The Miami Dolphins come into Week 11 with Lamar Miller a bit banged up and fantasy football owners should look at Damien Williams as well as LaMichael James as backup options to handcuff in case Miller can't go on Thursday and they could be solid sleeper pickups moving forward if Miller misses time down the stretch this season.
The Dolphins have dealt with a number of injuries this year and losing Knowshon Moreno was one of the toughest and that elevated Miller into the starting role. Miller played while Moreno was injured earlier in the season and was very effective and then when he was lost for the year he took over again. Miller was limited in practice heading into the Thursday game and there is a chance that he could be limited in the game on Thursday.
Miami will have a long break after this game and they can use that time to give Miller the chance to heal up. Miller comes in after rushing for just 10 yards on four carries and that was his first single digit carry game all season. Miller had just five touches against the Lions in the game on Sunday and while he was limited in practice, he could be a game time decision on Thursday. Daniel Thomas is another player to keep an eye on, but Williams has been better overall and could see more carries than Thomas.
Miller has 528 yards this season and five touchdowns and he also has been a force in the passing game, making 22 catches for 140 yards. Miller had a so-so season last year with 709 rushing yards and two TDs along with 26 receptions for 170 yards and he is on pace to pass those numbers this season. Miller will set career highs if he passes those and he has been very consistent this season, averaging nearly five yards per game, which is a stark improvement from last year. Miller has only had one 100-yard game this season, but he had not been under 49 yards in any game apart from one before the Week 10 matchup.
Williams had 37 yards last week and rushed seven times and he touched the ball 10 times overall with three catches. Williams could be a solid option for the Dolphins and fantasy owners on Sunday, as he has plenty of speed and could see more carries than Thomas or James. Williams has 100 yards in limited time this season and he is just behind Thomas, who has 115 yards in six games this year. Williams out carried Thomas in the game last week, as Thomas had just five carries for 14 yards and he also lost a fumble.
The Dolphins come into the game at seventh in the league in rushing yards per game and they are looking to keep that going even with Miller ailing. The team is 5-4 this season and right in the mix in the playoffs and they have a tough schedule to end the season. After playing against the Bills on Thursday, the team has three of four on the road, including against the Broncos, Jets, Ravens and Patriots.
