The fantasy football week is getting started up after the Colts and Titans played on Thursday night and some of the best sleeper starters and under the radar running backs includes names like Shane Vereen, Bobby Rainey, Mark Ingram and Ryan Mathews.
Vereen is making his way back from wrist surgery after being injured following the opening win of the season against the Buffalo Bills and there is a good chance that he will play on Monday night against the Carolina Panthers. Vereen was expected to take over the role of Danny Woodhead as the top pass catching back for the Pats and he appeared to have the edge in that area after performing great in Week 1, but after getting a wrist injury he was out of action until now and it looks like he will get the chance to shine once again.
The Patriots might bring him back slowly, but Vereen should get some chances on Monday night and he is a versatile talent that can run the ball and catch passes out of the backfield. In his first game of the season he has 14 carries for 101 yards and he also added seven catches for 58 yards in the game and the Patriots have sorely missed his production on offense. The Patriots are playing against one of the toughest defenses in the league and now he will be finally ready to return off of the IR list for the first time since playing against the Bills. Vereen came into the season after putting up over 120 yards against the Houston Texans with three touchdowns in the playoffs and now he likely will get the chance to play some WR and at running back on Monday.
Bobby Rainey could be a great option for deeper leagues, as Doug Martin and Mike James are done for the season and while Brian Leonard also should get some carries, Rainey is likely to be the man for the Buccaneers going forward. The team gave him eight carries in the Monday night win against the Dolphins and he ended up with 45 yards on the day with a touchdown and he also added one catch for 11 yards in the game. Rainey could be a versatile option for the buccaneers for the rest of the season and now that the team has one win, he should be a starter for the rest of the fantasy season.
Mark Ingram had a breakout game on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys and while that may not last, it is worth it to try and ride the hot hand and he is coming in after getting 14 carries and rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys and now he could get some more touches moving forward. Ingram has been a disappointment this season, but after having a solid game on Sunday, that could be turning around despite playing a tough team in the 49ers. Ryan Mathews has been playing very well this season and he has gone over 100 yards in two of his past four games and he also has two touchdowns in that span and could be a nice under the radar option going forward.