With the news that RB Josh Jacobs (quad) did not participate in either of the Las Vegas Raiders’ practices/walk-throughs this week, the possibility he will miss Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers is high. So, should fantasy football managers take a chance and start Jacobs anyway, or should they give backup RBs Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White a shot? Let’s break down each player’s fantasy outlook.
Editor’s Note: According to a report by Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Jacobs will be out for the Raiders Week 15 game against the Chargers.
Should You Start Josh Jacobs in Fantasy This Week?
If healthy, Jacobs would be the obvious choice to start among these running backs on Thursday.
But given how his quad injury limited him to a season-low 34 offensive snaps last week, and the fact that he has yet to participate in any activities this week, it doesn’t seem likely that he will be able to go against the Chargers.
The shame of it, for fantasy football managers, is that Jacobs had arguably his best all-around game against the Chargers back in Week 4. He rushed for only 58 yards (3.4 yards per carry) but still caught eight passes for 81 yards, both season-high marks. He also had his first touchdown of the season in that matchup. The 139 scrimmage yards were the most for Jacobs this season.
In addition, with the Raiders playing at home, it’s worth noting that in his last two home games against the Chargers, Jacobs had at least 130 rushing yards.
While it would be a big loss if he can’t go Thursday, if he can suit up and play, his history against L.A. is worth putting in your starting lineup.
Should You Start Ameer Abdullah in Fantasy This Week?
If Jacobs can’t go, it would seem that even if Abdullah didn’t get the start, he would at least see more time on the field Thursday. But will that even matter?
Abdullah has been on the field for 139 total offensive snaps this season, but he has only touched the ball 20 times (six rush attempts and 14 receptions.)
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One item worth noting for Abdullah is the fact that the Chargers have allowed the second-most receptions to opposing running backs this season with 85.
Assuming Jacobs is out, Abdullah figures to get in more on passing downs for the Raiders. Even a couple of receptions will make a dent in a fantasy lineup.
Should You Start Zamir White in Fantasy This Week?
White has seen even less time on the field — 51 offensive snaps — than Abdullah this season. His season-high for rushing yards is 22 back in a Week 2 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.
There isn’t much reason to throw your support around White for this week, except that he will probably get the start if Jacobs can’t go. This way, the Raiders can see if the second-year RB has a future with the team.
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It’s the carries — not necessarily the production — that leads me to want to start White over these other two Raiders RBs this week.
The Chargers have allowed at least 100 rushing yards in each of their last five games, so even if Jacobs is out, expect the Raiders to try and run the ball.
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Jacobs is the player to start. His projected 7.9 points include 36 rushing yards, two receptions, and 12 receiving yards. His projected stat line outperforms the consensus projections of White (4.0 points) and Abdullah (3.8).
However, when you isolate my rankings, I see White outperforming both Jacobs and Abdullah. The injury status of the starter seems too much to dismiss for a short week. That will likely leave White as the lead back for the Raiders in this matchup.
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