Fantasy Football Week 12 Running Back Start/Sit: Chuba Hubbard, Kareem Hunt, Javonte Williams and More
These are the running backs who you need to get in your lineup this week and the ones who should be left on your bench.
Start
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about starting Hubbard this week. Not only does he have the toughest possible matchup against the Chiefs, who are allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, but top rookie prospect Jonathon Brooks is also finally expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday.
The rookie's undefined role brings a level of uncertainty to the backfield. However, we are here to tell you not to worry about any of that. It's extremely unlikely that Brooks will see a significant workload immediately after being brought along so slowly from his ACL tear, especially, with the Panthers not competing for anything this season. There is no reason to risk the long-term health of a player the franchise views as a major building block for the future.
Also, we don't care about the matchup. Hubbard has reached a level where he is a must-start running back every single week no matter who he's up against. If he falls on his face, we are willing to live with that. We aren't willing to live with him doing what he does on a weekly basis on our bench though.
The fact that the team gave him a substantial extension also shows a commitment that makes us feel secure that they won't be going away from him to see what they have in the rookie. Hubbard is there for the long haul and they will continue to give him the workload he's earned.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
The looming return of Isiah Pacheco can and will throw a massive monkey wrench into this Kansas City backfield. We are mentioning Hunt based on the assumption that Pacheco will be activated this week.
While we do believe Pacheco will ultimately make Hunt unstartable, that won't be the case his first week back and it most certainly won't be the case against the Panthers, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Even if Pacheco was given a 50/50 split upon his return, which he won't be, we have seen multiple backfields produce two start-worthy running backs against this defense. The time to panic about Hunt will come and it will come soon - it's just not this week.
Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders
As we inch closer to kickoff on Sunday, it's looking more and more likely that both Alexander Mattison and Zamir White could be forced to sit this week out due to injuries they suffered in Week 11. That would leave Abdullah as the clear-cut RB1 simply because he's the last man standing in that backfield.
He probably won't have a big day on the ground, but should see plenty of targets and thrive off of PPR value. The Raiders' offense revolves around just dumping it off to the tight ends and running backs at this point, so that should give him a solid floor. If he can find his way into the end zone or break off a big play, then it could be a great week for a guy you can probably stream in your flex spot.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Despite Brian Robinson Jr. being back to full health, we are still plugging in Ekeler this week. The Cowboys' defense has shown little resistance to opposing running backs. They are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position this season.
Both Commanders' backs should be started with confidence in Week 12, so don't shy away from Ekeler just because Robinson has proven that he's fully healthy.
Sit
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
This is a nightmare scenario for Swift owners in Week 12. The new offensive coaching staff has already been getting Roschon Johnson more involved. So now you have a potential split backfield against the Minnesota Vikings, who are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.
To make matters worse, Swift popped up on the injury report this week with a groin injury. That's one of the trickiest injuries to predict and one of the most common to get re-aggravated in the game. If at all possible, you should avoid Swift this week. He's set up for failure.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Who is the starter in Denver? Is it Williams? Is it Audric Estime? Does it even matter? Even with a great matchup against the Raiders, we are avoiding this backfield altogether.
There is far too much uncertainty from week to week. Also, Williams simply isn't a very good running back. You shouldn't be starting any of the backs in this backfield until we get some clarity on who is in which role. Unfortunately, there is a good chance we never get that clarity this season.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys' offense can't move the ball and Dowdle was never very good to begin with. Pile on what should be a negative game script and there is no reason to be optimistic about him this week.
There isn't really any reason to be optimistic about anything or anyone that has anything to do with this team right now. Hopefully, you can find a better option at running back this week. It shouldn't be too difficult unless the bye week crushed you.
