NFL Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Why You Must Add RB Kendall Hunter

Numerous times I've explained the importance of the handcuff when it comes to fantasy football roster strategy, and never is this clearer when discussing running backs.

It is an injury-prone position that is also subject to the whims of coaching decisions, and a sure-thing stud winds up benched or lost for the season in the matter of a week.

If you're a fantasy football GM who took a chance and drafted San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, it would behoove you to grab backup rusher Kendall Hunter immediately.

Gore sprained his ankle in the team's Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, and his status for Week 4 is up in the air.

With Gore out, Hunter stepped in and had nine rushes for 26 yards and a touchdown, and two receptions for 12 yards. He's more versatile than Gore, playing in both rushing and receiving downs and returning kicks, and has a higher yards-per-carry average as well.

This makes him valuable to your team even once Gore is healthy. Gore may suffer injury again later in the season, and it's also possible he could wind up splitting carries with or supplanted by Hunter if Gore's production doesn't significantly improve.

Finding a solid running back on the waiver wire is one of the most difficult tasks a fantasy GM can undertake, especially heading into the fourth week of the season.

Hunter has emerged because he took full advantage of an opportunity that fell to him. This is something that head coaches don't overlook, and he will be rewarded with increased playing time in return.

Similarly, think of Gore's injury as an opportunity that fell to your fantasy team; if you pick up Hunter to replace him, you will be rewarded as well.