Injuries to key fantasy football running backs over the past week have caused two former RB handcuffs to evolve into RB1s, and another NFL fantasy running back to solidify his spot atop his team’s RB depth chart. Fumbles may have also elevated at least one RB handcuff’s status to an RB1 as well. 

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover in this week’s RB handcuff report. 

 

 

 

Fantasy Football NFL Week 4 Running Back Handcuff Report

New England Patriots

It’ll be interesting to see how the Patriots utilize their RBs in Week 4 after a brutal Week 3 performance in which Rhamondre Stevenson lost two fumbles and Antonio Gibson lost one. Both Stevenson and Gibson have had issues with ball security in the past. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel didn't reveal how he’d distribute carries among his RBs in Week 4, but if the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is any indication, rookie RB Treyveon Henderson will have an expanded role in the team’s backfield. Henderson played 26 of the Patriots’ 31 offensive snaps in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ loss to the Steelers in Week 4. Despite Vrabel not committing to how he’d utilize his backfield in Week 4, he did commend Stevenson for his good pass protection skills, another big factor in determining how much playing time a RB will see.  

Arizona Cardinals

With James Conner suffering a season-ending ankle injury, Trey Benson will take over as the team’s RB1. Benson has been effective in limited action in his brief NFL career. He’s carried the ball 84 times and is averaging a gaudy 5.0 YPC. He’s got a tough matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4; however, they have been prone to allowing RBs to catch passes out of the backfield. As of now, it’s looking like Emari Demercado would be the next man up in the Cardinals' backfield and Benson’s RB handcuff. 

New York Giants

Cam Skattebo’s role has increased steadily since Week 1, but he will officially fill the role of Giants RB1 now that Tyrone Tracy will miss the next two to four weeks due to a dislocated shoulder. Skattebo is a four-down back who can get it done on the ground and through the air, but he has a very tough Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have given up the fourth fewest rushing yards to RBs. There is plenty of long-term optimism and upside for Skattebo’s fantasy value as the season progresses, and as a football fan, you’ll enjoy watching him play the game. Devin Singletary will be Skattebo’s RB handcuff and the Giants’ change-of-pace back.

 

 

 

Los Angeles Chargers

It’ll be the battle of rookie RBs when the Chargers face the Giants in Week 4. Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton will be the team’s lead back moving forward, now that Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Hampton’s matchup against the Giants is much more favorable than Skattebo’s, but both rookies have a good chance of being top 12 fantasy RBs by the end of the season. Hassan Haskins looks like the next man up and Hampton’s RB handcuff for the short term.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders went with a committee approach in managing their RBs’ utilization in Week 4. Jacory Croskey-Merritt led Commanders RBs with 23 snaps played, followed closely behind by Chris Rodriguez (22 snaps). Jeremy McNichols played 15 snaps and was largely used on passing downs, but he did make the most of his four carries, which included a 60-yard TD scoring dash. Unfortunately for fantasy football managers, head coach Dan Quinn seems satisfied with using a balanced, hot hand approach in utilizing his running backs, at least for the short term.

Seattle Seahawks

This could be a key week in determining the RB hierarchy in the Seahawks’ backfield. Zach Charbonnet, who was inactive in Week 3 (foot), has been practicing in full and looks like he’ll be active in Week 4. Based on snaps played percentage, Charbonnet appeared to be the Seahawks’ primary RB through the first two weeks of the season. However, Kenneth Walker has been the more effective RB, scoring three TDs in his last two games. Seahawks RBs have a good matchup this week against the Arizona Cardinals, who have given up three total TDs and the fourth most receptions to fantasy football RBs. Hopefully, we have a better understanding of what Walker III’s and Charbonnet’s roles will be moving forward following their Week 4 matchup.