The RB depth chart for most NFL teams is a work in progress that is constantly evolving. In any given week health, ability to produce at an elite level, and pass blocking skills are just some of the factors that influence a coach’s decision as to how much of a role a RB will have within a team’s backfield in any given week. The 49ers are scrambling to find a healthy RB who will emerge to lead their backfield for Week 3. The Cowboys have a great passing offense, but also are developing a solid one-two punch in their backfield. The Buccaneers have a RB who can run the ball effectively but might not be used as much because of his lack of pass protection skills. Please enjoy this week’s RB Handcuff Report.

Cowboys

While Ezekiel Elliott is still clearly the Cowboys’ starting RB his handcuff, Tony Pollard, is cutting into his playing time. In Week 2 Elliott played 44 of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps compared to Pollard’s 21, but while each scored a TD, Pollard picked up chunks of yardage (8.38 YPC vs. Elliott’s 4.44 YPC) and based on the eye test he looks more explosive than Elliott. Pollard’s percentage of offensive snaps played was 34% in Week 2 compared to 24% in Week 1 and he only had three fewer carries than Elliott. Pollard scored the fourth most PPR fantasy points among RBs in Week 2 (Elliott had the ninth most) and is on his way to potentially having stand-alone ROS fantasy value.

Buccaneers

Ronald Jones played 41% of the Bucs’ offensive snaps in Week 2 up from 9% in Week 1. Don’t expect that trend to continue for the short term as head coach Bruce Arians took him to task for not picking up the blitz that resulted in a sack. Leonard Fournette out carried Jones 11 to 6 and that trend will likely continue. Giovani Bernard only played 10% of the Buccaneers’ offensive snaps in Week 2 and is the team’s third down back but he’s an excellent pass blocker. Look for his role to potentially increase slightly moving forward. 

49ers

Last week we were wondering why Trey Sermon was inactive for Week 1. While we never really got confirmation as to why Sermon was benched, if he’s healthy head coach Kyle Shanahan, will activate him for Week 3. As this article is being written Sermon is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, JaMycal Hasty is expected to miss the next few weeks with a high ankle sprain and Elijah Mitchell is considered day to day with a shoulder injury. Shanahan is having a hard time finding a healthy RB to start in Week 3 and the situation has become so desperate the 49ers worked out veteran RBs Lamar Miller, Duke Johnson and T.J. Yeldon earlier this week. They also added some RB depth with the signing of Jacques Patrick (5 YPC in 31 preseason rushing attempts). Mitchell has a chance to play, and Trenton Cannon, the only other healthy active 49er RB, could see some action in a Week 3 matchup against a Packers defense that’s given up the third highest average fantasy points per game to RBs so far this season.

Raiders

Josh Jacobs was out in Week 2 (toe/ankle) and despite only playing 29% of the Raiders’ offensive snaps compared to Kenyan Drakes’ 71% of offensive snaps, Peyton Barber out carried Drake 13 to 7. Drake retained his passing down back role with six targets and five receptions. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden had been talking Barber up leading up to their matchup against the Steelers and based on his usage Barber is clearly considered Jacobs’ direct backup. Gruden unofficially labeled Jacobs as “very questionable” for Week 3. If Jacobs in inactive, Barber should be able to take advantage of a good matchup against a Dolphins defense that is giving up 4.54 YPC to the RB position so far this season.