats via ESPN.com standard leagues.