The fantasy football schedule is now into Week 8 and with a number of teams on bye weeks, it will be important for owners to make the right choices to start and at the running back position, Yahoo Sports fantasy leagues has some good names in Roy Helu, Steven Jackson, Kendall Hunter, Chris Ivory, Fred Jackson and Peyton Hillis.
Jackson is a very interesting option to start in Week 8, as fantasy owners have been waiting for weeks to get him back into the lineup, but they should also be cautious in case he is pulled late. According to reports, Jackson has been limited in practice with a hamstring issue, but he appears to be ready to start barring a big setback and so far he has been fine while getting his reps back up. The final injury report will be more telling, but after weeks of keeping him on the bench
Jackson came into the season as prime draft option and after suffering his injury, he was held out of a number of games and this season he only has 77 yards on 14 carries, which has put the Falcons in a tough spot and is why they are 2-4 on the season. Jackson was expected to carry the load, but in his absence the team has used Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling and now he will bump those two back after coming back, but they are smart handcuff options, as his injury could come up again and fantasy owners should make sure they have a backup plan in case it flares up on Jackson later in the year. Jackson started off the season with a 77 yard performance against the Saints and he also had five catches for 45 yards and it looked like a sign of things to come, but after three carries against the Rams he was done and now halfway through the season he is back.
Roy Helu was looked at as a sleeper when the season began and while he had some slow games early on, the play of Alfred Morris allowed him to get some more carries and last game against the Chicago Bears he made the most of it, scoring three touchdowns on the day while also rushing for 41 yards. After not having any carries or yards in two games previously, in his past three, Helu has had double digit carries in two of three games and he has been very consistent, rushing for over 40 yards in those three games.
Helu also scored four touchdowns during that time and he could continue to get a steady dose of touches. Helu has been a factor in the passing game with 12 catches for 133 yards and over the past three games he has seven catches and that could make him a prime third down back and a solid handcuff and deep option in some leagues, especially PPR ones. Helu might get lucky again this week against the Broncos, just don't expect three TDs again.
Kendall Hunter is an interesting start, as he is playing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London and that game could end up being a huge blowout. Kendall has scored a TD in three of the last five games and he could get another one on Sunday. Chris Ivory and Fred Jackson are also solid start RBs.
