Week 8 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em: Bernard Scott and Must-Start Backup RBs

Backup running backs are becoming a commodity in fantasy football.

With so many starters being ineffective or injured, backups are going to have quite a day in Week 8.

Let’s take a look at five guys who started the season on the bench but will produce like studs on Sunday. 

Delone Carter

Upon his return on SNF against the Saints, Joseph Addai was supposed to make Carter’s production irrelevant, but Addai re-injured himself in the game.

Carter had a touchdown and 89 yards in the Colts’ terribly painful blowout.

He can now be re-added in most formats and is a relatively decent option to start since the Colts have no one else to turn to except Donald Brown. 

Bernard Scott

Finally, the Cedric Benson saga is over. He will be suspended against the Seahawks in Week 8, and Scott is going to be the workhorse.

While he doesn’t project to have much long-term value unless he absolutely crushes it on Sunday, Scott is going to be a solid choice for fantasy owners to roll with for a game.

Pick him up as a bye-week replacement if available. 

Alfonso Smith

Beanie Wells injured his knee again against the Steelers this week and may be sitting out for some time.

Smith should be the feature back with some snaps going to LaRod Stephens-Howling.

I expect him to have solid production, and he could be a good guy to pick up and monitor with Wells’ status in question. 

Pierre Thomas

Mark Ingram has a bruised heel and is day-to-day, but that’s a tough injury for a running back to overcome.

The backfield is already crowded with Thomas, Ingram and Darren Sproles, so don’t expect any pressure from the Saints’ brass to get Ingram back on the field.

Thomas will benefit from more carries, as Sproles is more of a special teams, receiving and change-of-pace-style player. 

Roy Helu

Tim Hightower tore his ACL and is no longer going to be a player in the Redskins' revolving door of RBs.

Coach Mike Shanahan will give Helu and Ryan Torain a shot, and I think Helu has a good chance of winning the job.

He was a decent add earlier this season, but now you need to get him—the payoff could be huge.