Running backs take the most punishment of all the offensive skill positions, so injuries are bound to occur. Fantasy football owners accept that as a common fact headed into the season, but no one could have predicted the number of serious ailments the position would suffer this season.
Believe it or not, close to 20 prominent backs have missed at least one start due to injuries. Brandon Jacobs, Steven Jackson, Kevin Jones, Laurence Maroney and Michael Pittman have missed multiple contests, and studs like Joseph Addai, Rudi Johnson and Brian Westbrook have also missed time. The number of running backs lost for the entire season increased this week as well, as Ronnie Brown went down with an injured knee and joined Deuce McAllister and Cadillac Williams on that list. Brown was the best runner in the world of fantasy football, so his loss could be disastrous. It will be even harder to overcome for those owners who didn't utilize the handcuff and add Jesse Chatman.
Based on the number of NFL.com leagues in which Chatman is still available, it's clear that a lot of Brown owners didn't insure themselves. That was a huge mistake. If you're not near or atop the waiver-wire order, chances are you'll have no chance to acquire Chatman. That means your backfield depth just took a serious kick to the midsection.
For those owners in leagues with 10-plus teams whose backs have survived this long in what has been a difficult and tumultuous fantasy football season, now is the time to do what should have been done back in Week 1 -- insure your top running backs with their immediate reserves. Here's a look at the players to add to your team for the stretch run. The percentage in parenthesis represents the number of leagues the runner is still available in on NFL.com.
Tatum Bell, Detroit (53 percent): Kevin Jones is back to 100 percent and atop the Lions' depth chart, but he's been prone to injuries in his NFL career. That makes Bell a notable insurance plan.
Ladell Betts, Washington (31 percent): It could be hard to acquire Betts, but he would be an invaluable asset if Clinton Portis falls prey to injuries. Just ask owners who had him last season.
Correll Buckhalter, RB, Philadelphia (56 percent): It's no secret that Brian Westbrook has had problems with injuries throughout his NFL tenure, so Buckhalter is a must-have backfield handcuff.
Jesse Chatman, RB, Miami (93 percent): Chatman isn't insurance now that Ronnie Brown is out -- he's the starter -- but he's still available in a ton of NFL.com leagues. That won't last too long.
Najeh Davenport, Pittsburgh (44 percent): Davenport has done some serious damage near the goal line this season, so imagine how valuable he would be if Fast Willie Parker landed on the sidelines.
Ron Dayne, Houston (63 percent): There aren't a lot of runners more prone to injuries than Ahman Green, so it's a shock that Dayne is still a free agent in close to 65 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Kevin Faulk, New England (46 percent): Until Sammy Morris returns from an injured chest, Faulk will be the main reserve behind the brittle Laurence Maroney. Heath Evans is also a viable option.
Priest Holmes, Kansas City (70 percent): Kolby Smith is the main backup for Larry Johnson at this time, but Holmes would also experience a spike in carries (if he's able) should L.J. miss time.
Kenton Keith, Indianapolis (32 percent): Remember how incredible Keith was in his one start in the absence of Joseph Addai? That was enough to earn him a roster spot for owners who have Addai.
Maurice Morris, RB, Seattle (83 percent): Shaun Alexander isn't the same back who torched the NFL for 28 total touchdowns in 2005, and he's been at less than 100 percent health all season.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Chicago (77 percent): Cedric Benson hasn't done much in his first season as an NFL featured back, and his proneness to injuries as a pro makes Peterson well worth a spot.
Dominic Rhodes, Oakland (40 percent): LaMont Jordan missed significant time last season due to an injured knee and has had back problems in 2007, so owners who have him should be sure to add Rhodes.
Michael Robinson, San Francisco (96 percent): Reports out San Francisco indicate that Frank Gore could be limited or miss Week 8 due to a right ankle sprain, so Robinson or Maurice Hicks should be added.
Marcel Shipp, Arizona (95 percent): Edgerrin James has been durable for most of his career, but it still doesn't hurt to have Shipp in hand in case the Edge sustains a long- or short-term ailment.
Musa Smith, Baltimore (92 percent):Willis McGahee has been solid in his first season with the Ravens, but owners in larger leagues who have roster room should still consider Smith an option.
Aaron Stecker, RB, New Orleans (89 percent): The Saints have already lost McAllister, so Stecker would see a real spike in carries if Bush can't handle the increased workload and is injured.
Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota (34 percent): Taylor remains the starter in Minnesota, but we all know he's second in production (and fantasy value) to rookie standout Adrian Peterson.
Michael Turner, San Diego (39 percent): Turner the Burner would be the hottest name on the waiver wire if LaDainian Tomlinson was hurt, so why take the chance if you have L.T. on your roster?
Derrick Ward, N.Y. Giants (13 percent): Ward isn't available in most leagues, because Brandon Jacobs has had health issues all season. The versatile Ward has become the handcuff of choice.
Leon Washington, N.Y. Jets (64 percent): The Jets have had bad luck this season, so it wouldn't be a shock if Thomas Jones sustained some freak ailment. That would make Washington a real asset.
Kenny Watson, Cincinnati (32 percent): Watson was the most productive runner in fantasy football last week after Rudi Johnson was declared inactive with an injured hamstring. Enough said.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina (23 percent): It will be hard to land the talented Williams, but he'd make some noise if the brittle DeShaun Foster feel prey to another long-term injury.
Jason Wright, Cleveland (52 percent): Jamal Lewis is at less than 100 percent due to an injured foot, so there's a chance Wright will start in Week 8 against St. Louis's weak run defense.
Selvin Young, Denver (18 percent): Young was a hot name on waivers a few weeks back when reports surfaced that Travis Henry could be suspended, so the time to add him seems to have passed.
Waiver wire focus
Marty Booker, WR, Miami: Booker didn't do much against New England in Week 7, but he will see far more work after the trade of Chris Chambers. He is still a free agent in over 70 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco: Davis has been a bit of a disappointment, but he's back from an injured knee and is a talented athlete. Davis is still available in over 30 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Chicago: Muhammad, who is a free agent in almost 50 percent of NFL.com leagues, posted five catches for 79 yards and one touchdown in a win over Philadelphia in Week 7.
Tony Scheffler, TE, Denver: With Javon Walker and Stephen Alexander both out of action, Scheffler should see an increase in opportunities in the Broncos offense. He's available in most NFL.com leagues.
Kevin Walter, WR, Houston: Walter has recorded two consecutive monster stat lines for the Texans and is worth fantasy consideration, but his value will fall once Andre Johnson is back from an injured knee.
Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona: Countless fantasy owners prematurely released Warner after he hurt his left (non-throwing) elbow, so he's a free agent in almost 40 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Roddy White, WR, Atlanta: White, who is on pace to record career bests in receptions, yards and touchdowns based on his current level of production, is a free agent in almost 30 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Roydell Williams, WR, Tennessee: Williams posted five receptions and a career-best 124 yards in a win over Houston and has emerged as one of the few viable option in the Tennessee pass attack.
Mailbag
Tony Romo is on a bye this week, so I have to use either Trent Dilfer or Trent Edwards in Week 8. Who should I start? -- L. Applegate, Tulsa, Okla.
M.F.: It appears that Alex Smith, not Dilfer, will start for San Francisco this week, so I would add Smith if at all possible. Otherwise, it's Edwards against the N.Y. Jets. Sage Rosenfels could also be an option if Matt Schaub is unavailable for Houston.
* Should I start Derek Anderson or Jon Kitna?* -- B. Fleury, N/A
M.F.: Kitna hasn't done much the past two weeks, while Anderson is third in total fantasy points in NFL.com standard scoring systems. Both quarterbacks have decent matchups, but I'd side with Anderson.