The Baltimore Ravens offense has not looked all that great in two games this season and with the Houston Texans awaiting on Sunday in Week 3, the team will take another hit, as it appears running back Ray Rice will not play in the game, leaving Bernard Pierce to start while he deals with a hip injury suffered last week against the Cleveland Browns.
According to ESPN.com, Rice has been listed on the injury report as doubtful for the game on Sunday and after the way he looked leaving the field last week against the Browns in the 14-6 victory, it's likely that he will miss the game against the Texans. Rice has had a slow start to the season for fantasy owners and he got into it with them through the media and now people obviously will be looking for replacements and if Bernard Pierce is not taken in some leagues, he is a must-grab now with Rice possibly being out.
Amazingly enough, Pierce has outgained Rice through two games and that could be troubling going forward, as he was expected to be one of the top fantasy running backs in football. Rice did not get the chance to practice this week because of the hip and that is the biggest signal that he won't be playing and even if he is looked at as a gametime decision, chances are the Ravens will be cautious and hold him out. The team is coming off a win against the Browns, but the team scored only 14 points and that game after the embarrassing loss against the Denver Broncos to open the season.
Rice has had just 36 yards in each of the first two games on a combined 25 carries and he has scored just one rushing touchdown. He has made 11 receptions during that time, but eight of those came in the opening loss to the Broncos and now it could be awhile before fantasy owners get the production they were expecting from him this season. Pierce has outgained Rice this season and was thought to be a solid handcuff option anyway and now he will get the chance to start after getting 28 carries and 79 yards in two games with Rice dealing with the hip issue.
Even if Rice plays this week, he is not going to get a starting amount of carries and fantasy owners should be aware of his status. Some replacement options if owners are scrambling includes Willis McGahee, Giovani Bernard and Jason Snelling, who could all have solid games in Week 3. The Falcons are heading into their game against the Dolphins with an injury to Steven Jackson and that could mean Snelling gets a nice amount of carries on Sunday.
Willis McGahee may not be the best start for this week, but going forward if Rice is dealing with health issues he could be a nice pickup, as the Browns traded away Trent Richardson and signed him to be the new starting running back. The offense doesn't have much now and he could be a good option as long as he can remain healthy. Giovani Bernard scored two touchdowns last week and he is a big grab in PPR leagues, as he is developing in the offense and made over 40 receptions during his two seasons in college.