Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Top 40 Running Backs (Updated)

Injuries have played a huge role in the rankings this week, as numerous backs have already been ruled out for Week 5.  Let’s take a look at how things currently stand:

1. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Buffalo
2. Arian Foster – Houston Texans – vs. New York Giants
3. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Philadelphia
4. Cedric Benson – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Tampa Bay
5. Jahvid Best – Detroit Lions – vs. St. Louis
6. Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – at Detroit
7. Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons – at Cleveland
8. Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans – at Dallas
9. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
10. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Denver
11. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings – at New York Jets
12. Peyton Hillis – Cleveland Browns – vs. Atlanta
13. LaDanian Tomlinson – New York Jets – vs. Minnesota
14. Joseph Addai – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Kansas City
15. Ryan Torain – Washington Redskins – vs. Green Bay
16. LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles – at San Francisco
17. DeAngelo Williams – Carolina Panthers – vs. Chicago
18. Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers – at Oakland
19. Matt Forte – Chicago Bears – at Carolina
20. Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants – at Houston
21. Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills – vs. Jacksonville
22. Beanie Wells – Arizona Cardinals – vs. New Orleans
23. Michael Bush – Oakland Raiders – vs. San Diego
24. Mike Tolbert – San Diego Chargers – at Oakland
25. Tim Hightower – Arizona Cardinals – vs. New Orleans
26. Thomas Jones – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
27. Marion Barber – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Tennessee
28. Brandon Jackson – Green Bay Packers – at Washington
29. Christopher Ivory – New Orleans Saints – at Arizona
30. Shonn Greene – New York Jets – vs. Minnesota
31. Brandon Jacobs – New York Giants – at Houston
32. Felix Jones – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Tennessee
33. Mike Bell – Philadelphia Eagles – at San Francisco
34. Carnell Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Cincinnati
35. Jason Snelling – Atlanta Falcons – at Cleveland
36. C.J. Spiller – Buffalo Bills – vs. Jacksonville
37. Laurence Maroney – Denver Broncos – at Baltimore
38. LaGarrette Blount – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Cincinnati
39. Ladell Betts – New Orleans Saints – at Arizona
40. Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers – vs. Chicago

Thoughts:

• Jahvid Best has been “limited” in practice and is listed as questionable, but the word around town is that he is still expected to play on Sunday.  Of course, check the news on Sunday morning, but for now he’s going to remain towards the top of our rankings with a very favorable matchup.
• Darren McFadden has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers, though Michael Bush is a very capable replacement.  Prior to his injury at the start of the season, the thought was that Bush could be the main back over McFadden.  In his first meeting with the Chargers in ’09 he had 55 yards and one TD on 12 carries.  It’s still a tough matchup, but he’s now worth considering as a RB2.
• There were a lot of questions on if Pierre Thomas would play, but the Saints made a lot of fantasy owners’ decisions easy, already ruling him out for their game against Arizona.  Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts will both see action, but neither is more than a FLEX option, at best.
• Initially thought to be possibly returning this week, the Broncos have ruled Knowshon Moreno out for the third straight week.  Laurence Maroney and Correll Buckhalter will see carries, though neither are overly exciting options.
• While Ahmad Bradshaw was “limited” in practice, he is expected to play this weekend.  Check the news on Sunday morning, just to be safe, but at this point there’s no reason to be worried.
• Steven Jackson, who has been suffering from groin problems, is listed as probable on the injury report.  Make sure he’s active in all formats.
• According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (click herefor the article), “The Chargers are being cautious both with Mathews’ ankle and his psyche. With the luxury of Mike Tolbert and Darren Sproles being able to take snaps in the backfield, it is possible”.  That’s certainly not what Mathews' owners want to hear, so we are knocking him down a few spots in the rankings.  We have been considering Tolbert a RB2 all week, so this news certainly doesn’t change that.  In fact, it only increases the potential for him to outperform our ranking.
• Peyton Hillis is listed as questionable on the injury report, so make sure you check the news on Sunday morning.  For now, we’ll leave him where we had him on our rankings.
• The Buffalo Bills have a tough matchup, but the trade of Marshawn Lynch improves the potential of Fred Jackson producing.  He’s worth considering as a FLEX option this week.
• LeSean McCoy looks like he’s going to play, but he is a huge risk with the rib injury.  There’s always a chance that he aggravates the injury, causing him to leave the game early.  Use him, but do so with caution.

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 5 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
• Sunday Sleepers

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