Fabiano’s Fantasy Focus: Week Nine, Vol. I – Derrick Henry Injury And Strategy

Every week during the NFL season, Sports Illustrated Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano joins Sports360AZ’s Brad Cesmat to share his insight on building and developing your fantasy team for success.

In our most recent conversation with Michael (Oct. 26), we discussed the catastrophic injury to Titans running back Derrick Henry and how managers should go about trying to replace him. Here is what Fabs had to say:

Assuming All Goes Well His Recovery, Henry Could Be Back For Fantasy Playoffs. Should Managers Hold Onto Him?

“Your league should have an injured spot, or several, and if it does then just throw him there. It’s not fair to have to make this decision in a league with small rosters or small benches, but if that’s the case, you have to drop him. He might come back for championship week, maybe. Even if he does come back, is he going to be Derrick Henry? Also, if the Titans are in the playoff push or they’ve already clinched, why would they even play him? If a hot free agent pops up and Derrick Henry is eating up a roster spot, you cut him.”

 

The Titans Signed 36-Year-Old Adrian Peterson To Replace Henry. What Do You Expect From Him?

“The good thing is that Tennessee runs the ball a lot. The bad thing is that he hasn’t played football since last December. He wasn’t terrible for the Lions last year, he was their top back for a lot of the season. We’re in week nine now and we need volume at running back. If he’s going to get me 15 carries a game, I’m taking it. You kind of have to because of all the injuries to running backs right now. He’s probably going to be an RB2/flex for the rest of the season. The Titans could add another back via trade or waivers, but as it stands Adrian Peterson is going to be the hottest add off of the waiver wire.”

Chiefs RB Derrick Gore Is Another Potential Waiver Wire Fill-In For Henry. What Do You Think Of Him?

“You could pick Gore up off the wire because running backs are hard to come by, but ultimately Darrell Williams still had more carries and all of the catches out of the backfield. He just didn’t have as many fantasy points as Gore. Right now, you’re looking at Darrell Williams and Derrick Gore in somewhat of a backfield committee in Kansas City with Jerick McKinnon on the outside looking in until Clyde Edwards-Helaire comes back. Derrick Gore is worth an add off of the waiver wire.”

Philadelphia’s Backfield Committee Also Has Some Intriguing Options. Which Eagles Running Back Do You Like The Best?

“Boston Scott is a good play this week. The Chargers are bad against the run and the game is in Philadelphia. I’d play Boston Scott first, but with four teams on bye this week, I’d even start Jordan Howard if I was desperate and if I played in a league with multiple flexes. He’s going to get goal-line opportunities and, again, the Chargers are bad against the run.”