Week 9 Start Em Sit Em: Chris Johnson and 4 RBs You Must Sit

My recommended Week 9 fantasy football running back must-sits are all on my list for different reasons, but they all have one thing in common—a high level of risk that I don't believe will pay off for your rosters this week. Let's get at it, shall we?

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Yes, Chris Johnson is still the Titans starting running back, despite his low production in Week 8 (14 rushes for 34 yards and three catches for 17) that saw him practically benched for backup Javon Ringer by the fourth quarter. 

However, whatever fantasy value he had going into last week has plummeted to practically nothing, considering that Ringer will likely do more than spell the former powerhouse from here forward. On the season, Johnson has 107 carries for just 302 yards and one touchdown and 27 receptions for 160 yards, making him more like CJ2.8YPC than the CJ2K of two seasons ago.

Even if Johnson were more consistent in his production, the Bengals' strong run defense makes this a bad matchup; but now that the back is far more of a liability than he is helpful when it comes to your fantasy roster, it's time to bench him this week and perhaps permanently. It's doubtful he even has much trade value at this point, unless you have a very naive owner in your league to whom you can pawn him off.

Roy Helu/Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

A bad matchup against the Niners' suffocating run defense should be the least of your worries, if you're an owner of either of the Redskins' so-called "starting" running backs. The Shanahan Effect has been frustrating fantasy owners all season, and even more so now that Tim Hightower is out of the mix.

Besides the fact that no one ever truly knows whether Helu or Torain is truly the one to get the majority of the carries on a week-to-week basis, neither have been very productive lately. Torain had eight rushes for 14 yards and one six-yard reception in his team's 24-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 8, while Helu had zero carries though he led the backfield in snaps, with 34.

The Bills run defense pales in comparison to that of the Niners, and considering that whichever back you choose to start won't likely rush more than five times (or at least that's how it feels to owners of either player), keep them on your bench this week.

Now that Tashard Choice has joined the squad (though he won't likely be active until Week 10 as he's nursing a hamstring injury), the confusion about Redskins running backs continues. I would cut my losses and walk away from the whole mess, if I were you.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

While Mendenhall has slowly but surely gotten his running game back on track (with a little help from a more stable Steelers offensive line), he has such a touch matchup ahead of him this Sunday that he's nothing more than a must-sit.

The Baltimore Ravens and their top-five run defense come to town and will likely look to repeat the formula that stymied the Steelers running game in Week 1, when Mendenhall was held to just 45 yards on 12 carries.

Mendenhall rushed 13 times for 70 yards and caught three passes for another 22 in the Steelers' Week 8 win over the New England Patriots. These are respectable numbers considering Pittsburgh's pass-heavy offensive game plan in that contest, and he may figure somewhat in what's likely to be another aerially focused outing for the team against the Ravens this week.

But it's not going to be enough to make a significant contribution to your roster. Considering Mendenhall's shaky production this season, you likely have a workable backup option if you own the Steeler; start whoever that is, instead (as long as he's not a Redskins back, of course).