Just in time for the fantasy playoffs, Week 14 provided fantasy owners with plenty of heart palpitations and an awful lot to think about. Going into Week 15, the most nerve-racking of all fantasy weeks in my opinion, we have no less than five superstar running backs with totally uncertain futures after suffering injuries. At this point, we at Fantasy FanHouse do not know much more than you about these situations, but we will attempt to shed some light on how to approach them (with more definitive updates coming later this week).
Broncos: Peyton Hillis / Tatum Bell - You can't paint a turd. Sure, Peyton Hillis is officially on the injured reserve, which will inevitably lead many fantasy players to jump all over Tatum Bell, but the problem with this situation is you are still talking about Tatum Bell -- the same guy who got cut by the Detroit Lions. It is conceivable that cutting Bell was another event in a long line of boneheaded moves by the Lions, but I wouldn't stake my fantasy playoffs on Bell if I were you. He may have looked decent against the Chiefs, but temper the expectations against better run defenses in Carolina and Buffalo. In fact, if you insist on starting Bell, I have a red hot investment portfolio for you that includes sub-prime mortgages and Lehman Brothers stock that I'd like you talk to you about as well.
49ers: Frank Gore / DeShaun Foster - Frank Gore looks to have a fairly serious ankle sprain. There is no telling as of yet if he will play at this point, but this news makes DeShaun Foster an obvious pickup. In fact, to put my money where my mouth is, I already added Foster and plan to start him this week for sure if Gore sits. There is an additional question mark as to Michael Robinson's level of activity given Gore's absence. Martz is supposedly a big fan of Robinson, so he might see some carries, but I expect Foster to carry the load. The matchups are decent with Miami this week and a tasty St. Louis game for the fantasy Super Bowl in Week 16.
Colts: Joseph Addai / Dominic Rhodes - Addai's injury status and effectiveness are totally in question this week and, with the Lions on the docket for Week 15, definitely snag Rhodes if you can get him. Check back with us later in the week to see how things unfold, but given Addai's lame effort against Cincy and Dominic Rhodes' nice touchdown scamper, Rhodes might be a good option this week.
Giants: Brandon Jacobs / Derrick Ward - This one is a toss up as Jacobs has been messing with fantasy owners all season with his knee injury. If he plays, you have to stick with Jacobs, but at this point Derrick Ward is a huge add if he is still available. While Jacobs' testing showed no structural damage, he did say he tweaks his knee every week and this time it was a particularly bad tweak. If you want my gut feeling, which is worth about as much as a bus ticket, I think Jacobs is going to miss this upcoming game.
Cowboys: Marion Barber / Tashard Choice - Even though I went against the grain in our Sunday Tailgate and predicted a nice game from Tashard Choice against a dominant Pittsburgh defense, I don't think it's wise to bank on him from here on out. Apparently, Barber missed the Week 14 game due to a calf injury as opposed to the toe injury that everyone thought. I have no idea if this bodes better or worse for Barber, considering that overcompensating for the toe caused the calf injury. Either way, the Cowboys face the Giants and the Ravens in the next two weeks, so you're playing with fire with both backs. Keep Choice around if you already have him, but only start him as a No. 3 RB if you have no other good options.
