Jets to split Tomlinson, Greene's RB carries?

Nov 11, 2010

Whenever I hear that “(Fill in the player) is expected to more involved in the offense,” I take it with not only a grain of salt, but with so many grains of salt that production at the Snyder’s of Hanover pretzel factory has to shut down for a week.

But I certainly believe this one from NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora.

LaCanfora is reporting that the Jets are going to start shifting to a 50-50 timeshare between RBs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson:

Keep an eye on the Jets’ running game down the stretch. The sense I got from a member of the front office is that Shonn Greene and Tomlinson could begin to see a more balanced role.

In the past four weeks, L.T. has continued to carry the ball twice as often as Greene (67-35), but after running for about 5 yards per carry in the first four weeks of the season, Tomlinson is averaging just 3.85 yards per carry the past four games. Greene, meantime, is averaging 4.8 yards per carry over the last four games. It hasn’t gone unnoticed, and to expect L.T. to finish the season the way he started might be a bit naive.

Yes, we have heard this one before, but it makes a lot of sense and kind of follows the plan that the Jets used with Greene last year. Greene was sparingly used until the playoffs, when he came in fresh and bowled over the Bengals and Chargers en route to the AFC Championship Game. And it makes sense for them to do it again. Tomlinson is approaching the time of the season when he starts slowing down. And I am sure that the Jets’ training staff is readying that exercise bike on the sidelines for the team’s playoff run.

Fantasy Impact:

We've seen this coming since Greene went in the doghouse and LT started carrying the load early this season. LT probably wouldn't hold up given his current pace. But, with a fresh, young Greene standings on the sidelines, it makes a whole lot of sense he's going to get more work as the season goes on. Obviously, this is better news for Greene owners and he looks to become a guy to get in your lineup as an RB2 or flex player. It remains to be seen how the carries will be split, though, as both of them can find the end zone eliminating the need for one to be a traditional "goal line back." Also, Tomlinson will retain more value due to his role in the pass catching game.

yesterday

Raiders sign RB Sincere McCormick to roster; WR D.J. Turner to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 7:50 PM EST

The Raiders used up their temporary practice squad elevations for running back Sincere McCormick, so they made a more lasting roster move on Tuesday.

McCormick has been signed to the 53-man roster in Las Vegas. Wide receiver D.J. Turner was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

McCormick played in the last two games for the Raiders as they were missing Mattison and White due to injuries. McCormick ran 12 times for 64 yards in last Friday’s loss to the Chiefs and he had five carries for 33 yards against the Broncos in Week 12, the story said. McCormick led the way for the Raiders against the Chiefs with 12 carries to Abdullah's 10. McCormick may be worth a pickup and stash at this point, as the Raiders are trying to figure out their roster for 2025. Mattison, White and Abdullah don't necessarily offer much future upside at the position, so it's possible the team will see what they have with McCormick going forward. However, keep an eye on the injury statuses of Mattison and White. The Raiders are at Tampa Bay in Week 14.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) week to week

Ben Standing on X

yesterday · 7:21 PM EST

Austin Ekeler's response when asked whether he could return this season:

"It's week to week. I want to continue to learn more. It's my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I've had two and the severity of mine? It's a learning process for me because I've never had anything this bad and twice in the same season. ... The best thing about is the team has my back ... I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and Adam Peters for being there."

Related players: Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

Fantasy Impact:

It doesn't seem like Ekeler has a timetable and the week to week tag indicates it could be some time. Ekeler is clearly concerned about this long-term well-being. From a fantasy angle, Robinson should continue to lead the way with McNichols seeing the passing down work. Rodriguez may be a guy to pick up in deeper leagues as a stash, especially if Ekeler ends up missing significant time. Rodriguez got some mop-up time and ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, adding a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

49ers sign RB Israel Abanikanda; RB Christian McCaffrey to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:09 PM EST

The 49ers were down to one healthy running back on their active roster, so they added another one off the waiver wire on Tuesday.

The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that they have claimed Israel Abanikanda off of waivers from the Jets. Abanikanda was let go on Monday when the Jets signed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu to the 53-man roster.

Christian McCaffrey was officially moved to injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo is expected to take over the team's RB1 role with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both heading to IR. Abanikanda should be a familiar name to those in dynasty circles. He was a 2023 fifth-round pick but at the time was buried on the depth chart with the Jets, and he never earned much of a role on offense and didn’t play in the regular season this year, the story said. He appeared in six games as a rookie and ran 22 times for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards, the story added. The team also signed Vaughn to their practice squad.